Gym Expenses: 3 Ways to Save

December 18th, 2008 by Matt | Posted in Save Money

Saving money on gym expenses can be a difficult thing to do.  The gym represents a cost that many will say is unnecessary, but for the majority of us, it is probably a good investment.  Before you consider quitting your gym habit to save money, read the following tips to see if there is an alternative:

1. Negotiate.  It’s possible to haggle for a lower gym membership fee.   Many gyms are willing to negotiate their prices or the length of their contracts, if you just ask.  Note: If you are already under contract, you may not have any leverage to negotiate; this works best for prospective members.  There is an excellent resource here that you can use as a guideline for negotiating to save on your gym expenses.
2. If you were unsuccessful in negotiating a lower price, try looking for a cheaper gym. If you don’t need a racquetball or basketball court, a rock wall, pool, or running track, you can probably opt to join one of the smaller gyms around town. These gyms usually offer a complete set of weight-training and cardio equipment, without the bells and whistles, for a much more reasonable price than the larger gyms.
3. Don’t waste money on protein shakes in the gym’s cafe. These are usually much too expensive. Instead, save money on gym expenses by making your own protein shakes at home. It’s easy, tasty, and about half the cost.

As you can see, there are several ways in which you can save money on gym expenses, without terminating your gym membership.  Give careful consideration to these tips before you risk compromising your health to save a buck.

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