Recession Fitness Tips

Because the economy remains bad, lots of us have to cut down on our expenses, including ones related to health and fitness. With bathing suit season here,  this is not a good thing! Check out  tips on how you can stay in shape and still have some money over for other stuff. Julia Derek (that is her pic on the roof on main page of this post), NYC fitness trainer, provided City Girl Bites with this info.  

1. If Yoga and Mat Pilates is your thing, check out this article in the Huffington Post that mentions five locations in the NYC area that offer them. Something to keep in mind: While these classes are very cheap indeed, they tend to get very crowded.

2. There are several affordable boot camps taking place in parks in NYC, but not everyone likes working out outside. For those of you who don’t, try Swedish trainer Julia Derek’s one-hour fitness class in an air-conditioned studio on 26th and 6th street for only $20 per class. The class is called Viking Girl Fitness and is a fusion of Zumba and Boot Camp. She allows max twelve participants, making sure it’s never too crowded.
Martha’s note: Julia has offered to give you $10 off your first class if you mention City Girl Bites Blog! 

3. Kayaking in the Hudson river is an awesome and FREE way to stay in shape during the warmer half of the year. The Downtown Boathouse, which ha several locations along the Hudson, offers this fun activity every day of the week. You don’t need to reserve anything beforehand, first come first served. I prefer the Pier 96 location as it has showers and is less crowded. Kayaking is so easy to learn you’ll see both very young and old people participating.
Martha’s note: I did this last year … and it’s a blast! Plan to get a little wet and bring sunscreen if it’s a sunny day.  (kayak pic: nj.com)

4. Most NYC gym memberships will cost you at least $100 per month. The City of New York Park & Recreation offers gym memberships for $100 per YEAR.  Their many recreation centers offer weight rooms, basketball courts, dance studios, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. Some offer indoor pools for those who like to swim (yearly membership $150 at those centers). All centers offer a range of programs for people of all ages.

5. If you like to swim outside, you can do so for FREE in one of the fifty-four NYC Parks’ outdoor pools. They open for the season on June 28, 2012, and close on September 3, 2012. To find a pool near you, check out this link. If you can’t swim, don’t worry.  These outdoor pools all offer free learn-to-swim programs for all ages. Find out more here. 
Martha’s note: I have swam at both John Jay (on York and 77th St) and Lasker (in Central Park, at 110th and Lenox … an Olympic size pool!) pools and they are both great. I would recommend you call the phone number on the website to double check that they are open and when the lap times are. You need to bring a
lock, ID and towel! (swim pic credit)

6. Not only is it fun to bike, but it’s great exercise. You can rent a bike for only $6 per hour at My Bike Heaven on the Upper East Side or pay $30 keep it for the whole day. According to Yelp reviewers, the people who own this shop are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Martha’s note: Of course, I’m a huge fan of biking (if you haven’t already noticed in some of my blog posts!) Just be careful as if can be kind of dangerous at times with others riders, joggers and walkers cutting in front of you . Make sure you wear a helmet!

7. For those who have always wanted to try Capoeira, a lively martial art that originated in Brazil over 450 years ago, they can do so now for FREE in Socrates Sculpture Park . This park is located in Long Island City and the class is taught by Professor Abará every Saturday at noon to 1:30pm through Sept 19. The self-defense techniques are concealed by graceful dance moves and spectacular acrobatics set to music.

8. You can always turn on the tv … and watch an Exercise on Demand Channel – free and in the privacy of your home! In NYC, you can find this on Sportsskool on channel 1023. Lots of options including aerobics, sculpting, abs and yoga.

 Julia Derek is certified by NASM, in pre/post-natal training and Muscle Activation Technique. She is also a certified Medical Exercise Specialist and a Paul Chek-certified lifestyle and nutrition coach. Since she began her fitness career in 1997 she has become proficient in many aspects of fitness, including high-intensity body sculpting workouts, post-rehab routines, core/functional training and group exercise. Go to www.VikingGirlFitness.com to find out about her affordable group exercise classes.