Fitness Economics
Ever wondered how much it costs just to stay fit?
And what fitness activity is the cheapest or most expensive?
Below are averages of how much each fitness activity costs annually. Taking into account that you are a member of a club or association, that you have some form of coaching, that you need to spend some money on equipment and that you would enter an average of three events a year
The results are surprising to me…the sports that are relatively cheap to get involved in (cycling and Triathlon) end up costing more for all the equipment, specialised gear and repairs of same. Running has the cheapest equipment costs, but if you like to enter running events, they tend to be the most expensive, especially if it’s the marathons.
Swimming, as we know, needs very little equipment, but if you haven’t your own lap pool, the pool fees and squad classes add up (of course the beach is free!) .
The gym saves you on event entries, but the memberships and add ons end up costing quite a bit over the year.
Golf is a tough one as the green fees, memberships and lesson cost vary greatly between clubs.
Once again though, my favourite activity came out tops...and cheapest!
Running Costs
Shoes $100 to $300
Races $50 to $150
Yearly, depending on how many races you enter and how many pairs of shoes you go through
Average $940
Swimming
Gear- Budgie Smugglers and Goggles $50-$100
Pool memberships- 12 month membership $350
Squad membership- $70 per month (2 visits per week)
Events- $30-$40
Average Cost for QLD Swimmer, who is a pool member for a year, attends 2 squad sessions a week for 10months and enters three events (Noosa Eyeline, Caloundra Open Beach Swim, Straddie Open Swim)
$1220
Cycling
Gear – Road Bike- $1000-$3000, other gear $200-$500
Cycling Club memberships $200-$300
Events $50-$70
Average annual cost of QLD cyclist, who is a member of a cycle club, and enters three events (Noosa Century Cycle, Brisbane to Gold Coast Challenge, GC 100km Challenge) and has average priced bike and equipment and repairs allowance
$1555
Tennis
Gear- Racquet $100- $200
Cross Training Shoes- $100-$150
Annual Memberships- $120
Competition- $5.50 weekly
Coaching- $30-$80 an hour
Average cost for QLD Tennis Player who plays in a weekly comp for 40 weeks, and has one hour of coaching a week for 20 weeks
$1790
Gym
Average QLD Gym membership- $68 per month
Gear- $200-$300
Personal Trainer sessions- $50 to $80
Other extra classes at gym- Zumba, Yoga, Pilates from $10-$20 per session
Average annual cost for QLD gym junkie, who has an annual membership and has one PT session per week or does one extra class for 20 weeks
$2016
Golf
Clubs and bag- $200-$1000
Green fees- $25- $150
Annual Memberships- $500- $2000
Lessons- $50 - $100
Average annual cost for a QLD golfer, who has an annual membership at a club, plays once a week, and has 5 lessons, includes half cost of clubs and other gear (assuming gear will last a few years)
$2490 Please Note: The price range for memberships and green fees and lessons vary greatly from club to club, this is a conservative figure
Triathlon
Gear- Bike $1000-$3000, other gear $500-$1000
Tri Club membership- $40
Tri coaching- $100 per month
Race Entry- $50-$200
Average annual cost for a QLD triathete , who is a member of a tri club, has three months of coaching, enters three events (Noosa Tri, Mooloolaba Tri and Gold Coast), includes half cost of all gear (assuming gear will last a few years)
$2775