Price gauge
Whydahdad71
Posts: 319 Member
Has anyone else noticed how the cost of fitness equipment has all but tripled in cost?
I have observed people who are selling rust and ratty stuff for way more than it is worth.
I have observed people who are selling rust and ratty stuff for way more than it is worth.
2
Replies
-
With gyms/fitness venues being closed and the price of new stuff skyrocketing, people are buying whatever they can find that will get the job done, and the market demand is driving prices.2
-
People always want to buy equipment to help with fitness goals - but then the equipment tends to turn into a coat rack or a trip hazard — when people are outside the gym, the best alternative is body weight fitness - and it’s free5
-
Ya I've been seeing it for sure. It ticks me off.
Also I'm mad at myself for, the week before lockdown, seeing a set of weights at the store and thinking oh I will buy them next time. Then everything went crazy.2 -
My mother - who is an RN, owns a gym and is a former bodybuilder - is in a loving 'I told you so' mode with her clients and has been educating them about alternatives all spring.
"Why wouldn't you have had weights at home up until now? We discussed this...three years ago. Ok, you see that antique lamp over there (as she points behind the person on Zoom)? Pick it up and bring it upstairs then back down again a couple of times."
lol The simple biomechanic ideas of push, pull, etc still apply. They always will.
You don't need weights per se so the price of ratty 'n rusty, used 'n sweated over equipment should not stop anyone if they want to work out.
Will it be different than being in the gym? Yes.
Will it be detrimental to gains? Unlikely, assuming you're exercising correctly and consistently.
A trainer named Dan John was on a podcast recently talking about this very thing as well. Check out the MAY042020 episode of "Solving Healthcare" with Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng. It's very plainly titled: "Staying Fit During a Pandemic with Dan John"
He shared an hour of basic functional fitness ideas that can suit most anyone even after this pandemic portion of our lives is over with.5 -
I will admit I have gloated a bit to the people who told me setting up a home gym was a waste of money. Okay, maybe a lot.3
-
I ordered some exercise resistance bands. I have watched several youtube videos of bodybuilders using them and I am digging it. I basically can do every exercise I would normally do in the gym with them.
4 -
I once lived in a 400m^2 villa (Middle East, it's considered small). Before moving I was dreaming of my home gym and all the cool stuff I could buy for the inevitable empty bedroom. I brought along a really fab, thick and big workout mat and two kettlebells. I bought a big ball, and a big bag including stand for boxing. The ball remained mainly unused, the big bag was cool, but I didn't use it that much. The mat and kettlebells though... I just replaced the mat for the same and still have and use the kettlebells. There's really no need to spend $$$ on workout stuff. Just a good floormat and some creativity for bodyweight exercises.3
-
I'll never understand the way people use the Disagree button. It would seem so much simpler to state your point of contention in order to allow for dialogue and learning on all sides.
In the interim, I entertain myself with assumptions that the disagreements are on the most tangential aspects of a person's comment. Like, they disagree with @Whydahdad71's use of YouTube and/or @yirara's Middle Eastern villa.2 -
I'll never understand the way people use the Disagree button. It would seem so much simpler to state your point of contention in order to allow for dialogue and learning on all sides.
In the interim, I entertain myself with assumptions that the disagreements are on the most tangential aspects of a person's comment. Like, they disagree with @Whydahdad71's use of YouTube and/or @yirara's Middle Eastern villa.
Someone can write a 10,000 word post full of fantastic, worthwhile into but somewhere include the word “toning” and BAM! Disagrees! Ok. So that’s not a thing, but the other 9,999 words are quality info.
People disagree with OP’s who ask a question (and referencing keto/toning/building muscle/not eating enough to lose\etc). Ok...I get it; but how does that help anyone?
At the same time; years ago (before there were any buttons to like/disagree), comments about disagreements derailed more threads than they helped. Someone asking about eating after 8PM and all of a sudden we’re 17 pages deep on whether or not insulin is the devil and how IF is the way to heaven. With a side of carbs before bedtime turn to fat (plus 16 side conversations about that). Then all kinds of “well OP must not want an answer since they never came back”.
So...pros and cons to both I guess. At least it’s better that “woo”.5 -
And after derailing the thread with something entirely unrelated-prices are sky high on everything that currently has high demand. Even higher on things that have high demand and low supply. Some things are theoretically protected and there are investigations and what not-but last week a bottle of Airborne gummies was retailing for $48 on amazon. For real? That should be $10 tops.
Do you have to wear a mask where you live? $40 for a box that would have cost $5 3 months ago.
Fitness equipment isn’t super cheap to begin with - and now it’s in HUGE demand (and some limited supply/ability to ship).
