💪 Sweat Equity: Top LA Workout Classes Favored by Entrepreneurs

💪 Sweat Equity: Top LA Workout Classes Favored by Entrepreneurs
Photo by Risen Wang on Unsplash

🇺🇸 Happy (almost) Fourth of July Angelinos!

Whether you're a health and wellness die-hard who follows every Huberman protocol out there or a complete newbie, Los Angeles offers a workout class tailored just for you. From high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to hip-hop dance classes, each studio provides a unique space to prepare for or sweat away the tensions of the workday and find renewed energy amidst the urban hustle.

BÜNDA

Image Source: Bünda

Neighborhood: West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Mid-City, Encino, Woodland Hills & Studio City

Class Details: The Bünda workout class is designed by two trainers. It focuses on lower body strength, particularly targeting the glutes and legs. It combines high-intensity interval training with resistance exercises to tone and sculpt the lower body. Half of the class is on the stairclimber and the other half is strength training on the floor. This kick as* (pun fully intended) workout is best to avoid if you have any knee issues.

LEKfit

Image Source: LEKfit

Neighborhood: Mid-City

Class Details: LEKfit is a high-energy fitness studio founded by celebrity trainer Lauren Kleban. The workouts blend cardio, strength, and flexibility training, often using trampolines and resistance bands. Not sure if you caught that, but this class features trampolines! It hardly feels like a workout except for the fact that your legs genuinely feel like they are on fire (in a good way).

BoxUnion

Image Source: Hollywood Reporter

Neighborhood: Santa Monica, West Hollywood & Sherman Oaks

Class Details: BoxUnion offers dynamic boxing-inspired workouts that combine shadowboxing, heavy bag work, and high-intensity interval training. The classes focus on building strength, endurance, and mental clarity, all set to upbeat music. Known for its inclusive community and supportive atmosphere, BoxUnion provides a full-body workout that's both challenging and empowering. Punch your stress in the face (I really feel like there's an opportunity for a Liquid Death collab).

AIR Aerial Fitness

Image Source: AIR Aerial Fitness

Neighborhood: Santa Monica

Class Details: AIR Aerial Fitness offers unique aerial fitness classes that use silk hammocks to provide a full-body workout. The classes combine elements of strength training, flexibility, and aerial acrobatics to build core strength and improve overall fitness. Known for its innovative approach and supportive instructors, AIR Aerial Fitness provides a fun and challenging workout experience suitable for all fitness levels.

Playground LA

Image Source: Playground LA

Neighborhood: Melrose

Class Details: Playground LA is a renowned dance studio offering a variety of high-energy dance classes led by top industry choreographers. The classes cater to all skill levels, providing a fun and supportive environment for learning all types of dance styles. Playground LA teaches hip-hop choreography, heels classes, and even ballroom. This is the go-to spot if you want to have some fun and are looking for something outside the normal fitness classes!

Barry’s Bootcamp

Image Source: Concrete Playground

Neighborhood: Hollywood, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Studio City, Brentwood, Venice, El Segundo, Santa Monica & Long Beach

Class Details: Barry’s Bootcamp, a global fitness phenomenon, is especially beloved in LA where it began with its first location in West Hollywood. As the original HIIT workout, it pushes you to your limits with high-intensity cardio and weight sessions, targeting specific muscle groups in each class. First-timers can expect a mix of running, lifting, and recovery circuits, with instructors who motivate you to perform your best. After class, head to Barry’s Fuel Bar for custom protein shakes tailored to your post-workout needs.

Training Mate

Image Source: Classpass

Neighborhood: Glendale, Studio City, West Hollywood, Culver City, Santa Monica & Redondo Beach

Class Details: Training Mate offers HIIT classes infused with a lively, Australian-inspired atmosphere. Founded by former rugby player Luke Milton, the studio combines functional fitness with a sense of community and humor, making workouts both challenging and enjoyable. Known for its supportive and friendly vibe, Training Mate uniquely emphasizes camaraderie and fun, ensuring every session is a positive experience.

Mighty Pilates

Image Source: Mighty Pilates

Neighborhood: Santa Monica & Westwood

Class Details: Mighty Pilates incorporates the foundations of Classical Pilates, while upping the intensity factor for an invigorating workout. The studio focuses on building core strength, flexibility, and overall body tone through personalized instruction and small group sessions. They offer a huge schedule of classes – from Foundations classes for beginners to Power classes for the more advanced pilates enthusiasts.

The Studio (MDR)

Image Source: The Studio (MDR)

Neighborhood: Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Culver City & Playa Vista

Class Details: The Studio (MDR) offers a full-body workout, blending Pilates with the Lagree Method developed by fitness expert Sebastien Lagree that will have you shaking from head to toe. Suitable for all fitness levels, their classes focus on strengthening, tightening, and toning the entire body through innovative, safe training techniques. The program integrates traditional lengthening and stretching methods to enhance flexibility and achieve comprehensive fitness goals.


