Ageless Optimization

We all like to have nice things but who likes to pay full price? Not me. Here are my best strategies to be a fitness baller on a budget.

Sign up for Newsletters

Signing up for newsletters on your favorite websites often provides you with a discount code for immediate use, but it’s usually only eligible on full-priced items. The real value of the newsletter is that it alerts you when there’s a special sale.

Install the Rakuten and Honey Apps

Rakuten is an amazing cashback app that helps shoppers to earn cashback on online or mobile purchases. On holidays, or during big sales, the cashback amounts can climb to 30%! Install on your mobile browser for easy cashback options.

The Honey app, when installed in your browser, provides discount codes when you get to checkout. The Honey app will usually have discount codes to offer, which you can apply to your cart, and then you can activate Rakuten cashback for a double bonus!

To sign up visit Rakuten and Honey.

Open a Poshmark Account

Poshmark is my tried and true for prices considerably lower than you’ll find in stores. Many people will go full steam ahead, buying gear for their new hobby, but then never actually use it and end up selling on Poshmark or Ebay.

When you’re shopping for something new, do a search on Poshmark to see if your item is available lightly used or New With Tags at a much lower price. The great thing about Poshmark is you can make offers to negotiate the price!

Use code SALLYARSENAULT to get a $15 credit when you sign up.

Shop at The Bay

The Bay frequently has Buy More, Save More promotions, which can save you up to 40% off on your purchase!

To maximize savings, sign up for an HBC credit card to immediately receive a special discount on your first purchase. Sign up as a VIP member, which entitles you to weekly offers or additional reward points. Reward points can be used as payment on future purchases. They add up fast!

On the date I wrote this article, I was able to find $448.60 in Under Armour and Nike gear for only $182.53, taxes in, with the current Buy More, Get More sale and my HBC reward points!

Become a Member at Altitude Sports

When you purchase a membership with Altitude Sports, you often receive the equivalent value redeemable as a discount on your first purchase. Members also receive special offers to save 20% on select items, early access to sales and birthday discounts.

In the photo above, you will see that I am currently eligible for a 20% discount, plus 11% cashback from Rakuten. That means for the Altra Lone Peak All Weather (the only running shoe I like), with a price of $209, I will get a discount of $50.40, plus another $17.56 cashback from Rakuten. Total base price: $141. That’s $67.95 in savings!

After placing orders, Altitude Sports occasionally offers a $10 discount to any shopper who adds a review for their purchase, which can be used in the future.

Shop Altitude Sports’ sister site, The Last Hunt, for even steeper discounts, but be aware that all purchases are final sale.

Do a Google Shopping Search

Before I buy anything, I search Google Shopping to see if there are any cheaper options available. A search for the Altra Lone Peak has identified a sale for the non-waterproof version for only $125.99. If I wasn’t so fussy, I could save even more money because the sale store also offers cashback via Rakuten!

A quick Google search can save you a lot of money if you can find the same or similar options.

Shop Amazon Warehouse Deals

I’ve bought a lot of my home gym equipment at Amazon Warehouse Deals. When people return opened items, they go to the Warehouse section for discount. It’s worthwhile doing a search before purchasing elsewhere; Amazon sells a lot of high end fitness brands and if you don’t like the product, you can usually return it for a full refund.

Shop SportChek

SportChek is affiliated with Mark’s Work Warehouse and Canadian Tire. This means that if you sign up for the Canadian Tire Mastercard (CTMC), you can earn Canadian Tire money when making purchases, even on gas! Canadian Tire money can then be redeemed at any affiliated store. Additionally, CTMC holders have access to weekly offers that can be activated to earn additional Canadian Tire money on select purchases.

SportChek has a well-populated Clearance section with amazing deals. See below a cart I found for winter training gear; 7 Under Armour and Nike items for only $107!

Shoppers making purchases above $150 can also take advantage of interest-free shopping with their CTMC with 24 equal monthly payments! I bought my Apple watch at SportChek, which allowed me to pay in 24 equal instalments over 24 months with the CTMC and I earned Canadian Tire money. I also signed up for the Triangle Select program over the summer, which has paid out more than double what the membership cost.

Shop lululemon‘s “We Made Too Much”

lululemon is always my top pick for athletic wear. I find it fits me better than any other brand. While I sometimes treat myself to New Arrivals, I do a lot of shopping in the We Made Too Much Section. Especially around the change in season, or Black Friday, when they release a lot of gear that has been saved for the occasion.

When I began training yoga, I purchased mats from Scoria (very slippery when dry), Manduka (even with the GRP mat, my hands slip) and lululemon. Hands down, lululemon mats are the best for both comfort and non-slip surfaces during hot yoga.

Shop Fitness Electronics at Shopper’s Drug Mart

Most of the luxury cosmetics, hair tools and electronics I own, I’ve purchased from Shopper’s Drug Mart (SDM). I purchase groceries at the Atlantic Superstore with my PC Mastercard, which allows me to earn bonus PC Points as I shop. Each week, I review my offers to maximize points earned. I let them build until there is a Bonus Redemption event at SDM, which allows me to use points for up to 50% more than they’d be worth normally.

Leading up to a Bonus Redemption event (Black Friday is the ultimate with up to 1.5 times additional redemption value), I will purchase items I need at 20X the points, which provides me with 30% back in PC Points. Then when the Bonus Redemption occurs, I cash in those points for up to 150% additional value.

I cash in my points for the luxury items like the Dyson Airwrap, Apple Airpods Pro (though I recommend regular Airpods for running), the Oral B Genius and other items I would not pay full price for.

PC Optimum Points, with the PC Financial Mastercard is by far my most used savings strategy. Use my referral code SA60852592 for a signing bonus.

Build Slowly

In conclusion, unlocking savings on your training gear is all about smart planning and strategic shopping. By pinpointing your essential needs and capitalizing on sales, you can gradually build your collection without breaking the bank. Embrace opportunities like newsletters, store credit cards, and membership programs to elevate your fitness game with a budget-friendly approach, ensuring you’re not just workout-ready but also Instagram-ready!

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Note: some links lead to affiliate partners.