The 10 Coolest Workouts Taking Over LA Right Now

Photo: Ja Tecson for MVMT Theory
Is it just me, or have new workout studios been popping up like tulips this spring?

Nowhere is this fitness expansion more apparent—besides maybe New York City—than in Los Angeles.

From a boxing spot by the beach to a body-positive gym on the eastside and a cycling/HIIT hybrid downtown, just about every neighborhood in LA has welcomed a buzzy workout destination since January.

So whether you live there—or are just looking for new ideas on how to shake up your sweat routine—the City of Angels is serving up some serious fitspo at the moment.

Here, in alphabetical order, are the 10 new LA fitness studios you need to know about.

Photo: Courtesy of BoxUnion
Photo: BoxUnion

BoxUnion

Picture a mash-up between SoulCycle and Prevail, and you’ll have BoxUnion, a beat-driven boxing studio that just opened in Santa Monica.

If you’ve been to Shadowbox in New York City (coming to DTLA this fall), the concept will sound familiar: a mix of cardio conditioning, air punching, and heavy bag work, all set to a killer soundtrack and led by inspiration-spouting instructors.

But make no mistake—this newcomer’s got a chic, Zen vibe all its own. "The challenge was to shift people’s idea of what a boxing gym could be,” explains designer Glen Bell. (He's the guy behind Rose Cafe and all the Sugarfish restaurants.) “We brought in wood, light, clean lines, and colors drawn from the beach to make a space that insulates from the busy world outside and allows you to focus your mind and push your body." Trust me, it’s a knockout.

1755 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, www.boxunion.com

Photo: Courtesy of Chrome Cycle
Photo: Chrome Cycle

Chrome Cycle

If you can believe it, there’s never been an indoor cycling space in Westwood—college students aren’t exactly the ideal market for $30-plus classes, after all. But Chrome Cycle is changing all that, offering up athletic, 50-minute rides with top instructors for just $24 a pop.

The studio isn’t just kind to the UCLA crowd, either. During opening weekend in April, riders participated in a shoe drive for the homeless, with more charitable initiatives on deck. That’s enough to give you a shot of dopamine before you even hit the saddle.

2180 Westwood Blvd., Suite G, Westwood, www.chromecyclestudio.com 

Photo: Courtesy of Everybody
Photo: Courtesy of Everybody

Everybody

Home to the nation’s first gender-neutral locker room, Everybody is a sweaty eastside safe haven for people of all ages, sizes, races, genders, and athletic abilities.

“We believe that health and wellness should be not only accessible, but affordable and adaptive to all people,” says Lake Sharp, who co-founded the space with Sam Rypinski. “We're a truly body-positive gym that is radically inclusive in our mission and our programming.”

To that end, members have access to a training floor and group fitness schedule that’d rival any traditional gym—with classes like yoga, Pilates, boxing, dance, and spin—along with a menu of holistic wellness options, like breathwork, sound baths, and meditation. “We also have an on-site wellness center devoted to providing body work that is sensitive to the reality of different bodies and their needs,” adds Sharp. Here's hoping more gyms follow suit.

1845 N. San Fernando Rd., Cypress Park, www.everybodylosangeles.com 

Photo: TK for MVMT Theory
Photo: Ja Tecson for MVMT Theory

MVMT Theory

For the first year of its life, this hip-hop dance class bopped around town from studio to studio. But MVMT Theory has officially settled into its own semi-permanent space at The Row in downtown LA, where it’ll be holding court until the end of summer.

The new digs have allowed for a major retooling of the class schedule, which now includes a Sunday morning yoga and run club, a four-week intensive choreography program, album release parties, and workshops from guest dancers (including one on April 22 by Tajana Williams, who’s fresh off Beyoncé’s world tour).

