The Pulse

A week of FREE workouts in ATX

Looking to get buff on a budget? Between these “first class free” offers and other no-charge sweat sessions, Austin has a workout that won’t break the bank.

June 2014

Monday

Start off the week with a “party on the bike” at Ride Indoor Cycling, where your first class is free.

Tuesday

Spend Tuesday getting a full body workout at Ro Fitness; their rowing machines (ergometers) face Lady Bird Lake—first session is free.

Wednesday

Hump Day can be busy. Good thing a workout at 9 Round Kickboxing lasts 30 minutes, and the first class is free.

Thursday

Find your Zen at Sunstone Yoga, where non-members can experience a whole week for free.

Friday

TGIF! Get pumped for the weekend with a free WOD at CrossFit 737.

Saturday

Each Saturday, Stronghorn Fitness holds a free outdoor “sweat session” at Austin High School.

Sunday

Meditation can help with weight loss—so join AMOA for an evening qigong practice (Union of Three Hearts, 5–6 p.m.) that will quiet the mind and get you rejuvenated for a new week.

Salad Bar Hacks

You know you’ve done it—gone into the market for a modest, healthy lunch and walked out with an $18 salad. Here are a few tips to get the most out of any salad bar experience:

• Start with a base of baby spinach or dark, leafy greens; they’re lightweight yet nutritious.
• Skip the romaine, which is heavier but packs less caloric benefit.
• Top with mushrooms, sliced onion, cabbage, sunflower seeds and other featherweight finishers.
• Pick proteins that don’t max out the scale: chickpeas and hard-boiled eggs rule.
• Use restraint on dressing (better yet—bring your own).
• Skip the salad bar section and buy the heavy bits (tomato, fresh fruit, cucumbers, carrots) directly from produce; you get more bang for the buck by cutting them yourself.

Ultimate Workout Playlist

"That's All She Wrote" — T.I. feat. Eminem
"Partition" — Beyoncé
"Love in Motion" — Sebastian
"Kryptonite" — 3 Doors Down
"Bodies" — Drowning Pool
"Dark Horse" — Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
"Bangarang" — Skrillex ft. Sirah
"In Search Of" — Miike Snow
"Testify" — Rage Against the Machine
"Calypso" — Excision and Datsik