Okay everyone, I’m going to let you in on something I have only shared with my closest friends. There are free fitness classes in New York City. I’m not talking about gym membership trial periods, using a free class pass, or attending a promotional in-store event, I mean regularly scheduled, drop-in, no-strings-attached classes that are completely, 100% free.
Last year I was researching places online to take some free/cheap yoga classes and I stumbled upon Shape Up NYC‘s website. The site listed a ton of different work out classes all over Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. My friend Sara and I were super intruiged by a “hula dancing” class that was being taught at the Chelsea Recreation Center and we decided to check it out. The class was very intense and really fun (except it was kind of disappointing for Sara because she thought it was going to be a “hula-hooping” class, LOL!) The instructor was friendly and knowledgable and with having absolutely no hula experience at all, we were quickly taught the movements and found it easy to follow along.
Unfortunately hula is no longer a fitness class listed on Shape Up NYC’s program but there are so many other classes available through out the boroughs at various times. With packed school schedules, internships, jobs, nanny-ing gigs, social obligations, and tight budgets it’s hard to find a class that works and is affordable, so hopefully there is a class from Shape Up NYC that vibes with your schedule. The class list on the website allows you to choose a borough and a time frame, if you only have a limited window of availability in a certain place. The class descriptions explain what the class is and the age group it is targeted to (most are “adult” but some are specifically listed “teen” or “senior” — fyi!) You do not need to be a member or the recreation centers or clubs, but if you are taking classes there it is sometimes required to bring a lock to store your belongings.
Below is a highlighted list of free fitness classes in Manhattan, but feel free to explore all of what Shape Up NYC offers — you’re welcome :)
- Women’s Zumba – Tuesdays 1-2pm // Lower East Side Girls Club – 101 Avenue D // all ages
- Dance Fitness – Sundays 7-8pm // Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Senior Center – 343 East 70th Street at 1st // adults
- Core Function – Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm // Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Senior Center – 343 East 70th Street at 1st // everyone
- Intro to Fitness, Exercise for Couch Potatoes – Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm // Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Senior Center – 343 East 70th Street at 1st // adults
- Beginner Yoga – Thursdays 12-1pm // Asser Levy Recreation Center – 392 Asser Levy Place // adults, seniors
- Bouncing to the Beat of the B-B-Beatles – Wednesdays 8-9pm // Hudson Guild: Fulton Center – 119 9th Avenue // adults
- Cardio Sculpt – Sundays 12-1pm // Chelsea Recreation Center – 430 West 25th Street // adults
- Kickboxing – Sundays 1-2pm // Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center – 232 West 60th Street // adults
‘Like’ the Shape Up NYC Facebook page for daily updates.