The price is what the market will support. If people are willing to pay the listed price for the rusted, ratty stuff-then sadly, that’s what it’s worth.4 -
I'll never understand the way people use the Disagree button. It would seem so much simpler to state your point of contention in order to allow for dialogue and learning on all sides.
In the interim, I entertain myself with assumptions that the disagreements are on the most tangential aspects of a person's comment. Like, they disagree with @Whydahdad71's use of YouTube and/or @yirara's Middle Eastern villa.
Yeah, it's really, really strange. I should stop thinking about it, but can't stop to be amused. It the new 'haters gonna hate' I guess.2 -
I belong to a daily fantasy sports site that has a "dislike" button. This button was always being clicked by arm chair heroes until the site placed the person name next to their "dislike", then the behavior was cut in half almost immediately. Back to the fitness equipment...
I received a new pair of exercise bands yesterday and am absolutely amazed by how many exercises I can do with them! Not just go through the motions but actually" train hard"! They were about $60.00 (got two of them) and am thinking about getting two more. When looking at weights (used) to accomplish the same things the price is about 10x the cost! No thanks..not a rich man here.2 -
pitbullpuppy wrote: »WOW!!!!! I bought my home gym in October for $999 (I missed a sale that made it about $100 less from a competitor). I just looked out of curiosity and it is now selling for $3,500!!!! Get out of town! Interesting post, thanks!
It is absolutely crazy what they are trying to get for this stuff right now.0 -
positiveyou146 wrote: »People always want to buy equipment to help with fitness goals - but then the equipment tends to turn into a coat rack or a trip hazard — when people are outside the gym, the best alternative is body weight fitness - and it’s free
Ah another thread where the herbalife icon hasn't actually read the OP.
As to the original question - supply and demand, and ethical flexibility.3 -
On the positive side, assuming the pandemic ever comes under control, there will be a plethora of lightly used high end equipment available for purchase at discount prices.10
-
-
I am kicking myself for not buying an ez curl bar in January. It's one of the rare times that being afraid to spend money has not worked in my advantage.1
-
I was looking at dumbbells on amazon and they're the same pricing as they were months ago...so I guess I'm not really seeing price gouging.1
-
I'll never understand the way people use the Disagree button. It would seem so much simpler to state your point of contention in order to allow for dialogue and learning on all sides.
In the interim, I entertain myself with assumptions that the disagreements are on the most tangential aspects of a person's comment. Like, they disagree with @Whydahdad71's use of YouTube and/or @yirara's Middle Eastern villa.
Pointing out that typing even one sentence to explain one's disagreement is not "simpler" than clicking disagree turns out, unsurprisingly, not to be simpler than clicking disagree.2 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »*snip*
Pointing out that typing even one sentence to explain one's disagreement is not "simpler" than clicking disagree turns out, unsurprisingly, not to be simpler than clicking disagree.
I disagree 😉 I mentioned "...in order to allow for dialogue and learning on all sides."
The presupposition being that clear dialogue is less likely by pressing a sour-faced, grey emoji.
Therefore, clicking it - as opposed to stating the point of disagreement - ends up being more complicated or complex than necessary for many conversations.
Thank you for taking part in this dialogue lol #refreshing
Also @Whydahdad71 it's great to hear that you have made the best of the market realities and found an alternative you seem to like!
1 -
So, about the "disagrees".positiveyou146 wrote: »People always want to buy equipment to help with fitness goals - but then the equipment tends to turn into a coat rack or a trip hazard — when people are outside the gym, the best alternative is body weight fitness - and it’s free
I'll own my "disagree" on this one. I'm sincerely glad that bodyweight exercises make you happy, and are helping you reach your goals. Yay, you!
Outside of the gym, I'd rather row a boat (one of those skinny rowing shells), paddle a boat (canoe, kayak), ride a bike, play with kettlebells/weights/bands, take a brisk walk, . . . among other things. Bodyweight exercises can provide excellent results, but they bore the living bejeepers out of me. I don't even know why. That's just me.
And my rowing machine only sits idle during on-water season, when I'm rowing one of those skinny boats instead - usually the double, but occasionally the single. In Winter, the machine accumulates hundreds of thousands of meters, every year since 2003. In summer, the boats get the meters.
Your "best alternative" is not my "best alternative". I agree that most folks would be better off not jumping right into expensive home equipment, unless they know they'll use it. Even so, different people like and will use different things.
I think your personal enthusiasm for bodyweight exercise is leading you to hyperbole. Yup, a lot of people buy equipment and don't use it. Also, a lot of people start bodyweight exercise and give up. I agree that the latter is cheaper: That's a plus.
