The secret LA Workouts Actually Changing Bodies Right Now

The LA fitness scene is a wild, layered thing. I keep saying there’s nothing like it, because there are really two tiers.

On the surface, you have the first tier everyone knows: the bigger-name “boutique” studios with cult followings. They typically build a strong following at their first location, then open several studios across Los Angeles. Some of these are PE backed and larger chains, while others are still privately run. These are the ones you can buy into by visiting their site or even ClassPass, (typically $40–50 a class) and they generally have a marketing team and a PR calendar. I love so many of these studios (obviously, it’s what I live for!): Burn, The Pilates Cave, Pvolve, Bunda, The Heated Room… those get a standing spot in my weekly calendar. I’d even count more exclusive “Tracy Anderson” type classes in this tier. Even though her classes charge a premium, and have an application to become a member, there’s still a drop-in feature and it’s a well-known studio.

But then there’s the second tier… They charge a premium, premium (think $85–100+ for a group class), and they don’t market themselves anywhere… this is a place you have to hear about via word of mouth. Maybe you saw a friend of a friend post from there on her story and found yourself wondering, “where is this place?” Maybe a mom at preschool drop-off mentions she’s headed there for a workout and tells you that you should come sometime. These tend to be semi-private, small-group classes operating out of someone’s garage, a converted home gym, or even a room in the back of a random office building. There’s no storefront, no signage outside, no ad spend, no flashy build-out, no waitlist you can just join online. Instead, most of them run on private WhatsApp group chats where they drop the schedule for upcoming classes. That’s how you actually know when to go.

You find out about these places because someone tells you, and then you tell someone and that’s the whole growth strategy. It works better than any campaign ever could.

And if you don’t have that friend to let you in on where to go, don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for!!! I’m always going to be that friend who spills the tea for you (even if that means I have to burn a few bridges, which I’ll share more on below…) So here goes…