The Workouts
From the sweaty to the chill to the just plain bizarre, LA's boutique fitness industry comes in all shapes and sizes.
Speedplay LA
TYPE OF WORKOUT: High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
LOCATION: Downtown LA, West Hollywood
WHAT TO BRING: A towel and a water bottle
CLASS LEGNTH: One hour
COST PER CLASS: $27 in Downtown LA; $30 in Beverly Hills; $15 new client first class
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: Yes; $279 per month
ON CLASSPASS: Yes
EXPERTS SAY: HIIT training is beneficial because working out at a high intensity for a short time can give you the same results as working out for a long time. This also makes it a great workout for people who don't normally exercise
I SAY: This workout is a good option for all levels because the exercises allow you to go at your own speed and choose your own weight. Some of the floor exercises may take some time for beginners to learn, but the trainers are great at explaining everything and it's easy to follow along by watching other clients.
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Lagree Fitness Studio
TYPE OF WORKOUT: Resistance/Strength Training
LOCATION: West Hollywood (flagship studio), and studios teaching the Lagree method can be found across LA
WHAT TO BRING: A water bottle and grip socks (socks can be purchased at the studio)
CLASS LEGNTH: 25 minutes
COST PER CLASS: $25; $15 new client first class
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: No unlimited option
ON CLASSPASS: Yes
EXPERTS SAY: There is evidence that the slow repetitions like the ones done in this workout help create stronger, leaner muscles. This workout can be beneficial as long as your form is correct.
I SAY: This workout works your full body and can have great results if done correctly. Form is super important, so make sure you listen to your instructor and focus on what you're doing. It can take beginners a few classes to understand the machine and learn the names of the exercises, but it is generally easy to follow along.
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Sandbox Fitness
TYPE OF WORKOUT: Surfset, Bootcamp, TRX, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Yoga and kids classes
LOCATION: Sherman Oaks
WHAT TO BRING: A water bottle, a beach towel and sand socks (optional) are available for purchase at the studio
CLASS LEGNTH: 45 minutes
COST PER CLASS: $22; free trial class for new clients
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: Yes, $149 per month
ON CLASSPASS: Yes
EXPERTS SAY: Working out on sand can be especially beneficial for clients with knee, hip and ankle injuries because the unstable surface makes exercises easier on the joints. Sand can also produce results for those who exercise regularly because the unstable surface makes exercises harder. Be sure to listen to your body, as overdoing certain exercises can cause injury.
I SAY: This workout is good for all levels because the exersises are pretty simple and the instructors' demonstrations make it easy to follow along. The sand also makes simple exercises a lot harder. Balancing on the surfset boards can be tricky for those who have never done it, but the instructors are supportive and modifications are offered throughout the class.
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AIR Los Angeles
TYPE OF WORKOUT: Aerial Fitness
LOCATION: West Hollywood
WHAT TO BRING: A water bottle; yoga mats are available at the studio
CLASS LEGNTH: One hour
COST PER CLASS: $30
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: Yes, $160 per month with a contract
ON CLASSPASS: Yes
EXPERTS SAY: This takes a lot of upper-body strength, which can put some stress on your body, but is safe as long as you're using proper form.
I SAY: This workout was way more of a challenge then I thought! It takes a lot of arm strength to pull yourself up into the silks and a lot of focus to get in and out of the moves, and I thought it was a great arm workout. This could be challenging for people who don't like to be upside down, but the AIR Foundations class for beginners helps get everyone comfortable with basic techniques.
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YogAqua
TYPE OF WORKOUT: Paddle Board Yoga
LOCATION: Marina del Rey
WHAT TO BRING: Clothes you don't mind getting wet and a waterproof camera or GoPro if you want to get photos; paddle equipment and life jackets are provided
CLASS LEGNTH: 90 minutes
COST PER CLASS: $45; $30 student and seasonal discounts
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: $1160 per month (includes eight private sessions)
ON CLASSPASS: No
EXPERTS SAY: Yoga is beneficial to almost everyone, especially older clients, because it helps muscles maintain their range of motion.
I SAY: Doing yoga on a paddle board is a balance challenge, which caused me to focus a lot more on my form. This workout could be difficult for clients who don't like the water or have never paddle boarded before, but there are multiple instructors in each class so beginners can get more one-on-one attention.
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Cycle Bar
TYPE OF WORKOUT: Indoor Cycling
LOCATION: Culver City
WHAT TO BRING: Water bottles, towels and spin shoes are provided by the studio free of charge
CLASS LEGNTH: 50 minutes
COST PER CLASS: $25; three classes for $10 each available for new clients
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: Yes, $199 per month
ON CLASSPASS: No
EXPERTS SAY: Indoor cycling can be a fun and safe activity, but it is important to properly warm up and stretch to avoid injury. These workouts are also safe for the knees and good for cardiovascular health. People who are new to working out should try a lower-intensity workout to ease them into high-intensity cycling classes
I SAY: This workout definitely got my heart rate up and got me sweating. It's great for low-impact cardio, and the screens on the bikes are a good way to track your progress and keep improving. Cycle Bar is different from any other cycling studio I've been to because it allows clients to compete in virtual races with each other if they choose to.
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Hot 8 Yoga
TYPE OF WORKOUT: Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga Barre
LOCATION: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks
WHAT TO BRING: A yoga mat, a towel, a water bottle, clothes you don't mind getting sweaty, a change of clothes for after; Yoga mats and towels are available at the studio for a small rental fee
CLASS LEGNTH: One hour to 90 minutes
COST PER CLASS: $25; free trial week for new clients
MONTHLY UNLIMITED OPTIONS: $140 per month for access to one studio location, $170 per month for access to all studio locations
ON CLASSPASS: No
EXPERTS SAY: Working out in the heat makes people more flexible, allowing them to stretch further than they normally would. This can be effective, but it is important to listen to your body to avoid injury from stretching too far.
I SAY: Come prepared to get sweaty during this workout! The heat made the exercises more difficult then they would normally be, but I left feeling detoxed. The instructors did a good job of explaining the moves and how they were working certain muscles. This class could be difficult if you get claustrophobic or don't enjoy the heat, but there is always the option to leave the room or take a resting pose.
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