Sweat Out Stress At These Westside Fitness Studios

One of my major stress relievers? Working out. It’s not a burden but a lifestyle and one of the many reasons I love Los Angeles is its active culture around me, and great workout studios to get my sweat on. Whether it’s planking at Pilates or working my warrior at Yoga, I make sure to dedicate an hour almost every day to myself at one of these top westside work out studios:

The Studio MDR (Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Playa Vista)

The Studio MDR challenges the mind and body and is my favorite work out to this day. Its intense 50 minute workout that warns it “ain’t yo mama’s pilates”  is great for sculpting and developing a lean body. The classes revolve around The Megaformer – a state of the art device that offers an insane amount of exercise positions and enough resistance to keep the workout difficult (no matter how fit you are). I’ve been going for years now and trust me when I say this workout never gets boring. No two classes are ever the same, and I guarantee you’ll leave with abs so sore it’ll hurt when you laugh (hurting as we speak!). The instructors are hands on, making sure to adjust and fix your form and positions to prevent injury. Not to mention they keep it fun with loud and upbeat music that motivates you through the class.

Be sure to check out The Studio MDR’s beautiful new location in Playa Vista, or stop by their Culver City or Marina Del Rey spots. Call me dramatic but in the workout world, I’d say it’s life changing.

Soul Cycle (Santa Monica, Culver City & Other Locations)

Soul Cycle has been a big hit with multiple studios located nationwide. Well known for their high on life instructors and high energy workouts, the main objective of Soul Cycle is to benefit your soul, mind, and body and I swear I feel like a new person each time I walk out of there. With candles, high-energy music, and major choreography, you’ll feel more like you’re at a party than anything else. You’ll also become part of their growing fitness community that keeps you feeling at home no matter what location you visit.

Soul Cycle is probably one of the most inspiring workouts and is great to go with a friend!  Whether ya leave feeling like a true athlete, warrior, or even rockstar, there’s no doubt you’ll be wet in sweat after (spin shoes available for rent).

YAS (Venice & Other Locations)

YAS is a combination of indoor cycling and yoga that was created for individuals who value their time, fitness, and health with the focus on alignment, stretching, strength training, and cardio. I love the YAS Class which is 30 minutes spin, 30 minutes Yoga, but the studio also offers pure Yoga for 60 minutes as well as Indoor Cycling for 45 minutes (spin shoes and yoga mats available for rent).

Check out more on founder, Kimberly Fowler who was featured on Good Morning America and is the brains and brawn behind YAS (with DVDs and books to prove it). There are locations in Costa Mesa, Silverlake and finally Venice, which is my fave.  It’s on Abbot Kinney which makes it easy to grab a coffee or lunch after for a perfect little Saturday!

Bar Method (Brentwood & Other Locations)

Bar Method is a great option for those looking to do a low impact, less intense workout that tones and sculpts. I love to go here to reset my bod, give it a break from anything too crazy and focus more on my posture and form. It’ll definitely pull out the dancer in you – I was never one for ballet but the bar attached to the mirrors create endless options to challenge your legs and core. Lots of locations nationwide listed here, but my go-to is in Brentwood.

Beach Walk (Anywhere!)

Ok, so it’s no  class or studio, but it’s highly underrated. Going on a walk is very therapeutic for me, and a great way to get exercise in when you just don’t feel like hitting up an organized situation or group exercise with an instructor. That said, it can actually be productive with a friend, as it’s a great way to chat and catch up while strollin (you’ll actually hit 10 miles before ya know it)! I love to walk on the sand near Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu Beaches but the truth is, you can really get your walk in anywhere! It’s a complete no brainer.

Extra Tip? Fun athletic gear makes working out so much more enjoyable (for real)! Shop a few of my faves below and get those endorphins goin!