Endorphins are hard to come by as a student. It’s easy to look up from a week of work and study and find yourself in the same spot you started in without having moved much at all. Plus, the fitness scene in NYC isn’t quite welcoming for the faint of… pocket. In a sea of $40 cycling classes and insanely priced gym memberships, students without disposable income might just throw in the towel without even using it to wipe off some exercise-induced sweating beforehand. These spots are beacons in the scary, busy world of fitness for a Barnard student.
Yoga to the People
Yoga to the People is a donation-based yoga studio with a huge, beautiful airy space on 104th and Broadway. They even have mat rentals for $2, so you don’t even need to buy your own if you don’t see yourself investing in a yoga mat any time soon. Swing by on Sunday evenings for candle-lit classes.
Central Park loop
Make your way to the northwest corner entrance to traverse this hilly 6-mile loop. You’ll run past so many kids on scooters and couples with dogs, if you don’t look up at the skyscrapers looming, you’ll convince yourself you’re jogging through a small New England town.
FitBear
If you manage to find yourself a winner of a sought-after spot in Barnard’s Fit Bear program, you’ll get a semester’s worth of classes for just $50. The passes that the program offers include Zumba, yoga, and Barre Fit. Perfect for those dedicated to fitness yet not quite dedicated to ever leaving campus.
Dance classes at Barnard
You can tone both your body and your artistic sensibilities all at once. Barnard has a killer collection of artists in their dance faculty whose job it is to teach you their craft. You’ll get to learn Flamenco, Modern, Ballet, or African Dance while working up a sweat!
Riverside Park
Pro tip, go early and see all the Upper West Siders walking their awesome dogs. After that, swing down to cherry walk at the 100th street entrance to run right on the banks of the Hudson, then jog up the stairs on 125th if you’re looking for an extra butt kicking.
First-timer discounts
Tons of exercise studios have a first-timer discounts that, relative to their normal prices, seem too cheap to be legal. Check out Harlem Bikram on 145th street for an unlimited first week for $20, while Class Pass offers you your first five-class month long package for just $20 as well.