It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on your home exercise equipment or your gym clothes, despite the growing trend in luxury fitness wear. I regularly shop for my fitness clothes on sale, even if it means getting a color I don’t like.
However, there are times when you definitely don’t want to be afraid to spend the money on the fitness tools you need.
Shoes.
Don’t buy bargain shoes. This is not to say that you have to buy the most expensive shoes out there or that you can’t buy last year’s model when it goes on sale (like I do), but you need to make sure you buy the right shoes: a pair that fits you well and is made for the activity you are going to be doing in them.
When you’re competing in an event.
If you’re at all serious about triathlons, road races, or your competitive beginner’s tennis league, you need to have the right equipment. That old bike in the garage will get you through the triathlon that you’re just doing for charity, just this one time, but if you plan to keep competing you’ll never perform at your best without the right equipment.
Even if you’re not competing for the sake of winning, give yourself the opportunity to do your best by buying high-quality equipment that is a fit for you, even if you have to spend a little more money.
On that note, don’t try to run a marathon in that old pair of sweatpants. That’s a long race! You’ve got to make sure you have clothes that aren’t going to chafe your skin. Buy the tools you need to give yourself the greatest chance of success (and that keep you comfortable).
Event fees.
Maybe it seems crazy to pay almost $100 to run 26.2 miles, for example, but if entering the marathon or the 5K or whatever it is makes you stick to your training plan and work toward that goal, then the fee is well worth it. Plus, you’re going to have a great time at the event, and you usually get a t-shirt.
When function matters.
I’ll buy the cheapest kettlebell I can find, because heavy is heavy. But if I were going to buy a treadmill, I’d want one that I know is well-made, that’s not going to break down on me all the time, and that comes from a company known for good customer service if something does happen. It’s worth the extra money for a good one.
This goes for yoga mats, too. There are some mats that don’t cost a lot of money–but they’re also thin, hard, and not sticky enough. It’s worth paying a little more for that extra cushioning and to make sure you don’t slip during the poses.
When you’re going to use it.
That goes for $90 yoga pants, too–if you feel good in them and wear them each time you go to class, well, you’re going to get your money’s worth out of them. Buying $20 yoga pants is a waste if you go to one class and never return. Anything you use regularly that helps you maintain your healthy lifestyle is worth every penny.
When do you spend money on fitness?