The economy's tight right now, and so is your wallet if you're reading this post? I'm right there with you. The past few months I've been trying to get my zen on. After going to some Pilates Mat and Yoga sessions, it slowly came to mind that you don't have to shell out as much as you think to find your perfect studio or instructor. In fact, some of these tips will cost you nothing at all, or as much about $10 for a limitless amount of Pilates and Yoga workout!
I realized that the town I live in has a lot of yoga and pilates studios. When I was viewing each company's website, or when I was looking at one of their flyers, I noticed almost all of them have a free intro class for first timers. Usually these free classes are a set day and time each month, for example, every last Wednesday of the month from 6-7pm. I went to one that had a free pilates mat session and a free pilates equipment session. First timers at this studio I went to are allowed to attend both. After trying out three different studio's free session class, it turns out I really liked many aspects of one of the studios. This method allowed me to not waste money on a place I haven't tried before, and prevented me from jumping the gun and buying any deals online -- which brings me to the next tip!
I think by now, most people are on board with coupon saving sites like Groupon, Living Social, Tippr, and CrowdSavings. If you aren't familiar, basically you sign up to a major town or metropolis that you live in or near and the site will email you deals that local companies are offering. Savings can be anywhere up to 75% off the retail price of the product or service. I've seen many Pilates and Yoga deals for my town that offer it in group packages. For example, 10 pilates mat sessions for $35. This is a great savings, considering the ones near me are anywhere from $5-15 for a walk-in session. It's a great way to spend little, get a feel of the sessions, instructor and vibe of the studio for a few weeks before deciding if it's worth it to you to start paying retail for their packages or walk-ins.
Doing Pilates and Yoga sessions in the comfort of your own home is probably one of the cheapest and more efficient ways since the only cost you have is to buy a mat and accessories, plus you can take the time to do your sessions when it works best for you. Studio sessions are usually set for certain hours of the company's work day, so it can sometimes feel very un-zen like if you are rushing from the office to the studio to make it to their 5:30pm session. You can get a studio quality mat at cheap places like Ross, T.J. Maxx, and Marshall's for $5-12. Those stores are great for getting Pilates accessories like the resistance band, blocks and mini weight balls. They sometimes carry a package set that has most to all of these accessories for a cheaper price than what you would pay individually there. If you find a really good package or mat, it sometimes comes with a free Pilates/Yoga workout DVD.
This method is also great for those who 1) be shy or body-conscious at first...though I feel like Pilates/Yoga goers are a different and non-judgmental type of breed compared to those at the gym running the treadmil next to you! Also 2) If you like to take your workouts a little slower or 3) if you prefer to do your workouts during times that aren't offered by studios, for instance 11pm and 4) if you have a killer view or backyard where you feel closer to nature and beautiful breezed. That will definitely get you in the moment of your session compared to being inside a square room.
This of course goes in unisync with Tip 3, as you would be Youtubing from your home, I assume. Youtube offers a tremendous professional workout sessions, if your kit you bought doesn't offer a DVD. Some videos, like this one are a set 30-minute session, so it mimicks how it's done in an actual studio. There are also videos on how to use those accessories like the resistance band, blocks and mini weight balls.
You can also take advantage of poses and tips that are put together in magazines. Whole Living magazine always has a few pages of Pilates and Yoga poses that you can try out. Click here to view some helpful bends and stretches. Natural Health Magazine also has some great Pilates and Yoga moves on their website under fitness that I love to do every morning and night.
Check with your work to see if you are offered memberships to gyms. Some gyms have Pilates and Yoga studios that do sessions. If it's not free, you might have a discount instead.
Are you a militant, senior, college student or state resident? Ask your studio if they have discounted rates for this and you could shave some $$ off your total price tag.
Do you love Pilates or Yoga a lot? Do you have the breathing techniques, moves and their names along with a general understanding of the origin/history of the art form? If so, why not get paid for what you love doing, if you have the time? Depending on the area you live in, some studios get packed with more than 15 people per session, while others are smaller and may only get 1 person to show up. Call, e-mail or walk into a studio to inquire about how to go about becoming an instructor, or see when and if they are currently hiring. If you can handle not being overwhelmed or feeling awkward around a lot or a little amount of people, then you may be fit to instruct!
