Fitness in Los Angeles
Los Angeles generally has a very health conscious populace, and expats will find fitness and proper nutrition are taken very seriously. LA has been at the epicentre of several health movements, and has exported its share of miracle diets and yoga-boxing fusion workouts.
As befitting a dense urban jungle with variable air quality, indoor exercise is hugely popular. There are several gym chains such as the world-famous Gold’s Gym (www.goldsgym.com) which prides itself on its wide reach, skilled instructors and good value for money. LA Fitness (www.lafitness.com) is another chain with many branches around the city.
Gym instructors and private trainers are an industry in LA, and few health-conscious expats will go it alone, drawing on the motivational energy and technical advice of a qualified instructor. Word of mouth is the only option for choosing your guru from the thousands available online.
A recent phenomenon is the surge in popularity of bootcamps - military-style fitness classes - such as Barry’s Bootcamp (www.barrysbootcamp.com) and Bootcamp LA (www.bootcampla.com), although many variations on the theme can be found.
On a gentler note, yoga is hugely popular in LA, along with a range of other martial arts practices such as tai chi, and kung fu. See www.youryogaguide.com for specific listings.
The annual Los Angeles Fitness Expo (www.thefitexpo.com) is a key event for any expat wanting to check-out the full spectrum of the city’s fitness offerings. There are special offers and discount packages available as well as the opportunity to speak to instructors in person. Not to mention, the opportunity to see a Biodanza up close, without actually participating.
LA does have its share of natural, open spaces so if one is willing to drive a little out of town there are mountain bike paths and jogging trails to be found in the Santa Monica Mountains and Low San Gabriels. An excellent guide to hiking trails is provided by www.latrails.com/hike and www.modernhiker.com/la-hiking.
Closer to town, Santa Monica boulevard has a bike trail and popular jogging paths. These lead past Venice Beach where those seeking both a tan and a workout can lift weights on the beach while having their picture taken by Japanese tourists.
As befitting a dense urban jungle with variable air quality, indoor exercise is hugely popular. There are several gym chains such as the world-famous Gold’s Gym (www.goldsgym.com) which prides itself on its wide reach, skilled instructors and good value for money. LA Fitness (www.lafitness.com) is another chain with many branches around the city. Gym instructors and private trainers are an industry in LA, and few health-conscious expats will go it alone, drawing on the motivational energy and technical advice of a qualified instructor. Word of mouth is the only option for choosing your guru from the thousands available online.
A recent phenomenon is the surge in popularity of bootcamps - military-style fitness classes - such as Barry’s Bootcamp (www.barrysbootcamp.com) and Bootcamp LA (www.bootcampla.com), although many variations on the theme can be found.
On a gentler note, yoga is hugely popular in LA, along with a range of other martial arts practices such as tai chi, and kung fu. See www.youryogaguide.com for specific listings.
The annual Los Angeles Fitness Expo (www.thefitexpo.com) is a key event for any expat wanting to check-out the full spectrum of the city’s fitness offerings. There are special offers and discount packages available as well as the opportunity to speak to instructors in person. Not to mention, the opportunity to see a Biodanza up close, without actually participating.
LA does have its share of natural, open spaces so if one is willing to drive a little out of town there are mountain bike paths and jogging trails to be found in the Santa Monica Mountains and Low San Gabriels. An excellent guide to hiking trails is provided by www.latrails.com/hike and www.modernhiker.com/la-hiking.
Closer to town, Santa Monica boulevard has a bike trail and popular jogging paths. These lead past Venice Beach where those seeking both a tan and a workout can lift weights on the beach while having their picture taken by Japanese tourists.
