I remember the days of having a gym membership before the Covid-19 pandemic, but as life took turns, I thought I could stay active and save money by buying an exercise bike, subscribing to Peloton and working out in my home garage.
After the pandemic ended, I expanded my at-home gym with weights. Looking back, was it the best money move? Is it cheaper to pay for a gym membership or build a home gym? The answer may seem obvious, but it surprised me after considering a lot of factors.
A home gym and a gym membership both have their perks. At home, you’ll have the flexibility to work out anytime without spending extra time commuting or waiting to use equipment. You won’t be on the hook for annual gym fees, and you may even get some money back if you ever resell your equipment.
But if you’re worried about feeling motivated enough to exercise at home, a gym membership may be a better fit. It offers plenty of equipment, a change of scenery and a chance to create community through group fitness classes.
I compared the average costs for popular gym memberships with the average costs of building a home gym and consulted with a CNET fitness expert to find out which choice is actually cheaper.
Starting an at-home gym from scratch comes with a hefty up-front cost. However, compared with the $15 to $30 you’ll pay for a monthly gym membership, the membership seems cheaper.
But the cost of building your gym at home is a one-time cost versus a recurring gym fee that will continue to be charged as long as you’re a member. And that can add up a lot over the years.
I compared Gold Gym’s monthly and annual fees with the average cost of buying equipment for an at-home gym. I didn’t factor in how much you would pay for installation or replacements. We crunched the numbers, and it’ll take about four years of gym membership costs at Gold’s Gym to pay for your at-home gym equipment.
That may seem like a long time, but remember, you can adjust your costs by buying equipment over time, either secondhand or at shop sale events, to pay less.
Average traditional gym vs. at-home gym costs
It may seem like you’re paying more up-front to build an at-home gym, but in less than four years, you won’t pay any gym costs. That’s assuming you don’t pay to replace or upgrade any equipment. With membership fees, you’d still be paying for a gym membership four years later, which could increase in price over time, too.
Boutique fitness studios cost more than traditional gyms
If you’re into group fitness or want a more focused workout led by an instructor, you may add a fitness studio membership. Fitness studios focus on a specific type of workout, like boxing, high-intensity interval training, pilates or spin.
However, these memberships are generally more expensive — the monthly memberships cost the same, or more, than an annual gym membership. A couple of reasons are that a specialized class is taught by a fitness coach with top-notch equipment, and there are usually smaller class sizes.
“As much as I may love taking a group fitness class, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s within my budget,” said Giselle Castro, CNET’s fitness and nutrition writer. Instead, consider drop-in classes or a smaller package for the classes. She also recommends paying attention to the expiration date for any classes so you don’t waste classes or money.
You can use a fitness studio membership as your only workout or keep your at-home gym or gym membership, but you’ll need to factor in the additional cost. Here are a few fitness studios and their average costs below. The cost will depend on several factors, including the location and membership type. Before you sign up, I’d try group fitness classes at a gym first since it could save you money.
And always look out for deals around the holidays.
Other gym and studio fees
Beyond the monthly charge, you should also factor in other gym costs, such as administrative or annual fees. For example, Planet Fitness charges a $49 annual fee for all members, and it’s separate from the monthly membership fee. Planet Fitness also charges a cancellation fee if you cancel before your contract ends. The amounts can vary based on the gym and location.
Check OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace or your local community for more affordable, gently used equipment without paying full price. Some apartments and housing developments have gyms, so you don’t have to purchase expensive gym equipment for your home, which could save you some money. Other at-home gym costs to factor in
Subscriptions
Unless you plan to create your workout routine or use free resources, like social media or YouTube, you’ll need a fitness subscription. Peloton and Apple Fitness offer monthly subscriptions with various workouts based on fitness levels, workout duration and even trainer preferences. The Nike Training Club app is free.
There’s usually a free trial and an annual discount if you pay the entire cost up-front for these monthly subscriptions. Here are a few popular
- Apple Fitness: $10 per month
- Peloton: $13 per month through the app. If you have Peloton equipment, the All-Access membership costs $44 per month.
- Strava: $12 per month
- Sweat: $25 per month
If you add any one of these services, you’ll need to add at least another $120 to $300 to your annual home gym cost. I recommend checking with your phone provider or credit card issuer for other discounts and offers that can save you money.
Here are a few popular options, without accounting for sales or promotions. This is the base monthly price for each gym, but there are upgraded options that can cost more.
As you compare costs, remember the average cost to set up a gym at home is $1,098.
Average gym membership costs
How to decide which gym option is best for you
Deciding which gym is best for you can depend on several factors. Here are a few.
Cost
When deciding which gym option is best for you, it all boils down to cost. For the first year, you can expect to pay over $1,500 for your home gym if you get all of the equipment mentioned above, fees and a monthly subscription to a training app. However, you could pay less by only getting a few pieces of equipment or checking for second-hand options. You can also add to your gym over time and shop sales.
And you may earn money back by selling equipment you no longer need to lower the cost of new equipment.
The most cost-effective option of all is a gym membership. You can expect to pay about a couple of hundred dollars — depending on the gym. That’s still only a fraction of how much it takes to build your at-home gym, and you’ll have all the equipment you need. Even if you plan to get a top-tier gym membership, plus a training app, you can expect to pay $500 for the year, at best.
Time and convenience
At-home workouts are a clear winner when factoring in your time.
Preparing and commuting to the gym can be time-consuming, especially if you’re working out after work or have other responsibilities, like kids with homework. You’ll also need to pack your gym bag, and leaving it behind can be annoying, to say the least.
If you’re spending more time commuting to the gym and getting settled into the gym, you may find it more convenient to work out at home — especially if you’re able to multitask to save time. One perk I always loved about working out at home was the ability to do laundry or warm dinner while working out. And you’ll have the equipment all to yourself.
Community
The most common reason why my former riders took group fitness classes instead of working out at home was the community and camaraderie of exercising with someone.
If you’re motivated by being surrounded by others, a gym membership is likely your best choice because you won’t be alone. However, if convenience and time are equally important, I’d recommend at least getting a training app subscription and joining live classes. You can also see if your community offers free running or walking clubs to exercise with others and keep your gym membership.
Other benefits
There are plenty of other benefits that may sway you to choose one gym over another. For example, some gyms have childcare, which may make it easier for you to work out. For example, the YMCA near me offers childcare for members for up to 90 minutes while at the gym. Burn Bootcamp, a group fitness studio, has a similar perk.
Your employer or health insurance provider may also offer a fitness perk for workout equipment or memberships. This may come in the form of reimbursement, discounts or paying outright through a portal. Depending on the benefit’s guidelines, this may also influence your choice.
Final ruling: Which gym choice is best?
Truthfully, there’s no right or wrong choice here as long as you stick to your goals. You stand to lose money in either scenario if you don’t use your equipment or don’t use your gym membership.
The most long-term cost-effective option is building an at-home gym. You’ll pay significantly more over time for a gym membership, especially when factoring in fees. It also could be an ideal pick if you’re self-motivated. However, you’ll need to replace all of your gym equipment that needs upgrading.
If you’re motivated by being around others and need time to decide which equipment you’ll purchase, a gym membership is a great start. You can also choose a hybrid approach by starting with a traditional gym membership while you build your home gym. However, if you know you prefer exercising at home, a home gym will be a better overall, cost-effective approach.
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