FIT FOR FREE
Being that we’re focusing on body agency this month on the site, we wanted to share with you some ways to get your body in motion and find joy while doing it. Our LA Contributor Alyssa Jara created the below list just for you! So grab a friend, put on your most supportive sports bra and get into these FREE activities!
LA
Yoga at Runyon Canyon: Not much is free in life, but thankfully LA gives you the weather to do things for free99! Yoga at Runyon Canyon is led by professional yoga instructors! Although, donations are welcomed so make sure to give back a little.
Stairs: Opt out of the crowded stair-masters at the gym and go outside for some fresh air! There are so many great staircases to take advantage of around LA but Santa Monica Stairs, Hidden Stairways of Silverlake, and Culver City stairs at Baldwin Hills and Scenic Overlook are just a few notable ones that will really get those glutes pumping!
Yoga Circle Downtown: A free beginners class is held on the first Saturday of every month focusing on alignment and breathing.
Hiking: Though this last one seems like an obvious, let it serve as a reminder - WE LIVE IN LA where the weather is always beautiful. Runyon Canyon, Franklin Canyon Park, Sandstone Peak, Malibu Creek State Park, Silver Lake Reservoir, Claremont Loop, and Hermit Falls are really just a few out of the many amazing hiking trails around Los Angeles.
Ford Amphitheatre: The Ford Amphitheater hosts JAM Sessions that are free! From Afro-Cuban to Celtic dancing, you can get a workout to international sounds no matter how much rhythm you may or may not have!
NYC
Yoga to the People: You can find a Yoga to the People Studio in St Marks, the Upper West Side, and Brooklyn and their Power Vinyasa classes are donation based. These classes are not heated and run through pose to pose transitions linking body, breath, and movement.
Shape Up NYC: These amazing gatherings are free and take place at parks and recreation centers throughout the 5 boroughs. The types of classes offered are aerobics, yoga, pilates, and zumba so if you’re looking for a variety of workouts, this is probably your jam!
NYRR Open Run: NYRR Open Run is comprised of community-based and volunteer-led runs and walks across all 5 boroughs. Get together and prepare for a 2-3 mile long run/walk while making some new friends, too!
PARKS: Since the better weather is approaching I’m going to list another obvious: PARKS. There are so many parks around NYC with amazing amenities from Central Park to Brooklyn Bridge Park and Soundview Park in the Bronx. For a full list of parks + amenities, click here.
NYC Dance Week: This June, NYC will be hosting Dance Week — and you’ll get access to 10 days of free dance classes!
CHICAGO
Millennium Park Workouts: During the summer free classes are held at the park from yoga, to zumba and pilates. Look out for the updated schedule as summer gets closer!
Yoga at Wicker Park: Every Tuesday and Wednesday night in the summer, you’ll get a chance to experience yoga and meditation - also free, our favorite word!
Tula Yoga: Keep up with Tula Yoga’s event schedule! Staff members are known for teaching yoga classes at Logan Square Farmers Market for free and on their events page you’ll be able to find “Donation Day Workouts” at the studio.
9Round: Our research shows you can get your first kickboxing class here for free, call & confirm
More outside options: Chicago Lakefront Trail, The Chicago Riverwalk, North Shore Channel Trail, and Green Bay Trail are great places to enjoy this upcoming Spring and Summer weather.
AUSTIN
CrossFit Austin: With Austin being one of the “fittest cities” in America (I learned as I did my research on this article, fun fact!) they’re serious about offering free fitness. Lucky for you guys - you get quite the variety instead of your average walk in the park, seriously. CrossFit Austin offers free monthly, community classes full of intense workouts.
Dane’s Body Shop: Need more of a challenging workout? Dane’s Body Shop offers free workouts every first and third Sunday of the month!
Whole Foods Yoga: Don’t try making excuses about how busy you might be because you have to grocery shop and run 10 other errands. Every Monday at 7pm Whole Foods in Austin offers free yoga classes, so get your workout on right before you need to grocery shop for the week. Follow @WholeFoodsATX on Twitter to stay updated with classes.
Yoga at Cherrywood Coffee House: How fun does meditating and grabbing a coffee after sound? Free yoga at Cherrywood Coffee House is every Monday-Friday from 8-9am.
IN ALL CITIES
Classpass: A MAJOR fitness hack (I know because I’ve been doing it). Start a free 2 week trial with Classpass, which is available across MANY cities. Sign up and start taking some classes in your area. From there, share your referral link and get your friends to start a trial too! Why not? Free classes! From there, you’ll get referral credit (deals are always changing, but I have up to my next 2 months membership paid for thanks to those referral credits) Share the love and spread the workout fever. You and all your friends can indulge in that referral credit.
Gixo App: Gixo almost makes you forget you’re using an app because live trainers are available for 15, 25, or 40 minute workouts that you can do from the comfort of your home! You can sign up for a 7-day free trial and then purchase for $14.99 a month if you’re really feeling it!
REMINDER: Check your local gyms for those free trials!
