There is no shortage of gyms and studio classes in the Lehigh Valley, but if you know where to look, you can get faster and stronger without spending a dime. Check out these gratis workouts that focus on strength, endurance and general fitness, and use your newfound dollars for a new pair of running shoes (or an extra coffee).
1. LEHIGH VALLEY ROAD RUNNERS TRACK WORKOUTS
24th St. and Liberty St., Allentown | lvrr.org/group-runs | Wednesdays, 5:15 a.m.
Warm up at 5:15 a.m. sharp before speed sessions designed by local race director Michael Drabenstott. The workouts are open to runners of all abilities, and they target VO2 max and lactate threshold efforts (no worries if those terms don’t mean anything to you right now!). Don’t try to plan ahead: Drabenstott loves to surprise his followers with workout details after the warmup. Bring a headlamp and reflective gear.
2. GET OUT FOR WELLNESS: WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY + LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK
Various | wildlandspa.org/get-out-for-wellness | Monthly
Explore the great outdoors with the region’s expert, Wildlands Conservancy, as part of its hiking and walking program. The group meets about 40 times per year, visiting Trexler Nature Preserve, Bushkill Creek, South Mountain Preserve, Thomas Darling Preserve and Mount Pisgah, to name a few. In addition to the physical benefits of walking and hiking, group members discuss plants and animals, making it a well-rounded adventure.
3 . BREAKFAST CLUB RUNNERS
Various locations | Facebook: Breakfast Club Runners Saturdays, 7:30 a.m
“We Run. We Eat. We Laugh. Therefore, we are!” exclaim the Breakfast Club Runners. Rise and shine with this running group that’s open to all paces and experiences. Every Saturday the group starts at a different Lehigh Valley location, including the Saucon Rail Trail, the Ironton Rail Trail and the D&L Trail. Follow BCR’s social media pages for location information.
4. AFROS IN NATURE
afrosinnature.org | @afrosinnature
This outdoor group launched in 2020 to create a safe space for marginalized groups. Meetups are limited to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and focus on outdoor activities, including hiking, paddle boarding, bike riding, whitewater rafting, climbing and mini golf. The group has a range of abilities and ensures participants feel safe and supported. Check the group’s social media for meetup information and registration requirements.
5. COMMUNITY CLASSES
Various area locations
Every so often, fitness clubs and studios offer free classes to the public at central locations like libraries and town plazas. Barre3, which has locations in Bethlehem and Allentown, welcomes community members several times throughout the year for a butt-burning workout. The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem also offers community classes for yogis of all levels a few times a year. Lehigh Valley libraries, including Bethlehem and Allentown, regularly have yoga classes open to the public.
Published as “5 Things” in the January 2025 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
