May 12, 2021
Moneywise has partnered with Capital One Shopping and receives compensation (at no cost to you) when readers use the links provided in this article to get the Capital One Shopping extension.
If you’re ready to lose that Quarantine 15, but not quite ready to venture out to a public gym, it might be time to set up your own workout station at home.
Of course, while gym memberships can be pretty pricey, exercise equipment is expensive, too. And even though big retailers will have everything you need, they don’t always have the best prices.
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Here’s a simple way to minimize the cost of maximizing your gains: Capital One Shopping. The free browser extension hunts for lower prices when you shop online at big stores like Amazon or Target, then automatically applies coupons and special offers. It even takes tax and shipping into account.
You can save a surprising amount, whether you’re spending hundreds on cardio machines or picking up a $20 yoga mat. To demonstrate, here’s how much we were able to save shopping for a home gym on Amazon:
Stretch out
Savings may vary. Sample results shown.
Before you get started with your high-intensity squat jacks and jumping lunges, you’ll want to warm up and maybe do a few yoga poses to relax your body and mind. Just make sure you’ve got a good mat that provides cushion and traction.
We spotted this gray yoga mat with a handy carrier sling for $24.35 at Amazon, but Capital One Shopping showed us we could save $3.52 by shopping at eBay instead.
Strengthen your core
Once you’ve mastered your regular routine, you can go one step further with a set of resistance bands to add some extra tension and intensity to your exercises.
Amazon had a good price for a 17-piece set of resistance bands, which came with a carry bag and towel for $33.99. Then Capital One Shopping automatically applied a 20% coupon, dropping the bill down to $27.19.
Work your legs
Savings may vary. Sample results shown.
When it’s too cold or wet to ride outside, don’t give up. Get your heart pumping and legs working with an indoor exercise bike.
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We landed on this studio cycle that features a touch-screen display to stream workouts and comes with a 12-month iFit membership. Amazon listed the item for $2,119.98, but Capital One Shopping directed us to eBay, saving us $159.
Pump it up
You can build your biceps and strengthen your arms with a pair of dumbbells or a barbell — but why not get both?
We found an innovative weight set that allows you to attach your dumbbells to a bar, transforming the whole thing into a barbell. It sold on Amazon for $139.99, but Capital One Shopping tacked on a $20 coupon, as well.
Balance things out
Savings may vary. Sample results shown.
Pop an exercise ball into your home gym, or even your home office, for a fun way to tone your core and improve your balance.
An exercise ball with a pump sells for $24.15 on Amazon. Capital One Shopping found the same item for around $6 less at Walmart — and we actually saved even more money with this one.
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Walmart is one of many companies partnered with Capital One Shopping, so we got an extra 3% of our money back in the form of Capital One Shopping Rewards. You can redeem these Rewards for gift cards at a bunch of big retailers, like Nike or Nordstrom.
Pull yourself up
Install a bar in the doorway to get those gains as soon as you step into the room. We came across this bright red, steel chin-up bar that holds up to 450 pounds.
Amazon sells the item for $105.99, but Capital One Shopping saved us $20 by suggesting we buy from eBay instead.
Train and tauten
Savings may vary. Sample results shown.
Ready to go all out? You can get a full-body workout at home by picking up a gym-worthy exercise machine, complete with a bar and pulley system and a sliding seat rail for leg presses.
We loved the look of this Bowflex system — and while it retailed on Amazon for $1,236.92, it cost just $847.99 at Walmart. Plus, Capital One Shopping provided another 3% back in Rewards, bringing the total down to $824. That’s almost $413 in savings.
How much we saved with Capital One Shopping
Here’s everything we picked up to create our hypothetical home gym, with the original Amazon prices and the savings we found. The prices listed are the approximate totals after shipping and taxes.
| Amazon.com | Capital One Shopping | |
|---|---|---|
| Gaiam Essentials Yoga Mat with sling | $24.35 | $20.83 (eBay) |
| Whatafit Resistance Bands Set | $33.99 | $27.19 (Amazon, with coupon) |
| NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle | $2,119.98 | $1,960.99 (eBay) |
| Adjustable Dumbbell/Barbell Weight Set | $139.99 | $119.99 (Amazon, with coupon) |
| Body Sport Exercise Ball with pump | $24.15 | $17.30 (Walmart, with Rewards) |
| STOZM MultiEx Chin Up Bar | $105.99 | $85.33 (eBay) |
| Bowflex Blaze | $1,236.92 | $824 (Walmart, with Rewards) |
Just by installing a free browser extension, we saved around $630 on workout gear, plus all the time it would’ve taken us to compare prices at different retailers ourselves.
So save your sweat for your workout. It takes zero effort to download Capital One Shopping, and in about 30 seconds you’ll be ready to start turning your spare room into a temple of fitness.
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Serah Louis is a reporter with Moneywise.com. She enjoys tackling topical personal finance issues for young people and women and covering the latest in financial news.
