Getting fit for less

In this economic crunch, we examine more affordable — and free — ways to get and stay fit

By Megan Green

Gyms can be expensive. Even before the economic problems of the past year, people were cancelling their memberships to save money. Now, with the continuing financial downturn, fitness is being dropped from people’s budgets with increasing frequency. Along with the daily $4 latte and big vacations, gym memberships have become a luxury many are choosing to do without.

However, there is hope for those wallet watchers who are still longing to stay healthy and fit.

Chicago offers a large assortment of fitness options for those on a budget. Some are only temporary or seasonal options. Some could prove to be long-term. But they will all keep a person (or start a person) on the right track to being healthy physically and financially.

Seasonal Options
Millennium Park offers free workouts on the Great Lawn each Saturday morning from June 6 through Sept. 19. Each Saturday, this park offers a variety of workouts to satisfy many tastes. At 7 a.m., tai chi is offered. Yoga is at 8 a.m., and it is immediately followed by pilates at 9 a.m.

Each month, Millennium Park offers a different dance or martial art workout at 10 a.m. June is “Body Combat/Body Attack/Body Jam.” This class is inspired by many different martial arts. July is “Capoeira,” which is a type of fitness combining fighting with dancing, singing and musical instruments. August brings “Samba Dance Mania.” This class offers the opportunity to get fit through samba music. The seasonal event finishes in September with “Zumba,” a high-energy dance and resistance training to a Latin beat.

For more information on the workouts in Millennium Park, visit www.millenniumpark.org.

The seasonal fitness options continue with the W Hotel’s free “Workouts by the Water.” This summer event offers guests of the hotel, as well as the general public, the chance to experience an hour-long workout by the lake with the hotel’s general manager, Heather Steenge-Hart, and trainer Saran Dunmore.

The workouts take place each Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. You can also come after work on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. The sessions run through the end of the summer. Those coming for the workouts should meet in the W Chicago Lakeshore’s living room at 644 N. Lake Shore Dr.

For more information on the W Hotel’s “Workouts by the Water,” call the hotel at 312-943-9200.

Temporary Options:
Throughout Chicago, free trial memberships at gyms or free individual classes at various fitness studios can help keep you active while money is tight.

Moksha Yoga offers a free community class once a week. This class is for all levels of yoga experience. With yoga centers in River West and Lakeview, this free class is convenient for many people. For its summer schedule starting June 1, the community class in River West is every Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Lakeview location’s free community class is each Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Visit www.mokshayoga.com for center addresses and additional information.

If you live closer to the Gold Coast or Edgewater, Yoga Now might be the choice for you. This yoga studio has locations in both of these Chicago neighborhoods and offers a free community class at each studio on Sunday. At the Gold Coast location, the free class begins at 2:15 p.m. and goes until 3:15 p.m. Those going to the Edgewater location can take the class from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Information for Yoga Now can be found at www.yoganowchicago.com.

If yoga is not your first choice for fitness, perhaps martial arts is more your speed. Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self-Defense Center offers a free trial class of any of their martial arts or other fitness classes. If you like what you experience there and are still concerned about finances, this center offers many membership scholarships to those who need them.

More information about Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self-Defense Center can be found by visiting www.thousandwaves.org or by calling 773-472-7663.

Those looking for a longer, free trial at an actual gym can easily take advantage of the seven- or 14-day trial memberships at gyms around the city.

Bally Total Fitness has several locations around Chicago. By visiting its website, (www.ballyfitness.com) and clicking on the “Get a free guest pass” icon, anyone can gain access for seven days to any of the many Bally gyms in the area.

X-Sport Fitness has a similar deal. A person looking to know more about the classes, equipment and other fitness opportunities at X-Sport can experience them first-hand for one week. Visit www.xsportfitness.com for more details.

If seven days is too short for you to have access to a new gym, check out the free trial at any of the Fitness Formula Clubs around Chicago. This gym offers anyone who lives within 10 miles of a Fitness Formula Club and is over 18 years old the chance to try out the club for 14 days. Go to www.fitnessformulaclubs.com for additional information.

Longer Options:
If the free classes and trial memberships just are not enough to satisfy your workout needs, there are some gyms and studios that offer great introductory offers or discounted monthly memberships.

Bikram Yoga Chicago is a type of yoga known as Bikram or “hot” yoga, practiced in a room with a temperature of 105 degrees. At the Bikram Yoga Chicago locations, first-time students can get their first month for $29. This means you receive 31 days of Bikram yoga in any of the studios. After the first month, the price does go up, but this $29 deal could be enough to get you hooked.

For more information on Bikram Yoga Chicago and the classes, visit www.105F.com.

The Chicago Park District offers fitness centers across Chicago in most of the neighborhood park centers. The cost for a three-month membership ranges from approximately $40-$75. Additionally, many of the fitness centers offer free classes or membership for those 60 and older. These fitness centers offer full gyms with weights, equipment and various classes.

For a listing of the park locations and details about the fitness center equipment, classes, etc., go to www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/fitness_centers/index.html.

The YMCA has long been a reliable place to turn to for cheaper fitness memberships. This remains true today. The YMCAs around Chicago offer membership deals to those on a budget who want to get fit and healthy or stay fit and healthy. They will offer a waiver or reduction in fees for those who qualify. Also, many YMCAs will provide a free guest pass good for one day of membership.

To find out additional details about membership fees or the various YMCAs around Chicago, visit www.ymcachgo.org.

These options are just a few of the many free classes, trial memberships or membership discounts that can be found around Chicago. Taking advantage of these deals can make your wallet fatter while actually making you more fit.

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