Free Fitness Summer is not just for slacking. You can also get moving for free, thanks to these two great fitness options.
1. Outdoor Yoga (In and Around) St. Louis Head over to the Facebook page of the same name, and you'll find a link to a calendar with dates, times and locations for free or donation-based yoga sessions all over the city. Get your downward dogs in at Tower Grove Park (4256 Magnolia Avenue) every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. or head downtown to Busch II Infield at Ballpark Village (601 Clark Avenue) for Wednesday-evening oms. You can even win Lululemon gear. Weather permitting, you may be able to forgo that pricey studio membership.
2. The Tower Grove CO-ED Fitness Group This is an intensive, Sunday-morning workout organized by Teya King, a local fitness instructor and former professional dancer. According to her website, www.gatewayflex.com, King started the free bootcamp because "no one should ever have to use financial strain as an excuse from getting into better shape." The price to participate is blood, sweat and tears -- the group combines different types of cardio, calisthenics and jogging. Go to www.meetup.com/towergrovefitness for more details.
Free Waterfront Access Why journey to Florida when we've got plenty of ways to access the water for free? Try these five options to get off the land and on to Missouri's lakes, rivers and streams.
1. Pacific Palisades Conservation Area A 40-minute drive from the city brings you to a quiet little beach on a stretch of the Meramec River in JeffCo that's not yet muddied by pollutants (www.mdconline.com, 636-458-2236). Clearish, waist-deep waters with a gentle current in a gorgeous setting are the draws here (not to mention the people-watching). Bring water shoes and a folding chair -- the shore is gravelly.
2. Castlewood State Park Bring a blanket and some food, then feast on the sandy golden beach and soak up some sun (1401 Kiefer Creek Road, Ballwin; 636-227-4433). Swimmers should be wary, however: This stretch of the Meramec is only for those immune to pink eye and fungal infections.
3. Free resort weekend in Lake of the Ozarks If you listen to a soul-crushing 90-minute timeshare presentation, that is. Many timeshare resorts in the Ozarks entice with free nights and severely discounted weekends for prospective buyers. Listening to a presentation from management is mandatory but buying is not. Call around and get yourself a dealio or a stealio.
4. Mississippi River Water Trail Association If you're looking to ride a rented blow-up raft to boozetown, we don't have any suggestions about how to do that for free. Pack as many friends onto your flotation device as you can, bring your own stocked cooler of Bud, hydrate, and divide and conquer your amenities and costs. But if you're more Henry David Thoreau and less Harold and Kumar, forgo the boozy float trip and connect with our majestic lifeline at its most scenic points in Alton, Illinois, with the Mississippi River Water Trail Association's free social paddle on September 19. Visit www.greatriverwatertrail.org for more information and to learn about other free and cheap ways to experience Old Man River.
5. Free ferries to Brussels and Kampsville A great life hack for those desperate to get onto the water and willing to drive about an hour to make that happen: The Illinois Department of Transportation runs two free ferries across the Mississippi River from these day-trip worthy hamlets near Alton. Visit www.greatriverroad.com for more information.
See also: 5 Camping-Friendly Music Festivals Within 10 Hours of St. Louis
See also: 10 Great Free Events in St. Louis This Summer
See also: St. Louis-Based Rio Syrup Keeps the World in Snow Cones
Editor's note: This story was changed after publication to correct a few errors. There will not be a SLAM Underground in July. Also, the series, which is held on the final Friday of each month, is one year old. And the Art Hill Film Series is featuring DJs this year, not live bands. We regret the errors.
