It’s a fact: the most common resolution people make every year is to get more exercise. But many of us also start the new year with a little (or a lot) less money in our accounts after the holiday season. According to U.S. News & World Report, 80% of New Year’s resolution-ers will fail by the second week of February. That means, even if you’re hanging onto your ‘new year, new you’ grind, the odds are still against you.
But, we’re here to help. Asheville has a workout for every budget so a lack of funds doesn’t mean you have to shelve your goal + go back to the couch. So, we asked you what your favorite cheap or free fitness classes are over on Instagram + Facebook. Over 30 of you responded with your best hacks for sweatin’ on a budget. 💸
We’ve rounded up 14 free or cheap workouts in the Asheville area so you can get your sweat on and save some dough.
💸 Save a lot: Always free
Monday Night Group Run | Every Monday | 6:30 p.m. | Hardtimes Trailhead in Bent Creek | Four group runs, ranging from 8-10 miles to 3-4 miles (and from 7:30 min/mile pace to 14 min/mile pace).
Hellbender workout | Every Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. | Hardtimes Trailhead in Bent Creek | Trail workouts, which will vary to accommodate training for distances from sub-marathons to ultras.
Women’s Welcome to Trail Running | Every Second Saturday of the Month | Hardtimes Trailhead in Bent Creek | All paces + distances welcome. 3+ miles. ( All part of Part of N.C. Mountain Trail Runners ).
Our readers say: “For my free and cheap fitness kicks I rely on the Asheville Trail Running Club’s weekly meetups 6:30pm at the Hard Times Trail Head. They split the group up into different paces so you can feel comfortable running and have companionship at any pace, plus there is always a walking group! This is perfect for anyone who wants to get out on the trails but doesn’t know where to go or, like me, promised your mom you wouldn’t go alone.” – Holly B.
“The NC Mountain Trail Runners offers free group runs every Monday night AND a women’s run every second Saturday of the month. Awesome group of folks that help to keep me motivated to get outside even when it’s cold 😊” – @a_isfor_abby
Check out a few more running groups here.
Buncombe County Library Classes | Various times | Various locations | From fitness for seniors and toddlers to pilates + more. Check the calendar for the latest up-to-date offerings.
Our readers say: “Many of the local libraries have free fitness classes, like yoga and pilates. Check the calendar on the library web page to find them. (All library activities are free, but some do require sign ups.)” – @tammysilver47
Reformer Class | Every Saturday | 11: 30 a.m. | Club Pilates | 28 Schenck Pkwy. | Check out this free Pilates class on Saturdays and then try some others on their schedule. Advance reservations required.
Our readers say: “I teach a free reformer class every Saturday afternoon! Come at me friends! 🙌🏼 (Club Pilates AVL in Biltmore Park); you’d need to reserve a reformer ahead of time — clubpilates.com/biltmorepark — would love to have you” – @sweatteaser_avl
Lululemon | Weekends at various times | 1 Kitchin Pl. | (828) 277-5320 | Free fitness classes on weekend mornings; check their Facebook page for the next installment
💸 Save a little: First class free (or sign-up special)
Most of our area yoga studios have sign-up specials, like discounted first months, free classes + more. Check out our roundup of local studios here.
Asheville Parks & Recreation | Various locations | (828) 259-5800 | Youth + adult programming in activities like basketball, softball, archery, yoga + more. Check here for calendar and pricing.
WAVE Asheville | Various times | 51 N Merrimon Ave. | (828) 575-0905 | Dance + Yoga | $5 yoga and group dance (January)
Our readers say: “@waveasheville has $5 yoga and group dance classes for all of January. Beautiful friendly studio with classes for all experience levels.” – @jlmcd2
YWCA of Asheville | Various times | 185 S. French Broad Ave. | (828) 254-7206 | Free 5-day trial pass, then membership packages available ($35+) | Various classes, including cardio, pilates, yoga, tai chi + more
Our readers say: YWCA! Not only do they have the area’s most affordable classes and new gym equipment, but a mission to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women. Good for body and soul!” – @anne.elise.russell
I wanted to let you know about our fitness and aquatics center at YWCA. An individual membership is $35 and a family membership is $55, which means, the more you attend one of the dozens of yoga or group fitness classes, the more you save, especially if you take advantage of the childcare that is provided free of charge to family membership holders!
In addition, the YWCA is a non-profit with a 111 year history in Asheville of being at the forefront of racial justice and women’s empowerment movements, so your membership dollars go to support programs like Stand Against Racism and Motherlove, our program to support pregnant and parenting teens.” – Jodi R.
YMCA of Asheville | Various locations | Various times | Income- and need-based membership rates available
9Round Fitness | 1987 Hendersonville Rd.; 61 N. Merrimon Ave., Ste. 105 | (828) 684-6390; (828) 519-9191 | First class free | 30-minute high-intensity kickboxing + cardio workout with two locations in Asheville
Our readers say: “@9roundsouthasheville offers first workout for free and low month to month rates for unlimited classes. 30 minutes, no class times and a trainer to help motivate! #cardiokickboxing” – @chrisblanc09
Buddhi Yoga | Weekly on Sundays | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Archetype Brewing | 265 Haywood Rd. | (828) 505-4177 | $5 | Bring your own mat, and cool off after you practice with a craft beer. 10-class punch cards available.
Our readers say: “We are still doing Buddhi yoga over here at Archetype, and this year we are starting a punch card program, ten classes and you get a free Buddhi X Archetype Brewing merch! Classes don’t have to be consecutive, just total 10. Super fun!” – Sally T.
Scorch Fitness | Various times | 408 Depot St. Ste. 160 | (828) 575-9010 | Try three lagree fitness (think resistance training + cardio) classes for $30 and pay $69 for your first month
Our readers say: “3 for $30 and $69 first month @scorchfitavl ❤️ all January long!” – @lagree_pixie
💸 Pay what you can: Donation-based
Asheville Community Yoga | Various times | 8 Brookdale Rd. | (828) 255-5575 |
Our readers say: “Asheville Community Yoga is the BEST! All classes are donation based- $5-15 suggested- HUGE variety of classes and times 7 days a week. Great staff, expanded space, cafe and A-Zen used clothing shop. ❤️ It there!” – @chellebellepi
“Asheville community yoga! They are donation based but provide such excellent services I find myself putting a little extra in the pot from time to time.” – @rdbarto
Sol Flow Yoga | Thursdays at 10:30-11:45 a.m. | Primal Studios | 457 N. Louisiana Ave. | (828) 551-4540 | Beginner-friendly yoga from instructor Andrea Morris.
I’ve been getting into running + am training for a 5K, so I’m definitely eyeing some of the meetups with the N.C. Mountain Trail Runners. I’m also a big fan of trying out classes to see what fits me best, and I’m excited to sample what Asheville has to offer in 2019. I love the diversity of workouts available and the fact that they’re all so accessible (even the tough ones).
Did we leave out your go-to spot for free or cheap fitness? Let us know by replying to this email or telling us over on Facebook or Instagram.
Here’s to being healthy in the new year,
– Ali
