Gym memberships can get pricy – especially if you aren’t using it. Am I right?! And race entry fees can really add up -- if that's what motivates you to put in more miles. Here are some of my favorite ways to save money on your running and fitness routine. With a little forward-thinking and some planning you can really stretch your fitness budget. And, perhaps you'll rejuvenate your workouts and find more joy in them, too.

  1. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. It can be so easy to pick up yet another pair of cute leggings when you're at your favorite store. Or register for another race when you see a sponsored post about the next cool event. But, by having a set budget in place, you can hold yourself better accountable. Allocate funds for clothing, gear, memberships, events and travel. Be realistic about what you can afford and what you can limit yourself to. Track your spending in a free budget app or spreadsheet. Make a game out of it.
  2. By all means, go get professionally fit for running shoes. A trained professional will watch you walk or run and analyze your gait and footstrike to see what shoes will work best for you. They will also watch pressure points of your feet and see if you need more narrow or wider shoes, need to go up a size or if you inserts are recommended. Running shoes are a great investment on the upwards of $100-150l Once you have tried these shoes and figure out if they do work well for you – give them their lifespan of 300-500 mile. Once they are worn-out, you can simply reorder those shoes online at discount outlets or websites. I typically purchase last year’s model (or two years ago) for 50-75% off and order several boxes. Don’t forget about seeking-out free shipping codes or additional discount codes.
  3. Look for race discount codes. You can also contact the race to see if they are looking for race ambassadors for a discount race entry fee or even free admission to the event.
  4. Only race for local charities and causes. Quite often these races are much more affordable than larger races in larger towns. The funds also get donated to local causes and the money stays locally in the community. Check out Running in the USA for local events (of any distance) in your area. Also, by only participating in local races, you will save additional funds on hotel, meals and other travel-related expenses.
  5. Avoid purchasing fancy equipment. Think about the workouts that you will be doing and how you can add weight and resistance to them – using minimal equipment or items that you may already have available to you.  Heavy free weights and kettle bells can be substituted with laundry detergent and water jugs. Light dumbbells can easily replaced with soup cans or water bottles. Strap on some cheap ankle weights or a backpack to make your workouts or walks more difficult. Use a beach towel instead of a yoga mat. Check resale shops for gently-used fitness items that others mostly like didn’t use all that much. I’ve had great luck finding free weights and other fitness items for only a few dollars.
  6. Try new routes. Run for free. Yes, for free! Use the extra time on your weekends to try out new routes and new trail systems instead of trying out a new race. Try some of my favorite running routes in the Sun Prairie and Madison area. I have thoroughly thrived by getting out of the race mindset and just “running for fun”. I use this as a away to explore and reconnect with myself, or with others and connect with nature.
  7. If you’re unable to commit to long-term classes or sessions, inquire with your gym or personal trainer about drop-in options. Many, like myself, will offer a one time session to give you some new tools for your toolkit at home – or provide a class drop-in rate if you are unable to make all scheduled classes.
  8. Shop discounted stores for unique and like-new running gear. I love scouring thrift shops and discount stores for fitness clothing and gear. Some of my favorite pieces have been found new with tags and have unique patterns, accents or features. My frequent stops locally are St. Vincent de Paul and Style Encore. I also am a huge fan of my family’s favorite big box store, Sierra – a spin-off of the Marshall’s and TJ Maxx brands, specific to the outdoors and an active lifestyle. You can get popular brands and styles for a fraction of the price.
  9. Look for free local fitness classes and pop-up camps. Many studios and fitness professionals will hold free community workouts – to build their community and get the word out about their offerings. Scour Facebook and local community guides for free workouts in your area.
  10. Ask your local studios and gyms about senior, student and military discounts. Even ten percent will save you a decent chunk of change if you're enrolling in a long-term membership.
  11. Look for free trials of gyms and fitness centers. Use a one week membership to your advantage and try several to stretch out your budget and get some variety until you find what you like best. Try to stack these over the cooler, wetter months when you're most likely to visit.