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Photograph: Courtesy of Uplift Studios

The best free fitness classes in NYC

Stay healthy—on a lean budget—thanks to these free fitness classes offered at local sports shops and gyms

Written by
Carolyn Stanley
,
Anny Kim
&
Jennifer Picht
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NYC’s best gyms and health clubs offer awesome fun and cool fitness classes all year round, but that doesn’t stop us from using all sorts of excuses to get out of a tough sweat sesh. One that really comes in handy? Pricey gym memberships and class fees. But this month, get those happy endorphins flowing without spending a dime, thanks to these 10 free workout classes offered in the city. Better yet? Now you can finally justify purchasing some cute activewear from NYC’s best fitness gear shops.

RECOMMENDED: Find the best NYC fitness classes and gyms

Fit n’ Flow at Without Walls
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

End the month on a Zen note by partaking in some free yoga led by Jessica Messina from Yojo Yoga. Hosted by the hip athletic gear brand Without Walls inside the Urban Outfitters in Herald Square, relax to live music by DJ Megz during your full-body workout. Just be sure to BYOM (bring your own mat). And make sure to R.S.V.P. at wwyojo.splashthat.com.

Namaste at Nine Yoga at Lululemon
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Head to the brand's Broadway shop for a one-hour, sweat-inducing vinyasa/hatha yoga class hosted by Michelle Rose. FYI: Mats will be provided, of course.

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Drill Bootcamp Ride at Drill Fitness
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Guess what: Heart-rate monitoring is the new rage. Experience a heart-pounding, sweat-inducing cycling routine (45mins) while you test out Drill Fitness's cutting-edge technology. The instructors will be able to measure your performance and monitor your progress, so get ready to be hooked!

Essentrics Meet-up at Lolë
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Get acquainted with Essentrics, an exercise method that combines strength and stretching, with trainer Erika Vipond. The low-impact workout promises to improve posture and flexibility—all to the sounds of a killer playlist.

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Uplift Studios
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Although the all-women's boutique-fitness classes ordinarily run you $34 a pop, the studio sometimes offers a community class to test out new trainers. Uplift is known for its small classes, so hurry to its website to secure a spot in this midday strength class with instructor Kirsten.

Core Fusion Barre at Sweaty Betty
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Exhale's megapopular Core Fusion Barre classes are a cool-girl favorite (and they're usually a cool $37), so it seems only natural that the spa-studio would team up with chic activewear brand Sweaty Betty for a free class at its Soho store. Led by instructor Natalie Bridges, the 50-minute class targets every muscle group with a range of ballet-inspired movements and (you guessed it) plenty of core work.

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Capoeria Meet-up at Lolë
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Curious about capoeria? Head to Lolë for a meet-up dedicated to the Brazilian-dance/martial-arts mash-up. Afterward, enjoy Brazilian snacks, KIND bars and 20 percent off Lolë's new spring apparel.

Sweat Series Yoga and Chocolate with David Romanelli
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

Activewear line Athleta and wellness site Well+Good continue their popular Sweat Series, a first-come, first-served (doors open at 9am) peek at the most popular fitness trends in NYC. The next session, Yoga and Chocolate with David Romanelli, comes with plenty of swag like a Well+Good tote bag, Fig+Yarrow foot butter, a copy of the yogi's book Happy Is the New Healthy and a chance to win a $100 Athleta gift card.

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Reinvention Method by ChaiseFitness
  • Sports and fitness
  • Gyms and fitness centers

ChaiseFitness cofounders Lauren and Rachel Piskin are bringing their ReinventYOU video workout series to Athleta's three locations as an on-the-go version of their Pilates-based Reinvention Method and guiding clients through the other offerings at their three NYC studios. Space is limited so R.S.V.P. to natalie_gargiulo@stores.gap.com to reserve a spot. Locations throughout the city; visit athleta.net

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