Is Bodybuilding Expensive?

[razaul]

Tired of finding the right size of shirts? Is it uncomfortable to travel via coach on a plane? Or, has it been hard to move quickly when needed? Many people who have large bodies are considering shedding off some weight through bodybuilding. However, it requires a lot of effort and perseverance. Many people are ready to start but still ask, “Is bodybuilding expensive?”

Bodybuilding became a trend in the 90s as a competition. Today, it is considered a hobby for those who want to look fit and healthy. The availability of gyms with complete equipment made bodybuilding more interesting for fitness enthusiasts. In addition, the restrictions brought by COVID-19 made everyone stay home and start buying gym equipment.

If you are just starting to enter the bodybuilding lifestyle, you may be worried about the costs involved in bodybuilding, gym membership, equipment, supplements, and food. More serious bodybuilders even include massage therapies and fitness magazines in their budgets.

Supplements: Budget or Expense​

Muscle building supplements help on shaping a body in addition to working out. It comes in different kinds, like whey protein isolates, creatine, multivitamins, fish oil, and many more. These bodybuilding staples can be high maintenance, depending on the outcome that you like and how fast you would like to achieve the results.

Supplements are not necessary for the bodybuilding lifestyle. But if you think that diet and exercise are insufficient, these supplements can be added to a well-balanced nutrition plan. Spending money on supplements is worth the money since it has the effective ingredients that you will need for working out.

If you are on a budget, you can only buy supplements needed for your bodybuilding journey. A pre-workout supplement should be included in your budget if you often experience fatigue during workouts. Its ingredients are made to supply energy and provide better athletic performance before working out.

However, you may also skip spending on pre-workout supplements by having enough sleep or creating a meal plan tailored for bodybuilders. Serious bodybuilders spend up to $100 on supplements.

If you’re just trying to be in shape, you may skip spending on supplements. But if you’re a bodybuilder that joins a competition or an athlete that needs to be in shape, spending on supplements may be required.

Equipment: What Do You Need?​

There are many kinds of bodybuilding equipment tailored for different muscle workouts. These can help you achieve the muscular physique you want. Bodybuilding equipment is a high-value investment, so you must be sure which ones you need.

Weights​

These are the most basic bodybuilding equipment you need. These include dumbbells and barbells. It helps in strength building and is applicable for beginners. Weights are good to use in workouts such as deadlifts and back squats.

There are different weights of plates for barbells. You can choose which ones you can manage to lift. If your strength has improved, you can buy new plates with heavier weights. More affordable and secondhand plates are available online. Improving your strength does not require breaking the bank.

Workout Bench​

A workout bench is required if you will be doing bench presses. Many sturdy benches are built with added features used for bodybuilding workouts. Multi-function benches are often made with barbell mounts or designed at an inclined angle for military presses. It should have a broad back pad that can support heavy weights.

If you’re a serious bodybuilder, you need a bench that can weigh more than 600 lbs. However, if you only want to lose weight, you can buy cheap brands in department stores.

Power Racks​

Power racks serve as the main component of a gym. It can be connected to a workout bench or installed with weight racks. Many racks are made with dips and pull-up bars. There are power racks that only cost less than $500. More affordable power racks can be bought from gym auctions and thrift shops.

EZ Bars​

This equipment is used in weight training, such as barbells and dumbbells. EZ bars are often made with bents to focus on arm workouts. Some EZ bars are already weighted for beginners and can be added with plates. It helps strengthen the biceps and triceps.

Gym Membership: Fees and Facilities​

Gym membership comes in different packages and inclusions. It is a fixed rate paid monthly or every visit, depending on what you need in the gym. Typical gym membership includes the fee for using gym equipment and a gym trainer. Larger gyms have more facilities and offer different pricing plans tailored to different fitness needs.

A gym membership includes the services provided by the staff–training classes, inquiries, maintaining cleanliness, and paperwork needed to operate the gym. The fees collected from the gym members are also used to upgrade gym equipment and locker rentals. A regular bodybuilder needs to have the latest gym equipment in use. Whether it is a stepper or treadmill, all equipment should be upgraded to match the preferences of any type of a bodybuilder.

There are also different gym facilities you can add to your gym membership. You may pay for regular sauna use, a supply of vitamins and supplements, or other specialized classes.

Nutrition: Eating for Results​

As mentioned earlier, bodybuilding also needs a specialized diet due to the nutritional requirements of intense workouts. Eating inappropriate foods may affect strength and cause fat gain.

A bodybuilder’s diet may include foods high in calories and protein-rich during the bulking stage. There is also a lean-out stage where body fat should be limited, but muscle mass shall be retained during intense workouts. Essentially, a bodybuilder’s meal should have protein, starch, fruits or vegetables, and oils. In addition, processed foods, high in sugar drinks, and excess protein supplements should be avoided.

Balanced nutrition helps with strength and weight training. It is recommended to load up on carbohydrates before an intense workout. Healthy fats in nuts and legumes should also be added to a regular bodybuilding diet.

An estimate of $400 monthly is allocated for a bodybuilder’s diet. It includes all the sources of protein and carbohydrates needed for strength and weight training.

Personal Training: Pros and Cons​

If you are a bodybuilding beginner, you must hire a personal trainer. They are experienced individuals that can create a workout plan for you. They may also identify which muscles need to focus on working out. However, there are also some drawbacks to hiring one.

Pros of Personal Training​

A knowledgeable trainer assists with personal training. They know about the muscles and which workout is appropriate to shape them up. They can create a workout plan to help you achieve your bodybuilding goals quickly. Workout plans are adjusted if you already have an established strength and power.

When you are under personal training, your trainer has the same goals as you. Thus, they will encourage you to work hard to achieve these goals. You may also have daily light workouts to keep your body in shape even when you have no scheduled workouts at the gym. They will also have a record of your achievements to keep you motivated to work out.

Working out incorrectly can lead to injuries and worn-out muscle tissues. If you are under a personal training program, the trainer can correct your position while working out. They will watch you to ensure the exercises are done safely.

Cons of Personal Training​

One of the main drawbacks of personal training is the cost. You need to pay extra for a personal training session. Their fees are quite high, especially for the most experienced ones. Sometimes, low-cost trainers do not have enough knowledge of appropriate exercises that target certain muscles.

There are times when workouts under personal training might be intense. Since their goal for you are to finish the exercises, they might be pushing you too hard during the whole session. This type of personal training is demotivating and discouraging.

How to Minimize Expenses​

Bodybuilding shouldn’t be expensive. If you want to look buff or lose weight, you can adjust your diet or skip the bodybuilding supplements. You can have protein and other vitamins from your foods–no need to buy whey protein powders. As long as you have proper nutrients, you can gain the same strength and power provided by these bodybuilding supplements.

You may also minimize expenses by reducing the assistance of a physical trainer. This is one of the reasons why bodybuilding is expensive. If you have been lifting weights for a long time, you may ask for assistance from a personal trainer once a week. However, ensure you know the proper lifting and do the same sets and reps in your workout plan. Never adjust your workouts without consulting your trainer.

The Bottom Line​

Is bodybuilding expensive? For competitive bodybuilders, yes. These athletes need a toned and muscular body that fits the criteria of a bodybuilding competition. They need to have the strength and power provided by different bodybuilding supplements. The assistance of a personal trainer is also added to their expenses. It is not recommended to skip the assistance since a personal trainer can provide a tailored training plan for competitive bodybuilding.

However, if you want to do bodybuilding to shed off some body fats, you can reduce or skip using bodybuilding supplements. You may also reduce the sessions with a personal trainer to minimize your bodybuilding expenses.