JenMac
JenMac

Cheap workouts

Gyms are so friggin expensive in New York city! It's so hard to justify paying 100 bucks a month to go to a place that I hate. But, since doing any sort of physical activity outdoors is out of the question for most of the year, what to do, what to do? Yoga to the People is great, but it's always so crowded and people moan so much in there, it's really hard for me to take it seriously. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm always on the lookout for places with Student or Performer discounts and such but my results have been inconclusive . . .save the deal for students at Physique 57 -- which is minimal in comparison to how insane the prices are for those classes.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
YMCA is about $85, so not necessarily that much better. Includes all kinds of classes. But it's the cheapest I've found so far. If there's anything better, I'd like to knwo too.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
The YMCA in Greenpoint is $51 per month, and for student it's $41: http://www.ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=236

For some reason the YMCA in Brooklyn is less expensive than in the city.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
True, NeverSleeps, my YMCA membership is in Mahnattan and seems to be more expensive. For what it's worth, the facilities are pretty good, though!
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
You can't really go wrong with the Y :)

Does the one you go to have a pool? It seems like the different locations throughout the city are outfitted with completely sporting different facilities. For example, the Greenpoint Y has a sizable basketball gym but no pool. The exercise equipment tends to be the same, of course.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
It does have a pool. It's the Chinatown one on the Bowery and has nice, new facilities, including a small dry sauna and pool.

I've heard from a friend that the YMCA he used to go to in Queens was just awful and dismal. So I guess the quality can vary a lot.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
In the summer there are free facilities like the cycle path on the West Side Highway, or the tennis courts in Central Park (paid, but affordable). Unfortunate that the winter has so many fewer options..
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
I pay a LOT for my Equinox membership and it doesn't even have a pool! Hey, what gives!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
I do not pay anything to workout. The reason is I my exercise equipment in my apartment. This way, I workout when I want on my own schedule. This also helps me to save money. I heard YMCA is disgusting.

By the way, mostly everything in the city is expensive. That is the price to pay for living in a city.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
While I completely understand that everything is expensive; I'm from a city. I grew up in Los Angeles, and gyms there are 30-70 bucks a month. Perhaps it's because you can exercise outdoors year round there. . . I don't know. But, I do know that you can't get food anywhere in LA for 2 bucks . . but, you can go to a brand new Crunch for 50.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@JenMac I've lived in LA and it seems like there are a lot more gym goers there. Here people don't seem to be as culturally inclined...maybe the higher prices here have more to do with less demand than anything. I've also found that Miami gyms are a lot less expensive than the ones in New York.

I really want membership at a spinning studio here, but will never be able to afford it....
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
I was just going to suggest Crunch. A friend and I were recently comparing gym memberships and she said her Crunch membership is $65 and she's happy with it.

@BroadwayBK So you never did find a good spinning class...?
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
When I went to the Crunch on Lafayette a few years back, I paid $85 a month. The facilities are wonderful, but I think the price you pay really depends on what promo they happen to be running when you sign up. $65 is an amazing price for Crunch, though I'm not sure if you would have access to all locations at that price.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK some friends of mine have been raving about Soul Cycle but have no idea how expensive it is -
http://soul-cycle.com/
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
What about the gym, Boom on 31st and Madison. They claim a monthly membership is $19.95. Anyone go there to check?
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@uptowngirl Ah, you have to create a profile on their website in order to see the prices...that's tricky! It appears that it is $32 for a single class, $160 for five and $310 for 10. It's always less expensive to just join a gym that offers these classes, but I am really curious as to whether places that specialize in spinning offer something more, you know?
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@uptowngirl and @BroadwayBK: I never heard about Soul Cycle. I appreciate the link, uptowngirl. At least now, I can check it out and see where they are located.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@everyone Okay, I am going to cough up the $32 and check this place out. I do keep bringing up spinning, after all.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK are you into Pilates? just saw an add for Power Pilates...and checked their website out for their specials as well-http://powerpilates.com/studio/services_specials.php.. their 30 day Jump start mat class for $120 doesn't sound too bad.. 3 classes a week for four weeks works out to $10 a class...

