How to Sweat Like the Rich for Dirt Cheap

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with trying out new classes and gyms wherever I go. The issue? It’s pretty expensive to take boutique fitness classes in Manhattan and join fancy gyms. While sadly there is no way around Equinox’s huge price tag for membership (trust me I’ve tried my hardest to barter with them on multiple occasions)and Soul Cycle isn’t known to offer discounts, there are some ways to take the best fitness classes your city has to offer even on a budget.

Living Social, Groupon, Gilt, Ect.

At this rate everyone’s inbox is flooded with livingsocial, groupon and Gilt emails… even my father tells me about what livingsocial deal he just bought. These discount websites are an awesome way to get cheap fitness classes and gym memberships.

Curious about pole dancing? Apprehensive about taking your first zumba class? Using one of these sites is a great way to try out a new class without the hefty price tag.

First-Time Special Offers

Most studios offer a first-time discount rate or special for new members. In California my first class with Soul Cycle was a fraction of the cost since I was a Soul virgin. Also in California I enjoyed the sweet deal of 1 unlimited month at Swerve Studios for $100. Once you tell me I have an unlimited month I tend to go crazy and take as many classes in that month as humanly possible.

On the East Coast spin studio Revolve offers a great 1 month for $100 special as well. I wish that my one month hadn’t coincided with the stomach flu and going to London, but it was definitely worth it and I got to check out most of the instructors.

Flywheel and Flybarre offer a complimentary FREE first class for both spin and barre.

For an amazing comprehensive list of all the special offers in Manhattan check out Rate Your Burn’s epic article.

Free Weeks

Most gyms offer a guest pass of some sort. If your friend is a member of a fancy gym most likely they were given guest passes at one point.

Stop by a gym, act interested in joining, and see if they’ll let you “test drive” the facilities.

If you’re like me you take full advantage of your 1 free week at Equinox. That week was swell.

Student Discounts

My purple NYU ID has been the golden ticket to discounts in Manhattan from theater tickets, to parking garages and even for fitness classes. If you are still a student or lucky enough to have an ID that hasn’t expired see if the studio or gym offer a student discount.

Working there

Have some spare time and want some extra cash? Working at a gym or fitness studio is an awesome way to get free, unlimited access to the facilities. Not only do you get to make money, but you also get to save money by taking those classes for free– Win win!

Zumba Website

If you are interested in taking cheap Zumba classes outside of the gym setting, zumba.com is a great resource to find new instructors and classes. From there I was able to find $5 pay as you go zumba classes while I was home in Westchester for the summer

Follow Your Favorites

My twitter feed is like a shrine to fitness instructors I’m obsessed with. Besides the fact that I’m already totally obsessed with them and love reading their motivating tweets, following your fave instructor on twitter could lead you to free classes. Just last week one of my absolute favorite instructors invited anyone who was interested to come for a free class at Equinox.

Classtivity

Classtivity offers this awesome passport program that lets you try out 10 fitness classes at some of the hottest studios in Manhattan for only $50 overall. I might have spent a good hour this morning on Classtivity planning out my sweat schedule for the next 2 weeks.

How have you saved money on gym memberships and fitness classes?

disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of these discount sites… I’m just a group fitness junkie living on a small salary trying to sweat as cheaply as possible.

9 months of Adulthood?

Yesterday I had the horrifying realization: I graduated college (and turned 22) 9 months ago. 9 months?

It’s been 9 months yet just now I am starting to settle into life. My mom recently said to me that I’m experiencing right now what I should have felt in June– freaked out about finding work and the horrifying realization that childhood is over.

It’s easy to feel discouraged about what hasn’t happened in the past 9 months. Just now I am finally making enough money to support my lululemon addiction.

But these 9 months have been full of accomplishments

 

I had the opportunity to spend my third summer working as the dance specialist at a day camp where my co-workers are my best friends.

 

I lived out my childhood dream and moved to California for 2 months

 

I studied my butt off and became an NASM Certified Personal trainer… and since then have acquired a handful of other fitness qualifications.

