Living in a city can be expensive. With city living means higher prices, and this includes fitness. While there are several larger gyms such as FFC, a majority of fitness studios in the city are boutique, meaning they focus on one or a few types of workouts with little variety. This means you either find a type of workout you LOVE and want to do repeatedly, or you pay even more money to vary your workouts.

If you’re looking to save a little money and still get your sweat on, here are some options to work out for less.

Membership Exchange

If you like exercising somewhere but can’t afford a membership, find out who the owner or manager is and see if they offer a membership exchange program. This means that you work a certain amount of time in exchange for a membership.

Free Trials

Many large gyms and even smaller studios offer free trials for new clients. These trials can range anywhere from one free class to an entire week, so make sure to inquire about what options may be available to you as a new client.

Work Out At Home

There are a million different ways to work out at home. If you are looking for a structured workout, head over to  Pinterest  to choose from thousands of artfully displayed options. Another idea is to use workout DVDs to get your fitness on. If you live in an apartment complex, take advantage of the gym if they have one.

Free City Workouts

In the summer, Chicago. By doing a little research, you can easily find a number of free workouts offered outside. Millennium Park, for example, offers free classes from June through September and will update  their website  to provide more information as the weather gets better. If you don’t want to wait for summer, the  city of Chicago  offers free classes Monday through Friday at various locations.



Fun Runs and Yoga

Visit in person or check the websites of your local fitness stores to see if they offer free classes. Places like Lululemon, Athleta, an d Fleet Feet Sports all offer free exercise options at various times during the month.

What are some of your ways to find fitness on a budget? Let us know your ideas in the comments!