FITNESS GEAR
Shoppers can leverage coupon codes and member rewards on exercise gear
Grab a head start on your New Year resolution,
Given that Thanksgiving falls in early October here in Canada, we Canadians get a several weeks’ head start on holiday over-indulging. So when Black Friday sales roll around, some of us are perhaps ready to get that same head start on New Year’s health and fitness resolutions, or at least are looking for help to stay on track through Christmas.
Good thing, then, that there are many deals to be had on fitness gear, clothing and equipment to suit even the most casual weekend warrior heading into and even after Black Friday. But how to find these savings? Here’s how: Email: The best place to start is to get on your favourite retailers’ and brands’ mailing lists now. While you may be worried about getting spammed with notices every day, eblasts are still one of the main ways companies communicate with their customers.
For example, I order bike gear from a website called Chain Reaction. It has great deals year-round on everything from bike components to clothing, and its e-blasts are typically short bits of information with links straight to the site.
This year, the company got ahead of the Black Friday rush by sending out a notice at the beginning of November about its plans. More than 100 deals have been issued weekly throughout November, with 50 per cent off or more on anything a cyclist might need. Bonus savings: the standard 10 per cent off first-time orders of at least $100. Devoted websites: Some major retailers will devote entire sections of their websites to Black Friday deals, the biggest being Amazon.ca/blackfriday. Here, you will find deals of the day (which means pretty much what you think it does), as well as lightning deals, which are timed to expire after a set period (and even have countdown clocks in the listings).
While the deals are constantly changing, a recent check found resistance loop bands for $11.04, or 31 per cent off, and an Arespark ab wheel for $20.39, or 15 per cent off. Amazon also carries everything from yoga mats to kettle bells, and for Prime customers who want to get their sweat on right away, there’s always next day or two-day delivery. Coupon codes: A brand’s social media channels are also a great way to stay on top of sale
notices, as well as pro- mo codes that can net you big savings at check-out when online shopping. Companies use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to communicate flash sales and limited-time promo codes for customers who keep an eye out for last-minute opportunities.
Canadian yoga-wear brand TerraFrog is once again offering deep Black Friday discounts with a promo code for online shoppers.
This year, customers can take 40 per cent off all products when they shop at terrafrog.com by using the coupon code BlackFriday40. The coupon code applies to regular-priced and sale items, and is good from Nov. 24 until midnight (MST) on Nov. 27. Note: the code cannot be used at any brick-and-mortar stores that carry the Terra Frog brand. Member rewards: What about taking advantage of something you already pay for to get a great deal? Good Life Fitness members can get 30 per cent off major brands and at stores on Black Friday, including Hyba, Kate Spade, and Running Room. Dos and don’ts: Whether you’re headed to a store or shopping online, here are some top shopping tips so your deals don’t turn out to be duds.
If you’re shopping in-store, check all clothing for damage: holes, stains, ripped seams, the works. Sale items (and intimate items such as sports bras and swimsuits) are often final sale, so you don’t want to get stuck with gear you ultimately can’t use (or re-sell). Same goes for any equipment. Check for damage, and ask about warranties.
When shopping for major fitness gear, such as a new bike, it doesn’t hurt to ask about any models from this year that the store wants to
clear out.