I worked my first real job… and quit my first real job.

And now I finally get to settle after a whirlwind 9 months. I’m reconnecting with old friends, adjusting to new jobs, learning how to “do it all” and the most important thing? I’m incredibly happy with how everything is playing out.

My fortune cookie last night could not be more perfect

 

Big things are definitely happening. I am officially teaching my first spin class at the end of the month (even typing that gives me a mini panic attack). Next week I am teaching my own fitness class “Boot Camp Blast” which will incorporate both zumba and strength training for a super sweaty workout. I am loving my various part time jobs.

As freaked out as I may be about the fact that “adulthood” started 9 months ago when I graduated college, at least it’s been pretty exciting and chock full of opportunities so far. I have a feeling it’s only gonna get better

What have you accomplished over the past 9 months?

Any spin playlist recommendations?

I finally gave in and started using spotify. took me long enough…..

snowga + AFAA G.E.A.R. Indoor Cycling Workshop

hey hey everyone. Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

I still a bit bummed that my AFAA Group Fitness Certification workshop was cancelled due to the snow, but I attempted to make the most of my free Saturday.

 

Hate to say it but winter is my least favorite season… although the snow did look purrrrty on Saturday morning

 

so. much. snow.

Saturday afternoon I went to a yoga class at my favorite studio Yoga Vida with one of my favorite instructors Jessie. The class featured live music from an acoustic guitarist. I’ve never taken class with live music so it was a pretty sweet bonus. The class was absolutely PACKED… I guess everyone was feeling a bit stir crazy thanks to the storm and craved some yoga.

After yoga, I decided to take advantage of the storm and head to Time Square to score a cheap ticket to “Nice Work If You Can Get It”

 

I’ve been waiting to see the show since last year so it was awesome to finally see it…… and for relatively cheap. Win win! I loved that it was an old fashioned musicals with good music and an immensely talented cast.

 

 

Today I attended AFAA’s G.E.A.R. Indoor Cycling Workshop.

It’s hilarious that a year ago I hated spin. Like, absolutely detested. Recently, though, I’ve been on a total spin kick and can’t get enough of it. Goes to show you that first impressions are everything because I loathed every second of that first class!

I really enjoyed the workshop. It’s rare that I get to spend time with other fitness instructors who share my passion for group fitness so I love hearing about where they work and learning as much as I can from people who have been in the business awhile.

AFAA’s course is NOT a certification, so there’s not test at the end, but it is an extremely informative workshop that covers the basics of indoor cycling safety and procedures. I will say that if you are someone who frequently spins at various studios there won’t be a whole lot of new information but it’s still a useful course to attend.

Since I’ve been on a total spin kick I really want to teach my own class, now it’s time to get practicing!

Do you enjoy spin classes?

Why or why not?

Anyone out there teach spin and have any tips for a newbie 🙂 ?

Finding Nemo? Captain Nemo? Blizzard Nemo?

Blech, I’m not a fan of winter. This mega blizzard  makes me real reminiscent for the Los Angeles sunshine.

Tomorrow was supposed to be my AFAA group fitness certification and exam. I already got an email that the exam has been cancelled. While safety is a priority, I’m definitely disappointed that I have to wait to take the exam. Between NASM and AFAA I’ve been non stop studying for an exam since October, so I was looking forward to finally being done. Eh, such is life.

Crummy weather did give me the excellent opportunity to tidy up my mess of an apartment.

 

YAYYY organized bookshelf. I’ve been living here since my junior year of college so all my old textbooks, notebooks and folders slowly took over my bookshelves. I was always too lazy to organize school papers and throw out what I no longer needed at the end of the semester. Today was finally the day! Ah it feels so good to have my school stuff organized by year and my books all organized. Making use of being trapped indoors, oh yeah!

Earlier this week I put my food processor to work and finally made some amazeballs. Just what I don’t need, more peanut butter in my diet.

 

Totally enjoyed eating the leftover “dough”.

