It can be hard to prioritize the hobbies and activities you love amidst the rising cost of living. But, doing these things is also an important part of maintaining your wellbeing. That being said, people are finding their way around paying for activities, especially in fitness facilities like pilates and yoga studios.
TikTok user @genevivelaurenn posted a video explaining how “Toronto girls afford pilates in this economy” sharing that some studios have programs where you can exchange your energy for free classes.
Essentially, you “work” for the studio — tasks like checking in clients and cleaning— for a few hours every week, and your pay comes in the form of free classes at said studio.
“I was like, I’m about to spend $300 a month on pilates and that is a lot of money to be going toward pilates” @genevivelaurenn said, explaining why she takes part in an energy exchange.
Sounds like a pretty good way to do one of your favourite activities, right? Well it could be, but it might not work for everyone.
It’s not just pilates
While it’s not just pilates and yoga studios that do energy exchange programs, they have certainly cemented themselves as one of the bigger proprietors of the concept. In Toronto, the cost of membership to a pilates studio ranges from $150 to $400 per month, so it’s no wonder why people want more affordable access to these classes.
Regardless of the activity you’re trading in your energy for, “energy exchange” is basically a new term for the same concept as barter services, which has been around for a long time and often involves a trade of skilled tasks. For instance a graphic designer designing a writer’s website in exchange for the writer editing the copy for a graphic designer’s website or even a plumber fixing a leaky pipe in exchange for a contractor fixing a broken railing.
How to get started
If you want to take part in an energy exchange, getting started is pretty simple — all you have to do is ask. Reach out to local businesses near you or check their websites and social media profiles to see if they advertise any energy exchange programs.
Don’t have the time to work a few hours a week in exchange for classes and activities? Consider building up a savings fund for activities and hobbies. A TFSA is a good option for short term goals that earns high interest and has limited penalties for withdrawing.
Important things to be aware of if you’re considering doing an energy exchange
On paper, energy exchanges can sound like a pretty sweet deal. But, it’s important to think critically about it before signing yourself up.
On a recent episode of Drew Afualo’s podcast The Comment Section she spoke to fellow podcaster and comedian Caleb Hearon who mentioned a time he worked a six and a half hour shift once a week at the box office of an improv theatre in exchange for improv classes, “which is of course the scam of the century, but I couldn’t afford improv classes so I was like [hell yeah]” he said.
Scam of the century might sound like a pretty big claim, but it does urge an exploration (beyond the excitement of a free yoga class) of a couple things that might be worth seriously considering in terms of energy exchanges.
Tax implications
Just because there isn’t a monetary exchange, if you are exchanging services that typically would be paid for, they are considered legitimate economic transactions by the CRA and therefore are taxable.
Unequal labour
When you are exchanging your labour for access to any component of a business, there is always the risk that the labour traded is unequally distributed. Especially with more ambiguous exchanges in which the time you spend providing a service is longer than the time you spend receiving a service.
Sources
1. TikTok: @genevivelaurenn (May 7, 2025)
2. The Comment Section: DOING BLASPHEMY Ft. Caleb Hearon | Episode 171 (May 28, 2025)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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