Time and money invested in fitness

[Rukh O'Rorke]

How much? How long?

No talking about how long you exercised but how long to travel to and from your exercise venue?

How much do you pay for gym membership, yoga classes, bowling leagues, whatever it is that you do do.

[tractor]

My gym is about 10 minutes from my house. I pay $400/yr for 24 hour access.

[grumpyhermit]

I pay $10 a month for Zwift.
One time costs
 - bike $500
- indoor trainer - $400

I also recently started jogging and bought a decent pair of shoes and inserts. Around $150 combined.

I hate gyms with a burning passion.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

0 miles, we have an exercise bike in the sun room.   Cost about $150.

[cktc]

There is a gym included with our HOA that I have yet to set foot in after almost a year   
When I used to pay, it was usually around $20/month and not more than 10 minutes from home.
For yoga I usually pay $10 per class, and travel around 10-15 minutes. There is a new studio that has mommy and me classes and childcare for $2 that is allegedly opening a few miles down the road. I think their classes will be more expensive, but probably worth it if I can bring DS along with me.

[Deleted]

I have a Planet Fitness Black card membership, so it's about $21/month with taxes.  I have the fancy membership not because of the tanning beds or the massage chairs (never use them) but because I can use any one I want, including the one in the town where DS and DDIL live, and I can bring DS in as a guest to my home club when they visit.  I also use different ones in my area when they're closer to whatever errands I'm running.  My home club is 3 miles from the house, so maybe 10 minutes to get there.

I spend very little else on fitness other than occasional entry fees for charity bike rides and maybe $200 when i take my bicycle in every year or so for an overhaul. I have a lifetime supply of T-shirts from corporate and athletic events and that's what I wear- don't need LuLeMon or UnderArmor gear.

This year I started on Medicare after 3.5 years of paying for private health insurance after retirement.  I like to think that one of the reasons I never even made a dent in the $6K annual deductible (had a couple of severe colds and a few cases of bad poison ivy) is that I stayed in good physical condition.

Jan 18, 2018 16:08:56 GMT -5 grumpyhermit said:

I hate gyms with a burning passion.

Just curious- why?

[bobosensei]

I belong to the YMCA for the classes.  I have a discounted rate for being referred so I pay 46 a month for myself.  It was 68 when I also paid for exH.  Without the referral price I'd pay 20% more.  It is 3-4 miles from my house, and on weekends takes 10-15 minutes to get there.  After work (which is 1.5 closer) it takes at least 30.  Someone in my neighborhood goes to a place that is 20 a month just for weights.  It is about 2 miles from my house, and they drive at least 20 minutes with traffic, and 7-8 without.  There are other places that would be about the same drive that are 10-20 a month (classes cost more).  There is one 24 hour place half a mile from my house for 15 a month, but it is really small, parking is terrible, and no classes.

I sign up for 5ks too those run 25-35, and I sometimes do one a month.  Sometimes I'm paying for parking at 3-5 bucks for these too if I'm going downtown or a park with a parking deck.

At other times I've taken adult ballet classes.  Those can be 10-15 a class.  I have paid for yoga in the past too.  But you can find free yoga online.  They have websites where you can sign up and donate or not and still get the free classes.  I also like the yoga with adrienne stuff on youtube.

Running shoes and bras are an expense for me.  I paid 150 for shoes this week and 50 for inserts.  My sports bras are 60-75 not on sale, and I usually can't find my size on sale.  When I do they are usually 45-48.  I like good socks too.  I had the same 3 pairs of wool ones for 6-7 years so I got 2 new pair that are synthetic material.  They were on sale, but still 30-40 for 2 pair.  My workout pants and shirts typically come from walmart.  They have good performance stuff (well good enough for my needs anyway).  I bought one of those 50 dollar lulu lemon tops with the silverescence thread once.  But I realized my shirts don't develop a smell anyway and now I have to remember not to dry the shirt.  The cheap walmart stuff I throw into the dryer without worry.  