 

Trust me… these tasty peanut butter balls are not gonna last long in the fridge. It’s taking a lot of restrain to not eat them all.

The theme of this week has been getting back to yoga and lots of spin classes. The perfect yin & yang. Whenever I took yoga in the fall my pesky, previously injured, right shoulder would bother me (really arm? Trapeze doesn’t hurt, weight lifting doesn’t hurt, but yoga?) Finally I can practice yoga without pain! I forgot how much I love yoga and how good it makes me feel afterwards.

I’m still on a total spin kick, which is hilarious considering I hated spinning the first 10 times I tried it. Actually, I hated yoga too until last year, I guess my fitness preference has changed. I love that spin classes are a guaranteed sweat fest– no matter what I leave a spin class drenched in sweat and feeling rather zen. Maybe spin and yoga are more closely related than I thought…..

Now it’s a lazy Friday. I thought I was going to spend the afternoon studying for AFAA but instead I’ve been lounging around watching Say Yes to the Dress. Gotta love Bride Day Friday.

Hopefully I’ll be able to leave the apartment tomorrow and get around the city….

what’s your current fitness obsession?

fellow northeasterners, how are you making the most of the blizzard?

relaxing tuesday

Thank you all for your kind words on yesterday’s post. It is comforting to know that there are other people out there who not only share my passion for fitness, but understand that it’s about so much more than weight loss and measurable goals. I feel so lucky to be a part of two amazing ambassador programs FitFluential and Greatist  that allows me to connect with people who share this philosophy.

So some exciting news? Look who got new headshots!

 

Yes, sometimes I’m an actor! Or at least that’s what my degree from NYU says! Last Monday I had a super fun head shot session with the brilliant David Noles. I felt like I was on America’s Next Top Model and had a blast taking lots of photos.

I am incredibly happy with how they turned out, now the only problem choosing which ones to use because I love all 250+ of them

 

Cast me in American Idiot please?

 

Ariel from the Little Mermaid, wink wink Disney!

and of course, I couldn’t resist taking some “fitness shots”

 

I may be short but I can kick your butt 🙂

I’ll spare you the rest of the photos, I swear I’m not that much of a narcissist.

Last week was insanely busy training for my new job, my photo sesh, shopping for discount luon, traveling to New Jersey to catch a performance of American Idiot on tour and a brief trip to my hometown to visit the boyfriend. After all that traveling and working I’m grateful to have some time to kick back, relax and breathe.

Priority #1 right now? Getting my butt back into 7AM yoga classes

sure it sucks to wake up, but when I step into the cozy yoga studio and press back into that first downward dog I know I made the right choice. I’m 2 for 2 this week with yoga and hoping to keep up the streak!

Post yoga there’s nothing I love more than a soy chai latte + peanut butter & honey on a whole wheat english muffin

Waking up super early means I can sit around reading blogs while I enjoy my breakfast.

I lucked out today and didn’t have to be anywhere to be until 7:30pm. Having the whole afternoon free meant I had to make use of my time and study.

Study? oh yes. As you may recall I passed my NASM personal training certification back in December which required a butt ton of studying. Now I’m hitting the books again to take the AFAA Group fitness exam this weekend. I decided to visit the nearby New York Public Library and take advantage of the peace and quiet

beautiful library much?

It was the perfect place to spread out and learn some exercise science.

I’m definitely grateful that I decided to take the NASM exam first because in my opinion it’s the more difficult of the two because it covers more material more in depth. A lot of what I learned from NASM is incredibly helpful and applies to AFAA, but it’s definitely tricky learning a new certification’s terminology. It’s a lot of the same information with a different name.

After about an hour my belly was rumbling and begging for some lunch. In honor of national pancake day I attempted to make some pumpkin protein pancakes…. the keyword being attempted. It was an epic fail and I ended up with gloopy, burnt pancakes. Womps.

