You are a gym rat and work out three, four or five times per week. You’d head to the gym more often, but your schedule doesn’t permit it. Besides, with enough things to do around the home, getting to the gym is a privilege.
For those times you’re not able to get to the gym, having access to fitness equipment in your home is ideal. You don’t want to spend a mint on equipment, but you aren’t sure where to look. The following are some ideas on how to save big.
Consider Used Fitness Equipment
Why buy new when you can find used fitness equipment and at great savings? Certainly, you don’t want to consider something old and in bad shape. You want equipment that is at least “like new.”
Consider this: many people start a fitness regimen thinking that they will be in it for the long haul. They invest in expensive equipment, get started, and soon quit. Some people simply are not cut out for it and give up. Others find that they’re more interested in exercising with others, such as at a gym. Now, they’re eager to unload their investment to at least recoup some of their expense.
Places to look for big savings on fitness equipment include on Craigslist as well as on special Facebook pages, neighborhood message boards, or other online sites serving your area. Here, you want to inspect the equipment in person, before buying it. The equipment should be to shape and the price should reflect a discount for prior usage.
Shop for Last Year’s Specials
Fitness equipment changes all the time. That means what was hot last year is not so hot this year. Like automobiles, equipment changes from year to year, especially expensive elliptical machines, some treadmills, and home cardio machines.
Last year’s hot items may not have sold out completely. Therefore, merchants will often mark prices down in an effort to move unsold inventory. This means a trip to your favorite sporting goods store may pay off in a sizable discount on equipment you desired.
You might also check select close out stores to find out if they’re stocking equipment too. On occasion, a Big Lots or Ollie’s will carry fitness equipment, and mark them way down. When advertising, the brand name may not be listed, but that information can quickly be uncovered by visiting the store.
Buy It Over Time
Okay, this method won’t save you money in the long run, but it can save you money in the short run, especially if you don’t want to delay your purchase. Here, you would find the fitness equipment you want and buy it over time. You’d take possession of it immediately, but make monthly payments.
Just be certain that the equipment you buy on time is what you really want, otherwise you may find yourself making payments for 24 or 36 months with little interest in what you have purchased, especially after a few months.
Of course, buying any fitness equipment can be worth it if you aren’t the only one in your household using it. The more users, the easier it is to justify your purchase. In effect, you’re spreading the cost of buying equipment across more users, even if you’re the one paying the bill.
Getting Fit Now
Purchasing fitness equipment for the home is a smart decision if your gym time is limited or if you prefer at-home workouts.
But be careful: if you invest in equipment you’re not familiar with, then you may be stuck with something you really do not want. Therefore, it might be better to buy the same type of equipment you use at the gym and avoid an unpleasant and very costly surprise explains Fitness 19.