This Week in Health and Fitness: Hoist Kegs for Maovember, Free Community Classes From Guavapass and Lululemon

Many of us are understandably put off by the idea of paying extortionate gym fees, but there are plenty of ways to keep fit without coughing up cash. Several groups and companies around Beijing offer free (or nearly free) classes, primary among them being Guavapass and Lululemon, who reward their loyal community with plenty of regular events. 

Take Guavapass, for example. They often work with their partner studios to offer free classes. This weekend they have two events: a free Singles' Day Sweat Party at iBodyRock gym near the Workers' Stadium on Nov 11, and an air pollution-fighting kriya yoga session at Yoga Mandira in Taiyanggong on Nov 12 (that one priced at a still very reasonable RMB 66). 

*(a kriya is a series of postures or movements within a yoga practice that work toward a specific goal – in this case, opening up the chest and cleansing the lungs).

Activewear brand Lululemon also offers free community classes, usually at their store in Taikooli North but increasingly at studios around town. Most of the classes have a yoga focus, as befits the brand, but they occasionally branch out into things like running and tai chi. To find all of Lululemon's classes, follow them on WeChat (WeChat ID: lululemonathletica), enter their official account, and find "热汗社区" in the bottom right-hand corner (see picture above) – head-to-toe Lululemon yoga gear optional. 

If, on the other hand, you don't mind paying for your exercise, then why not pay and give back at the same time? As part of the Maovember charity drive, B Active and Slow Boat are coming together for "Beer-Active," a unique fitness class this Thursday, Nov 9. The class costs RMB 100 fee and will begin at 7.45pm at B Active's Sanlitun branch, followed by a suds session at Slow Boat Brewery on Nansanlitun Lu headed up by the Beijinger beer columnist Tracy Wang. If you're interested, be sure to act fast: registration is limited to 20 participants.

More stories by this author here.

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Photos courtesy of the organizers