Author Topic: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?  (Read 12709 times)

ChrisM

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Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« on: December 19, 2013, 06:35:08 PM »
My wife and I just realized we forgot about her fitness reimbursement. She holds a gym membership so that will be covered. We have about $500 to spend.

There are some restrictions on what you can buy, but it's kind of flexible. I mean they'll reimburse 30% of a video game console because it supports "fitness" games. We have bikes already, but we're not opposed to purchasing one since we aren't paying.

The biggest catch is we have to spend the money by Dec. 31, 2013.

This isn't exactly mustacian or maybe it is because we want to maximize these benefits. Thanks!

olivia

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2013, 07:55:52 PM »
Do either of you like to use the rowing machine?  I would love an Erg rower.  $500 would take a big chunk out of the price of this one, which I've used plenty of times before and really love.  Plus it can fold up and be stood up so doesn't take up a ton of room. http://www.amazon.com/Concept2-Model-Indoor-Rowing-Machine/dp/B0092KNWA4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1387507781&sr=1-1&keywords=erg+rowing+machine

Other ideas would be weights, kettle bells, medicine balls, jump ropes, etc., if you think you'd use them at home.  You could do CrossFit style workouts pretty easily with this stuff.  Rogue Fitness sells all of the above but I'm sure you can find it all at local sporting goods places too: http://www.roguefitness.com

I wouldn't buy duplicate stuff just for the sake of it, unless you know someone who could really use a bike.  That might not be a bad idea, actually-maybe you could adopt a family that asked for bikes and use it on that?  Not sure if that's allowed but if it is, that would be a nice way to use the surplus.

galliver

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2013, 08:58:12 PM »
The question at this point seems to be what (material) things can you use in your home gym? Do you have weights, mats, heart rate monitors (whenever I get more into exercise I realize how much I want one to make sure I'm pushing myself just enough). My trainer has shown me some great (weights) exercises with a balance ball (those 2-3 ft diameter ones in case that's vague), a Bosu ball, and the TRX system.

Can you get adventure sport supplies? Kayak? Camping gear? Shoes/clothes/gadgets for hiking, biking, etc?

If you forsee it as a 'problem' next year, can you use that for classes or personal training throughout?

Obviously we know nothing about your situation or preferences, these are just the things I either have found helpful or want myself right now. But I'm just a fitness beginner.

ASquared

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2013, 10:13:28 PM »
Can you buy sessions with a trainer, yoga classes etc that could be used next year?

Running shoes?
Bike accessories? helmet?  I have a great clip in/out basket that goes on the front of my bike for groceries/errands etc.

MontanaMoneyMustache

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2013, 11:05:35 PM »
If you don't need anything that it covers, why not buy the best/most sought after product it WILL cover then sell it?

Melody

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2013, 04:37:08 AM »
What about a membership to something like a rock climbing gym - you can have fun learning some new sports. Or by the same token a packet of fitness class passes for classes not offered at your local gym. Locally we can buy packs of 5 surfing lessons for $200, or packets of lessons for flying trapeeze (circus school) or pay for a diving course. Go really whacky, it will act as free entertainment.

Otherwise how are your runners looking? If they're on the way out a new pair each could help.
Do you have kids (or nieces/nephews) who might appreciate a new skateboard?
What about snorkeling gear? New swimwear?

I could think of dozens of things to spend this on! I love sports!

captainawesome

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2013, 05:56:48 AM »
Not sure if it covers it, but things like workout gear (shorts, tshirts, cold weather gear such as pants, sweatshirts, hats etc) plus shoes and items you tend to replace over the year.  Might as well do it on someone else's dime. 

If you are looking for new/useful stuff I would say jump ropes, kettlebells, pull up bars, stuff that doesn't necessarily take up a lot of room, that you could use at home.  And if you really want to go nuts, an airdyne bike is a great workout in a short time.

ChrisM

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2013, 06:58:06 AM »
Awesome recommendations. I would love to use all the money on building up a home gym, but we really don't have open space for gear. There is a makeshift gym area in the basement that no one uses because it is very dusty and a bit moldy (this house is 120 years old). If we owned the house, we would probably make a room in the basement for a home gym.

I like the idea of memberships, but I believe they have to be billed monthly. The same with lessons, but I'm going to double check on that.

Sneakers and clothing will definitely take up some of the money. I would really love to get a paddle board, but they are at least twice as much as we currently have.

Also, our reimbursement jumps back up to full on January 1st.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.