🎬 Paramount and Skydance Are Back On
Image Source: Paramount

Happy Friday Los Angeles! Hope you all had a fantastic Fourth!!

🔦 Spotlight

Paramount and Skydance Media have rekindled talks to merge after negotiations abruptly halted in June. The proposed deal, contingent on approval from Paramount’s board, aims to combine Paramount’s extensive media holdings—including CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon—with Skydance’s film expertise showcased in hits like "Top Gun: Maverick." This merger signals a potential transformation in the media landscape, positioning the new entity to compete more effectively amid challenges from streaming services and the decline of traditional cable TV.

Led by Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder via National Amusements, the deal represents a pivot towards revitalizing Paramount’s strategic direction amidst financial struggles and shareholder concerns. The involvement of major investors like RedBird Capital Partners and David Ellison underscores the financial backing aimed at stabilizing Paramount’s operations and addressing its $14 billion debt burden. Importantly, the agreement includes provisions to protect National Amusements from potential legal challenges, addressing previous hurdles that stalled earlier negotiations.

The deal also includes a 45-day period for Paramount to explore alternative offers, highlighting continued interest from other potential buyers like Barry Diller’s IAC and media executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. This flurry of activity underscores the significant stakeholders’ interest in Paramount’s future and its potential as a key player in a rapidly evolving media industry.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Sidecar Health, a startup that offers personalized health insurance plans to businesses that allow members to see any doctor and pay directly at the time of service, raised a $165M Series D led by Koch Disruptive Technologies. - learn more

LA Venture Funds


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😊🚘 Rivian's $5 Billion Lifeline

🔦 Spotlight

Volkswagen announced on Tuesday a significant investment of up to $5 billion in Rivian, a struggling electric truck manufacturer known for its vehicles' distinctive smiley-face design reminiscent of Volkswagen's iconic Beetle. This partnership marks a unique collaboration between the world's second-largest automaker and a startup grappling with profitability challenges akin to those faced by Tesla. Volkswagen's infusion of $1 billion initially, potentially rising to $5 billion pending regulatory approval, underscores its strategic pivot towards enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) software capabilities, an area where analysts believe the company has lagged.

For Rivian, which has received acclaim for its electric trucks and SUVs but struggles with production ramp-up and financial losses, the investment offers crucial financial backing. The company plans to utilize Volkswagen's expertise in manufacturing, leveraging the German automaker's annual production of nearly 10 million vehicles. This alliance aims to bolster Rivian's efforts to launch new models like the R2 midsize SUV and complete its Georgia factory, paused earlier this year to conserve funds. Rivian's stock surged upwards of 40% following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism in the company's future prospects.

Despite their differing corporate cultures—Volkswagen's traditional, structured approach contrasted with Rivian's agile tech startup ethos—the CEOs of both companies expressed mutual admiration and shared goals during the partnership announcement. The collaboration is expected to yield EV software solutions benefiting Volkswagen's various brands, potentially including Audi and Porsche, while allowing Rivian to maintain its brand identity and separate vehicle marketing strategies. This strategic partnership between Volkswagen and Rivian not only promises to revolutionize the electric vehicle market but also highlights the potential for collaboration between established automakers and innovative startups in Southern California, where Rivian is based. Here’s to hoping these smiling cars will balance out some of the inevitable LA road rage.

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • HeyGen, a startup that allows users to generate videos with AI-created avatars that can lip-sync to provided audio, making it easier for businesses to create engaging video content, raised a $60M Funding Round at a $500M post-money valuation. The deal was led by Benchmark, with Conviction, Thrive Capital, and Bond Capital also stepping up. - learn more
  • Pomerium, a startup that provides a secure access platform that dynamically verifies user identities to ensure authorized access to applications and services, raised a $13.8M Series A round led by Benchmark and including previous investors Bain Capital, Haystack, and SNR. - learn more
  • Etched, a maker of transformer-specialized AI chips, raised a $120M Funding Round. - learn more
  • Rocketlane, a customer onboarding platform, raised a $24M Series B co-led by 8VC, Matrix Partners India, and Nexus Venture Partners. - learn more
  • Sift, a developer of unified observability solutions for hardware sensor data, raised a $17.5M Series A led by GV. - learn more
  • LOST iN, a travel media brand, raised a $4M Seed Round led by MaC Venture Capital. - learn more

LA Venture Funds


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From Pitch Meetings to Power Lunches: LA’s Exclusive Membership Clubs 🗝️

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Summer's here, so it's time to zhuzh up your work environment. Discovering the best membership and social clubs in Los Angeles for meetings can boost networking and collaboration, offering exclusive venues and premium amenities tailored for professionals and creatives to thrive amidst the city's vibrant backdrop. These clubs provide a sophisticated setting for productive gatherings and meaningful connections in LA. Here are some top private member clubs perfect for meetings and productive work sessions.

