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Guide To The Most Fun Workout Spots In Los Angeles

Contrary to popular belief, fitness doesn't have to be a dreaded obligation. The secret is discovering what makes the hard work feel like play, so you can reap the benefits of all that sweat equity and actually look forward to your workouts. Here are a few physique-building playgrounds that will have you excited for the fun workout ahead. You'll never dread working out again!
02 Up Flying Yoga - Verified Talia
(Credit: Tims / Blacklist Digital)

Up Flying Yoga
11101 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
www.upflyingyoga.com
If you're looking for a fun, spine stretching and lengthening class that incorporates Aerial Yoga Arts, this is the one for you. You're suspended in 9-foot long silks that are 3 feet above ground and it's awesome! In Level 1, there are sometimes two instructors, one in the Aerial Hammock guiding you with her voice and one on the floor going through all of the movements so you can ensure you're doing them right. Once you work up to being completely inverted, you will feel an incredible spine decompression that will take away your aches and pains. These classes work on core, alignment, flexibility and floating all in one and make it accessible for beginners to experience advanced yoga poses. Pro-tip: beginners need to take the Level 1 class to get a handle on the silks before moving on to the advanced classes.

03 PlateFIT - Verified Talia
(Credit: Mark Hunter @thecobrasnake)

PlateFIT
13033 Ventura Blvd Suite F
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 387-6770
www.platefit.co
In just one 27 minute class, you will burn off the same or more calories than a full hour elsewhere. The difference is in their Power Plate, which is a medical grade device that vibrates the entire time you're on it. The vibrations take some getting used to, but if you bend the knee a bit to stabilize you're all-good. Your muscles will contract 30-40 times per second, creating a mega tone that's over before you know it! Their DanceFit class is a blast, but they're all fun! Try it at least 2 times and you'll be hooked.

04 CorePower Yoga - Verified Talia
(Credit: CorePower Yoga)

CorePower Yoga
www.corepoweryoga.com
Touted as a healthy sweat, these heated classes are a spiritual, intensely physical workout experience. You set an intention while stretching and posing to the most fun and exciting yoga classes around. From beginner friendly CorePower 1, to the more intense Hot Power Fusion and Yoga Sculpt, there's a class for all fitness levels. You must be ok with a super hot (up to 100 degrees in some classes) room, but nobody is judging and you modify to your own needs. With rosy cheeks you'll leave feeling cleansed from the inside out.

05 Training Mate - Verified Talia
(credit: Training Mate)

Training Mate
7825 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 380-5492
www.trainingmatela.com
Training Mate is your Australian beach body, dream workout! Part Circuit Training and Cardio, Training Mate offers several varieties of classes for all of your fitness needs. Bondi Burn gets you in Beach Body shape with upper body and cardio, while Thunder Down Under focuses on lower body workouts for the legs and butt. With super motivating instructors, you'll be "Mel-Burn"ing the calories right off!

06 Dragonfly - Verified Talia
(Credit: Laura Grier of Beautiful Day Photography)

Dragonfly Cycling
4455 Van Nuys Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 325-8900
www.dragonfly-cycling.com
Dragonflies symbolize transformation, lightness, power, and grace, making it the perfect representation of what you can expect at this fresh, new state-of-the-art indoor cycling studio. Combining great instructors, music, and people for 45-minutes of inspiration, it serves as a jump-off point for positive change. So, no matter what kind of day you're having, Dragonfly Cycling exists to be your salvation and a place to let loose and enjoy the process of

07 Sandbox - Verified Talia
(Credit: Sandbox Fitness)

Sandbox Fitness
13557 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 290-3591
www.sandbox-fitness.com
Ventura Boulevard might not run along PCH, but that didn't stop Sandbox Fitness from bringing beachside workouts to valley residents. Sand training is renowned for its superior benefits over training on hard surfaces. And let's be real, it's not everyday you'll find a giant indoor sandbox specifically for this purpose. By design, sand training challenges bodies by activating infrequently used stabilizer muscles, efficiently spiking heart rates, and all the while staying gentle on the joints. One of the best workouts here is Tidal Turbulence, a high-intensity total body workout that combines work on the SURFSET (unstable surfboard) and TRX Suspension Training®. You're sure to work up a good sweat, but the experience is such a blast, it'll feel like a day at the beach.