When in doubt and incredibly hungry, make oatmeal

While eating lunch I watched last night’s Biggest Loser. This season is the first time I’ve ever watched the show. Overall I definitely enjoy the show, partially because I have a huge fitness crush on Jillian Michaels. With that being said what’s with all the vomit? Do I really need to see that while I’m eating my lunch? And I don’t quite understand why people have to leave the show. Isn’t the point to help out contestants so they can reach their goal weight? Meh…

I knew I had to do some more studying after lunch. I swear, the studying never ends… so back to the library I went.

Eventually my brain turned into mush so it was time to head home.

I’m heading out to a spin class soon so I knew I wanted to have a mini dinner before sweating my butt off until 8:30. Favorite quick dinner– a mini portion of fried rice

 

I could’ve sworn I bought zucchinis yesterday, but alas there are none to be found in my fridge. Where’d you go?

Now it’s time to go get my butt kicked in spin class with my new favorite instructor. I seriously look forward to her classes all week!

 

when in doubt, what’s your go to meal?

where do you do your best study / work?

Ever since college I’ve been a huge fan of doing marathon study sessions in the library. Being in my apartment distracts me….

 

TRX + winter wonderland

oh my, I am SORE. Yoga + spin + kiddie zumba yesterday might’ve destroyed me…

Today didn’t help my body much because I was at an all day TRX Suspension Training certification course. That means I was basically working out all day

 

 

When I first joined a gym a few years ago I had never heard of or seen a TRX suspension trainer. My first experience using the TRX was last year when I joined Crunch. Since then it seems like they have become a staple at every gym.

After going through the instructor training course I can definitely see why this apparatus has gained popularity– 1. it’s challenging! 2. it’s incredibly versatile and 3. It’s useful for people of all fitness levels and goals.

 

I’ll go more in depth in another post about my experience during the TRX instructor training workshop, but I will say I was surprised that the TRX is a great training tool for anyone– from beginner to super athlete.

Leaving the gym at the end of the workshop I was greeted with SNOW

 

 

It’s pretty rare to see snow actually sticking to the streets of Manhattan! As pretty as it was to walk home in a winter wonderland, I’m definitely not a fan of snow or wintery weather. I was definitely meant to live in a warmer climate…..

Wintery conditions means I’m spending my Friday night indoors, in sweat pants and happily watching Say Yes to the Dress. I’m convinced that TLC created bride day Friday for 22 year old gals in a long distance relationship 🙂

question of the day: have you ever taken a TRX class or used it on your own?

sweat, soup and socializing

Guys, it’s national peanut butter day! Granted every day is peanut butter day in the life of Kayla, but still!

Unfortunately I couldn’t spend all of today hibernating, so my way of dealing with the cold? Sweat, soup and socializing.

First sweat session of the day? 7AM yoga at my favorite studio Yoga Vida. It’s been a while since I took a yoga class, but this morning’s vinyasa class reminded me of how much I love yoga. Recently yoga classes aggravate my old shoulder injury, but I’m hoping that the pain-free class this morning means that there’s a whole lot more yoga in my future.

After yoga class it was time to celebrate national peanut butter with PB on a whole wheat english muffin with honey. Oh wait, that’s what I eat for breakfast every. single. day.

Post english muffin it was time for sweat session #2: a spin class at Flywheels with Jesse Alexander.

I’ve got a few confessions to make.

1. The first time I took a spin class I hated it. Like loathed the entire experience and counted down the minutes to when it would finally be over.

2. Actually, I hated my first 10 or so spin classes.

3. But now, I’m obsessed. I’ve been spinning roughly every other day since I got back to the city.

4. and lastly, I’m a bit of a spin whore and I’ve been spreading my spin love around to various nearby studios. I just love each fancy studio so dang much in it’s own unique way.

So what’s Flywheels special thing? They add a competitive factor and throughout the class you can see how you are doing in comparison to your fellow classmates.

 

Go Kayla! You spun for 17 miles! Sadly, I definitely didn’t burn that many calories because they don’t calculate based on weight. And sadly I was in second to last place for most of the class. womp womp.

But, I must say todays class with Jesse Alexander was pretty freaken awesome.

