Are you a millennial in Toronto, sitting on the balcony of your highly expensive condo, wondering how to experience all of what the fitness world has to offer without breaking the bank? I can promise you that you are not alone. If you live in the heart of downtown Toronto, just like myself, you can be easily influenced to give all the fancy Instagram worthy workouts a try. However, if you need to pay rent because you want to continue sitting out on that balcony, how is this even possible?

Fitness is now becoming a luxury. If it weren’t for perks, like access to studios and gyms I work at, and workout gear from my time at Nike, I too would be scrambling to fit it all within my budget. Although I don’t have all of the answers, listen up because I have created a short list of things to consider when trying to get those workouts in.

Class packages. Group classes are a minimum of $25 at most studies downtown BUT lots of studios offer intro packages or discounts at special times of the year. Take advantage of that! Before investing in a particular studio try out their introductory offer so you know it is worth it for you. When you see the sales, buy the class packages so you can save a few dollars per class. Every dollar saved adds up when you are trying to get the most bang for your buck.
Purchase staple items. Now I honestly cannot speak from experience because I have SO many clothes from my days working at Nike. However, before my time there I only had a few sports bras and a few of my go-to leggings. Workout gear is expensive so shop smart. Make your purchases based on what you are doing. Probably not a good idea to buy the cute bra at Lululemon for yoga when you are a runner and need more support. Choose staples that make sense for your type of workout and can be mixed and matched for new outfits. A few pieces can go a long way.
Invest in proper footwear. If you are going to spend money on one thing to get you through your workouts it should be footwear. We can look cute in our outfits, but if our shoes don’t provide proper support for our individual needs it can lead to injury or discomfort during a workout.
Get creative! As much as we want to try all of the studios along Queen, Richmond, Adelaide, and King, not all workouts need to be done in a studio or gym setting. Grab a workout buddy, go for a run, workout in the park, or find a workout app that you can do in the comfort of your own home. This can add variety to your routine and you can save your money for those workouts that require specific equipment and proper instruction.
Take advantage of small businesses. Of course I want you to come try my classes, but there are a lot of other instructors out there like me who want to offer you affordable workout experiences. Seek out the monthly discounted classes, the 2 for 1 deals, and the $10 classes. From my experience, the value you get from a small business owner who is actually running their own class is worth it. You are able to build a stronger relationship with the instructor and in turn will see more results.

I hope this small list can give some inspiration where it is needed in a city that can seem expensive at times…okay, all the time. Remember that fitness can be made more affordable if we plan our workouts in advance and be smart about our decisions. At Discover You my goal is to make movement accessible so the most I charge is $20 a class! Even if you aren’t able to experience one of my classes, remember that movement is vital to our physical and mental health and should not take a back seat when it comes to our overall well-being.

Yours in self-discovery,

Rachel

Get fit without breaking the bank