Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.
How much do fitness classes cost near me?
The price of fitness classes varies significantly depending on the class type and the gym or studio. Prices for group classes at popular gyms and studios include:
Planet Fitness costs $10 to $25 per month and includes unlimited access to small group classes.
Anytime Fitness costs $43 to $50 per month and includes unlimited access to small group classes.
Orangetheory Fitness costs $15 to $20 per class or $179 per month for unlimited classes.
Pure Barre costs $17 to $25 per class or $199 per month for unlimited classes.
CrossFit costs$20 to $25 per drop-in class or $150 to $200 per monthfor unlimited classes.
Zumba costs $59 per month for unlimited classes or $10 to $25 per class.
YMCA membership costs $52 to $60 per month for one adult or $86 to $119 per month for a family and includes unlimited access to a wide variety of fitness classes.
How much do online fitness classes cost?
Online fitness classes cost $10 to $50 per month on average. The monthly subscription fee typically gives you unlimited access to prerecorded classes available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some subscriptions, like Peloton, also include online access to interactive live-streamed classes.
Can I use my HSA to pay for fitness classes?
You can only use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for fitness classes if your physician or nurse practitioner prescribes an exercise regimen for a specific medical condition.
Your physician must write a letter of medical necessity (LMN) confirming the classes are intended to treat or prevent a medical condition, and you must provide a copy of the letter to the IRS when filing your taxes. The LMN is typically good for one year from the date it's signed. However, your physician may recommend a shorter duration.
Does Planet Fitness or Anytime Fitness have group classes?
Yes, Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness both offer group fitness classes led by certified personal trainers. Classes at both gyms are limited to small groups to allow the trainer to provide direct coaching as needed. Most franchise locations offer these classes 10 to 14 times per day, and members can attend unlimited classes.
What kind of fitness classes are available?
Group fitness classes are available in a wide variety of styles, making it easy to find one that best suits your needs. Popular class options include:
Cardio
Cycling / spinning
Dance
Kickboxing
Pilates
Yoga
CrossFit
Ballet / barre
Zumba
Water fitness
Strength training, including bodyweight workouts and weightlifting classes
How do I choose the best fitness class near me?
When choosing a fitness class, first decide on your goals for the class. Are you looking to improve your cardio health, strength, endurance, mobility, or all of the above? Once you have an idea of your goals in mind, follow these tips:
Check out the classes available in your area to see which style most appeals to you.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and your medical provider.
Read the class and instructor reviews on Lessons and Google.
Get a day pass or take a free trial class at the gym or studio.
Don't sign a monthly or annual contract until you've taken a free class.
What questions should I ask about fitness classes before joining?
When evaluating a gym or fitness studio, ask these questions to help you find the best fitness class for you:
What is the class schedule?
Do you charge by the class or by the month?
How many classes per month does the membership plan include?
Do you require members to subscribe for a minimum number of months or an annual plan?
Do you offer a free trial class or day pass?
Are your class instructors also certified personal trainers?
How many people are in a typical class?
Are there any rules about what to wear to the class?
Will I need to bring any equipment, like a yoga mat or towel?
Reviews for Gaithersburg fitness classes
Recent success stories from people in the Gaithersburg area.
Jim M.
Laurie Gordon is Montgomery County’s best kept secret when it comes to fitness and musculoskeletal health. I met her playing on a mixed doubles tennis team 12 years ago. I hired her as my Personal Trainer nearly 3 years ago. I waited this long because I thought it was ridiculous to have an instructor by my side to go through such obvious exercises. I “should” be able to do them by myself, I thought. But it turns out, there are lots of ways to do exercises wrong, and technique really matters. Further, I am not so unusual that I need a little regular encouragement to stay in shape. Using Laurie’s guidance is a way of being kind to myself. And the body, I’ve learned in my work with her, is a quite complicated thing to understand and manage. Ignorance is not bliss.
When we first started, I couldn’t play two sets of tennis before my inner thigh muscles would freeze up quite painfully, and I would walk off the court, bent over from the pain. I also have a partially torn right PCL, in my knee, which is irreparable and my knee would ache badly. On top of the knee and inner thigh muscles, I periodically got tennis elbow. Since I was totally dependent on tennis for exercise, the downtime would cause me to get painfully out of shape.
I quickly found out that Laurie doesn’t just throw a bunch of exercises at you. She actually gets to know you and thinks about your specific needs — constantly and continuously. You will leave with a home routine, but can come back for more. I use a mixture thereof. And my routine keeps being further refined as I get stronger.
It wasn’t long before I was back on the court with no symptoms. I was amazed how quickly and easily the groin muscle problem was eliminated with “sliders”, one of her magical exercises. Now I play injury-free to my heart’s content and know exactly what I have to do to stay in shape and prevent injury. And, recently, my shoulder started hurting a bit from serving. No more. At her instruction, I carry a little hand weight in my bag and do circle eights with my shoulder and arm circles before each match. End of problem. Positively magical. I’m blasting serves harder than ever before, at age 72.
At first, when she would get that “come on, you can do more” look on her face, I thought of her as “Our Lady of Pain!” Now, I realize that she is actually very careful not to go too far and knows exactly what that means for each person. I feel very comfortable pushing my limits under her watchful eye. If you want a calm, patient, caring, and thoroughly enjoyable personal trainer in your back pocket, to help with whatever you’re involved in, be it post-rehab, just staying in shape, or competitive sports, Laurie is so special and valuable, I have no words.
Fitness and Medical Exercise (FAME)
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