Once again, EverBeautiful.com is proud to welcome money-saving expert, Andrea Woroch to its pages. Below, Andrea shares tips to get fit for less …
Health and fitness goals top the list of New Year resolutions in the U.S. In fact, a recent survey found over 41 percent of consumers have vowed to “live a healthier lifestyle” while another 40 percent are striving to lose weight in 2016.
Though there are many low-cost options for working out outside of the gym, most people find that a membership to a health club is crucial for meeting their fitness goals. While good health is worth the investment, you don’t have to throw away money at the first fitness fad that promises results.
Get healthy without compromising your budget by following these gym savings tips.
1. Inquire about employee discounts. To keep growing group healthcare costs in check, employers are offering their employees various incentives to stay healthy and fit with free or discounted gym memberships and company-wide fitness challenges. Inquire with your HR supervisor to find out if your company offers any such incentives or make a case to do so.
2. Review health insurance reimbursements. Some health insurance companies offer reimbursements for members who use a gym membership on a regular basis. For example, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem and Aetna are some of the largest providers of health coverage in the nation that offer reimbursements for select plans. Consult with your insurance broker or insurance representative for more information.
3. Max out trials. Take advantage of complimentary or super-cheap trials at the many gyms and speciality fitness studios in your area to get several months of free workouts. Testing out different facilities before committing is important to find the one that works best for you. Make sure to visit the gym during your preferred times and gauge the facility for crowds, equipment access and parking space availability.
4. Negotiate membership fees. January is the busiest month of the year for new member sign-ups and promotions offering discounted initiation fees or free personal training sessions are not uncommon. Before signing up, always try to negotiate for a better deal. Sales associates have the power to waive sign-up fees, throw in a free month, add a few more personal training sessions or extra buddy passes so you can workout with friends to sweeten the deal.
5. Opt for a punch pass. More than two-thirds of gym memberships never get used. Don’t fall into this statistic; before signing up, ask yourself how often you really plan to use the gym. If it’s only once a week, you’ll get more bang from your buck by opting for a punch pass so you can pay-as-you-go. If you go to the gym just for the yoga class, you might consider a membership to a local studio so you’re not paying for equipment, facilities and classes you don’t use.
6. Barter, volunteer or teach. You can get a free membership to a gym, Pilates or yoga studio by offering professional services like website design, social media, bookkeeping or even fitness instruction. While this usually works best for a small or local club, spending just one night a week checking in members or cleaning up may get you a complimentary membership in exchange.
7. Create a gym at home. The gym atmosphere isn’t for everyone, but this shouldn’t deter you from meeting your fitness goals. At-home gyms cost a bit more upfront, but you’ll save quite a bit of money in unused membership fees. January is a great time to pick up fitness equipment for less, as stores like Sports Authority and Dick’s Sporting Goods discount gear to accommodate resolution makers. You can also pick up inexpensive dumbbells, resistance bands and balance balls from such discount retailers as Walmart and Target.
9. Stream videos for free. You don’t need fancy equipment to break a sweat. Streaming videos are so popular that fitness professionals and companies offer workout sessions for free or at low rates. Sites like FitFusion.com offer streaming subscriptions of high-intensity workouts, yoga and pilates for just $10 per month in some cases. Streaming workout videos not only allows you to mix up your routine whenever you want, they also help you stay on track when you’re away from home since videos can be streamed on laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Andrea Woroch is a money-saving expert who transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers by sharing smart spending tips and personal finance advice. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbes and many more. In addition, Andrea’s stories have been published among leading publications and sites such as Yahoo!, AOL Daily Finance, CNN Money, Huffington Post, LearnVest and New York Daily News. Check out Andrea’s demo reel or visit her website at AndreaWoroch.com for more information about booking an interview or requesting an original written article. You can also follow her on Twitter or Facebook for daily money tips.
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