Socializing is equally important to humans as exercise is, which is one of the reasons that working out in a social environment is a much harder routine to break than exercising alone. If you find this is true for you as well, there are ways you can work out in a social arena for cheap or free.

Several years ago I tried Jazzercise and I loved it. It was very social, included awesome music, great routines and did I mention, very social. After I got pregnant, though, I just couldn’t bounce around for an hour at a time anymore and I dropped out. Nearly three years ago, though, a friend of mine convinced me to join her at Jazzercise again and I rekindled that delight I had with the program. The problem was, as inexpensive as it was to do, I just felt like I couldn’t justify the expense just to go listen to cool music and chat with my friends. My husband convinced me that it was worth it for me to go, at any price, because it was just for me and it made me happy (I think the 40 pounds I lost the first year had something to do with it, too), but I wasn’t convinced.

When my friend, Kim, decided to become an instructor she mentioned that she needed a class manager: to which I rolled my eyes at – just what I needed, ONE MORE responsibility. But then I learned that by being class manager I get to work out for free, not just at her classes, but at any class I want. And in return I commit myself to showing up about 20 minutes early to open up the center and leave a few minutes later to close it up. Since I have the time, it was really no big deal for me to put in a little extra time and be able to work out for free.

I understand that not every Jazzercise center offers that great exchange, but the point is, if you really look into it, you can probably find a way to make a similar deal with any exercise center or gym. See if they have a work exchange program, or better yet, if you need a job, too, you can probably get paid to work and get free access to the center as a job perk

If there’s not a center, gym, or program you can get into for cheap or free, check at your local community center or YMCA to see if they have any inexpensive or free exercise programs or scholarships for the programs they do have for community members.

The important thing is to find a social dynamic that you fit into comfortably. Chances are if you’re having a good time socializing with the other people in your work out arena then you’ll be more apt to stick with the program. Some say it’s the pressure of knowing that there are people expecting you and counting on you that keeps you in that type of routine, but personally I think it’s just the enjoyment of it.