7 gym hacks to save you money and make you feel great

The average American can save $1,236 a year by using a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic one (or $6,180 over the course of five years!). Many reusable water bottles cost just $20 or less

Purchase workout equipment and activewear secondhand to avoid exorbitant prices. Shop pre-owned at Play It Again Sports, Global Fitness, or even eBay. Bonus points if you can buy local (e.g., on Facebook Marketplace or from a friend): no extra fees or pollution due to shipping.

Working out at home can save you the extra money you'd otherwise spend on a gym membership and gas. Take advantage of good weather by exercising outside. Or find a fun, free YouTube workout and break a sweat in your living room. 

Resist the urge to pay $10+ for a smoothie with added sugar. If you have a blender at home, use frozen produce and bulk-bought chia seeds, coconut milk, and plant-based protein — all of which can be purchased at Costco and other big-box stores — to boost nutrients and refuel on a budget. 

Buy fresh produce in season and freeze it for cheaper, more nutritious fruit and vegetable options. Stock up on pantry staples like nuts, seeds, beans, coconut milk, etc. by buying in bulk.

Increasing your protein to maximize your workout? Try swapping out animal proteins for plant-based sources, like black beans, lentils, chickpeas, or eggs, which are cheaper and healthier. This swap is sustainable, too: If every American replaced all the beef, chicken, and pork in their diets with vegetarian options, it'd be like taking about 60 million cars off the road. 

Pack your post-workout meal with whole produce. Whole, fresh vegetables are more nutritious than pre-cut options. Even better, switching from pre-packaged to whole can help you save between 25% to 75% on each item! Sure, the convenience is nice... but it'll cost you. Plus, skipping pre-cut produce reduces "forever trash," i.e., plastic that can't be recycled and ultimately ends up in landfills and in our oceans.