He had some of the best quotes I’ve ever heard in a fitness class

“this is only 3% of your day”

(isn’t it crazy to think that exercise is only 3% of your day? That means you can totally give it your all during that 3%)

“sexy is an endorphin”

(if you say so 🙂 )

and the real reason he captured my heart? HE PLAYED GREEN DAY. I might’ve had a rather emotional experience when “Wake Me Up When September Ends” came on. The key to winning me over in life? Play Green Day…..

 

any ways. I highly recommend Jesse Alexanders class… even if you’re not a mega Green Day fan like yours truly. His class was definitely one of my favorites because he not only pushes you to keep going, but he also approaches fitness from a mental stand point– its about so much more than losing weight and looking hot.

 

After sweat session #2 I realized that the only appropriate cold weather lunch was soup so I made a pit stop at Agata and Valentina for some fresh soup.

 

Super simple ingredient list? Love it.

1 cup of this stuff + some turkey meatballs = the perfect cold weather lunch.

 

After lunch it was time for the final sweat session of the day: teaching a zumba class for kiddies! Over the past three summers I’ve worked at a day camp as the dance specialist where I choreographed dances for campers ages 3-14 in addition to teaching zumba classes geared towards kids. It’s been awhile since I led a kids zumba class but I forgot how much fun it was. I’m so used to teaching in the sweltering summer heat that I was actually thrilled to be teaching in cold weather.

 

and lastly my day ended with thai food for dinner with some friends from high school. A lot of my friends from high school and sleep away camp are either attending graduate school or working in Manhattan so it’s been great catching up with old friends. My dream in life is to some how make all the people I love in my life move to the city so that I can see them all the time. Not gonna lie, my dream is actually slowly coming soon since so many of my friends are now moving here.

oooof I’m sleeeeepy after all those sweat sessions. Time to rest up because tomorrow I’m attending an all day TRX workshop!

 

questions of the day:

anyone else celebrating national peanut butter day?

what’s your favorite cold weather food?

total body blast [workout graphic]

 

 

 

the resolutioners have officially arrived at my gym! Prime time at the gym where I work was absolutely hopping tonight. While the gym-goer in me hates how crowded the gym gets with these newbies that will drop off in a few weeks, the personal trainer in me is giddy that more people are working out. Keep up the good work, resolutioners and stay strong!

 

 

Good thing my new years resolution wasn’t to workout more because my own workouts have been a bit meh lately. I was all excited to come back to the city after vacation and return to the land of group fitness, but my crazy schedule has made it difficult to attend the classes I really wanna take at my gym.

I’m terrible at motivating myself to do a workout, but early sunday morning I enjoyed the emptiness of my gym and did a nice total body workout (of course paired with a Jillian Michaels Podcast)

 

Generally I’m not a fan of weight machines mainly because I feel like a total goon using them but for this circuit they came in handy with the lat pull downs and rows.

Today was one of those long, crazy, amazing days in which I’ve basically been going non-stop since my alarm went off at 5:15AM. Yup. you heard me. I’ve been known to workout at 7AM, but this was a whole new level of early even for me.

I must say though, there was something beautiful about silent, dark and misty Manhattan as I walked to Starbucks at 5:50AM. Also, I had an entire subway to myself

 

 

contrary to popular belief, NYC does sometimes sleep. Kayla however, does not.

and maybe it’s because I’ve been awake for way too many hours, but today I got the awesome feeling that things are going to fall into place. hey, what more can I ask for?

 

 

 

question of the day: do you prefer to workout with machines or free weights?

anyone else out there feel like a goon using the machines? 🙂

 

2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ever since I was seven years old I’ve been obsessed with New Years resolutions. In the wee hours after midnight I would write in my journal goals and aspirations for the new year.

Looking back at my 2012 Resolutions I am happy to say I succeeded far more than I thought I would. To be honest, I have the whole healthy living and FitFluential blogging community to thank for helping me achieve my goals this year. Reading other peoples posts about fitness and food inspired me to change my own life and adopt a more healthy life style. For that I thank you, every single one of you reading this blog and those of you writing your own blog, for all the inspiration.

