Classpass Favorites in Los Angeles: Spin, Yoga & Strength

Hi all!

I've been using Classpass for about 2 months now. Before I joined, I worked out regularly but just lacked motivation a lot of the time. I got so bored with going to the gym all the time, so I trained for a half marathon. But by the time I ran that, I was bored with running. I needed someone to push me. That's where classpass came in! I love it because it motivates me to get to class. You're charged a $20 fee if you cancel/don't show up 12 hours before the class starts. This gives me the motivation to actually attend classes.  Since joining, I've lost a few pounds and gotten a lot stronger. I really like spinning, strength training, and yoga. Since I've tried out a TON of new studios in the Los Angeles area, I thought I would start doing some reviews  of the ones I have tried.

Today, I'll share my top class for each of my favorite workouts:

Spinning = House of Fitness with Aldo [Culver City] or FlyWheel [West Hollywood]
I love House of Fitness in general - for both their spin classes AND their strength training classes. Aldo's spin class is amazing because he works you out HARD on the bike, but also adds in some strength training during the class (usually abs or arms). You get off the bike for 5-10 minutes to do these exercises. It breaks up the class nicely and it goes by fast. FlyWheel is another great workout. I like that they have the board that tells you how hard you are working in comparison to the rest of the class. It motivates me to not slack off (which can be easy to do in a spin class by simply taking the resistance off). FlyWheel has the best music by far and the atmosphere there is great. Also, they both offer free parking!

Yoga = Red Diamond Yoga [Palms]
Red Diamond is the best kept secret in Palms. Don't be fooled by the outside strip mall, the studio is so cute and relaxing. It always smells so good and they provide you with refreshing eucalyptus towels after each workout. They have so many classes and times to choose from - from beginner to yin yoga with massage (yes, you read that correctly). The environment is super welcoming as well. They have a free parking lot.

Strength Training/Circuit = Burn 60 [Brentwood]
This workout is my favorite! You alternate between circuit training on the floor and then running/sprinting on the treadmill. I feel like I get a really good workout in every time I go to Burn 60. If you park in the giant lot across the street, you get free parking. I wish they had showers, but that is my only complaint about the studio.

If you aren't a classpass member and want $20 off your first month, try this link :) --> http://class.ps/dr1cB

Date with Alex

Last night I had found myself with nothing to do. Brett was at a birthday party for a co-worker and the plans that I had with a friend fell through. I started the night feeling lame that I had no friday plans (FOMO is real, right?). But after letting myself wallow for about 5 minutes, I decided that I needed to turn my mood around and enjoy the time with myself.

I think so often we are always worried about what to do next. We are always thinking ahead, worried about being stuck with nothing to do on a Friday night. And social media does not help. I mean how many times do we think "I have to get at least one Instagram-worthy picture before the night ends!" I am totally guilty of this. But this makes us forget the importance of spending time just with ourselves.

In high school, I was never alone or independent because I just had too many things to do all the time. I was being shuttled from 7 hours of school, to 3 hours of swimming, to homework for all my classes, and to extracurricular clubs every single day. On the weekends, there was always a swim meet, a dance, a football, or a sleep over with my friends to keep me busy.

Once I got to college, I joined a sorority. Living in one house with 100 girls (true story, in my sorority you moved in on bid day and lived there at least until junior year) does not foster independence. There was always someone around, someone to hang out with, or even just go to the library with. If the house was empty, my parents lived 30 minutes away.

It was not until I studied abroad spring quarter of my junior year until I started getting a taste of doing things alone. Don't get me wrong, most of my study abroad was jammed packed with weekend trips, program outings, and exploring with friends. But I finally found myself with moments of downtime in a city that did not feel like home (at least at first). I couldn't rely on the backup plan to go to my parents house. I was living in an apartment (not a sorority of 100 girls). By the end of my time in Rome, I found myself craving those moments to myself where I could go explore and do whatever I wanted, on my own schedule.

Last night was a perfect reminder to enjoy the night with the person who gets me most -- me!

Date night with myself consisted of --

I knew I should watch this by myself (cue cry session)

The Fault in Our Stars was a good movie...but the book was 20x better.

People magazine, red wine, pumpkin candles, and cookies :) 

My favorite kind of cookie