FRIDAY FIVE
It’s January, which means you’re probably trying to work out more and eat less cake. Too bad that getting your fitness on in SF can often mean forking over hundreds of dollars to a trendy gym that places you next to a fit, Lululemon-clad 23-year-old tech worker freshly arrived from Ohio. One class at Barry’s Bootcamp costs $36, and don’t even get us started on the soul-sucking experience known as SoulCycle, which can add up to being a $40 a session.
We’ve got good news: it’s possible to workout in a group for free in the Bay Area. So if you’re broke from the holidays, but still want to workout, check out these free fitness classes happening in and around the city this month.
1. Join a Midnight Run
It can be hard to motivate yourself to run alone. It’s a strange experience. Your mind might be filled with thoughts like: Do I look awkward when I run? What if I run into my ex and I’m really sweaty? I don’t even know where I’m running to, so this is dumb, I’m just going to walk. This is all normal, and the only solution we can think of is to run when everybody is sleeping or about to sleep. Of course, we don’t advise you to do this alone, but that’s where the group Midnight Runners comes in. This global running community meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the FiDi, runs a 10K, and gets drinks afterward. In other words, it’s a running club that is free and there are drinks.
Midnight Runners Club | Group meets at 582 Washington St., San Francisco
2. Donation-based boot camp in North Beach
Like we mentioned, high-cardio boot camp classes in this city are expensive. If you want to save yourself $30, we recommend checking out a free one-hour boot camp class on January 18 (both at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.) at workout chain F45. While a $5 donation is recommended, all proceeds will go towards helping the victims of the Australian bushfires. The class is described as a “Hollywood-style boot camp” so it’s basically the perfect trifecta: a free workout, one that’s like how celebrities get fit, and you’re helping people — all at the same time.
F45 Bootcamp in North Beach | Meets at 651 Lombard Street, San Francisco
3. Tough Mudder Training in Oakland
Another boot camp, another city, another Saturday. On January 25 at 10 a.m., you can take part in a 45-minute “fun, high-intensity workout” in Oakland Uptown. The free class will take place outside, across the street from The Bellevue Club. It’s meant to promote Tough Mudder Bootcamp which is opening in early 2020 in the neighborhood. We imagine there will be a lot of sweating, maybe some tears, but it’s free so it will definitely be worth it.
Bootcamp in the Park by Tough Mudder Bootcamp | Meets at 525 Bellevue Ave., Oakland
4. Free yoga for beginners
If you’ve never done yoga before, jumping in as a beginner in the SF yoga scene can be really intimidating. Certainly, this intimidation factor holds people back from going to a class — but don’t let 2020 be another year you don’t do yoga if you’ve been wanting to try it. On January 19, Yoga Garden in NoPa is hosting a free class for beginners at 12:30 p.m., specifically for those who’ve never taken a class before. It’s a rare opportunity to sit with a bunch of newbies like yourself who have never even heard of Savasana (spoiler alert: it’s the best part of class).
Free yoga class | 286 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
5. Free intro to pole dancing
This isn’t in January, but it’s close enough, and we’re halfway through the month. If you’ve ever been curious about pole dancing as a workout, consider taking this free introduction class in the Haight on February 2 at 5 p.m. “Join us for a free intro class and see what pole dancing is all about,” the event pages says. “All ages, genders, and fitness levels welcome.” Shorts and tank tops recommended. Saucy.
Intro to Pole Dancing | 520 Haight Street, San Francisco
