Ditch the Gym Membership, Save $1000 a Year or More!

We’ve been trying to workout more the past month or so and it’s super easy to do at home with a few supplies and little willpower. Whereas once upon a time we used to have a fancy YMCA membership and probably paid $85 or more each month for the family plan. Add that up and we spent a good $1000 a year! Thankfully, we don’t do that anymore.

The sad thing is that, like most “new” habits, we used the membership a lot the first few weeks and then gradually stopped going but still paid the fees. I shutter to think how much money we spend on unused gym memberships over the years. Even worse, we did this more than once, getting the membership, working out, not going, ditching the membership eventually, and then doing it all over again. Ugh. 😉

Granted, there’s some nice things about a gym membership with the myriad of weight sets and machines, fitness machines, track, swimming pool (that’s a big one for use), classes, and more. But, as we’re getting older, we find we don’t need all of that stuff. In fact, we have all that we honestly need at home for what we prefer to do.

And though the following will discuss the fitness equipment we use regularly, you could get away with purchasing almost nothing. In fact, for many of us a brisk walk is a great exercise option!

Last, it should go without saying that you really do need to ensure you’re capable and healthy enough for any exercise routine so please check with your physician before taking any of the following recommendations…

Fitness DVD Set

We’ve tried a few different DVD systems over the years, including the P90X system, various yoga and fitness DVDs, but we always seemed to come back to the Supreme 90 DVDs when we get “serious” about exercising:

For the price, we like this system the best and definitely better than P90X. The workouts are shorter, the exercises not so difficult (though there are a few we tend to skip), and there’s actually fewer items required than the P90X system, if I remember right.

Of course, you really don’t even need a DVD set if you’re willing to do some searching online for exercises and can make a good plan to follow. For us, the DVD system worked the best.

Exercise Bands

For most DVD systems you need a good set of varied exercise bands like these shown below. If there’s two of you working out then you’re going to want a second set:

Exercise Ball

The Supreme 90 DVD set makes use of an exercise ball for some of the routines. While you can do without the ball for most routines the ball really does make the exercises better. Just be sure to purchase an appropriately sized ball for your height as they come in three difference diameters. The following is a 55 centimeter ball which is better for short people (chosoe a 65 centimeter if you’re average height and 75 centimeter if you’re extra tall):

Free Weights/Dumbbell Set

While we do have some free weights ranging from about 5 pounds to 20 pounds they can get expensive to purchase and really aren’t necessary for most workouts when you have a good set of exercise bands.

Don’t get me wrong, the free weights are easier for some exercises so it doesn’t hurt to have them if you can afford it. The least expensive place I’ve found to buy the individual weights are at Walmart. Of course, if I could afford it I would love to have a set of these Bowflex dumbbells:

But the Bowflex dumbbells are not “in the cards” as they say anytime soon. Overall, you can purchase the above referenced equipment (the DVD set, two sets of exercise bands, two balls) for about $150 or so. Add in some free weights and you’re at $200+.

You can have this stuff paid off in two or three short months of a typical gym membership and have it around for years to come. Beyond all the money savings you can even save yourself time by not having to commute to and from the gym. Think about how much time the commutes alone take.

It’s a win/win all around. Now the hard part is to choose to do it!

One of the best ways we’ve found to start exercising again and to stick with it is to start small. Instead of insisting we exercise 3-5 times per week which is usually accomplished the FIRST week but not so much each subsequent week, we say we’ll workout once a week for sure, any workouts beyond that in a a week are bonus. Just guarantee a bare minimum of once a week and don’t push it early on. Be happy if you only exercise once each week. Do more if you want that week, or not. Just do it ONCE!

Keep this up for however long is necessary until you feel like you’re truly willing and able to guarantee a workout twice a week. It could easily be months, that’s fine. Again, don’t rush it. Do what you and your body are willing and able to guarantee. I’m sure you see the pattern.

Over time you’ll be glad you stuck with it. 🙂


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My latest book, The Survival Blueprint: How to Prepare Your Family for Disaster, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ49Y5X4

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