Hangar 18

Hangar 18
Indoor Rock Climbing
Locations in Southbay, Riverside, and Upland

Type: Indoor
Category: Active/Fitness
Company: Anyone who wants to try a new (and addictive activity).  Those afraid of heights need not apply.
Cost: $16 for a day pass (doesn't include gear); $50 for a monthly membership (includes gear)
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OTC Tip: College students (with a valid ID) can get a monthly pass for $35

Review:
Yes, I know indoor rock climbing isn't the same thing as outdoor climbing, but it's still a blast - and much easier to partake in. There are three locations in SoCal - I've been climbing at the Southbay facility with no complaints.

If you have no clue how to climb, or what a belay is and/or does, have no fear.  With a monthly pass comes a free intro lesson. (You can also buy training separately with a day pass).  The instructor will teach you basic knot tying techniques, climbing terms, and how to safely get down from the top of the wall.

For those of you who have no clue how indoor climbing works, it's pretty simple.  Each wall has color-coded holds, which are marked off by a rating system (5.7, 5.8, etc.).  The number after the decimal indicates the degree of difficulty of the climb - higher the number, harder the climb. Hard can mean that there are very few holds, or that they are small and hard to grip, or a combination of the two.  Some walls have inverted sections, while others require the climber to utilize multiple walls. And yes, each wall is already set with a rope to allow a buddy to belay you.  In fact, some walls have self-assisting belays set up, so you can climb completely solo.  Whatever your skill level, Hangar 18 has climbs for you.
There are also a large number of bouldering walls.  Bouldering is basically the act of climbing low (but often inverted) walls without the aid of a rope. Should the climber fall, there are mats below to break the (short) fall.

OTC TIP: While Hangar 18 provides basic climbing training, they didn't give any insight on technique.  And knowing a thing or two will definitely make your climbing experience more enjoyable.  As cool and fun as it is to do "Cliffhanger" type jump-and-grabs, it is the dumb way to climb.  Focus on using your legs as much as possible.  If you have to pause, make sure your arms are as low as possible, to keep the blood flowing (don't have them extended high above your head).

Regarding the fact that you are relatively high off of the ground, don't worry.  After the first few climbs, you won't even realize that you are two stories off the ground.  Trust me.  Maybe...

Revolution Fitness

Revolution Fitness 

Santa Monica/Venice

Rates

Review:

You know the feeling – the one that rises when you start humming the next song on your playlist before it begins, or the sense of ho-hum as you’re half way through your “usual” run – basically, your body telling you that it’s time to switch it up.

Always looking for something new, when I heard about Revolution Fitness I was thrilled: initially because it offers classes I hadn't heard of before, but more importantly because it provides access to an entire menu of workouts for a chance to get my fix for several days.

What: Indoor Fitness Studio

Cost: Single class, private training, and monthly passes available

Unique: In addition to classic Spinning, Yoga, and Pilates, Revolution Fitness also offers Indo-Row, Core-Barre, Rev 20/20/20 and Rev 30/30 classes

Yes, I know you’ve heard of spinning and yoga. But Indo-Row, Core-Barre, and Rev 30/30 were all new to me. So I tried them. All of them. One after the other, for three days straight.

Indo-Row

Indo-Row: Group “erg” sessions. Welcome back to crew workout 101, you jump on the contraption that after a few minutes renders you feeling like you’ve been running stairs and lifting weights at the same time. Great workout if you miss feeling your abs, the glute muscles you forgot about and the butt muscles you never knew you had.  Add a reminisce of post-yoga zen from all the regulated breathing through your nose and mouth and walk out glowing in red-cheeked sweat. 

Core-Barre

Core-Barre: Equipped with yoga mats, weights, a foam ball, and some rubber bands, in a tiny room that looks fit for ballet you will perform strengthening exercises that will render you quivering. For days. Imagine squatting in a plié and then rising to your tip toes, punching the air after circular motions while holding weights, and various forms of crunches that burn in a 360 fire around your abdomen. Think pilates meets yoga, married with weight training.

Spin

Rev 30/30: Best of both worlds all in one class – imagine a class that starts with 30 minutes of cardio and end with 30 minutes of strength training. My dream come true, this is the vitamin version of a group class – every essential aspect of a workout you want, all in one hour.  Plus, the spinning room is the widest and tallest you’ve ever been in, and the bikes the newest versions possible (at least, they’re the most up-to-date I’ve come across).

Revolution Fitness, however, doesn’t start and stop with the classes. The fellow clientele is local and friendly, the instructors are energetic, helpful, and absolutely talented, and , as I know what you care about (almost) the street parking is ample and (on side streets) free.