I once lived in a 400m^2 villa (Middle East, it's considered small). Before moving I was dreaming of my home gym and all the cool stuff I could buy for the inevitable empty bedroom. I brought along a really fab, thick and big workout mat and two kettlebells. I bought a big ball, and a big bag including stand for boxing. The ball remained mainly unused, the big bag was cool, but I didn't use it that much. The mat and kettlebells though... I just replaced the mat for the same and still have and use the kettlebells. There's really no need to spend $$$ on workout stuff. Just a good floormat and some creativity for bodyweight exercises.
Didn't click disagree on this, but I do disagree. Need or want is case-specific.
Boats. I want boats, I need boats . . . happily, I have some nice boats. If I can't use the boats, I can use the rowing machine. (For a while, the boathouse where I store the rowing shells was closed. The canoes and kayak are at my house, but none of them work well when the water is frozen, I admit.)
I use my mat (not very often, I admit - rug works). I use my kettlebells (more often). And other home equipment more than those. Boats, though.
But I don't have the delusion that what's right for me is right for everyone. Some people on the thread seem pretty convinced that what they like will be a good thing for others. Maybe.
Back on topic: I've noticed a lot of "out of stock" on items I had wish-listed (heavy bag stand, weight racks). Haven't paid attention to the price changes on those.
Concept 2 rowing machines are selling for the same price they have been (but they've been backlogged for a while, because they had to shut down temporarily). Boat prices haven't changed much, either, though production shutdowns have affected supply. It's a specialty thing.
I suspect the mass-market equipment is in an interesting period, for price elasticity. I would hope that if people are buying equipment for home because the gyms are closed, that they're buying equipment they used and liked at the gym.lynn_glenmont wrote: »*snip*
Pointing out that typing even one sentence to explain one's disagreement is not "simpler" than clicking disagree turns out, unsurprisingly, not to be simpler than clicking disagree.
I disagree 😉 I mentioned "...in order to allow for dialogue and learning on all sides."
The presupposition being that clear dialogue is less likely by pressing a sour-faced, grey emoji.
Therefore, clicking it - as opposed to stating the point of disagreement - ends up being more complicated or complex than necessary for many conversations.
Thank you for taking part in this dialogue lol #refreshing
Also @Whydahdad71 it's great to hear that you have made the best of the market realities and found an alternative you seem to like!
Speaking as someone who was here on MFP before there was any negative click reaction: I can't overstate the awfulness of the lengthy, tedious, repetitive bickering . . . that sometimes got personal and nasty. "Disagree" is a big improvement, IMO. It vents emotion, doesn't cause much trouble. If someone has something concrete to say, they'll still say it. The posts that mostly no longer happen didn't IMO "allow for dialogue and learning on all sides". It was more typically just snippiness, sadly.
I share your sentiment about @Whydahdad71 finding something he likes: That's great, sincerely. It would be a good side effect if the "closed gyms" situation helped people find more things that they truly enjoy, maybe even enjoy more than the gym.6 -
*snip*
Speaking as someone who was here on MFP before there was any negative click reaction: I can't overstate the awfulness of the lengthy, tedious, repetitive bickering . . . that sometimes got personal and nasty. "Disagree" is a big improvement, IMO. It vents emotion, doesn't cause much trouble. If someone has something concrete to say, they'll still say it. The posts that mostly no longer happen didn't IMO "allow for dialogue and learning on all sides". It was more typically just snippiness, sadly.
I share your sentiment about @Whydahdad71 finding something he likes: That's great, sincerely. It would be a good side effect if the "closed gyms" situation helped people find more things that they truly enjoy, maybe even enjoy more than the gym.
Well, that's my bad in assuming adults could strive to have an objective, rational discourse and learn from each other without too much negativity or personal attacks (being jovially snarky does not count, in my opinion, that's just good fun if you know the other person is ok with an occasional "roasting").
I have several pairs of rose-colored glasses left though. One day, they'll come in handy! One. Day.
In the meantime, the sour-faced, grey emoji is, like you say @AnnPT77, a good compromise.
3 -
Get an old tire (free from a tire store), throw some sandbags on for resistance if using a car tire ($3 for a 50 pound bag) , some rope you have laying around and go to town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j_cBV3oWkU 1 -
positiveyou146 wrote: »People always want to buy equipment to help with fitness goals - but then the equipment tends to turn into a coat rack or a trip hazard — when people are outside the gym, the best alternative is body weight fitness - and it’s free
I'm sorry to hear that. I've got close to 6,000 miles on my current bike. Yesterday after work I did a 25 mile loop, including all the beaches on a peninsula. It was a great time.3
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions