Where I come from there’s a saying: “You don’t get owt for nowt.” For those of you not from the north of England it means that you don’t get something for nothing. Well, at least when it comes to fitness classes and running clubs these days, actually, you do.

Inspired by Charlotte’s post on frivolous spending and Lauren’s post on half year resolutions and, with a plan to turn my spare bedroom into an office like Charlotte, I’ve decided that for the month of July I’m going to cut back on all unnecessary spending. I still have to come up with a definitive list of what counts as necessary and what’s definitely not but, after a chat with my sister the other day about all the free fitness classes and clubs on offer, it’s clear that one expense I can cut is my yoga membership (currently costing me £95 a month).

Obviously I could simply replace going to yoga classes with self-practice in front of a DVD in my living room but, for me, going to a yoga class isn’t just about doing yoga. As someone who’s currently working mostly from home, the social contact is a big factor and, I don’t know about you, but I definitely work much harder when I’m in a group environment than when I’m working out alone.

I’m planning to keep up my usual exercise schedule of three to five workouts a week, mixing it up between in-store classes, outdoor classes and running and giving some, or all, of the following a try…

Lululemon

The yoga and running focussed fitness brand offers a free Saturday morning run club and Sunday morning yoga classes at their recently-opened Covent Garden store. Classes are offered on a first come, first served basis and are open to all levels.
Find out more here

Nike Training Club

The sportswear behemoth offers outdoor and in-store classes that combine interval core, strength and cardio drills that ‘make you lean, toned and strong.’ Reserve your place via the Nike Training Club Facebook page.
Find out more here

Parkrun

I’ve mentioned it before but parkrun is so brilliant it’s worth another mention. Taking place up and down the country at 9am on Saturday mornings, parkrun is a free locally-organised 5k run that anyone can turn up and take part in (register online before your first one if you want to get a time) on condition that you volunteer a couple of times a year.
Find out more here

Sweatshop Running Community

Free all-levels running group at every store around the country. Timings and distances on offer vary from store to store. For example my local store offers Tuesday evening 5k and 10k runs, Thursday evening interval training and a Sunday morning 5k run. Register online to be eligible to receive incentives such as t-shirts as a reward for the more times you run.
Find out more here

Sweaty Betty

Every Sweaty Betty store around the country offers free clubs every week. Classes vary from store to store with everything from boxing and ballet, to Pilates and power yoga on offer. All you need to do is become a member and book your place.
Find out more here

Do you know of any other free classes and clubs I can try? Leave a comment below!

Photograph: Sweaty Betty. I’m currently obsessed with this outfit. Buy the tank here. Buy the shorts here.