[grumpyhermit]

Jan 18, 2018 16:15:05 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I have a Planet Fitness Black card membership, so it's about $21/month with taxes.  I have the fancy membership not because of the tanning beds or the massage chairs (never use them) but because I can use any one I want, including the one in the town where DS and DDIL live, and I can bring DS in as a guest to my home club when they visit.  I also use different ones in my area when they're closer to whatever errands I'm running.  My home club is 3 miles from the house, so maybe 10 minutes to get there.

I spend very little else on fitness other than occasional entry fees for charity bike rides and maybe $200 when i take my bicycle in every year or so for an overhaul. I have a lifetime supply of T-shirts from corporate and athletic events and that's what I wear- don't need LuLeMon or UnderArmor gear.

This year I started on Medicare after 3.5 years of paying for private health insurance after retirement.  I like to think that one of the reasons I never even made a dent in the $6K annual deductible (had a couple of severe colds and a few cases of bad poison ivy) is that I stayed in good physical condition.

Jan 18, 2018 16:08:56 GMT -5 grumpyhermit said:

I hate gyms with a burning passion.

Just curious- why?

1. I don't really like going out of my way to exercise, and I have never had one in close enough proximity for it not to be a pain.
2. The atmosphere. I don't like how closely together the machines are. I don't like how stuffy and stale the air is.
3. I don't love the thought of public exercise in general.

[weltschmerz]

I exercise at home. I have an epileptic machine that I got for free, because someone couldn't be bothered to use it any more. I also  do yoga and walk a lot.

[hoops902]

We don't really have any gyms close enough that I'd use them (small town, nearest one is about 15 minutes away in another town). I just buy equipment occasionally to mix things up and use that at home. My dad has a pretty significant home gym (treadmills, several bowflexes, free weights, bikes, etc) and my wife works out there a couple of times per week, 2 minutes away.

If you count golf (since you count bowling) then I spend about $1000/year on that, it's about 8 minutes away. I spend another $100 or so per year on different basketball leagues/tournaments. Planning on doing a couple of "fun races" next year now that my nephews are older and in cross country and would like to do them, that will probably be another $100 or so.

[hoops902]

Jan 18, 2018 16:37:40 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I exercise at home. I have an epileptic machine that I got for free, because someone couldn't be bothered to use it any more. I also  do yoga and walk a lot.

elliptical machine? I'm trying to figure out what an epileptic machine would be...the thought of it makes me simultaneously laugh and feel like an awful human being for laughing at it.

[weltschmerz]

Jan 18, 2018 16:39:55 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Jan 18, 2018 16:37:40 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I exercise at home. I have an epileptic machine that I got for free, because someone couldn't be bothered to use it any more. I also  do yoga and walk a lot.

elliptical machine? I'm trying to figure out what an epileptic machine would be...the thought of it makes me simultaneously laugh and feel like an awful human being for laughing at it.

Yeah. I call it that because I feel like I'm going to have a seizure when I'm on it.

[andi9899]

Jan 18, 2018 16:43:22 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Jan 18, 2018 16:39:55 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

elliptical machine? I'm trying to figure out what an epileptic machine would be...the thought of it makes me simultaneously laugh and feel like an awful human being for laughing at it.

Yeah. I call it that because I feel like I'm going to have a seizure when I'm on it.

Do you have the resistance set too high?

[andi9899]

My gym has 3 locations and all are within 5 miles of my house. I have 24 hour access and I pay just over $500/year. It includes all my classes too.

[weltschmerz]

Jan 18, 2018 16:46:31 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Jan 18, 2018 16:43:22 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Yeah. I call it that because I feel like I'm going to have a seizure when I'm on it.

Do you have the resistance set too high?

Nah. I'm a smoker.

[raeoflyte]

I seriously do not know how everyone does everything so cheaply.  I'm reworking our budget to fit in $300 a month for the 4 of us take a martial arts class twice a week.  That is at least only 6 blocks from the house. 

