Free classes
Free fitness classes in your city
Some of our best mornings cost nothing. Here is what we have run for free and how to catch the next one.
- 01 Lakefront
Free mornings by the water in Chicago.
- 02 Pilates and yoga
Free outdoor sessions in the summer.
- 03 Monthly
Classes posted by city hosts between festivals.
Why some of our classes are free
We run free fitness classes because the hardest part of a new class is walking up to it the first time. Free takes one excuse off the table. You come, you try it, you meet a few people, and if you like it you come back. Our partners help make that possible.
What we ran for free in 2026
- Summer of Strength, Chicago. Free lakefront mornings in June.
- Strength at the Pier, Chicago. June 24 at Navy Pier, free with sign-up.
- Free lakefront Pilates and yoga, Chicago. July 29 to 31.
So far most of the free sessions have been in Chicago in the summer, when the lakefront is at its best. Chicago is our home city. The 2027 free schedule isn't set yet.
What "free with sign-up" means
Some free classes ask you to register ahead of time. It costs nothing, but it tells the host how many people to expect, which matters for space, instructors and water. If a class says free with sign-up, sign up.
Local Monthly classes
Between festivals, city hosts post monthly classes in their own cities. Some are free, some are small paid events. These are the classes where you start recognizing faces.
Making the most of a free class
- Arrive ten minutes early. Free classes outdoors can fill the best spots fast.
- Bring your own mat and water. Outdoor classes don't always have spares.
- Tell the instructor if you're new. They'll show you easier versions of the moves.
- Say hi to someone. That's half the point.
For more on what to pack, our guide on what to bring to a wellness festival works just as well for a free morning class.
Free classes outdoors
Most of our free sessions are outside. Parks, the lakefront, a pier. If you like that, our page on outdoor Pilates events lists more of the outdoor formats we've run, some free and some ticketed.
Not free, but close
Plenty of our pop-ups and socials cost very little and come with something extra: a brunch, music, a cause. See fitness pop-up events for what those look like.
What Rita said
Rita, one of our ambassadors, put it this way about her first year in Chicago: "STRENGTH IN THE CITY has made my first year in Chicago amazing and welcomed me with open arms." A free class is often how that starts.
Free does not mean less
Free classes are led by local instructors, the same kind of teachers you'd find at our festivals, and the crowd is the same community. The main difference is the price. If you've been curious about STRENGTH IN THE CITY but weren't ready to buy a festival ticket, a free morning by the lake is the easiest way to see if it's for you.
Find the next free class
Free events go on the same upcoming events calendar as everything else, with the sign-up link if one is needed.
Questions people ask
Are the classes really free?
The ones listed as free cost nothing. Some ask you to sign up ahead so the host knows how many people to expect.
Do I need to be in shape?
No. Beginners are welcome. Tell the instructor you are new and they will show you easier options.
Are there free classes outside Chicago?
Most of our free sessions so far have been in Chicago. City hosts also post monthly classes in their own cities, some free and some paid.
When is the next free class?
Check our upcoming events calendar. The 2027 free schedule is not set yet.