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“I’ll go tomorrow. I’m a bit too tired today. When the weekend comes I’m definitely gonna crush some weights. It’s a bit too cold right now. I don’t feel like it.”
Be honest. How many times have you signed up to a gym and gone less than you should? You start out all excited and optimistic but life gets in the way and you find yourself going less and less, while the expenses pile up.
A home gym can be a phenomenal investment for getting fit, but it all depends on your circumstances and your goals–both financial and training. There are always going to be other considerations when thinking about a home gym–space, the social aspect, special gym features–-but we’re gonna focus purely on the cost of a home gym vs gym membership.
The Beforepay Beat TL;DR–A home gym can be cheaper in the long run, particularly for general fitness enthusiasts with the space to spare, but it can require a little bit of an upfront investment (like a commercial gym membership) to get up and running.
Let’s get this out of the way–no two gym experiences are the same. From weightlifters and powerlifters to cardio enthusiasts and fitness fanatics, we’re all training for different reasons.
The first step is to consider what you want out of your fitness journey before deciding whether to build or not build your home gym.
Let’s lay out some commercial gym numbers (illustrative purposes only):
A commercial gym is marketed as a convenient place for all your fitness needs, but it’s a convenience you’re paying for. If you’d still prefer a commercial gym, Finder Shopping has even done the heavy lifting with a comparison guide running through all the top chains in Australia, so you can pick the one that is best for your budget.
You’ve just walked through the door, and the first weight to lift is the cost of a signup. Many gyms require you to pay a hefty joining fee, often (but not always) accompanied by an account activation fee and a fee for your access card. Not to mention the weekly membership fee.
This is not always the case, depending on the gym, but it’s common enough that you could be hit with a large expense before you take a single step on a treadmill.
What if you could take that money and put it towards a home gym you’ll have for life? And you don’t need to worry about being charged for entry, because you’re already paying rent.
And if the cost of living is putting too much strain on your budget, Beforepay is here to help with cash loans for rent assistance.
No one says you need to have the latest and greatest equipment. As long as it is safe, good quality, and lets you do the exercises you need, you can build the gym setup that your budget allows. Depending on your goal, it’s possible to get a comprehensive workout with a basic set of equipment. Combine that with video workouts and instructional videos posted on YouTube and other platforms, and you’ve got the makings of a great sweat sesh.
Some starting options:
Once you’ve got the essentials, you can slowly start to incorporate additional equipment as needed. Your home gym can grow as your budget and training allows. This way, you control the expenses rather than the expenses controlling you.
If you need a little help creating a budget, Beforepay has got you covered with guidance for how to save on a tight budget or an irregular income. for how to budget on an irregular income.
Moneysmart even has a handy budget planner all ready to go.
As long as there have been digital marketplaces, there have been people selling used gym equipment…often for significantly cheaper.
Private sellers can be a great place to score some deals on the gym equipment or accessories you need, both when getting started and upgrading your space. Just make sure to check the equipment for wear-and-tear before you buy!
Bonus tip: You can even use your tax return to upgrade or add to your setup.
One of the biggest appeals of commercial gyms is the variety of classes, activities, and special features they boast. Everything from saunas and spas to cafes and group training, many gyms pack in the features to turn their space into a destination.
But ask yourself, do you really need them? Will you use them?
If not, you may be paying a premium for something you won’t touch. Always keep the complete experience in mind, when evaluating if a home gym is cheaper than a commercial gym membership. It may be cool to have a sauna in your gym, but there’s no point paying for it if you don’t use it.
It can be tricky managing the demands of health and childcare, especially if you’re going to a commercial gym. The good news is that some of them offer daycare services; the less-good is that they can be an added expense on top of your existing membership fees. Building your own home gym can save on those extra expenses, with the added bonus of not being charged by the half-hour if you need to step away from your workout for child-related shenanigans.
Not all gyms charge for daycare, or even have a creche to begin with, but a home gym will always be free.
Transport costs can often blend into the budget. You were using fuel or tapping onto public transport anyway, surely it won’t matter that much? But it all adds up, especially over weeks, months, and years. Never underestimate the power of incremental savings.
Like we mentioned at the start of this article, not living within walking distance of a gym can drain your wallet (and motivation to go) slowly but consistently. If you’re catching public transport, you’re paying a few dollars per trip depending on where you live and what time you go. If you’re driving, you’ve got to factor in the cost of fuel and the wear-and-tear on your vehicle simply by using it.
But if you’ve got a gym ready-made in your home, you don’t need to travel anywhere.
The total cost of building a home gym depends on the person making it, but for general fitness it can lead to impressive convenience, customisability, and cost savings that only compound over time. The more time you spend using your home gym, the greater the value.
Will you need to spend money to get started? Yes, but you’ll often be spending a significant sum just to get online with a gym membership in the first place (unless you swoop in on a promotion or sale). This way, you’re putting your money towards something you’ll own for (hopefully) years to come, rather than renting time with a gym chain.
If you have the space, investing in your own gym equipment and growing your setup as needed can be a brilliant way to flex your funds over the long term.
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