Free Gym & Class Passes in West LA

So since my PT test is almost done, I thought it would be in my best interest to go on a “Class Marathon”. I am going to acquire all the free passes humanly possible for every gym/yoga studio/boot camp in West LA and TAKE THEM ALL. I figured I’d share the wealth, so the following is a list of as many as I could find:

[VENICE]

220 FITNESS
3 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule
Class Descriptions

GOLD’S GYM - I’ve taken BodyCombat and BodyPump here…Love them both!
7 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule

CLUB PFIT
1 Day Guest Pass

[WEST LA]

COREPOWERYOGA
1 Week of Free Hot Yoga
Class Schedule

EQUINOX
3 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule

ROBOT FIGHT & FITNESS
30 Day Free Trial
Class Schedule

BODIES IN MOTION
3 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule

AMMS - I’ve taken KickFit classes here, I LOVE them!
2 Free Classes
Class Schedule

PSTI LA BOOT CAMP (Westwood or Santa Monica)
Free Trial Week

[SANTA MONICA]

SPECTRUM
3 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule

[BRENTWOOD]

BURN 60
1 Free Class
Class Schedule
Class Descriptions

CIRCUIT WORKS LA
1 Free Session

GYM BOX
Free Trial - Unspecified
Class Schedule

BRICK CROSSFIT
Free Trial

[CULVER CITY]

LA FITNESS - I’m already a member here, so this one’s for you!
3 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule

THE GYM @ HAYDEN
1 Week Guest Pass
Class Schedule

[WEST HOLLYWOOD]

CRUNCH FITNESS
1 Day Guest Pass
Class Schedule

Stairs - Friend or Foe?

So my newest workout is trekking the Baldwin Hills Stairs about once a week. If ever there was a way to kick my calves into shape, this is it. The first time I did them, two days later my calves were swollen to about twice their normal size (boy, did I wish I took a picture).

I tackled them again on Sunday and was able to make it up and down one extra time than before (to give you an idea, there are about 340 stairs, all stone and extremely steep and uneven). While I did feel like puking halfway up my last round, I finished and felt great!

Here is a photo from the bottom of the stairs from Travelin’ Local:

I definitely plan on continuing to work out here, as the views at the top are amazing and there is a large area for continuing your workout. There is also a trail that zig-zags around the hill but I think I prefer the stairs (I like to get the most out of my workouts so I prefer kicking my ass for 20 minutes to dragging out a 40 minute moderate hike).

Directions:

 
View Larger Map

Tips for n00bs:

  • Park on Jefferson near Hetzler but be careful crossing the street!
  • I hear it can get pretty crowded during weekdays before and after work. I’ve been coming on Sundays mid-day and it’s not too bad. 
  • PACE YOURSELF. The first time I came, I saw fresh puke on the side of the stairs. If you push yourself past your limit you will get winded VERY QUICKLY. Take your time, there are some landings every so often but take advantage of the wide steps. If you’re getting dizzy, light-headed or fatigued, step to the side and take some deep breaths. Sit down if you need to. 
  • Watch your step. As I mentioned, these steps are extremely uneven. As a shorter person, some of the steps are about 1/3 my height so its more of a struggle to pull myself up, meaning I get tired more quickly. 
  • Watch your step coming down. The stairs can get covered in dirt and become slippery, not to mention they are steep. If you’re nervous going down the steps, you may want to consider taking the trail back down. 
  • Have fun! :)

Anyone done the steps before? What was your experience?