In 2012…

• I Graduated New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama (and on my 22 birthday :))

• I spent all summer training for my second ever 5K. In August I ran the entire race at Yankee Stadium– a small feat for some, but a huge feat for the girl who couldn’t run a mile in high school

• I became less terrified of my kitchen

• I stopped hating yoga and actually kind of fell in love with it… and took on a 22 day yoga challenge
  

• I moved to California, briefly. 

• I spent the summer with some amazing people
  

• I injured my right arm. While this is not an accomplishment or something I wanted to happen, it forced me to take a step back and listen to my body. It also forced me to learn how to dance with one arm….

(I did finally get to fly again, 4 months after the injury happened)

• I became a licensed zumba instructor. While the process was not particularly difficult, it was still the first step towards becoming a fitness instructor

• I became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (and a crazy woman during the 8 weeks I spent studying for many many many hours)
  

 

• I spent all of 2012 dating this awesome guy….

 

• I started my first ever “adult job” as a personal trainer. After only ever working at camps and as babysitter, getting paid minimum wage is quite exciting 🙂

 

Not gonna lie, 2012 was a pretty awesome year. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed for everything that happened in the past year that made it such a great year.

With that said, I’m so so so excited for 2013 and all the possibility it holds. Can’t wait to start auditioning my butt off as a Manhattan actor…. AND begin my world domination the fitness world 🙂 I’m totes gonna be the next Jillian Michaels, no?

what did you accomplish in 2012?

new year, new rules [a challenge for 2013] + giveaway

Ah, it’s good to be home. Even if my hometown is currently a cold, slushy mess. This morning I woke up at 8AM without an alarm (thanks jetlag!) and was greeted by a flock of turkeys in my backyard.

Yup, definitely not living in the city right now.

Despite the snowy conditions here I still managed to get my butt to the gym this morning for a group fitness class. In London my workouts were in “vacation mode”. Yes, I worked out most mornings but I lacked the motivation and discipline to do a real, ass kicking workout. The week ended up being a really nice recovery week for my beat up body.

[see! I went to the gym! and discovered this strange, strange machine]

Eating healthy wasn’t a priority especially since every meals was eaten at a restaurant. This week I consumed more sweets than I care to admit.

[prixe fixe menu? well I guess I’ll eat a brownie… if I have to….]

 

Being home means vacation eating and lazy workouts are over—it’s time to get back to healthy choices, home cooked meals and sweaty workouts.

I am super excited to announce that I will be participating in Prescribe Nutrition’s “New Year New Rules”  program.

But wait Kayla, you don’t want to lose weight, why are you participating in a food program?

For starters, I’ve always had some belly problems and digestion issues. Many of those problems have been resolved after cutting back on dairy last summer, but I still think there is more to be done for me to really feel my best. This program is not about dieting but focusing on eating clean and eliminating common allergens (dairy, gluten and sugar)

Also, for someone like me who is still getting comfortable in the kitchen I love a challenge that pushes me outside of my comfort zone (ya know, making peanut butter sandwiches every single day) and forces me to try new creative foods.

Not gonna lie though, I’m a bit a worried about how to eliminate gluten from my diet. Bread is arguably my favorite food after peanut butter, but I know it will force me to make healthier decisions and really plan out my meals in advanced. At first I thought eliminating dairy would be an impossible nightmare but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how manageable it is.

Participating in this program will not only guide you through the process but also provide healthy and yummy recipes. I’m definitely excited to branch out from my usual lame cooking and try out some new recipes!

Find out more about the creators Prescribe Nutrition

Interesting in joining me? I am giving away a 20% discount to one lucky reader.

How to Enter:

1. Mandatory. Leave a comment with why you are interested in participating in the New Year New Rules program.

2. For an additional entry follow me on twitter @kaylaruth. leave a comment saying that you followed

Contest ends December 31st 6pm EST and I will chose a winner within 24 hours