Fitness Budgets, streaming memberships, and Zoom

[JackieB]

I'm just curious....I used to spend a lot of money on dvds. Now that technology has evolved....what's your limit as far as streaming subscriptions or Zoom classes you're willing to pay for? I think it's interesting what people consider is reasonable vs too expensive or not worth it.

I have 2 memberships that I use regularly; ETV and Ellen Barrett. Considering a third.

I do also Zoom my own classes and other instructors.

[Demeris]

I don't stream much because I live in a rural area and have satellite internet, which charges by the gigabyte. When I have some gigabytes to spare at the end of the month, I download workouts from YouTube or Vimeo.

BUT if I lived where cable internet were available, I doubt I would ever spend that much on streaming, anyway. I like owning the workouts, and I try to limit leaks in my budget. I would probably, however, be willing to do the free trials that so many streaming sites offer, but that would be to determine whether or not I ought to buy their workouts.

As for Zoom, I've had to use Zoom several times during lockdown. I don't like it much. It really doesn't replace an in-person experience, at least for me it doesn't. And it uses up gigabytes like mad.

[fanofladyvols]

If I had to rely on streaming, I would still treat it as if it were a gym membership. That's how I treat my fitness budget now.

I would try to find subscriptions that filled my needs within that cost. So I would probably want three: 1) essentrics, 2) pilates and then 3) a site that provided cardio/strength.

If I couldn't achieve that within that cost I would opt for cardio/strength and essentrics.

[bubbles76]

I think I would make do with free resources on YouTube, if I had to . It's amazing what I would spend monthly on dvds but would balk when it comes to streaming. Maybe it's that feeling of ownership.

[Usia]

I like to keep my streaming subscription limited to 2 sites and I almost always commit to the annual membership because most of the time it's a better deal. I usually do my research before I commit and if I'm not sure, I'll only subscribe for one month. My upper limit for monthly subscription is $19/month. If I buy an annual membership it's about $130/year - but most are cheaper. I wait for specials.

Bubbles, I like free youtube workouts but I hate being constantly interrupted by ads that youtube intersperses within the workout itself. Example: latest Gina B's 80's Retro workout. Ads in the beginning, 8 minutes into it - another ad and that's when I just gave up. Youtube is aggressively pushing paid subscription in my area, and I'm just not going to do it. That's why if I like the instructor, I'm willing to pay for subscription so that I can enjoy my workouts ad-free.

[fanofladyvols]

Dana I think your monthly upper limit is a good one.

I also agree I'm frustrated with the frequency of the youtube ads. They ruined my pilates challenge experience.

Even before the ad in your face campaign, I rarely returned to a workout on YouTube. Couple that with videos randomly disappearing and I just have no desire to subscribe to YouTube.

[Hsim]

Originally Posted by Usia

I like to keep my streaming subscription limited to 2 sites and I almost always commit to the annual membership because most of the time it's a better deal. I usually do my research before I commit and if I'm not sure, I'll only subscribe for one month. My upper limit for monthly subscription is $19/month. If I buy an annual membership it's about $130/year - but most are cheaper. I wait for specials.

Bubbles, I like free youtube workouts but I hate being constantly interrupted by ads that youtube intersperses within the workout itself. Example: latest Gina B's 80's Retro workout. Ads in the beginning, 8 minutes into it - another ad and that's when I just gave up. Youtube is aggressively pushing paid subscription in my area, and I'm just not going to do it. That's why if I like the instructor, I'm willing to pay for subscription so that I can enjoy my workouts ad-free.

I find that I only go to Youtube occasionally. I like to workout in front of my larger screen TV which is pretty old and I have a Roku but half the time when I try to go into youtube or try to start a workout I get a black screen. I have to restart until this clears up and once it does I get annoyed by the ads. One time I was doing blogilates and we worked the first side I was bombarded by ads. I can find no way to skip the ads with my Roku remote so I just got fustrated and switched to a DVD.

[topfitmama]

Originally Posted by Usia

I like free youtube workouts but I hate being constantly interrupted by ads that youtube intersperses within the workout itself.

I installed an ad blocker on my computer to get around that. I have to disable it to access some sites, which is easy to do.

I wish more instructors offered downloads. I don't need a huge variety and I want to be able to do the workout I crave on any given day, whether the internet works or not; whether I can afford to buy extras that month or not. But I guess that instructors have to pay their bills too and downloads don't secure a steady income.

[jusca]

The most I'd spend is $10/monthly for a short-term period of 1-2 months. I'd try a service out then quit it. I neglect any non-entertainment streaming so it's a money waste for me. The streaming services I've tried have been for rut busting when I'm tired of my dvds, which is rare.

[laurajhawk]

I pay $99/year for Beachbody On Demand, and I pay $60/month for a yoga studio membership. Right now, I only use the studio membership for Zoom classes - I have unlimited access to both livestream and recorded classes. I find the livestream experience - especially on Zoom, where we can chat before & after class - to be much more immediate and personal than a recorded class or DVD, but that's probably because it's a small studio and we all know each other.
Back in the before time, I would occasionally go to yoga workshops and retreats. I have an allowance that I used for those expenses plus DVDs and gear, and most of that money is stacking up right now.