There is no greater investment in life than your health. It takes time, dedication, motivation and money to get and stay healthy. Healthy is more than just eating healthy foods; it’s regular exercise and decreasing (or eliminating) stress. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune in order to achieve your exercise goals and running can be one of the less expensive ways to exercise. Running gear can be expensive if you make it, but you can stick to a budget if you know where to look, shop at the right time of year and make the most of what you already have.
When I first started running I thought all I needed was a pair of running shoes. Boy was I wrong! A few months in, I realized I also wanted a fitness tracker, a phone holder so I could listen to music, better running apparel than my regular cotton shirts and more. The longer my runs got the more I wanted. Over the years I’ve learned to stay thrifty without compromising my running goals. Here are 8 ways you can keep running affordable:
1) Shop discount stores
An easy way to save money is to shop at discount stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Old Navy and if you have a membership even Costco has great affordable options. Marshalls and TJ Maxx carry a variety of workout accessories like phone holders, equipment, sunglasses and lots of name brand apparel all at budget prices.
2) Find discount codes for running races on Facebook
Using a discount code can be an easy way to save money for a race, but finding those discount codes can be difficult. Thankfully, there is a Facebook Group that members request and share discount codes for races all around the country. If you found a discount code for a race, share it with others!
3) Skip the gym membership
If you are looking to cut down on expenses, skipping the gym membership can definitely help. With all the free home workout plans out there, you can still get great results and stay frugal at the same time. If it’s the social aspect you enjoy from the gym, try joining a running club instead. Those are usually free to join and can also offer some discounts to local running stores.
4) Sign up for promo codes
I’m sure you have seen ads when shopping on a sporting goods website. So many people are quick to close them without reading what they are. It can be worth signing up for their email program in order to get a good discount. Next time you are shopping, take a minute to read what they are offering and you could be putting money back in your pocket. Don’t like signing up for too many promo emails? Create a separate email address just for marketing emails.
5) Stock up on specific days of the year
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and all the great deals you can score. Black Friday is a great time to stock up on your running accessories and gear, and you don’t need to wait in line to grab these savings because many of the same deals are available online. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, Prime day is another great day to save some big money.
6) Make your own energy gels
Your body needs extra fuel for long runs, energy gels can be very effective. The only thing is, they can be costly if you are an experienced runner who has long runs more often. Just like any investment, buying the initial ingredients can seem like a lot at first, but you will find out that making the gels yourself is much less expensive. Here is a simple recipe to make your own energy gels.
7) Extend the life of your running shoes
Your running shoes are the most essential piece of gear you will own as a runner and you should take good care of them as best as you can so you don’t have to replace them sooner than you need to. If the tread on the bottom wears down quickly, try working on your running form and technique so you can not only run more efficiently but make your shoes last longer. Another way to extend the life of your running shoes is don’t wear them for anything other than running. Even wearing them for errands or going to the park is still going to wear them down over time.
8) Buy the previous model instead
Before buying the newest model of any gear, think about what you need rather than what you want. You would be surprised how much you can save by choosing the previous model over the newer model, just like purchasing a new car. Usually, the changes between old and new models are so subtle you wouldn’t notice a difference. When shopping for any new gear, be sure to research, read reviews, and remember to shop for what you need.
At the end of the day, you don’t need a lot of fancy gadgets or the shiny new running shoes that just came out in order to start running or to run better. Running can be fun, simple and affordable all while achieving your running goals.
What ways do you save when in the market for new running gear?