How to get free classes at Boutique studios

I love a boutique gym but my bank account doesn’t! With saving for a house I can’t justify paying £20 a workout no matter how sculpted my abs are going to be afterwards. But I don’t feel like I’m missing out as I’ve managed to find ways to get free classes at boutique gyms and I'm sharing my secrets with you today...

Swetty Betty Takeovers –Through sweaty betty I have managed to attend Barrecore classes (usually £20 a class) and Frame sessions (£12-15 a class) and 1rebel (£20 a class) They team up with the gyms for special offers so their customers can get free classes. The drawback to this is you need to be quick as the places get taken fast but classes are free. They also offer free weekly workout classes via their website so if you’re looking for varied workout these are one to try.

Nike Training Club- now I’ve not been able to attend the sessions yet but it is on my list to do. I have been offered ticket to a Nike session at Core collective where their classes are £15 a session but had to decline as it conflicted with work. They do regular HIIT and run clubs are their various Nike stores across London if your looking for a free workout they advertise special sessions via social media. I will say that I applied for about 10 classes via their NTC week and was really disappointed to not get any but hopefully you will have more luck.
To have a session you need to be a member of their NTC club and apply for classes via their website or check their instagram and facebook.

Lululemon Classes – I’ve seen on their weekly timetable they are offering more then just yoga now and are including HIIT sessions. But it’s a well known fact that Lululemon offer free weekly yoga classes on a Sunday morning (my tip is to avoid the Covent garden store – Richmond and Westfield are both less crowded) But follow them on social media as they do special one off events – via Lululemon I have managed to do yoga classes in Hyde Park a morning salutation in the Sky garden and went to a yoga rave. If you flexible and happy to bring your own mat to the special events then you can usually get a place but come early to get a good position. My extra tip is to make sure you get the goodies- I got a nachos, happiness card and a tote from the yoga rave.

Gym Openings/Tasters – Now this is more of a ‘hear about it thing’ but I have recently managed to attend some free classes from tribeca studios as part of their opening – I had signed up to be a member (as it’s my local gym) but they were offering free tasters as part of the opening. If you see one of these gyms opening up near you I recommend that you join their mailing list and see what opening offers they have as you might be lucky.

Workout outfit for under £25

My current vice for shopping has to be fitness fashion. With so many high street brands offering their own activewear lines there are so many places to shop. When I fancy some new clothes my first stop is always Primark - they have such a good style, price and selection. I recently (January 2016) picked up this outfit which I feel will be perfect for yoga or for gentle exercise and I feel it can be worn confidently in most gyms.

 I've worn this outfit a few times, the jumper is loose and comfortable and so easy to throw on after a workout. The leggings have a good fit and no awkward moments when you bend over. The bra also has padding which gives a lovely shape and has more support then most bras and was an absolute bargain at £6.00! If your looking for affordable workout wear then run down to Primark to pick up these lovely items.

Leggings £9.00 bra £6.00 jumper £6.00 Whole outfit £21.00

Hey! It's okay....January detox

In the month of January where everyone gets fit and healthy it can be hard to keep your focus, so give yourself some credit and have a break – if your guilty of any below tell yourself it’s okay…

… to not start the January health kick until you’ve eaten all the Christmas chocolate,  the baileys and mince pies…

…to not want to go to the gym because you know how busy it will be with all the new members and ya’know their awesome health kick

…to make a green juice and put so much fruit in it that actually its 95% strawberries and banana – it has some spinach so it’s still healthy right?

…to have to buy all the new trainers and kit in the January sales – motivation 100% comes from looking good in the gym.

…to dream of all the Carbs!!! And to be surprised at all the food that has a higher carb content then you would have.

…to not have any idea of your macronutrients are or why they are important but still crave having a nightly ‘flexbowl’ as the people on Instagram still have abs

How to make successful new year plans...

I find my most successful new year resolutions are ones with clear steps & goals. For 2016 my goal is try my first triathlon. This is going to be difficult for me as I'm not currently a confident swimmer & I don't currently own a bike. But these are the challenges that are going to work towards and give me the satisfaction I've been missing from my work outs. I'm putting my goals up here & to give example of how to plan a new year resolution but also to make myself accountable. 

Time specific: set a date and a target. I've looked at sprint distances and there is the crystal palace pool based triathlon in May. This gives me enough time to build up my swimming & buy a bike. Also being a pool based tri I don't have to buy a wetsuit just yet. Setting a time for a goal means that you have to have a deadline to work towards. 

Break it down into smaller stages- although I want to do an Olympic distance a sprint distance is a smaller goal to build up to. I'm also including lots of new classes into my exercise routine 

-spin classes & strength training. Variety to my routine to keep myself interested. Don't throw yourself into something that isn't realistic for your body to cope with or something you don't have the time to do. 

Be realistic- I'm not going to be able train for a new challenge as well as lower my body fat and save for a mortgage. I only do one important new year resolution to focus on and concentrate on the one main goal. Be realistic about what you can achieve, what the most important goal is for you?

So my January goals are:

Run at least 2 times a week. 

Attend 3 spin classes in the month. 

Swim 2 times this month. 

Save £100 towards a bike. 

What are your new year resolutions? Any tips for training for our first triathlon?