Tip 1: Free Intro Classes
I realized that the town I live in has a lot of yoga and pilates studios. When I was viewing each company's website, or when I was looking at one of their flyers, I noticed almost all of them have a free intro class for first timers. Usually these free classes are a set day and time each month, for example, every last Wednesday of the month from 6-7pm. I went to one that had a free pilates mat session and a free pilates equipment session. First timers at this studio I went to are allowed to attend both. After trying out three different studio's free session class, it turns out I really liked many aspects of one of the studios. This method allowed me to not waste money on a place I haven't tried before, and prevented me from jumping the gun and buying any deals online -- which brings me to the next tip!
Tip 2: Online Coupon Deals
I think by now, most people are on board with coupon saving sites like Groupon, Living Social, Tippr, and CrowdSavings. If you aren't familiar, basically you sign up to a major town or metropolis that you live in or near and the site will email you deals that local companies are offering. Savings can be anywhere up to 75% off the retail price of the product or service. I've seen many Pilates and Yoga deals for my town that offer it in group packages. For example, 10 pilates mat sessions for $35. This is a great savings, considering the ones near me are anywhere from $5-15 for a walk-in session. It's a great way to spend little, get a feel of the sessions, instructor and vibe of the studio for a few weeks before deciding if it's worth it to you to start paying retail for their packages or walk-ins.
Tip 3: At-home sessions
Doing Pilates and Yoga sessions in the comfort of your own home is probably one of the cheapest and more efficient ways since the only cost you have is to buy a mat and accessories, plus you can take the time to do your sessions when it works best for you. Studio sessions are usually set for certain hours of the company's work day, so it can sometimes feel very un-zen like if you are rushing from the office to the studio to make it to their 5:30pm session. You can get a studio quality mat at cheap places like Ross, T.J. Maxx, and Marshall's for $5-12. Those stores are great for getting Pilates accessories like the resistance band, blocks and mini weight balls. They sometimes carry a package set that has most to all of these accessories for a cheaper price than what you would pay individually there. If you find a really good package or mat, it sometimes comes with a free Pilates/Yoga workout DVD.
This method is also great for those who 1) be shy or body-conscious at first...though I feel like Pilates/Yoga goers are a different and non-judgmental type of breed compared to those at the gym running the treadmil next to you! Also 2) If you like to take your workouts a little slower or 3) if you prefer to do your workouts during times that aren't offered by studios, for instance 11pm and 4) if you have a killer view or backyard where you feel closer to nature and beautiful breezed. That will definitely get you in the moment of your session compared to being inside a square room.
Tip 4: Youtube & Magazine Tutorials
This of course goes in unisync with Tip 3, as you would be Youtubing from your home, I assume. Youtube offers a tremendous professional workout sessions, if your kit you bought doesn't offer a DVD. Some videos, like this one are a set 30-minute session, so it mimicks how it's done in an actual studio. There are also videos on how to use those accessories like the resistance band, blocks and mini weight balls.You can also take advantage of poses and tips that are put together in magazines. Whole Living magazine always has a few pages of Pilates and Yoga poses that you can try out. Click here to view some helpful bends and stretches. Natural Health Magazine also has some great Pilates and Yoga moves on their website under fitness that I love to do every morning and night.
Tip 5: Work or School Health Program Perks
Check with your work to see if you are offered memberships to gyms. Some gyms have Pilates and Yoga studios that do sessions. If it's not free, you might have a discount instead.
Tip 6: Use your I.D.!
Are you a militant, senior, college student or state resident? Ask your studio if they have discounted rates for this and you could shave some $$ off your total price tag.
Tip 7: Become an instructor
Do you love Pilates or Yoga a lot? Do you have the breathing techniques, moves and their names along with a general understanding of the origin/history of the art form? If so, why not get paid for what you love doing, if you have the time? Depending on the area you live in, some studios get packed with more than 15 people per session, while others are smaller and may only get 1 person to show up. Call, e-mail or walk into a studio to inquire about how to go about becoming an instructor, or see when and if they are currently hiring. If you can handle not being overwhelmed or feeling awkward around a lot or a little amount of people, then you may be fit to instruct!
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