Between studio classes, gym memberships, and the latest apps—plus the matching sets and specialized gear (hello, grippy socks) “required” for all those workouts—staying in shape doesn’t come cheap. Without even realizing, you can blow your entire budget on a fitness regimen you participate in less than three times a week. But here’s a little secret: Slaying your health goals and stashing your pennies don’t have to be mutually exclusive. We asked top trainers for their stealth health moves and money-saving tips. Start screenshotting…now.
Try It On For Size
If it’s not timed perfectly, switching gyms or trying out specialty classes could end up costing you. More often than not, every gym has different cancellation terms and payments can overlap. Dilan Gomih, a New York-based certified personal trainer and founder of Dilagence, a consultancy focused on boosting performance through mental-wellness benefits, recommends setting a calendar alert for 24 to 48 hours before each trial ends to avoid unexpected charges.
Then there’s Fargo®1— a virtual assistant in the Wells Fargo Mobile® app. When you speak questions or type them into the search-bar prompt, Fargo can give you insights on everything from when your payments are due to what you spent the most on this month. For example: If you are looking to switch gyms and can’t remember when your current subscription is up, simply ask Fargo to show you upcoming transactions and it will tell you when your old gym’s payment is likely due.
Find Free Or Low-Cost Workouts (On- And Offline)
There’s no denying: Personal training can help set you up for workout success, but it comes at a premium. So try reaping the expertise from those who offer free videos online—which you can do in the comfort of home, wearing whatever works for you. For example, Brad Sims, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach based in Mendham, New Jersey, offers free workouts on his channel, which viewers can search based on the equipment they have at home. “So if you only have sliders, I have a whole playlist of slider exercise videos,” he says.
Social media is an easily searchable resource for free videos, Gomih adds. “Whether you’re looking for a 10-minute dance workout, a bodyweight strength-training session for beginners, or a safe prenatal workout, the internet has plenty of options to explore to see what you like best,” she says.
Go With A Team
If group-style workouts are the way your fitness mojo best gets up and running, look for free community-based classes in your area. “Many parks, fitness brands, and local studios host free pop-up workouts. It’s a great way to try something new and meet people while you’re at it,” Gomih says. If you’re a runner, she adds—or aspire to be one—check out athletic-apparel stores in your area; many offer free running clubs.
Small group training classes at your local gym are another option if you need a little extra attention. “These are often much less expensive than one-on-one personal training—sometimes even a third of the price,” Sims says. “You’ll still get attention, in addition to a sense of community, which can be even more important for keeping you accountable.”
Borrow Or Score Some Equipment
New home-fitness equipment can come with some serious sticker shock. Sims recommends looking for secondhand items, which are often sold at drastically reduced prices. Research online marketplaces or retailers that specialize in secondhand or refurbished fitness gear, he says.
And sleuth around town for any gyms that are closing, Gomih adds: “Local gyms and studios sometimes sell their equipment when upgrading or shutting down, which is a great way to snag a deal on high-quality gear.” Don’t be shy about asking around, either. “Friends, neighbors, and local fitness groups often have extra equipment they’re not using. You’d be surprised how many people have a pair of dumbbells or a jump rope just sitting around collecting dust,” she says. “A few people in my building recently gave away their connected bikes.”
Additionally, look into community centers, libraries, or even gyms, which can be good resources for fitness-equipment lending programs for items like resistance bands, kettlebells, and yoga mats.
Turn Your World Into A Workout
Sneaking fitness into your day can be simpler than you might think. “The human body is one of the best workout resources on the planet,” Gomih says. Short bodyweight workouts such as 30-second squats, 30-second planks, and 30-second sit-ups, repeated for two or three sets, can be effective. And best of all, they’re free.
What’s more, the pandemic showed us all that everyday items can become beneficial workout tools, says Connor Waggoner, a fitness coach and owner of Luma Fitness in Petaluma, California. “You can use an ottoman as a bench for squats or step-ups, liquid detergent for weights, or a pillow for core stability exercises.”
Even simple moves like parking your car a little farther away, taking a call while briskly walking around the neighborhood, opting for the stairs whenever possible, or stepping up the pace in a shopping mall or a grocery store can have benefits over time. “We often think workouts have to look a certain way,” Gomih says. “In reality, opportunities for movement are everywhere—and the more you think about building them into your day, the more chances you’ll have to find them.”
Set And Track Your Progress
Just as logging your fitness goals is key for staying the course, tracking your financial goals is equally essential to keep you accountable. (Plus, it may be the key to squeezing that extra Pilates class into your budget.)
But organizing it all can be overwhelming—unless you use LifeSync®2 in the Wells Fargo Mobile® app, which simplifies financial goal setting and progress tracking all in one place. You can personalize your goals with target amounts and dates, and see your real-time progress through account summaries, market performance, and more, so you’re always in the know. It can even suggest timely actions and insights to help you stay ahead of everything. If only it could do a set of burpees for you.
Learn more about the Wells Fargo Fargo and LifeSync tools—and see how they can help you reach your fitness/financial/every-type-of-goal goals.
1 Availability may be affected by your mobile carrier’s coverage area. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. Fargo is only available on the smartphone versions of the Wells Fargo Mobile® app.
2 LifeSync® is available on the smartphone versions of the Wells Fargo Mobile® app. Additional device availability may vary. Availability may be affected by your mobile carrier’s coverage area. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.
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