Fitness on the Westside
California is known for its ripe avocados, taco trucks, sprawling beaches, and of course, a pervasive passion for fitness—a trend so popular that LA locals take to the ubiquitous Lululemon/Nike/Alo spandex uniform even for nonathletic activities like Starbucks runs and Whole Foods trips. The city’s beach paths are overflowing with avid joggers, bicyclists, and dog walkers, trendy spin studios pop up on every corner, and yoga instructors can be found teaching anywhere from dark studios to grassy parks to private residences.
With so many choices, it’s easily apparent that no two athletes are the same. For some, there’s nothing more invigorating than exercising outdoors; for others, it’s all about training in a controlled environment.
Therefore, we thought it beneficial to give you the rundown of our favorite Westside options to help you shape your desired workout experience:
- 22878 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu CA 90265
Directly on Malibu Beach Inn’s private stretch of sand
Distance from hotel: 0.0 miles - Walk-in Class Price: Complimentary for Malibu Beach Inn guests
- Time: 60 Minutes
- Calories Burned: 400 to 1,000 per workout
Intimate yoga sessions are offered every morning at 8 am to a small of group of five, directly on Malibu Beach Inn’s private stretch of Carbon Beach. Classes are tailored to each group, depending upon which type of movement they’re seeking, and all materials are provided. Whether you’re in pursuit of a relaxing stretch to the sounds of the ocean, or an invigorating morning workout, this seaside morning yoga class will ensure that your day starts out impeccably.
Photo Credit: Pilates Plus by Lagree Fitness
- 22601 Pacific Coast Highway #225 Malibu CA 90265
Distance from hotel: 0.5 miles - First Class Price: $15
- Walk-in Class Price: $35
- Packages and personal training available
- Time: 40 Minutes or 55 Minutes
- Calories Burned: 300 to 700 per class
Pilates Plus’s Megaburn classes offer an intense workout that checks all the boxes: core fitness, balance, strength, flexibility, cardio, and endurance. Instructors expertly combine the precise mechanics and muscle-lengthening power of Pilates with the Megaformer—a unique workout machine created by fitness innovator, Sebastien Lagree. The Megareformer uses a technique that’s low impact but simultaneously induces total muscle exhaustion. If you’re looking for an efficient workout, Lagree’s technique has been shown to be one of the best for achieving muscle definition in the shortest amount of time.
Photo Credit: JÄM Juicy Athletic Moves
- 3650 Cross Creek Road Malibu CA 90265
Distance from hotel: 1.1 miles - Walk-in Class Price: $25
- Time: 60 Minutes, 75 Minutes, or 90 Minutes
- Calories Burned: Up to 1,200 per class
Join Gwen Stefani and Lada Gaga for Neda Soderqvist’s intense (and super sexy) workout that incorporates cardio and strength training with dynamic, choreographed moves. Classes offer a variety of music and movements, ranging from hip-hop to Bollywood. Regardless of which JÄM session you choose to partake in, it’s guaranteed to be the most fun you’ll ever have in an exercise class. According to Soderqvist, “JÄM enables you to release inhibitions and stress through movement and it’s one of the quickest ways to get into great cardio shape.”
Photo Credit: SoulCycle Malibu
- 3874 Cross Creek Road Malibu CA 90265
Distance from hotel: 0.6 miles - 120 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica CA 90401
Distance from hotel: 10 miles - First Class Price: $20 including shoes
- Walk-in Class Price: $30 plus $3 for shoe rental
- Time: 45 Minutes
- Calories Burned: 500 to 1,000 per workout
SoulCycle, put simply, is a spin class. However, the first time you visit one of their bright white, lemon-scented studios, you’ll understand right away why the brand is a national sensation. High-energy instructors lead intense, body-transforming cardio workouts to the rhythm of exceptionally chosen music. They utilize deep bass, dark lighting, the occasional strobe, motivational shouts of encouragement, weights, and of course, an elite SoulCycle bike, to inspire you to push your body to its limit.
Photo Credit: Pure Barre
- 23410 Civic Center Way Malibu CA 90265
Distance from hotel: 0.9 miles - 201 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica CA 90401
Distance from hotel: 10 miles - Walk-in Class Price: $28
- Time: 55 Minutes
- Calories Burned: Up to 1,200 per class
The vibe may be calm and the movements controlled, but there’s no denying the difficulty of Pure Barre’s classes, which use low-impact, isometric movements to burn fat, sculpt muscles, and create long, lean physiques. Along the way, hips, thighs, butt, abdominals, and arms end up tight, toned, and flexible. And while your body is working, your brain gets a break as the focus required to maintain the proper form blocks out all other thoughts.
Photo Credit: Orangetheory Fitness Santa Monica
- 1431 2nd Street Santa Monica CA 90401
Distance from hotel: 11 miles - First Class Price: $12
- Walk-in Class Price: $28
- Time: 60 Minutes
- Calories Burned: 500 to 1,000 per workout
Orangetheory provides high-intensity circuit workouts, in which participants are coached through intervals of cardio and strength training. Instructors utilize treadmills, rowing machines, weights, bands, and BOSU trainers to push the body into a calorie-torching aerobic zone. Heart monitors linked to television screens display progress for each participant, fostering competition and precise stats. With steady Orangetheory participation, clients can lose up to five pounds per week and see a measureable increase in power, strength, and speed.
Photo Credit: YAS Yoga And Spin Fitness Center
- 245 Main Street Venice CA 90291
Distance from hotel: 12 miles - First Class Price: $13
- Walk-in Class Price: $25
- Packages and personal training available
- Time: 45 Minutes or 60 Minutes
- Calories Burned: 500 to 1,000 per workout
YAS studios offer a multitude of classes perfect for the avid athlete looking to increase strength, stamina, and flexibility. Their expert instructors lead interval-based spin classes which focus on endurance and form, while core-powered yoga flow classes work to strengthen joints and stability. YAS also offers the option of the trademarked YAS class, in which you push through 30 minutes of spin followed directly by 30 minutes of yoga, successfully combining and enhancing the benefits of both practices.