08 Barbell Brigade - Verified Talia
(Credit: Nadeem Hamidi)

Barbell Brigade
646 Gibbons St.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 225-2251
www.barbellbrigade.com
There's an anomaly in the Arts District in Downtown, and it's Barbell Brigade, a gym that is completely devoid of elitism, intimidation, and inflated egos that you might expect from a gym of this caliber. People are drawn here for Barbell Brigade's magic formula that offers everything you love about lifting, minus the stuff you don't. This supportive vibe brings back the fun in a legitimately serious strength sport. Driven mainly by word-of-mouth, they've established a thriving community within one short year in business. Powerlifting newbies are met with friendly faces and a welcoming environment that fosters the confidence and strength that lifting demands. That's why it isn't surprising when even the most unassuming of potential powerlifters become regulars. Everyone is joined together by a common thread in the pursuit to "dominate humbly."

If you've ever been curious about lifting heavy, there's no better place to learn than right here. In addition to an unmatched culture, late hours, and reasonable rates, there are all the proper big boy (and girl) toys you'll need, like platforms, squat racks galore, specialty bars, bands, chains, prowler runs, and dumbbells up to 200 lbs. Call to inquire on day pass and membership rates.

09 Iron Boxing Gym - Verified Talia
(Credit: Iron Fitness)

Iron Boxing Gym
1919 Broadway St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 264-9800
www.ironla.com
You might not be Manny Pacquiao, but at Iron, "you don't have to be a pro to train like one." Boxing training has the ability to simultaneously exhaust and exhilarate. Iron's Signature Boxing Class has literally become a big hit with both men and women alike, due largely in part to the endlessly patient and energetic coaches that lead each class. Before the party gets started, hands are wrapped in preparation for 13 rounds of personal training style boxing and strength/conditioning work. The most elation is found when hitting the heavy bags and working one-on-one with the coaches on the focus mitts. These guys are pros at training novices to develop technique via gratifying punch combinations, defensive maneuvers, and speed/endurance drills. Even if you walked in on the worst day of your life, it's a sure bet that you'll walk out of your new happy place with a clear head. Give the gym a call to inquire about day passes, memberships, and class schedules.

10 Stronghold Climbing Gym - Verified Talia
(Credit: Stronghold Climbing Gym)

The Stronghold Climbing Gym
650 S. Avenue 21
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 505-7000
www.strongholdclimb.com
The Stronghold is an independently owned/operated climbing gym that is also the largest, tallest, and easily the coolest of its kind in LA. They operate out of the former Edison Power Plant, a Historic-Cultural monument designed by John Parkinson, the architect responsible for several iconic buildings in LA (City Hall, Union Station, Los Angeles Coliseum). For those new to climbing, they offer introductory classes (gear included) to enable you to safely start climbing roped routes. Once you're able to focus on the fun, it's easy to spend all day trying out hundreds of professionally set climbing routes, some as high up as 55 feet. The terrain includes extensive lead-climbing, top-roping and bouldering options to suit all climbing preferences. And for those interested in sport-specific training equipment, they've got you covered with campus boards, a Super Moon Board, and a systems wall.

Talia Harari is a Freelance Writer and Producer looking for the next big thing in everything!
Joy Bitonio has the phrase "Joie de Vivre" tattooed on her shoulder, a reminder to enjoy life every single day. She has a voracious appetite for fun, adventure, food, good cocktails and works out like a madwoman to keep it all together. Check out what else she recommends around Los Angeles in the links below.
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