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CouponCabin Survey Finds Americans Spend More on Exercise Gear Than the Exercise Itself

Last Updated: April 16, 2026

Staying active does not always mean paying for a gym. CouponCabin's latest survey found that many Americans keep exercise costs low by choosing activities like walking and running, but still spend heavily on the gear that goes with them.

More than 70% of U.S. adults said they exercise regularly. Among those who do, nearly a quarter spend $0 on exercise itself. Nearly half spend $200 or less per year to work out. Even with those lower workout costs, gear spending remains high.

Gear Costs Add Up Fast
Nearly 92% of respondents said they spend money on workout gear, clothing, or accessories. More than 63% spend up to $199 per year on gear alone. Another 11% spend $200 to $299, 5% spend $300 to $399, and 8% spend $400 to $999.
Many Americans keep the workout itself cheap, then spend real money on the clothes, shoes, and accessories that come with it.
Name Brands Are More Popular
More than 56% of respondents said they prioritize name-brand exercise gear over generic options. That preference helps explain why apparel and accessories can take a bigger bite out of the budget than the workout itself.
Spending Plans Are Still Climbing
Most respondents said they plan to spend about the same on exercise equipment this year as they did in 2025, but 37% said they plan to spend more. At the same time, 72% said they would rather spend more on the exercise itself than on exercise-related gear.
Exercise Is Getting More Expensive
More than 56% of respondents said their preferred way of exercising has gotten more expensive over the past year. More than 33% said their costs rose by up to $199. More than 20% reported increases of $200 to $399. Another 14% said their preferred workout method costs $1,000 to $1,999 more than it did before.
A big reason for this jump is the growing cost of connected fitness memberships, like Peloton or Tonal, along with higher monthly prices at premium boutique studios. The vast majority of respondents said they would exercise more often if it cost less.
How Americans Are Cutting Fitness Costs
To lower costs, 45% said they have exercised less or taken fewer classes. Another 42% joined a less expensive gym. And 40% said they have turned to coupons to help manage the cost of staying active.
If money were not a factor, many respondents said they would spend more on fitness experiences. Among people not already doing these things, 51% would go to the gym, 50% would take classes like Pilates or Orangetheory, 45% would build or use a home gym, and 40% would hire a personal trainer.

How to Hack Fitness Spending

With 56% of Americans unwilling to stop buying name-brand apparel, a smarter move is skipping full-price displays and heading straight to markdowns with lululemon coupons and Nike deals. And for the 50% interested in pricey classes like Pilates or Orangetheory, paying the standard drop-in rate is rarely the smartest option. Discount platforms like ClassPass can lower the cost, and rotating through new-member intro offers can help avoid locking into steep monthly memberships.