For those with a budget, putting a price on health and fitness can be difficult. How much is too much?
Head of Fitness Australia, a not-for-profit industry association, Barrie Elvish says that you shouldn’t use money to avoid exercising all together.
“The very straightforward answer is that there is no cost to fitness, or there's as much as you want to spend,” he says to ABC Life.
“Cost is a consideration, only if you want to make it a consideration.”
He also says that if you feel like you must pay for fitness, it could be worth what you pay.
“The cost of not being physically active, to your purse and your wellbeing, is significantly higher,” he says.
Others have found out a way to work out for free, without compromising on the social aspect.
Bek Foley, 25, does a free weekly timed 5-kilometre fun run held at parks in her local area.
“I just love the community. You see the same faces all the time, with everyone passing you and giving you a high five and cheering you on,” she says.
“It's all run by volunteers, and the fact we have that many people willing to give up their time adds to the atmosphere and keeps me coming back.”
However, some are willing to prioritise fitness and the cost it comes at as it is important to them.
48 year old Brisbane cyclist Rachel Edwards owns 20 bikes and spends hundreds of dollars a week pedalling after her passion for cycling.
“I'll avoid buying clothes and general stuff that honestly you often don't even need. We are so inundated with 'buy this' messages — I resist those. My retail therapy is usually bike fashion related.”
Financial advisor Victoria Devine says that it’s also important to keep in mind just how much fitness is costing you.
“It's really important to remember that your values are not the values of other people,” she says.
“If fitness is what drives you, and you get excited about it, and it makes you happy, it's literally down to personal values.
“Ask yourself, would you be upset if it was taken away? If the answer is yes, you can figure out how to make it work.”
This article oroginally appeared on Over60.