Here’s What the Philly Fitness Community Is Doing to Support Essential Workers
From free classes to fundraisers, here’s how local fitness studios are giving back to folks on the frontlines.
To honor essential workers during the coronavirus crisis, Philly fitness studios are supporting those on the frontlines with free classes and fundraisers. / Photograph courtesy of Focus Barre & Yoga.
If you’re a Philly-area studio or instructor doing something to help essential workers, email lbrzyski@phillymag.com so we can add you to the list!
Ever since Philly fitness studios were forced to close their doors due to coronavirus, instructors have been offering a TON of live-streamed and on-demand classes you can do in your own home. As if those efforts weren’t amazing enough, some studios have stepped up to support essential workers. Below, a list of local gyms and instructors who are helping folks on the frontlines with discounted or free classes and fundraising events.
Allongée Technique
The Old City dance and fitness studio recently launched a “Sponsor a Frontline Worker” program. For every virtual membership purchased, Allongée will donate a virtual membership to a frontline worker to help them stay active during this challenging time. They will also be matching up sponsors with healthcare workers to build community and offer further support to those workers.
barre3
The Rittenhouse studio is currently running healthcare hero nominations to honor anyone who “embodies the selflessness, compassion, heart, and dedication that we are seeing all around us during this challenging time.” Every Friday, the studio will feature one healthcare hero on their page, and gift them one month of unlimited classes at barre3 Rittenhouse. To nominate someone you know (or yourself!), fill out this form.
Focus Barre & Yoga
Every Sunday at 4 p.m., Focus Barre & Yoga is hosting a free live-streamed barre class for healthcare workers. They are also offering healthcare workers 50-percent off their on-demand video library. Email the studio for more details.
View this post on Instagram
J’aime Fitness
All essential workers can enjoy free live-streamed classes with J’aime Fitness. To take advantage, simply email them and they’ll hook you up with a complimentary membership.
Prana Das Yoga Center
The Haverford yoga studio is offering a free month of unlimited online membership to any frontline workers. This is good for individuals, as well as groups/institutions. After the free month, it’s $27 per month, which can be adjusted at any time. Simply email Prana Das and they will supply the code.
Remix Fitness
Since we’ve been in lockdown, Remix Fitness has been offering free live virtual classes to all healthcare workers. If that’s you, just email the studio and they’ll set up your account. On Saturday, May 2nd, Remix will host a fundraiser on Facebook Live and Zoom to raise money for care packages for healthcare workers as they are on the frontlines.
Revel Ride
Revel Ride is helping essential workers by throwing it back old-school style. Their “Revel Grams,” kind of like candy grams you sent to your friends in middle school, is basically a virtual hug you can send to anyone in the Revel community to let them know you’re thinking of them. Don’t know their email? The studio does, so reach out! Cost is $5 per gram, and proceeds will be donated to those working in local grocery stores. Buy as many as you want here.
RIDE
Since April 1st, the spin, barre, and TRX boutique has been selling “Social Spinstancing” and “Stay the tuck home” tanks to help support Jefferson’s COVID-19 Better Together Fund. So far, they’ve raised over $500 in donations. RIDE still has some tanks left, so if you want to show your gratitude for the frontline and rep a local studio, email owner Katie Graham. Each shirt costs $27.
View this post on Instagram
RippedPHL
This HIIT gym is offering unlimited live online classes to all frontline workers, small business owners, and anyone who has lost their job due to the pandemic. All you have to do is email them, and they’ll take care of you.
Ryan Lewis
SoulCycle and Barry’s instructor Ryan Lewis is running weekly at-home strength and cardio classes. 30-percent of all profits will be donated to Project SHIELDS, a group of Penn students and alum who are mass producing PPE for local doctors and nurses. Plus, healthcare workers can enjoy a free week of workouts, and there are discounted packages for those whose employment has been compromised due to coronavirus. To get in on the classes, fill out this form.
Train and Nourish
Through the end of April, Train and Nourish is offering healthcare workers buy one, get one free virtual classes. All you have to do is click this link, select the “2 Pack Virtual Classes,” and enter code HEALTH2020.
View this post on Instagram
Unite Fitness
On April 8th, Unite Fitness hosted a fundraising event for local hospitals, and ended up raising over $11,000! The live class saw 513 participants, and proceeds are going toward food and medical supplies for those on the frontlines.
Bonus
After you work up a sweat with any of these workouts, book a 15-minute virtual skin check-in with Heyday Skincare. The video consult is complimentary for all essential workers, and you can book a slot here.
Want to hear more from us? Join Be Well Philly at:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | NEWSLETTER | TWITTER
