After moving to a new area, I was looking for a local gym that was reasonably nice, but not terribly expensive. I don't really enjoy just running on a treadmill or using an elliptical, so I won't go unless I can find a place that has a little more to offer me. So, when I found this Groupon, I was pretty excited to be able to add yoga to my normal routine of doing not much.... Or so I thought. After my purchase, I investigated, only to find that this deal was so. MUCH. MORE. It wasn't just yoga classes. It was up to 10 classes at each participating location (subject to restrictions by the individual owners). The classes are all over the Greater Boston area, and you're not limited to just yoga. I did do yoga at the Dahn Yoga Centers in Brookline and Harvard. I enjoyed it. It was different than the type of yoga I used to do at the gym. More focused on spirituality, less on the workout itself. That's OK, though, because I realize that yoga is an exercise for the mind and the body. The teachers were very good - welcoming, open, friendly, and happy to answer questions. At the Brookline location, after class ends, you can share your experiences over tea. The locations are easily accessible on the green and red lines, respectively, or the 66 and 86 buses (plus a few others, I imagine). Know your body, love yourself. I always left these sessions feeling energized and at peace.
Then, I discovered Vitality Personal Fitness, in Needham. I really can't say enough good about this place. Don't believe me? Check out my Yelp review. But the important thing is that, instead of just yoga, I got to take Kettlebells classes, core strength and training classes, and I received a great deal of personal attention that I've been able to carry with me to my personal workouts at home.
I also found a new form of exercise that I had never heard of at Capoeira Gerais Boston. There are two locations, and I started at the one located in the heart of Chinatown. This was probably the most thorough and demanding workout I've ever had - despite not being any good at it. I am the least coordinated person you will ever meet. I literally fell on my head in this class at least a couple of times. Still, I always left the sessions feeling like I had learned something and gotten an excellent workout. Bonus: everyone there was super nice, and no one ever laughed at me - even when I fell on my head. Rates vary by package, but you can average about $15 per class if you buy a full set. Thus, I got my money's work from the entire Groupon from just two classes. http://www.yelp.com/biz/capoeira-gerais-boston#hrid:SHe0lsoT3o76FI2pk3thKw/src:self
If you're looking for something a little less out there, the Meta Body pass did include things like spin classes in Marlborough, Zumba in Medford (I went to a couple of these - unfortunately, it was too far in traffic to be worth it for me), and Boot Camp in Newton (I signed up for about 15 of these, then ended up cancelling. Who wants to work out at 6 am?).
Total cost: $20.
Approximate value: $475, to date. I still have classes left to use before the end of June, and I have saved by not having to pay for a gym membership these past few months.
Estimated savings: About $550, when all is said and done (assuming I finish using it).
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