Sample Buzzfeed article:
When every workout fiend's obsession, CLASSPASS, raised their prices last month, it left a lot of users to wonder how they would be able to continue to pay for their beloved workouts. Some contemplated taking out a small business loan while other's simply said, GIRL, BYE.
On average, unlimited workout sessions at boutique fitness classes in Los Angeles cost around $200/per month. We've complied a list of all of the free workout classes and discounts you can use if you don't have that kind of dough lying around. It is our mission to find affordable workout studios and not have to donate a kidney to be able to afford to do so.
1. First Class Free/First week and month discounts
Almost all studios offer some kind of first class, week or month special. Here is a sample list of studios who offer free or very discounted rates. You can literally bop around town for months by taking advantage of deals at different studios.
- Crunch Gym- Two week free membership
- 24 Hour Fitness- 3 day free pass
- LA Fitness0 3 day free pass
- YMCA- Free 7 day pass
- Golds Gym- Free 7 day pass
- Iron Fitness- Free 7 day pass
- FlyWheel- First Class
- Foxy and Fierce- First Class
- Pilates Platinum- First Class
- Pilate-ology- First Class $10
- Circuit Piliates- First Class
- SandBox Fitness- First Class
- Training Mate- First Class
- Pulse Fitness- First Class
- LuLuLemon- Free yoga class every Sunday
- Rising Lotus Yoga- $10 community class
- Runyon Canyon Yoga- Donation based classes
- I Heart Fitness Xo- 4 pm happy hour class $10
- Liberation Yoga- First Class
- WundaBar Pilates- First class $10 (donated to charity of choice)
- YogaWorks- Two weeks unlimited $30
- BootyWorks- First class $10, all classes after $15
- In Yoga- Two weeks unlimited $30
- Black Dog Yoga- Two weeks unlimited $30
- XMA- First Class
- Pilates Plus- First Class $15
- Pop Physique- First Month Unlimited $100
- Bar Method- First Month Unlimited $100
- Pure Barre- First Month Unlimited $100
- Swerve- First Month Unlimited $100
- Brick- First Week
2. Groupon, Gilt, Living Social
Groupon has sick deals for some of the best studios in town. Hint, Groupon offers an additional 20% almost weekly on different categories (local, fitness, health, ect.) We recommend waiting until another discount rolls around so you will be getting your deal for extra cheap! Just make sure you check the fine print, some studios will allow Groupons for first time users only; many have altered these rules and you can use them again after 3, 6 or 12 months.
3. Open Sweat, Zenrez, DailyBurn, EMG Live Fitness
When studios have open classes to be filled they use these websites to sell the spots at a discounted rate. You can often find classes on these sites for up to 60%, the only catch is you have to wait until day of to book a spot. Great for last minute sweat sessions. Some of these sites also offer your first class free.
4. Barter for services
Ask if your favorite studio is willing to barter your time for free classes. You can work the front desk, make phone calls, clean the studio, ect. If they don't have a program set up for this, ask if you can start one.
5. Neogtiate
You just have to ask. Try to find other members at the specific gym you've chosen and ask what their monthly rate is. See what comparable gyms in the area charge and negotiate at or below their price. See if your profession or age will allow you any special deals, usually students, educators, seniors all get some kind of deal.
5. Sign up for Emails
Yes, just what everyone wants, more spam to their inbox! It can be worth it to sign up for emails from your favorite studios who often do specials around holidays.
6. Hit your local park
Los Angeles has a plethora of scenic trails that you get you in the beautiful outdoors and offer expansive views of the city, fo free. Here's some of our favorites:
- Runyon Canyon, Hollywood
- Escondido Falls, Malibu
- Mishe Mokwa, Malibu
- Point Dume, Malibu
- Fryman Canyon, Studio City
- The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Baldwin Park
- The Santa Monica Stairs
- Pan Pacific Park, West Hollywood
- Muscle Beach, Venice
7. Work out at home!
The work-out at home trend is nothing new. Instructors have been selling VHS and DVD workouts for years. Anyone remember Tae-Bo? You can purchase used DVD's at bookstores and on Amazon for sometimes as low as $1! In addition, many at homer's have turned to YouTube for their workout videos. Head to your local Marshals or T.J. Maxx to purchase some home gym essentials like a yoga mat and hand weights and you are well on your way to an acceptable home gym. Now to just stay away from that cell phone while you're at home crunching.
$$$ Enjoy all that hard money you're saving $$$