Health Update: How to meet your wellness goals without breaking the bank – What Experts Say

With a new year, health resolutions spur consumers to spend big on gym memberships, wellness apps and other tools to help them reach their fitness goals.

And the numbers show that they go all in. In fact, Americans spend an average of $6,000 per person annually on wellness, according to a 2025 report from the Global Wellness Institute.

Before you plunk down cash to become a Pilates princess or buy the latest fitness gadgets to stay on track, here are some tips to help you meet your wellness goals without breaking the bank.

Read the fine print

Before signing that gym or studio contract, clarify what the term of the contract is and scrutinize the policies closely for hidden costs, such as annual account maintenance fees, late payment fees or early cancellation penalties, said Amy Miller, an accredited financial counselor and director of America Saves.

“That can quickly take a $10 a month membership and double it when you start adding your fees,” Miller warned. 

Find out what the cancellation policy is, how much notice is required and if there are any early termination fees (hint: there usually are). Even if you’re on a month-to-month plan, you might be required to provide advanced notice in writing in order to cancel, because gyms and fitness studio contracts are generally “designed to be hard to get out of,” Miller said.

According to Rocket Lawyer, many gym contracts allow you to cancel your membership without a penalty in certain situations such as moving a certain number of miles away from the gym’s location, illness or injury preventing you from using the membership or within a certain grace period.

Tap workplace wellness benefits

Before you shell out money for wellness services and tools, check to see what your employer offers first. They might have partnerships and perks you don’t know about that can reduce your out-of-pocket spending on your health journey, Miller noted.

Some workplace wellness benefits might include:

• Free or discounted gym memberships.
• On-site health screenings and flu shots.
• Digital wellness programs.
• Access to fitness, nutrition, weight management or smoking cessation programs.
• Employee assistance programs (EAP), which typically cover a limited number of free professional counseling sessions.
• Financial wellness support, such as access to financial planners or personal finance education.
• On-site or online fitness, stress management or nutrition classes.

Maximize your HSA spending

If you qualify for a Health Savings Account (HSA), you might be surprised that more wellness expenses are covered than you think.

While some items may require a doctor’s prescription or a letter of medical necessity, many wellness items are HSA-eligible. These include: wellness scans, fitness trackers, menstrual products, first aid supplies, prescribed weight loss programs, nutritionist visits and air filters/purifiers, to name a few.

Use credit card wellness rewards

Put your plastic to work for you. Some credit cards offer rewards, such as cash back on gym, fitness or spa memberships.

For instance, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa $V Signature card offers 5% cash back on sporting goods store purchases and gyms and fitness centers. The Wells Fargo $WFC Attune Card gives 4% unlimited cash back on gym memberships and spa purchases.

The perks get even sweeter with premium cards that have steeper annual fees. Take the $895-per-year Platinum Card from American Express $AXP. Cardmembers get up to $300 annually for Equinox memberships, $300 for Lululemon $LULU, and $200 toward an Oura Ring health tracker. 

Consider buying second-hand equipment or using apps

It may be tempting to splurge on a new treadmill, fitness tracker or workout program, but with a little patience and some research, you could find less costly alternatives.

You don’t need an expensive workout program or gym membership to get in shape. Instead, try free options. “There are lots of free YouTube channels out there,” Miller said. “I do several every morning.”

Also, fitness apps cost $5 to $15 monthly versus $10 to $100 per month for gym memberships. Certain apps can recommend customized workout plans, along with access to fitness and nutrition tracking. 

For fitness equipment, check Facebook $META Marketplace, Nextdoor and Craigslist before ordering new models on Amazon $AMZN or a sporting goods store, Miller advises. You might be able to snag great deals or even find items in good condition for free.

Stick to your budget

After coming off holiday spending, resist accumulating new debt for wellness goals to start the year off. 

Miller advises tracking your spending and first seeing how much you can afford to put toward wellness goals. You may need to pay down debt first before getting in over your head with costly memberships or fitness purchases that’ll put you deeper in a debt hole.

Focus on debt with the highest interest rates first. Look for discounts during slower seasons and use trial periods wisely. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for when trials end to avoid surprise charges or auto renewals.