Ashley Shahid, a public relations professional in New York City, knows the costs associated with boutique studio classes all too well. She likes participating in stationary-cycling classes through SoulCycle, boxing-inspired workouts with Rumble and strengthening and toning exercises with SLT. “I allocate part of my paycheck to buying [exercise class] packages,” Shahid says. “I always have an arsenal of classes to attend.”
But to maintain her workout regimen, which also includes a traditional gym membership, Shahid spends around $450 every six weeks, making it a substantial line item in her budget.
Like Shahid, fitness fans are flocking to studios and boutique workout classes that focus on specific types of exercise such as yoga, pilates, barre or CrossFit. More than 18 million people claim membership to a studio, according to a 2017 report from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. And members pay a premium for these curated fitness offerings, with average monthly studio fees ranging from $76.41 to $118.13, which are higher than the dues paid by members of traditional gyms and fitness clubs. Drop-in classes can be expensive, too — up to $34 for a one-time SoulCycle or Pure Barre class in New York City.
And while fans of fitness classes enjoy the community atmosphere and inspiring workouts, the dues can be a real downside. Read on for strategies to save money on boutique fitness classes.
[See: 10 Big Ways to Boost Your Budget — Without Skimping on Your Daily Latte.]
Take advantage of trials. If you’re looking to test-run a new fitness program, look into free or reduced-cost trial memberships. Studios may offer anything from a free first class to a cut-rate fee for trial week or month. String together a few of these trial runs, and you’ll save money while discovering which classes and studios are your favorites.
That was Rachel Zucker’s technique after she made a New Year’s resolution to take better care of her body. “I wasn’t a regular gym-goer,” says the 25-year-old San Francisco resident, who tamped down on costs by utilizing free and low-cost trial classes.
She started using Groupon deals and free trials to test out studios before buying courses in bulk. She even managed to score 10 yoga classes for less than $30, and found a studio that she loves. “If you’re going to be able to do a free class or a $10 spin class, what have you got to lose?” she says.
[See: 10 Financial New Year’s Resolutions.]
Save money through apps. Digital resources such as ClassPass and FitReserve allow you to mix and match fitness classes from various studios at a discount and may cost less than joining multiple studios separately. At ClassPass, for example, the price of a package that offers between six and nine classes, which members might take in spinning, barre, yoga, pilates or other exercise types, varies per location. For instance, it costs $80 per month in Columbus, Ohio, and $135 per month in New York. You’ll be limited in how many classes you can take at each studio per month and might not gain access during peak hours, but the savings may be worthwhile.
Buy in bulk. If you’re committed to a specific studio or class, you can typically pay less per visit if you buy multiple classes at once. That’s the strategy Shahid, the New York-based fitness fan does. She commits a portion of her paycheck each month to buying a bundle of passes to one of her favorite studios.
Of course, if you don’t use the classes that you buy or let them expire, you haven’t saved money at all. “This method only works if you go all the time,” Shahid says.
Leverage group discounts. Studios may work with you if you bring a large group to the class, says Josh Leve, founder and CEO of the Association of Fitness Studios. “It can be co-workers, family, friends — when you bring a bulk of people, the studio or gym may be willing to work with you on costs,” Leve says.
This strategy may also work to secure a corporate discount. If your company partners with a nearby studio to offer employees a lower price, take advantage. If not, see if you can get a group of colleagues together and find a deal on your own, Leve says.
Don’t forget that there may be discounts for students, active military and senior citizens or agreements in which you can score free classes in exchange for cleaning before and after class. You won’t know if you don’t ask.
[Read: Being the ‘Poor Friend’: How to Stick to Your Budget Without Being Shunned.]
Join a gym. You might enjoy the community and specificity of a studio, but don’t discount gyms altogether, experts say. “If a consumer truly wants to save money on fitness classes, their wallets would be better served finding a multipurpose gym or health club that offers a range of fitness classes included with a monthly membership,” says Meredith Poppler, vice president of communications and engagement for the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, in an email. “Since the studio format has become so popular, more and more ‘traditional’ clubs have been adding studio-type programs and dedicated studio spaces into their offerings.”
Or consider alternating pricey studio classes with less expensive gym workouts or (nearly free) outdoor running, cycling, hiking or walking. That way, you can reduce the number of expensive classes you take per week while still working out regularly.
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How to Spend Less on Boutique Fitness Classes originally appeared on usnews.com
