The Target trap

I go to our local Target at least three times a month.  Sometimes even more.  

I think I've left without spending more than $100 only a handful of times.  (If you are able to routinely go to Target and spend less than $100, please tell me your tricks.  I swear, that place is rigged so no matter what you buy, it will be at least $100.01.)

I do a lot of my grocery shopping there, because I'm under the delusion that it's cheaper than a regular grocery store.  I've never actually compared prices, so chances are it isn't really any cheaper.  And half the time I end up going to A&P anyway because Target doesn't have something I need.

But I think my downfall at Target is the fitness aisle.  And the workout clothes section.  It's a rare occasion that I can go into the store without checking out at least one of those areas.  And an even rarer occurrence that I don't buy anything from either.  (Also, has anybody noticed that it's really hard to find the exercise and fitness section on Target.com without just searching for it?)

The problem is that it's definitely a crap shoot when you're buying fitness-related stuff from Target, especially if you're doing it on a whim without researching it first. 

Don't get me wrong, I've definitely gotten some things that I love from Target.

There's the Jillian Michaels yoga DVD.  And the Gaiam yoga mat.  And the Camelbak water bottle.  And one of my foam rollers. And almost every sports bra that I own.  And my favorite pair of workout capris.  In fact, most of my workout clothes.

But the things that always stand out are the total misses.  The things that I hesitate to put in my cart but then put in anyway.  Schlep home, use once, and hate.  I either give them away to someone that thinks they might like it better, or just let them gather dust and take up space in my apartment.

The most memorable is the Julianne Hough dance workout DVD.  To be quite honest, I have no idea what possessed me to buy this.  She generally annoys me to begin with.  I don't know why I thought her instructing me through a 30 minute exercise routine would be a fun experience.  It must have been on sale or something.

I got it home and popped it in the DVD player, ready for a great workout.  I think I got about five minutes in before I couldn't take it anymore.  I texted my sister to see if she wanted it.  She did.

She used it once.  I'm not sure if she even made it all the way through a workout.  Apparently, a dislike of Julianne Hough runs in the family.

Then there was the kettlebell DVD workout, which came with a 4lb. kettlebell.  I did that a few times, and while it was a great workout, it only came with a 4lb. kettlebell, which definitely isn't enough for me to get a good workout, no matter how many exercises I do.  I eventually upgraded to a 10lb. kettlebell, but now the 4lb. one is just sitting on the floor in my apartment.  It only moves when I need to Swiffer underneath it.

And then there are the Val Slides.  Which, truth be told, are actually a decent invention.  They are these pads that are designed to slide along the floor, making your movements easier and more fluid.  Although I could totally achieve the same effect by using two plastic frisbees that they give away for free at the county fair.   The funny thing about the Val Slide is that when I brought them home from Target and opened the box, the actual Val Slides were nowhere to be found.  It was the last box that was on the shelf.  I obviously brought it back and Target, and they gave me a refund, and then I complained to the manufacturer, who sent me a pair for free.  Which is a good thing, because I think I've used them once.

I love Target, I really do.  But I think I need to build a whole new category into my monthly budget for Useless Crap that Looks Cool at Target and Will Forever Sit Around My Apartment Gathering Dust.  And I think I need to limit my spending on these items to about $30 per month.  I've got my eye on these next.