747 Warehouse St., Downtown, www.mvmtheory.com

Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Winhoffer
Photo: Nicole Winhoffer

NW Method

Okay, so this isn’t exactly a new studio, but it’s still major news: Madonna's fave dance cardio powerhouse, Nicole Winhoffer, is now an LA resident—and she’s teaching open-to-everyone classes once a week. (She's got her own studios opening on both coasts later this year, FYI.)

Check out her signature method, a mix of mind-body strength exercises and “spiritual hip-hop” moves, at 3rd Street Dance on Saturdays at 11 a.m.. Trust, it’s the perfect prelude to brunch with your girls.

8558 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, www.nicolewinhoffer.com

Photo: Instagram/@roamlosangeles
Photo: Instagram/@roamlosangeles

Roam

Beloved LA yoga instructors Chad Dennis and Jennifer Parry have departed Wanderlust Hollywood—where Dennis served as director of yoga—to open a studio of their own.

The serene Silver Lake space features classes that span multiple lineages and styles, from all levels of vinyasa flow to restorative yin sessions and energy healing. And given that the couple has trained loads of celebs, including Adam Levine and Salma Hayek, you might see a familiar face down-dogging next to you. (Behati Prinsloo’s already made an appearance.)

650 N. Hoover St., Silver Lake, www.roamla.com

Photo: Courtesy of Sanctuary Fitness
Photo: Sanctuary Fitness

Sanctuary Fitness

Hybrid workouts are hot right now, and Sanctuary’s bringing the trend to DTLA.

HIIT junkies can partake in a fresh workout every day of the week, each one focused on a different pillar of fitness, from foundational strength to posture and mobility. Live for cycling? You can just do that, too. Or spring for both options back-to-back, if two-a-days are your thing. (Single classes split between both disciplines are on deck for later this year.)

718 Jackson St., Downtown, www.sanctuaryfitnessla.com

Photo: Courtesy of Studio10
Photo: Studio10

Studio10

Filled with fresh air and natural light, this airy WeHo interval training spot radiates good vibes. The workout, too, is an endorphin booster. A different body part’s in the spotlight every day, and during the course of each class, you’ll rotate through three rounds of 10 strength and low-impact cardio exercises, all led by experienced athletic coaches.

It’s fast-paced enough so you’ll never get bored, yet social and friendly, just the way founders (and endurance athletes) Jonah Borris and Tami Shiffman intended.

745 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, www.studio10fit.com 

Photo: Courtesy of The Skill Haus
Photo: The Skill Haus

The Skill Haus

Fitness instructor and consultant Shay Kostabi is never not innovating. Her latest venture? An Arts District incubator for cool new workout concepts and mind-body workshops.

Noteworthy happenings include #bmoved, a physical meditation session by Brandon Goodman (of FlyBarre/FlyWheel/LIT Method fame); yoga with Equinox trainer and Instagram star Frances Flores; and classes in crystals and shamanism with Style Rituals' Colleen McCann.

Oh, and it also serves as the meeting place for Kostabi's monthly Posing Schools, where you can get your picture snapped in front of street art in the area. (Be sure to wear your hottest spring athleisure look.)

1850 Industrial St., Arts District, www.thelocalskill.com

Photo: Courtesy of The Wall
Photo: The Wall

The Wall

Ex-SoulCycle star Jason Wimberly—who Well+Good once dubbed “the Ken doll of the fitness world”—has reemerged with a brand new studio of his own. And although the instructor’s just as funny and charming as ever, his signature 123 Stack method is no joke.

Class starts with 10 minutes of hardcore, crunch-free abdominal work, followed by 20 minutes of heavy-weight resistance training, and then 30 minutes on a bike. (“Research shows you should do weight training before cardio if you want to burn fat and maintain muscle,” explains the ultra-brainy fitness pro.)

This space is a pop-up, but The Wall's got a larger, permanent flagship coming later this year.

7503 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, www.thewallfitness.com

Meanwhile, on the East Coast, these are the brand new studios that New Yorkers are loving right now. And in San Francisco, everyone's buzzing about ganja yoga (seriously). 

Loading More Posts...