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Best Alternative Sport & Fitness Activities In Los Angeles

parkour
(credit: Olish/Shutterstock)

Are you tired of the gym routine or find that your regular workout just isn't doing it for you anymore? Well, maybe it's time to tread off the beaten path a bit and try your hand at some other activities to help rejuvenate your physical fitness routine and make working out fun again. Here's a list of some alternative sport and fitness activities you probably never thought about checking out. -- Nicola A. Menzie

Cirque_School
(credit: cirqueschoolla.com)

Circus Arts
Cirque School
5640 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(424) 226-2477
www.cirqueschoolla.com

If you've ever wanted to join the circus then Cirque School might be your ticket. Situated in a 6,000 square foot studio in hollywood, Cirque School is taught by working circus professionals and utilizes the best of both professional circus training and Pilates. The hybrid method helps students gain not only strength but flexibility, mental and physical wellness. They're not your typical gym, though. They believe their classes should be fun and rigorous and the teachers strive to maintain a friendly, and non-competitive environment. Learn the tricks of the trade on being in the circus through being taught special tricks. From aerialists, contortionists, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and balance experts, you'll get your chance to turn even the most casual circus enthusiasm into something you're really interested in. Classes are designed for ages 14 and up.

MSF_DirtBike_School
(credit: dirtbikeschool.com)

Dirt Bike School
The MSF DirtBike School (DBS)
9950 Jeronimo Rd
Irvine, CA 92618
(714) 475-4305
www.dirtbikeschool.org

DirtBike School is a one-day, hands-on training session that is made available to anyone over the age of 6 to get their hands a bit dirty with some fun dirt bike riding. At approved training sites, MSF certified DBS Coaches will teach students the basic riding skills and responsible riding practices, including risk management and environmental awareness. The Closed Range Exercise provides hands-on riding training with an emphasis on safety and developing skills for riding. For more advanced learning, the Introduction to Trail Riding is the next level DirtBike School course offered, and is designed to let riders understand what it's really like riding off-road on actual trails.

Academy_of_Arms
(credit: http://academyofarms.com)

Swordsmanship
Academy Of Arms
(818) 276-1936
www.academyofarms.com

There are a few options for Los Angeles residents interested in learning how to properly wield a sword without getting arrested. The Academy of Arms is all about "the historical martial arts" centered around the use of the longsword. A non-profit school dedicated to the study and practice of historical European martial arts, The Academy of Arms, offers instructors who teach curriculum directly from historical texts written in the 14th - 16th centuries. Inside an indoor studio, students learn from a variety of weapons including daggers, longswords, half swords, and more.

OnPoint_Tactical
(credit: www.onpointtactical.com)

Urban Survival Skills
nPoint Tactical
(609) 668-5384
www.onpointtactical.com

No one ever thinks they'll get kidnapped or find themselves in a life-threatening situation, but can happens. Or, what if you got lost in the wilderness? You need to learn survival skills. And, onPoint Tactical wants to train you on how to survive in the worst of situations. Teaching legendary skills for today's challenges, the courses serve civilians, members of the military, law enforcement and government security contractors to be prepared for any situation or uncertain times. From scouting to survival techniques to trending conditions, you'll learn it all. onPoint Tactical specializes in personalized instruction with one on one attention, while the teaching methodology leverages hands-on, repetitive drills, with immersive scenario training. For over 10 years, onPoint's sensible educational approach has created a robust skill set for thousands of professionals and civilians that matches both relevsant and practical skills and knowledge for real world situations. Make sure to visit the website for upcoming classes as onPoint circulates the U.S. with classes in other states too.

Parkour79574553
(credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Parkour
LA School of Gymnastics
8450 Higuera Street
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 204-1980
www.lagymnastics.com

Parkour, the discipline of using one's own physical (and mental) strength to move fluidly and efficiently from point A to point B in any given environment, has its roots in martial arts and can be seen in many Jackie Chan movies. This athletic discipline, however, is not just for martial arts enthusiasts and isn't limited to any gender or age group. The LA School of Gymnastics offers weekly classes on Thursdays from 8:15pm to 9:45pm where you will learn and perfect Parkour techniques (i.e. rolls, vaults, climbs, and more) as well as certain strengthening exercises that will help in overall progression. The clases also go over some of the philosophy involved and how Parkour applies at a broader level. Each weekly class has a different focus in terms of which drills and exercises are covered, too.

Dodgeball51078464
(credit: Micah Walter/Getty Images)

Dodgeball
World Dodgeball Society
Hollywood Recreational Center
1122 Cole Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
www.dodgeball4ever.com

Dodgeball is not just for kids -- just ask LA's professional dodgeball team the Los Angeles Chaos, and the countless other amateur teams in the area. Join a league, start a league or find an open-gym time to join a game for free. The Hollywood league, for example, joins together for ten awesome weeks of play every Monday night at the Hollywood Rec Center. Games are played with the official no-string rubber ball of the World Dodgeball Society to great music. Teams are co-ed, and the fun is just an added and mandatory bonus.

Rugby79683389
(credit: Andy Hayt/Getty Images)

Rugby
LA Rugby Club
7000 W Manchester Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 923-0597
www.larugby.com

Rugby, similar to football, but without all the protective padding, might be the challenge you're looking for. If you're feeling fearless and tough, there are a handful of leagues in the Los Angeles area for men, women and youth players. You'll need to come prepared with the necessary equipment to train including cleats/boots, a rugby jersey, a mouthguard, water, rugby shorts and make sure to take off all jewelry. Rugby can be a pretty intense sport, but a ton of fun at the same time. All training participants are required to be registered with USA Rugby. You can find out more info by visiting the LA Rugby Club website.

Octopush
(credit: http://www.usauwh.com)

Underwater Hockey
Los Angeles Underwater Hockey
Santa Clarita Aquatics Center
20850 Centre Pointe Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
www.facebook.com

Octopush, another name for underwater hockey, has its roots in the United Kingdom, and combines the elements of swimming and diving and hockey. Two teams of six people wearing fins, masks, snorkels,etc. play at the bottom of a swimming pool using a 1-foot-long stick to shovel around a 3-pound puck. Tempted? It's a ton of fun!

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