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Affordable fitness
Posted on January 8th, 2009 5 commentsIf you want to take part in yoga, pilates, or work out at an indoor gym this winter, rest assured that there are ways to do it without breaking the bank.
Check your local yoga studios for schedules and see if they offer Pay-What-You-Can, Community Classes, or Karma Yoga classes. Pay-What-You-Can classes are typically offered once a week and are open to anyone. You are welcome to make a donation but if you can’t afford a penny, they won’t refuse you. Community Classes are taught by students who are training to become instructors. These classes are held at Yoga Space in Toronto for $7 a class. You may find that your local studio offers community classes at a similar price. Finally, Karma Yoga is often held at studios where a small donation is requested. At Living Yoga in Guelph, all of the proceeds from Karma Yoga is donated to local charities.
It’s a great idea to sign up for newsletters from local yoga studios or other wellness clinics, as free classes are sometimes held. For example, Yoga Space periodically offers free Pilates classes.
If it’s a fitness gym you’re after, drop in and see if they offer free trial memberships. In Toronto, there is fierce competition and most of the gyms offer free week-long trial memberships. At the very least you should be able to try the club once for free. Some of the big chains like Goodlife may not offer such a deal, but phone around or drop in and you should be able to find a freebie.
Finally, don’t forget about the good old stand by - the YMCA. The Y is still incredibly cheap when compared to other large fitness clubs. It’s $41.75 for adults and this membership includes all facilities, programs and activities. There is an initial $60 fee, again far less than what you pay at most other gyms. If you are unable to pay these fees but are committed to using the Y on a long-term basis, the Y offers financial assistance.
And as I’ve mentioned before, the Running Room offers great running clinics for approximately $60 - but you can also join with the group after their lecture and find great running buddies for free! Visit your local Running Room for details about where and when to meet.
Enjoy!
5 responses to “Affordable fitness”
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the local community center is also a good place to check. ours offers pay-per-time at around $2 a visit. or if you know you’ll be faithful you can buy a membership by the quarter, 1/2 year, or year.
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For those who like to do yoga at home, I’d like to recommend some excellent DVD’s by a teacher that is the best in my mind..Rodney Yee. I have several of his DVD’s such as AM/PM yoga, Yoga Conditioning for Athletes, Yoga for Abs, and Yoga for the Core. Rodney’s calm, meditative voice, and his methodical easy to follow instructions make the experience much more than a physical workout. It’s truly a mind/body experience. I also like the idea that I don’t have to waste gas, or my time to go outside my home. Since I also like to incorporate yoga daily, it has also saved me a considerable amount in class fees. And it affords me the luxury of wearing whatever I choose and the time that suits my schedule. I light a candle, turn down the lights, and set the mood. It’s a time I look forward to, rather than “fit in”. Some of Yee’s DVD’s can be purchased through Chapters, but I’ve also bought them off of amazon.com. He also has his own store. Is anyone else a Yee fan out there?
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The Karma Yoga tip was awesome! I work with a lot of mental health clients on social welfare, a lot of whome would want to do things like yoga if they coud afford it. I have passed this along to one client, and my colleagues will be getting an exciting e-mail tomorrow! I found some great ones in Calgary.
Thank you SO much! -
Saver Queen January 13th, 2009 at 11:29
Leah, thank you so much for your comment. I can’t tell you how much this means to me that I am able to help in some small way. I am so glad that your clients will become aware of the opportunities available to them. I would encourage them to talk to the person running the class if they can’t afford even a token donation and I’m sure something will be arranged. The other great thing: I have met a lot of people on disability who cannot afford to give charitable contributions, but want to, and the great thing about Karma yoga is that they get to make such a contribution while simultaneously paying for their yoga class. Two birds, if you will. Thanks again!
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Saver Queen » Blog Archive » Fifty Fun, Free things to do on Valentines Day! February 10th, 2009 at 12:10
[...] other. For suggestions on how to find a free or otherwise affordable class, read my post “affordable fitness“. Or try some yoga at [...]
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