The Jonathan Club

Club Details: The Jonathan Club, one of Los Angeles' original membership clubs, has been a cornerstone of the city's elite social scene since its founding in the mid-1890s. Its legacy is intertwined with the growth and development of LA itself, most notably through a pivotal meeting held at the club that sparked the idea for a southern campus of the University of California—what would eventually become UCLA. Today, the Jonathan Club continues to offer its members an unparalleled experience of exclusivity and refinement. With locations in both DLTA and Santa Monica, members enjoy access to premium amenities and spaces and a calendar with hundreds of social events and workshops throughout the year, providing ample opportunities for networking, personal growth, and leisure activities.

Membership Details: Initiation fee is around $50,000, and admission typically requires that you be invited or know someone who is already a member.

Spring Place

Image Source: Spring Place

Neighborhood: Beverly Hills

Club Details: A mix between co-working space and social club, this Beverly Hills hotspot is a more exclusive version of similar clubs. Spring Place Beverly Hills spans three floors and offers a stunning art collection. The interior is filled with tons of natural light and has an intentional design that fuels members to harness some of their best work. Members also have access to luxurious dining and nightlife pop-ups that happen at Spring Place.

Membership Details: There is a non-refundable initiation fee of $500 and then local membership for people under 30 starts at $300 per month, while monthly membership for locals over 30 is $600.

Griffin Club

Image Source: Griffin Club

Neighborhood: Cheviot Hills

Club Details: Located in Cheviot Hills, Griffin Club LA is a sporty club with ample shared workspace. Following a $20M renovation in 2020, the club now boasts seven LED-lit tennis courts, four LED-lit pickleball courts, two recreational lap pools, a 25-meter family pool for kids, an adults-only resort pool, and childcare services. It's the ideal destination for a clientele looking to mix work with competitive sport.

Membership Details: Membership is by invitation only and is subject to approval. Membership prices at the club vary. A family membership entails a $12,000 initial fee plus a $450 monthly fee, while a junior membership only entails a $2,000 initiation fee and a $205 monthly fee.

Soho House West Hollywood

Image Source: Soho House West Hollywood

Neighborhood: West Hollywood

Club Details: Soho House West Hollywood provides a stylish and exclusive work and meeting destination, featuring chic meeting rooms and workspaces with panoramic views of Los Angeles. Combining luxury amenities with a creative atmosphere, it offers an ideal setting for networking, collaboration, productive sessions, and an amazing Sunday brunch!

Membership Details: Two current member referrals are needed, plus an online application, and a recent photo to confirm your identity. Quarterly memberships start at $675.25, but if you’re under 27, you can pay $337.75 quarterly. However, if you want access to every house, membership costs $5,250.00 annually, or $2,650.00 if you’re under 27.

Little Beach House Malibu

Image Source: Little Beach House Malibu

Neighborhood: Malibu

Club Details: The Little Beach House Malibu is a small, local club for the creative community of Malibu and the surrounding coastal areas. The club is known for its magnificent dining room, bar, sitting room and terrace. It is the perfect place for a truly memorable work meal.

Membership Details: Malibu Beach House is not included in the Soho House membership. If you are an existing member, you can apply for “Malibu Plus” for an additional $2,190 a year, or $1,095 if you’re under 27.

San Vicente Bungalows

Image Source: San Vicente Bungalows

Neighborhood: West Hollywood

Club Details: San Vicente Bungalows is an exclusive, members-only social club located in West Hollywood, California, offering a luxurious and private environment for its high-profile clientele. The club is renowned for its strict privacy policies, elegant decor, and high-end amenities, catering to celebrities (and royals) and industry elites seeking a discreet space to unwind and socialize.

Membership Details: You must be nominated by a current club member to apply. Applications are evaluated monthly and annual dues start at $4,200 plus a $1,800 initiation fee.

The Aster

Image Source: The Aster

Neighborhood: Hollywood

Club Details: The Aster, located at the iconic intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, redefines the modern members' club with its emphasis on warmth and hospitality, blending public hotel amenities with private club exclusivity. Featuring bright, airy spaces and top-notch facilities such as an outdoor pool, recording studio, and rooftop bar, it offers a fluid environment for work, relaxation, and socializing.

Membership Details: Memberships start at $3,600 per year and be acquired by filling out an application. In addition to uploading a photo, hopeful members also have to write a small bio while highlighting their interests, skills, profession, and hobbies.

NeueHouse

Image Source: NeueHouse

Neighborhood: Venice/Hollywood/DTLA

Club Details: NeueHouse in LA is a chic private workspace and cultural hub designed for creative professionals, offering sophisticated workspaces, a dynamic calendar of cultural programming, and luxurious amenities. Situated in three bustling neighborhoods across LA, it provides a collaborative environment where members can work, network, and unwind in style.

Membership Details: You have to apply for the Salon membership, which includes questions like “dream dinner guests (dead or alive?)." Annual dues for Salon memberships are $3,000 plus a $200 joining fee. You can also inquire about the Gallery membership for flexible workspaces and offices for individuals or teams, starting at $595 per month, with various options depending on your needs.

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