Ice skating is $11.25 for rink time once a week for dh and the kids, plus $2.5 for skate rentals for ds (dd got skates for her birthday from the in-laws, I would not have bought them).  I have a private lesson set up to see if I can join in the fun and raise the price of that weekly activity.  When the kids are in lessons those are $100 for 8 classes.  Also close to the house.  Might sign them both up for a good hockey deal, $160 each that includes uniform and equipment but I'm sure there is something else we'll have to pay for.  

We buy punch cards for the rec center when they do 10% off, and I can't quite remember what that comes out to.  If I want to go just for me and put the kids in the daycare there, it's $2.25 per hour per kid which adds up really quick.  Swim lessons are $6 per lesson basically.  We do 4x a week lessons in the summer, and a couple months of 1 or 2x a week lessons in the winter depending on schedules.  

Seems like the kids outgrow bikes each year, plus tuneups on dh and I's bikes.  Tennis shoes, hiking boots, park passes, etc.  All stuff that I think is really important to prioritize, but it adds up quick.  

[zibazinski]

My gym is about 5 miles away. I pay $25 a year but I've signed up for a personal trainer to the tune of $240 a month for a year.  I'm determined to get my cholesterol levels in the right ratios. My doctor says it's not weight but exercise so we'll see.  I'm lifting weights as well..  

[swasat]

Not counting kids activities at all. 

We pay $60/month for DH and I at LA Fitness. Its not 24 hour access though, only when the gym is open which is  5:00 am - 11:00 pm, so suits us just fine. Includes the pool access and all group fitness classes too.

Shoes are the biggest expense for both of us. We burn through shoes like crazy, at least once a year we need to replace our shoes. Workout clothes....eh. I am no fashionista when it comes to workout. I have a few good quality leggings that I bought a few years ago and those still work very well. I just wear a regular t-shirt and sports bra I buy at Costco.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I made a fairly important discovery about 20 years ago.  The more I pay for a gym membership, the more likely I am to use it.  Back when I lived in TX, my gym membership was $91.38/mo (last check I wrote was 5/2000 and I still remember that amount!).  That hurt at the time, because I was only bringing home a monthly salary of around $1600/mo.  Because it hurt me financially so much, I was there 5-6 days/week, and was in the best shape of my life I ever was in.  When I moved, the most expensive gym in town (not near as good amenities) cost me only $45/mo.  I used it, but not as much as the one in TX.  I could rationalize not going a hell of a lot easier.

ETA:  Now, I don't do anything.  I need a combo of a physical therapist/personal trainer because I need to walk a very fine line and haven't found anyone yet who can help me without f%$#ing up my hips.

[pooks]

I have used my own equipment for over 15 years.  Cost of everything was about $1,600.  Everything (recumbent bike, elliptical, weight bench) was bought used off of craigslist.  I don't like driving to the gym and usually work out late at night.  The biggest problem was the lack of basements here.  It was hard finding a house with a room for the gym.  

[Bonny]

I hike 3-4x week usually in our local County park with my $60/yr park pass. Once or twice a month I'll mix it up with an out of area hike which might cost a bridge toll or parking fee of $6-$8.

I generally take 3 classes per week at my local 24 hour fitness (7 miles away). I buy a two year membership for around $350/yr which winds up being about $15/mth. That makes my fitness classes a little more than $1 per class.

[muttleynfelix]

I work out at home. Squats, lunges, planks/sit ups, pushups, etc are all free. I have an exercise bike. I can run year round and invested in probably $100 worth of winter gear to do it fairly safely (I feel comfortable running in windchills of -5). I hike or walk a lot. I spent $150 on fit bit which was really helpful for me to see that with a sedentary job, just working out 5 days a week isn't enough. I have to get up and walk several times a day. Often my walking is just laps around the office or laps around my couch or dining room table. I chase after the kids, we do a dance party 3 or so times a week. I don't have the money or time to go somewhere, but i don't need to go anywhere, I just need to do something.