So, when you find yourself in need of a new song, a burst of motivation, or just the desire to feel a new muscle, be sure to check in to Revolution Fitness and sweat it out in a whole new way.

YogaHop

YogaHop
1612 Montana Ave, 2nd floor
Santa Monica, CA 90403
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Type: Indoor
Category: Fitness and Recreation, Group Classes
Company: A-traditional yogis who like hip-hop, rock, and pop
Cost: 5 Classes $90, 10 Classes $150, 20 Classes $260, Unlimited
 
Quickie: If you are OK with possibly finding yourself
doing The Plow to "Bottoms Up" (Trey Songz), then this is the yoga studio for you. Self-described as "flowing yoga," YogaHop will take you through the typical Power yoga series while swapping the usual meditational soundtrack for - well - music that will make you want to dance.

OTC Tip: Bring your mat, water, and a compass - Yogahop's store front is behind Pinkberry on Montana (and up a staircase).

Two rooms: West and East

This morning I did Downward-Facing Dog to Juvenile's "Back That Ass Up." Now, if the idea of fixating in Warrior Two to 50 Cent makes you cringe - this probably isn't the place for you. But here's the thing: sometimes, I think we yogis take ourselves too seriously. Sure, I'm all for the meditation, mindfulness, and "letting go of my thoughts" - but a few times every month I honestly wouldn't mind silently rocking out while breathing in to Crescent Moon - and YogaHop is just the place for that.

OTC Tip: Check out the schedule here

As you can imagine, the class went by really quickly. The best comparison is the difference between running with and without music - YogaHop offers that extra bit of distraction we all crave when working out. Granted, it's much more awkward if you start singing along when your favorite song comes on - but then again, being sweaty and contorted in braided positions inches away from your neighbor is always treading on shamelessness - so - why not add the cherry. 

OTC Tip: YogaHop is pretty popular. The classes tend to sell out, so make sure you reserve online and go a few minutes early.

The best part is the location of YogaHop - which is right on Montana, across from Sweet Lady Jane and other coffee shops/eateries so you can make a morning/evening of it and eat after your class!

Bryan Kest's Power Yoga

Secret door to the SM East location

Bryan Kest's Power Yoga
SMPY West - 1410 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
SMPY East - 522 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Follow Bryan Kest's Power Yoga on Facebook

Type: Indoors, Group Class
Category: Fitness and Recreation
Company: Solo, Friends, Visitors, Date?
Cost: Pay-By-Donation - ($15/class recommended)

Quick-Rec: Evening classes are packed - so go 15 minutes early and be prepared to find a classmate's foot/arm/sweat in your face. Bring beer for the notorious SM parking lot "exit-wait" because sometimes, you'd just rather spend that 30 minutes drinking on the roof top than sitting in your car in line to pay. Just kidding (not). 

OTC Tip: I prefer SMPY East because it has a one full wall of windows (re: air flow). Note that the entrance is an unmarked door. Instructors - I like Bryan, Vytas, Anaswara, and Jerome. 

Review:

So you say you aren't flexible? You have poor balance? Maybe you think it's too expensive, or you don't want to "commit" to a gym or a monthly pass. Perhaps you "can't fit it in to your schedule."

Oh, stop. Everyone has one excuse or another why they believe yoga just "isn't for them" - and Bryan Kest has effectively eliminated the viability of every single one.

Based in Santa Monica, Kest has established two studios in the heart of the 3rd street promenade area. Not only does this mean there is ample parking (metered and structured) but that there are TWO schedules with times starting with a 7am and going all the way until even a 10:30pm! Classes are an hour and a half, and "pay by donation" which means even the poorest can opt for the "contribute what you can" route and still enjoy a $15 class.

Ok, fine, so Bryan's yoga can't take you from a tight-lump to an acrobatic-gumby in a day, but what he will do is talk you through every pose in one of the most soothing and therapeutic voices I've come across in years. One of my favorite aspects is that Bryan will continuously encourage you to "take everything you are thinking about, observe it, and let it go." He reasons that "the mind is like the ocean, so you can't stop it" and "whatever it is you brought in with you, let it go. You don't need it here."

I also like that most classes are "all levels," which means that even I (a robust beginner) can be comforted by close proximity to other newbie-stiffs, but also at the same time be absolutely mesmerized in to believing it's possible to fold in half and stand on my head because hey - that girl over there has been doing it for a full minute!

Strengthening, stretching, and motivational support without having to take time off of work or commit to a certain number of classes? Hello, LA. This place is made for you!