There are some definite benefits to joining a gym, especially if you’re a people-person who lives for the social interaction that comes with gym membership.
From a sheer financial point of view, however, it’s cheaper to forgo the gym, investing in equipment like a personal treadmill instead of paying those monthly fees. This is especially true if you rarely make it to the gym.
Let’s do some math.
The average American pays $58 a month for their gym membership, according to a recent report by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. That’s nearly $700 per year, more if your gym charges a start-up fee and yearly equipment maintenance fees.
The starting cost for a quality home treadmill like the ProForm Pro 2000 is about $1,300. Other good choices include the NordicTrack 1750 and the Sole F80 with slightly higher price tags starting price of around $1,500. Each of these treadmills are top-rated on TreadmillReviews.com.
If you buy a good treadmill the cost is about the same as two years of gym membership. The great thing is, you can continue to enjoy your home workout equipment far beyond two years.
You can expect some longevity out of a well-made machine like the ProForm Pro 2000, the NordicTrack 1750—which Treadmill Reviews says offers the best “bang-for-your-buck” among home treadmills—or the Sole F80. If you do encounter any issues, each of these treadmills carries a lifetime guarantee on the motor and frame, five years on parts and two years on labor.
Now, imagine you have a friend who decides to allocate their fitness budget to a gym. Within two years, they’ve paid the same amount of money to their gym that you paid for your treadmill. If they want to remain a gym member, they’ve got to continue paying out that same $700 per year.
Still on the fence? Consider how likely you are to use that gym membership.
Some 57.25 Americans held gym memberships in 2016, according to Statista. It’s a number that underscores the good intentions many Americans have when it comes to fitness.
However, it’s estimated that at least 57 percent of gym members let their memberships go to waste. A recent article on RealBuzz pegged that number at a whopping 80 percent. The upshot is more than half of gym members pay their monthly fee and then fail to make it to the gym.
If you’re a “gym rat” who considers your favorite fitness facility a lifeline, then gym membership is probably your best bet. You’ll continue to hit the gym regularly to enjoy an atmosphere where “everybody knows your name,” as the old TV theme song goes.
Your happiness comes pretty cheap, too, especially if you take advantage of potentially pricey fitness classes. If you hit the gym three times a week for a year, it works out to just over a dollar a visit.
If you’re someone who hardly ever makes it to the gym, however, it might be time to cancel that membership. Next, ponder whether your sporadic gym attendance is due to lack of follow-through or conflicts with your schedule and family commitments.
If the answer is the former, then your treadmill might just end up an expensive place to hang your coat. Many people, however, really want to work out. They just need some help fitting a routine into their lives.
If your baby is taking a nap, you can’t run to the gym. You can, however, fit in a quick workout on your ProForm Pro 2000 or other home treadmill. If you’re someone who works from home, you may not have time for an hour workout and a half-hour commute. You can, however, spend at least 10 or 15 minutes on your treadmill.
If you’re still missing the social aspect of working out, a Bustle magazine contributor suggests you start an Instagram account, just to share your journey to fitness. You can follow other people working on their physique and health while posting about your goals and achievements.
If you’re more motivated than mobile when it comes to working out, a home treadmill is most definitely for you. Your followers will serve as a cheering section and those likes and comments will be like an ongoing conversation and a virtual high-five.