Los Angeles frequently ranks high on nationwide lists of the fittest and healthiest cities. The American College of Sports Medicine places L.A. in its top 20 list of the fittest metropolitan areas. Citing a walkable downtown, Forbes also ranks Los Angeles among its choices for the healthiest cities in the United States.

From beach volleyball to rock climbing, Los Angeles is no doubt a haven for outdoors and fitness enthusiasts. But many of these workouts wear an expensive price tag with boutique fitness studios charging as much as $30 for one class.

Not to worry, as there are more bargains in Los Angeles than most people realize. Here, we’ll decode the most affordable workouts in Los Angeles where you can sweat off inches from your waistline — not your wallet.

Free Workouts in Los Angeles

While you can bike, swim, or hike for free any day of the week, there are gyms and studios in Los Angeles that offer free trial experiences for new students. Here are a few places that offer complimentary classes or passes for newbies:

Lululemon: With free yoga classes sprinkled at their shops throughout the city, you can relax with the peace of mind that you’re not spending a dollar on your workout. Best of all, you can sample different teachers as a new studio is featured each month.
LA Fitness: This full-service gym offers a free 3-day pass for potential members. You can choose from classes in cycling, Zumba, Pilates, and body sculpting as well as accessing the gym’s ample equipment. Just be wary of any pressure to sign a contract when you claim the free trial pass.
Equinox: This luxurious fitness mecca offers a free day pass to guests of active members. So, if you know someone who is an Equinox regular, you might be able to snag a day at one of the facilities, some of which boast salt water pools and spa services.

Gym-Free Workouts in Los Angeles

If you’d rather schedule a root canal than step inside a gym, then you’re living in the right city! Los Angeles is bursting with open-air workouts to feed your body and spirit.

If you’re feeling ambitious, check out the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, featuring 282 steps to challenge your cardiovascular system.
For an even more intense challenge, sprint up the 369 wooden and concrete steps of Santa Monica Stairs.
Free Meetup groups throughout the city can help you stay fit. Such groups are also a great way to network and maybe even meet a new workout buddy to hold you accountable!

You definitely don’t need to hit the gym to get an effective workout in sunny (and hilly) Los Angeles!

Other Cheap Workouts in Los Angeles

Other affordable fitness resources might be in your own backyard, like the local Y.M.C.A. Many Y.M.C.A branches offer unique pricing for low income households and discounts for families. These non-profit centers also schedule a surprising array of fitness classes from belly dancing to kung fu.

In addition, Los Angeles is known for its endless yoga studios with Travel + Leisure magazine asserting: “Yoga isn’t just an extracurricular activity in Los Angeles — it’s a way of life!”

Capitalize on your Zen location on the edge of the Pacific and try out a yoga studio. Some studios offer free trial classes while others provide steeply discounted deals on a month of unlimited yoga. Why not stretch your body into blissful flexibility while shaking off some of that big city stress?

If none of these workouts feels right for you, there’s still one more place in Los Angeles where you can work out for free: home sweet home.

Working Out at Home

If you can muster the discipline to work out at home, then your routine will be 100% free without even a penny spent on gas for gridlock or trendy gear. Here are a handful of the easiest workouts to do in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Cardio Mix – Simple sets of jumping jacks and burpees get the job done.
Core Strength – Squats, lunges and crunches will build your core muscles.
Walking – Get to know your L.A. neighborhood and take a stroll around town.
Dancing – Because don’t living room carpets make the best dance floors?
Yoga – All you need is a sticky mat, which you can purchase for as little as $10.

On days when it feels impossible to motivate yourself with one of the above ideas, surf over to YouTube, where you can find thousands of guided workouts as short as five minutes each.

Working out in Los Angeles doesn’t have to be inconvenient or expensive if you explore the city’s many alternative fitness offerings. Here’s to a healthier you!

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