(credit: burnfitness.com)
When it comes to workout options in Southern California, there is no shortage of options. In your efforts to stay or get back into shape, you can now turn to any number of smaller gyms and targeted classes that offer an alternative to the huge chains. To get the most out of any exercise regimen, Los Angeles fitness trainer Jason Land recommends having a set plan, educating yourself about proper workouts, and make sure you switch up your routine regularly to make your workout more effective. Ultimately, you want to make healthy habits a part of your lifestyle – not just something you do at the gym. So where should you go to get started? Here is a list of highly recommended local gyms with staff and programs that will cater to your individual needs.
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VisionFit Personal Training
2707 W. Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 557-6544
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This personal training gym in Burbank is where Land trains his clients. The gym has all of the cardiovascular and weight training equipment you will need to get in an effective workout. The initial trainer consultation is free. After that, purchase the training session package that makes most sense for your situation and budget.
Hours of operation: by appointment only
(credit: burnfitness.com)
Burn Fitness
1315 3rd Street Promenade,
4th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-1300
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With views of and breezes from the nearby ocean, this full-service Santa Monica gym strives to provide a different Los Angeles gym experience. Particularly helpful for your weight loss goals are the gym’s Custom Fit online training system and Fat Burn weight loss system.
Hours of operation: Mon. – Thurs. 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Fri. 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
(credit: laxcrossfit.com)
Crossfit South Bay
725 5th Street
Hermosa Beach, CA
(310) 779-8531
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LAX Crossfit
1944 South La Cienega Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(424) 240-5291
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Fans of Crossfit training swear that this program really helps to unleash your athletic potential. Crossfit classes combine Olympic lifting, running, basic gymnastic moves and plyometrics — movements in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence — into their workouts. The workouts are equally doable by athletes and senior citizens. In addition to a plethora of classes, Crossfit offers one on one personal training, as well as nutrition counseling. The Hawthorne location just opened on Jan. 29.
Hours of operation: Check the web sites for class times, which vary by day but start as early as 6 a.m.
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Trifit Club & Studios
2425 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2227
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This west side gym founded by a husband and wife team places emphasis on three areas of fitness: strength, cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility. As such, it provides a whole host of tools and activities ranging from traditional weights to cycling classes and yoga. In addition to attending a wide variety of classes that include yoga, Pilates and martial arts, you can also play squash or tennis, swim in the lap pool or get a massage.
Hours of operation: Mon. – Fri. 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Check the Web site for pool and holiday hours.
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KOR Health & Fitness
815 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 933-3744
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KOR combines science, sports medicine and holistic healing with traditional gym equipment and classes. You can also get acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic care here, as well as personal training to help you achieve your fitness goals. Kor offers a variety of membership options starting with daily passes, through to annual memberships. The one downside is the gym’s hours are limited.
Hours of operation: Mon. – Thurs. 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Body Builders Gym
2516 Hyperion Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 668-0802
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This neighborhood classic in the Los Feliz area includes all kinds of cardio equipment, free weights, cables and machines, boxing on an outdoor patio, a sundeck and more. You can choose from a wide range of membership options ranging from daily to annual. And you can also work with one of their personal trainers to establish the right fitness routine for you. This gym also includes the C.A.R.E Fitness system for older individuals or those grappling with obesity, addiction, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and more.
Hours of operation: Mon. –Fri. 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sat.: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Bodyroxx workout. (credit: backbayfitness.com)
Back Bay Fitness
2675 Irvine Ave. Suite A
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 631-5587
Originally a personal training studio, Back Bay Fitness is now a full-service gym whose emphasis is on helping you challenge yourself to become fit. This gym is known for having a great staff of personal trainers who will help you to develop the right kind of fitness routines. And they offer spinning, rowing and more, as well as BodyRoxx – a boot-camp class. One thing to keep in mind, Back Bay is closed on Sundays.
Hours of operation: Mon.-Thurs.: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. Fri.: 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sun.: Closed
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Barry’s Bootcamp
1106 N. La Cienega Blvd. Suite 104 West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.360.6262
14622 Ventura Blvd. Suite 201 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(in the La-Reina Plaza)
818.784.6262
1220 Cleveland Ave. M-109 San Diego, CA 92103
619.906.4455
Since 1998, Barry’s, named after Founder/Trainer Barry Jay, has been developing a legendary following of pro-athletes and local celebrities like Kim Kardashian, David Hasselhoff and Juliette Lewis. Why? Because this workout is hard — ugly hard — and it works. You’ll spend 30 minutes on a treadmill doing cardio interval training and then 30 minutes on the floor doing weight training with everything from hand weights to bars and bands. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself outside the building running the dreaded stairs or if you can’t walk for a couple of days after Leg Day on Tuesday.
Hours: Monday – Sunday. Check out class schedule by location.
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Tracy Anderson Method
12345 Ventura Blvd. Suite L
Studio City, CA 90501
(818) 762-3133
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If exclusive celebrity workouts are your style, then look into The Method classes at Tracy Anderson Studio in Studio City. Anderson’s brand of workout comibning resistance training with dance and Pilates moves has shaped the bodies of Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna. One of only two studio locations, the Studio CIty gym offers different membership packages, details of which are divulged only at an in-person consultation.
Hours: Contact studio for information about schedule and private appointments.
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YAS Costa Mesa
1101 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
831 S. Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
1932 Hyperion Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
291 E. 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(866) YAS-YOGA
Created by Kimberly Fowler, who battled brain cancer and survived to become a celebrated triathlete and fitness expert, the YAS method centers on a combination of yoga and spinning. This outpost of the original YAS Studio in Venice offers the same classes to enthusiasts and beginners alike, and has been featured on “The Real Housewives of OC.”
Hours: Monday – Sunday. Class schedule varies by day of week and location. Detailed schedules can be found online.
Jennifer Vides blogs at JenniferVides.com.