[Lizard Queen]

My family has a membership to a place about 20 minutes away that we rarely use, because of the inconvenience. Costs about $750/year. They have a pool and free childcare included, it's just really inconvenient. I do kettlebell workouts at home for the one-time $15 cost of the kettlebell +included DVD. Time to get there: 0. Very convenient.

[Deleted]

We are fortunate to live 5 minutes from a university that operates a fantastic wellness center.  Great fitness floor with the latest machines, personal trainers available, tons of classes that are mostly free, 3 pools including 2 heated therapy pools, great locker rooms and showers, etc. Because the school is trying to establish a presence in intercollegiate athletics, this is the training and therapy facility for all the athletes which means it's really nice.  They save $$ by using students for most staff positions, including grad students for physical therapy.  They also have a deal with the adjacent major hospital and intermediate care facility to provide post-op and post-incident care with a strong focus on cardio and stroke rehab. We pay $121 monthly which includes my private locker.  Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon-Friday, 6-10 Saturday and noon-5 Sunday.  

[taz157]

Jan 18, 2018 17:43:30 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

I work out at home. Squats, lunges, planks/sit ups, pushups, etc are all free. I have an exercise bike. I can run year round and invested in probably $100 worth of winter gear to do it fairly safely (I feel comfortable running in windchills of -5). I hike or walk a lot. I spent $150 on fit bit which was really helpful for me to see that with a sedentary job, just working out 5 days a week isn't enough. I have to get up and walk several times a day. Often my walking is just laps around the office or laps around my couch or dining room table. I chase after the kids, we do a dance party 3 or so times a week. I don't have the money or time to go somewhere, but i don't need to go anywhere, I just need to do something.

What winter workout clothes and Fitbit type do you use?

I’m really unhappy with my weight and I do work a sedentary job that I need to do something. I’ve been thinking of the doing the Couch to 5K Training.

[andi9899]

If we're going to include clothes, you don't even want to know how much I spend.

[dee27]

My Y membership is free from UH, but you must be 65 and enrolled in Medicare. I stopped going in the summer because the Y is a mad house. Usually I return in September, but I had dental surgery in the fall and again in December plus the diet affected my hiatal hernia. Until the hernia calms down, strenuous exercise is not recommended. I still do stretching and yoga at home.

[mroped]

I never actually exercised or at least be a member of a gym.
I like running but don’t really have time for it every day so to make up I’m playing soccer.
For the last 10-12 years I’ve been playing in indoor over 30 leagues and I love it. This way I’m making sure that I get some running done just to compensate for my smoking habit.
Out of about 220 guys that are playing in the league I’m probably the second or third oldest.
I get a chuckle almost every time I play against guys that are barely 30 and double up on guarding me. They do that because I can outrun just about all of them.

The session for the team costs generally $600 and I pay $200-300 from the amount so the rest of the guys don’t have to pay that much. I also made shirts for the team and tha costs abou5 $400- one time fee.
It works for me because I get to claim it as “advertising” for the business- I put the business name and ph# on the shirts.
We play 3 or 4 sessions in a year.

[Ryan]

I’ve always belonged to a gym, but recently let my membership lapse and opted for working out at home. If it’s above freezing, I’ll run outside. If it’s below, I’ll run inside on the treadmill. 3 times a week I’ll lift weights with a basic setup. Other than initial setup costs, only ongoing fitness expenses are shoes and 5k entry fees.

My wife works out at the most expensive club in town and it’s close to 100/month. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a middle ground club near us so it’s either that or something for 20. She uses it all the time and it is really nice, so I don’t complain.

[Rob Base 2.0]

We pay $144 a month for membership for 2 adults. It's an upscale place (one of our few splurges). We go about 5 days a week. it takes 15 minutes to get there (one way)