The College Kid’s Guide To Working Out on the Main Line for Less
Being a college student is expensive, especially when you’re a college student on the Main Line. And I want to help all the bright, young minds in the audience to make sure you guys are moving, as well. You don’t need a college degree to know how important exercise is for stress management. So with the start of the another school year at your favorite area university, here’s a list of where to go to get your sweat on at a discounted rate. Grab your sneakers, the latest trending water bottle and don’t forget your student ID… this is where all the kids are working out on the Main Line for less!
BULLDOG YOGA. We already know that college kids love Bulldog Yoga. On any given day, you can expect to find at least one of this Villanova yoga studio’s heated rooms packed mat-to-mat with the Nova girls in their matching Alo sets. It’s the heat, the engaging instructors, the unexpected beats and the party vibes of this unique yoga studio that bring them back to Bulldog. But it also could be the ample student discounts available at this studio. My favorite, which applies to anyone (student or not), is the introductory offer for any first timer: $50 for two weeks of unlimited musically inspired, sweaty yoga. If you also get bitten by the Bulldog, you can join for $160 a month of unlimited access (it’s usually $180), or purchase discounted class packs at $115 for 5 classes, or $210 for 10 classes. College students can also drop-in for $31 a class (the regular drop-in rate is $35). And look out for the annual Halloween themed glow yoga event with Nikki Rowinski coming up in October because I know you college kids love themes, glow sticks and Halloween.
YOGASIX MAIN LINE. I have some more hot yoga for the kids out there. YogaSix Main Line is located right beyond the 476 divide in Wayne. And this studio is great for the busy college student because Y6 has a jam packed schedule with all types of yoga classes from 6 am to 8 pm every weekday. And the room is dark, if matching yoga sets aren’t exactly your thing. Plus, their college discount is great: Y6 offers 25% of all memberships and class packs, which are already decently priced, for students. This studio also loves a good themed yoga class. I mean, who doesn’t? Coming up, an entire day of VMA themed yoga classes on September 14.
LSF PILATES. It’s no secret that everyone wants to do Pilates, college girls included. And thanks to social media, we all now know that the football team also gets on those Reformers to prepare for game day. So if you are looking for contemporary Pilates, then LSF is your place on the Main Line. Students can purchase a 10-class pack for $275 (this package is regularly priced at $300). Another option for the LSF newbie is the new client 10- class pack for $250. Bring your grip socks or purchase an adorable pair there.
SOLIDCORE. Bryn Mawr’s Solidcore studio has one of the highest utilization rates of any Solidcore studio in the country. And I am going to attribute that to the college kids of the Main Line. You guys are packing this megaformer studio (it’s not Pilates) every weekday from 4:30 am to 10:30 pm. And I know why: results! This is the place to go to build visible muscles fast. Oh, and they have that vibe thing down, too. But I think the dark room and the loud music is there to mask the pain from those micro movements on the megaformer. Solidcore offers students (plus military, teachers and healthcare workers) 25% of all memberships and class packs. So at that rate you’ll be hitting those hundred class milestones in no time!
SOULCYCLE. What’s vibe-ier than a dance party on a bike? And that’s exactly what SoulCycle is. For example, today they are offering a spin class called “Twerks and Fireworks.” I can’t say that one without smiling. I go to SoulCycle when I want to be the oldest person in the room. That’s because the Ardmore SoulCycle pulls its members from the many colleges along the Main Line. I get it. It’s a fucking blast to move all over the bike to choreographed fitness. Life’s a party when you are in your 20’s so why should your workout be anything less! Plus, SoulCycle’s student discount may just be one of the most affordable ways to workout on the Main Line. All students can twerk all over their bike for only $24 a class. And right now (through September 20), all students get extra rides in their class packs as part of Soul Cycle’s back-to-school class pack sale!
XTRAINING. Young people, listen up (now I sound like my mother). You should all be lifting weights. Girls, I am talking to you. And the best place to learn how to lift heavy properly is XTraining in Bryn Mawr. The problem is you need to wake up before the crack of dawn to get to their popular strength training and conditioning classes because they’re over by 8:05 am during the week. But if enough of you show an interest, maybe they will start to offer their signature classes in the evenings for you late risers. In the meantime, perhaps their student discount will entice you to close the books a little earlier at night. Students can attend their 5:15 am or 7:15 am classes, Monday through Friday for $199 a month, unlimited.
F45 BRYN MAWR. Functional fitness may not be on the minds of every twenty-something in the same way that it is for the forty-somethings. But F45 can also offer you kids a great circuit style workout that incorporates both cardio and weights in just 45 minutes. Get in, get it done and get back to the books (or at least that’s what you are telling your parents you’re doing). F45 in Bryn Mawr gives students $10 off their unlimited weekly membership— that’s $37.50 a week, about the price of a case of beer.
BARRE3 ROSEMONT. I haven’t forgotten about all the barre girlies out there. Barre3 Rosemont is walking distance from a bunch of area schools, including Villanova. And I just love how far barre has come since the days of pulsing only two pound weights. Barre3 Rosemont has some good deals to offer students: 20% of the unlimited membership and off the 10-class pack. Also, anyone can try out the studio with unlimited classes for 2 weeks at $69.
AFC FITNESS. If studio hopping isn’t your thing and you are looking for a great gym at an even better price, AFC Fitness, in either Radnor or Bala Cynwyd, is the place. This gym is always the best bang for your buck on the Main Line given it’s size, the quantity of classes, and fun amenities like massage chairs, a pool and one of the only places you can play Padel in the Philadelphia area. Anyone (student or not) can try out AFC Fitness for FREE for 30 days. And the regular monthly gym membership is under $100! If you are a student (high school or college), the deal is even sweeter with 15% off!
LIFETIME. Did I save the best for last? Maybe. That’s because this discount applies to all you beautiful, young people who are under 26 years old, whether you are enrolled at a university or not. You get to workout and enjoy all of the amenities and services that Lifetime has to offer for just $169.00 a month (the regular rate is $199/mo), with a $0 initiation fee. You can literally move in, if dorm life isn’t cutting it for you - workout, shower, eat, study and repeat, all at the stunning gyms in Ardmore or King of Prussia. The classes at Lifetime are next level. The gym equipment is top of the line. And the amenities are as good as it gets on the Main Line.
To celebrate the start of another school year, one lucky student will win some FREE classes to the studio (not including Lifetime or AFC Fitness) of their choice. So be sure to check out my Instagram and enter the GIVEAWAY this week. Let’s start the year of strong, kids!