Cromacster

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2013, 07:17:32 AM »
I would go for an Airdyne (Aka AirDevil, Aka The Devils Ride).  500 pretty much covers the price unless you go for a used one.  5 mins on it can be a killer workout, 10 minutes is hell, anything more is just plain tortuous.

turboseize

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2013, 08:16:11 AM »
Do either of you like to use the rowing machine?  I would love an Erg rower.  $500 would take a big chunk out of the price of this one, which I've used plenty of times before and really love.  Plus it can fold up and be stood up so doesn't take up a ton of room. http://www.amazon.com/Concept2-Model-Indoor-Rowing-Machine/dp/B0092KNWA4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1387507781&sr=1-1&keywords=erg+rowing+machine

Other ideas would be weights, kettle bells, medicine balls, jump ropes, etc., if you think you'd use them at home.  You could do CrossFit style workouts pretty easily with this stuff.  Rogue Fitness sells all of the above but I'm sure you can find it all at local sporting goods places too: http://www.roguefitness.com




The indoor rower is a great fitness tool - however, it needs space. Concept 2 is the brand to go with (used by serious athletes in any rowing club in the world). I haven't yet used "model E" or "dynamic", but with the good old-fashioned model D I'd be too lazy to dissassemble and reassemble it over and over again...
Beware two things: First you need space - at least one, better 1.5 meters behind the rower needs to be free of EVERYTHING. You do not want to smash your head into the wall when leaning back in the last part of the stroke. Second these things male noise. Imagine standing directly beneath a highway and cars going by. That noise. (Resistance in the Concept 2 indoor rowers is generated by moving the air). If you live in your own house, that's fine, if you live in an appartement, probably not so.


Kettlebells are great. Period. They do not take up much space. If I was in your shoes, I'd buy some kettlebells, perhaps also clubbells (those seem fun, unfortunately, i haven't yet had the chance to try those). Running shoes might also be a good idea.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2013, 08:18:33 AM by turboseize »

SunshineGirl

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2013, 08:31:02 AM »
I agree with the kettlebell suggestion. They're expensive, but awesome, and take up very little space.

DTown

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2013, 10:46:05 AM »
Well aren't you lucky! :)

You might be able to use it on outdoor gear. $500 is quite a bit to blow, but you might be able to get a really nice down jacket or sleeping bag and say it's for hiking trips or running. High quality boots or running shoes would also be a good option.

TLV

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2013, 10:51:34 AM »
Most likely you will have to pay income taxes on the reimbursement, so it's more like 75% off (depending on your tax bracket) instead of free.

TrMama

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2013, 11:04:08 AM »
If you bike, why not stock up on maintenance type items? Tubes, tires, brake pads, chain, lights, degreaser, gloves, shorts, pants, etc. I've spent a ton on these items lately . . .

This year I used part of my fitness reimbursement to buy a bunch of flex passes to the rec center. I plan to use it to take the kids swimming. My company doesn't pay for equipment though. I'd love that.

The other thing I thought of using mine for was to sign up for a class at the rec center (that I know I wouldn't use), get reimbursed and then cancel the class so my account there would be credited. Then I could use the credit to pay for the kids swim lessons. I haven't pulled the trigger on that though since it feels fraudulent.

golfer44

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2013, 11:10:08 AM »
Kettlebells, definitely.

Start light, though.

aclarridge

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2013, 11:18:23 AM »
Rollerblades are fun, if you want them. A couple good pairs could run $500 total.

golfer44

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2013, 11:30:23 AM »
Rollerblades are fun, if you want them. A couple good pairs could run $500 total.

Oh, man! I haven't rollerbladed in years. That sounds like so much fun.

It'd be a good way to get the dog exercised, too. Craigslist, here I come...

wtjbatman

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2013, 01:05:38 AM »
Rollerblades are fun, if you want them. A couple good pairs could run $500 total.

Oh, man! I haven't rollerbladed in years. That sounds like so much fun.

It'd be a good way to get the dog exercised, too. Craigslist, here I come...

I wouldn't buy anything used that someone else's disgusting feet have sweated inside of, and that can't be washed.

Richard3

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2013, 03:11:25 PM »


You might be able to use it on outdoor gear. $500 is quite a bit to blow,

LOL - it would trivial for me to blow $500 on outdoors gear, without buying any single item over $100. Just from my current wishlist:

Dry bags, stovetop espresso maker, knife / multi-tool, first aid kit, thermal underwear, Icebreaker shirt(s), drinking bladder, waterproof hat, thermarest,


Moving up in the price range you start getting into wetsuit (although cheap ones are <100), jacket, sleeping bag, climbing harness / shoes, climbing protection, new helmet.

Then you have serious hardware like bikes or kayaks.


In terms of exercise stuff - sandbags, suspension trainer, kettlebells, heavy bag + gloves, pullup bar, if you have space a second hand olympic bar + weights may run you less than that.




ChrisM

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #19 on: December 31, 2013, 06:27:50 AM »
Just getting back to this thread since we've been away for the last week. So many good suggestions. I think we're going to get a hybrid bike for around the neighborhood (since our other bikes are mountain bikes) and maybe trips to the store.

I'd really like to get a heavy bag and some kettle bells as well. But don't have much space for a bag.

I'm going to search bike recommendations here, but if you have any please post them right in this thread. I'm a 5'7" male. Thanks.

Most likely you will have to pay income taxes on the reimbursement, so it's more like 75% off (depending on your tax bracket) instead of free.

You are right about this. In the past we have been taxed close to 25%. I think its worth it to spend the 500 because we've already spent more than we will get taxed because we pay the membership up front.

ChrisM

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Re: Need to spend remainder of fitness reimburse. Suggestions?
« Reply #20 on: December 31, 2013, 02:47:38 PM »
Just a quick update, I ended up buying a Trek Verve II bicycle with the rest of the reimbursement. Thanks for all the recommendations!