Best Budget Fitness Classes In The East Bay

There are tons of fitness classes in the East Bay, but many of them can be pricey. While there are advantages to joining a health club, monthly fees can often be a burden for folks on a budget. Fortunately, there are fitness classes all over the East Bay that are far more affordable and don't require a gym membership. The following are five of the best budget fitness classes in the East Bay.

Fit Club San Lorenzo
1970 Via Buena Vista
San Lorenzo, CA 94580
(510) 590-1433
www.inspirefitnessbootcamps.com

It can't get any better than free classes and the San Lorenzo Community Center has just that. Classes are held every Saturday morning and  led by instructors with national fitness certifications. Inspire Fitness Boot Camps, led by Joy Poulsen, also offers free Saturday morning fitness classes at St. Clement Parish in Hayward. Participants are asked to bring their own mat and a bottle of water for both locations.

Related: Best Cross Fit Studios in the East Bay

JCC East Bay
1414 Walnut St.
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 848-0237
www.jcceastbay.org

The Berkeley branch of the Jewish Community of the East Bay offers fitness classes three days a week that are open to the public. The fee for class participation is $8 for JCC members and $10 for non-members. Classes are led by experienced instructors who specialize in a form of fitness training known as BodyPump, incorporating free weights with aerobics. Although the training might seem daunting for some, the class is open to people of all ages and fitness levels.

Milpitas Sports Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 586-3225
www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov

The Milpitas Sports Center offers a wide variety of fitness classes, with access to the facility for just $5. Non-Milpitas residents may also use the center but must pay a non-refundable but very affordable $50 annual fee, in addition to visit fees. Among classes offered at the Milpitas Sport Center are zumba, yoga, cardio kickboxing and water exercise. The Center also offers a "Drop-in Sports-Open Gym" program for basketball, badminton and volleyball.

Yoga to the People
64 Shattuck Square
Berkeley, CA 94704
(917) 573-9642
www.yogatothepeople.com

Yoga to the People is a unique group of studios whose classes are open to "everyone to do yoga regardless of economic limitations." There are two facilities in downtown Berkeley, with the Shattuck Square location offering vinyasa yoga for a suggested donation of just $10. The other Berkeley location on Bancroft Way offers hot yoga classes, set in rooms heated 105-108 degrees Fahrenheit. Classes are open to beginners and experienced students, and the class fee is just $8. Mat rentals, towel rentals and water can be purchased for a small fee.

Related: Best Rock Climbing Gyms in the Bay Area

Zumba Fitness with Thayna Marcelino
1460 Concord Ave., Suite C
Concord, CA 94520
www.thaynam.zumba.com

Zumba Fitness classes have become extremely popular over the past few years, with more and more classes popping up all over the Bay Area. One of the most affordable classes is in Concord, with the effervescent Thayna Marcelino leading the group. She and her younger sister Emely offer nearly 20 classes each week with just a very inexpensive $5 drop-in fee. Each class features lively Latin music and dance moves that are difficult not to enjoy while exercising.

Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. His work can be found on Examiner.com.