Money hacks that can help you achieve New Year fitness goals

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Year is often the time to make resolutions for a healthier and fitter lifestyle. And gyms, running or swimming are not your only options.

Try a new sport like pickelball. But staying fit can be expensive. Here are some money hacks to enjoy a healthier lifestyle in 2025.

Bengaluru-based Ajinkya Deshmukh, 37, who has been training for triathlon competitions, prefers cycling and swimming. “After getting an ACL tear (anterior cruciate ligament) in my left knee, I wanted to incorporate other exercises into my fitness regimen, and not just stick to running as the latter can put more pressure on the knees," said Deshmukh. As the IT professional prepares to participate in Ironman 70.3 towards the end of next year, he will need a quality road bike to improve his cycling skills.

But that would cost anywhere between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹2 lakh. However, instead of buying an expensive cycle, he plans to rent it for a month before the triathlon starts in November. That, he says, will only cost him ₹10,000 for a month.

Meanwhile, he will continue practicing on the bicycle he already owns. He also wants to bring his weight below 70kg to reduce the load on his knees as he pursues his active lifestyle. His triathlon preparation should help him to reach this goal.

Mumbai-based Smriti Tomar, 24, prefers yoga. She is taking advantage of a New Year offer at a yoga studio, which is offering a six-month membership at a 50% discount. “The studio’s monthly membership is ₹3,000, so this works to ₹18,000 for six months.

A fee of ₹9,000 for six months works out to just ₹1,500 per month," Tomar says. Her New Year fitness resolution is to follow a more consistent regimen. “This is also the reason why I don’t mind