The friends who rave about Soul Cycle say its a brutal workout but they love it!!!!
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
There are a number of yoga classes that offer unlimited first months too. But, I really want to do Physique 57. It's just soooooo expensive.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@JenMac if you're disciplined enough you could always workout chez toi with the Physique 57 DVDs? they are a cheaper option...
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
My girlfriend has a collection of CDs from Denise Austin. She follows her and has a great workout, and does it right in her own apartment. Not bad.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted actually Self magazine also has free workout videos on its website these can be downloaded on an ipod/laptop as well.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I'm a big fan of 8 Minute Abs on YouTube, personally.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@JenMac It seems like all studios that specialize in only one form of exercise are all insanely expensive. It's always cheaper to join a gym, but I just want more out of my workout!

@uptowngirl That is exactly what I am looking for. As soon as it stops being so nasty outside I am going to check it out! I've never really done Pilates but I've always been curious about Bikram Yoga, though. I know Some Like It Hot Yoga is offering a special where it's $35 for new members to have 10 days of consecutive workouts.... Do you take Pilates there?
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
Asher Levy Gym on the Lower East Side used to be the cheapest gym around, but it's been a while sine I was a member, so I can't say if that's changed.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK No I don't do Pilates but do take my Self workouts to my building gym where I use the cardio machines and do strength training for an hour at least four times a week. Currently the Gym is free i.e. the board hasn't started charging us yet so makes sense to make good use of . It's actually been great so far especially since my building is full of fitness conscious folks who always seem to be training for triathlons and such. Don't know much about Bikram Yoga but both my parents back home practice the traditional form of yoga. I actually follow one Yoga workout which incorporates weights have a look-http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1767981817?bctid=1834373851 I find it de-stresses me at once!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: Thanks for the hint about Self Magazine. I'll have to take a look when I get a chance. Sounds good though.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Everyone the posh new Standard Hotel is now offering $20 Yoga classes which are open to non-hotel guests.
http://standardhotels.com/new-york-city/culture/whats-happening/
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
My latest piece of annoyance is how the YMCA insists on automatically deducting the gym fee every month from my bank account. They refuse to allow people to individually pay the membership monthly on their own initiative, and you can't be a member at the YMCA unless you agree to automatic debit. I've been trying to just put up and bear it, but I actually find it creepy for people to take money out of my account, I don't care how convenient it's supposed to be. Am I too sensitive about this?
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish Isn't that the deal with most gyms? Never been to one that didn't do that.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
My gym automatically deducts too. What is crazy to me about NYC gyms is the fact that they treat your membership like a lease; you have to sign up for one year at a time. I had never seen that before living here.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I actually pay for mine... but I pay three months at a time rather than get the year contract where I think they debit out the money automatically. I don't want the contract in hopes that someday I will move to a lovelier neighborhood.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
At least the YMCA lets you cancel on one month's notice, so I guess I shouldn't gripe so much...
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
20 bucks a class is still a little pricey for yoga . . . no?
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
@JenMac Yes.

@everyone Yoga to the People offers classes for $10 - which is actually just a suggested donation. Don't pay if you can't. http://yogatothepeople.com/new-york-yoga.shtml
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gtangjr
gtangjr 2yrs+
I had a really hard time with this as well. Others have made some great suggestions. If your'e a student or alumni of a local university or community college, have you tried looking into some of their gyms? They're often free or cost as little as $15-$20 per month.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@JenMac I think most gyms and yoga places seem to think that's the market price for a class...I am so very thankful that we have a gym in our apartment building. It really eliminates the need to go out to workout though I would have loved to have a pool as well... now that's pushing it isnt it?
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps Wow, there's very little in this city that is suggested donation...too bad I'm not much of a yoga person.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
My boy goes to Planet Fitness in Downtown Brooklyn, and it's $10 a month. I think you get unlimited tanning or something if you pay $20 a month. I prefer my high class gym - Harbor Fitness - for $70 a month, however.

@Uraniumfish Me, neither. Never actually been to a Yoga to the People class, either. But I have a friend who gets all her workouts with them.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
I go to Yoga to the People all the time. I think most people pay 5 bucks, which is a steal. It's really crowded and hot and people make all kinds of weird moaning noises (and I am, apparently, 5 years old so I giggle). But, it is a really good workout. You feel pretty darn ripped after one of their classes.
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