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Exercise equipment: 5 items to splurge on and 5 that aren't worth it

Exercise equipment is a must for those who have pledged to get fit in 2015. But exercise equipment can get expensive, so here are five items to splurge on, and five places to skimp. 

By Caroline Thompson, Brad's Deals

Are you a part of the聽54 percent of Brad's Deals readers聽who made a New Year's resolution to get healthy in 2015? If so, you're probably in the process of gearing up for your new fitness lifestyle,聽which can be a totally intimidating process.

Exercise equipment can get聽expensive, and fitness newbies might not know which products to splurge on, and which they should buy on the cheap. But that's why we're here! If you're struggling to figure out what kinds of things you actually聽need to get into聽shape, we've got answers for you.

5 Things to Splurge On:

  1. Sports Bras聽-- Listen up, fellow ladies of the world: a quality sports bra is an invaluable聽investment if you're starting a workout routine. Good sports bras can get a little pricey, but I promise聽they'll be worth every penny when you hit the treadmill. Cheaper bras just don't have the support you so desperately need when moving around with a larger chest, so suck it up and spend the money--you'll be glad you did. Don't know where to start?聽Check out the selection聽at聽Sports Authority!

  2. Shoes聽-- The wrong shoes can mess up more than just your workout. As someone who sprains her ankle on the regular, I need serious ankle support when I run and lift. Know your body and its limits, and make sure you pick out a shoe that's designed for the activity you'll be doing. No one should be running around a track wearing Converse sneakers. No one! Head over to your closest聽REI,聽and let them help you pick聽out聽the perfect pair of running shoes聽for your feet.

    Don't skimp on gym memberships OR the right pair of shoes.

  3. Gym Memberships聽-- Yes, I know there are a ton of gyms out there that offer memberships for insanely low prices, but聽these kinds of discount gyms build their business models around the fact that most of their members will never come.聽Listen to this Planet Money report聽if you want the truth about cheap gyms, and opt for a pricier workout zone for better odds of聽staying on track and聽keeping yourself accountable. Do some research on the gyms in your area, and indulge in聽some free trial weeks before making a decision.

  4. Healthy Food聽-- It's a sad fact, but聽it takes a lot less money and effort to stuff yourself with聽junk food than it does to eat healthy, but if your New Year's resolution is to get in shape, you're going to need to splurge on the good stuff.聽Check out this聽clean eating grocery list聽from Skinny Ms. if you need some inspiration and meal ideas.

  5. Workout Pants聽-- You might think you can skimp on your workout clothes, and for the most part, you're right. But you'll be surprised at how聽quickly a cheap pair of workout pants will fall apart when you're wearing聽them every day. Invest in at least one well-made pair and you won't have to keep sewing up the holes that pop up along the seams of your cheap leggings. Surprisingly, places like聽Target聽have some pretty good quality options that won't break the bank. Try out聽this pair of Champion cold weather running leggings聽for your winter workouts.

5 Things to Get for Less:

Don't splurge on a yoga mat!

  1. Shirts聽-- While you'll want to shell out for some quality pants, don't waste your money on expensive workout shirts. As long as the material is stretchy and breathable, you should be fine stocking up on cheap tops.聽Kohl's聽has some聽major discounts on activeweargoing on right now, and聽Old Navy聽is a good place to score cheap workout tops for less year round, so check out those stores聽before you max out your credit card atLululemon.

  2. Yoga Mats聽-- You can find cheap yoga mats all over the place, so there's no excuse to pay more than $30 to get a mat of your own.聽JCPenneyis currently having a New Year's blowout sale, so snatch up one of聽these colorful mats聽for just $12.99 and get your downward dog on in 2015!

  3. Water Bottles聽-- I don't care what magical promises that $50 water bottle is making,聽at the end of the day, it's a bottle that holds water. There's really no need to spend more than $10 on a nice water bottle that will last you years.聽Try this one聽for $5.24 atWalmart.

  4. Dumbbells聽-- If you're starting an at-home workout routine, don't splurge on the equipment. Walmart has聽a wide assortment of dumbbells聽for super low prices, so you can tone up those arms without having to spend a fortune.

  5. Fitness Trackers聽-- If you weren't lucky enough to find a Fitbit from Santa in your stocking this year, you might be considering shelling out for one on your own.聽But before you drop the money, you should try out one of the free (or dirt cheap) smartphone fitness trackers, which can track everything from daily steps and聽calories consumed to聽your current heart rate and biking mileage! Check out this list from PC Mag of聽the 25 best fitness apps, and get yourself off the couch in 2015.