Staying fit is wise for several reasons. The issue is that the cost of a fitness center membership can add up quickly. Plus, not everyone lives near a high-quality fitness center. Fortunately, going with a home gym can work well, and it may save you a bundle if you set it up right. Here’s a look at how home gyms can save you money, along with tips to design an affordable home gym.
How Home Gyms Save You Money
Home gyms can save you money because they don’t come with a recurring cost. Using a fitness center usually means dealing with monthly dues to maintain access. Plus, most fitness centers require long-term commitments – often around two years – and canceling before that can trigger penalty fees.
With a home gym, you pay for the equipment once, and it’s yours to use as long as you’d like. Plus, since it’s in your house, you avoid additional expenses, like gas to drive to a fitness center.
How to Design an Affordable Home Gym
When you’re setting up a home gym, you’ll usually need to shell out some cash to get the equipment you need. Fortunately, you don’t have to invest in costly equipment in the beginning. Instead, there are many affordable options that can do the trick.
In most cases, it’s best to keep things simple in the beginning. While fancy equipment may seem appealing, it means spending a lot just to get started. When you’re first starting out, it’s hard to tell if those investments are worthwhile, as you may not stick with your routine long enough for them to provide value.
Instead, go with the low-cost approach first. For example, resistance bands often cost less than free weights, but you can use them in similar ways. Kettlebells are also versatile, and you can get a good set without breaking the bank or buy them separately, only purchasing new ones when you’ve reached a point where increasing the weight makes sense.
A jump rope is low-cost but works as an excellent option for cardio. As a result, it’s an affordable alternative to treadmills, ellipticals, or similar options.
Use low-cost equipment to help develop your home workout habit. Then, you can invest in different gear when you’re exercising regularly, and the need becomes clear. That can help you avoid overspending in the beginning, ensuring that you choose items that will provide you with long-term value.
Do you have any other tips that can help someone create an affordable home gym? Have you tried any of the options above and want to let others know how it worked out? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
- 5 Ways to Minimize Your Workout Costs
- Free (or Really Cheap) Gyms and Places to Workout
- The Most Affordable Fitness Bands
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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