At a Glance:
Website: http://www.yogaworks.com/location/west-hollywood/
Address: 1067 North Fairfax Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Length: 85 minutes
Price: first two weeks/$25, 1 class/$22, 10 classes/$195, month unlimited/$100
Sweat scale: low
Energy level: low
Sometimes there’s nothing better than just chilling out. After a busy weekend, spending time in relaxing stretches was exactly what I needed and it was the perfect excuse to finally check out YogaWorks.
At a Glance:
Website: http://www.crybabyhouse.com/
Address: 2112 Zeno Place,
Venice, CA
90291
Price: one class/ $30, 10 classes/ $250, introductory month unlimited/ $125
Length: 75 minutes (55 minute and 90 minute options also available)
Sweat scale: high
Energy level: high
*Please have your own road bike to participate. Otherwise, contact the studio prior to experiencing this class*
Over the past several months, my life has been more and more focused on running with Nike Run Club. My times have progressively gotten better along with my health and overall happiness. While others have encouraged marathon training, my mom keeps reminding me, “You can swim, you can run, you just need to bike better. Why not try a triathlon?”
I’m always on the hunt for crazy fitness adventures. When I heard about Cry Baby House, a triathlon and endurance-training center, the wheels of my brain started turning! Nestled in the heart of Venice, CBH hosts road bike classes that can’t hold a candle to spinning. Don’t believe me? Keep reading.
In case you can’t tell based on my Instagram and common blog post topics, I am not a good cook…or even a cook. Instead of meal prepping and spending time in the kitchen I tend to go for grab and go options and am a master of the smoothie.
However, even I can’t get away from the delicious #foodporn all over social media. One of my besties, Kara, is a master in the kitchen—and actually knows how to use all of her wedding registry gifts unlike me who uses them as decoration. She recently posted a turkey chili recipe that looked so divine that I begged her to share.
My husband is a total chili lover and there’s nothing better than something warm on a cold winter day (and yes, it is now officially winter in LA too!).
Although this recipe can be made with ground beef, we’ve swapped the beef for organic ground turkey as an easy way to reduce calories and cut down on fat and saturated fat without sacrificing any taste. Bon Appétit!
Last week I had the chance to host two amazing, healthy-living inspired events: a dinner at sweetgreen Hollywood and a ride at SoulCycle CLVR.
sweetgreen + Sweat and Repeat
Sweetgreen is my absolute favorite place for a nutritious bite to eat in LA. Not only do they source local and organic ingredients, but their salads are also reasonably priced—most between $9-12, including a protein. You can find me regularly at the Hollywood location fueling up after a sweaty spin or Pilates class nearby.
To ring in the new year and the launch of the sweetgreen winter menu, I hosted an event with ten local fitness enthusiasts who were quick on their feet and RSVP’d to my Instagram invite. We all met up on Thursday evening and sipped on frescas while munching on delicious salads.
The sweegreen winter menu uses in-season fruits and veggies to create a one of a kind flavor that excites your taste buds. The star of the table had to be the Grapefruit + Avocado packed with arugula, endives, citrus shrimp, red grapefruit, mint, avocado, cucumber, and walnuts coated with a lemon garlic chili dressing…oh my!
Thanks to all who came out and to sweetgreen for providing us with a delicious dinner!
SoulCycle CLVR + Sweat and Repeat
Some would argue that SoulCycle is the crème de la crème of the boutique fitness scene, and I might have to agree. With gorgeous, sleek, modern décor, fragrant candles, and phone charger hook ups in each locker, it’s no wonder that each bike goes for $30 a class.
When SoulCycle CLVR asked if I wanted to host an event to celebrate their opening, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I posted the invite here and on my Instagram and was inundated with RSVPs—I knew it would be a killer group!
The studio is located on the second floor of a currently vacant but soon opening shopping center—The Platform—that reminds me of a mini Grove and will be home to many upscale, unique tenants.
Despite it being a Sunday morning, the vibe was pure excitement as people put on their spin shoes while listening to beats spun by a live DJ and snapping pics in the animated photo booth (check them out here).
The energy only continued to build as we clipped into bikes and Julia started blasting her upbeat tunes. For 45 minutes we pedaled like nobody’s business, taking short breaks only to towel off the insane amount of sweat or give a loud “wooooo” cheer. Midway through class I literally got chills from the incredibly motivating, dedicated, and inspiring atmosphere.
photo by Judy at Werkout LA
We ended class with a much-needed stretch and a final breath of gratitude before heading out to mix and mingle!
Thank you to SoulCycle CLVR for welcoming us into your space and to everyone who was able to join!
photos by Bethany at GlamPacked
At a Glance:
Website: http://www.cyclehousela.com
Address: 8511 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Length: 30 minutes
Price: first class $18, 1 class/$29, 10 classes/$260, month unlimited/$329 w no commitment
Sweat scale: high
Energy level: high
It took me a while to jump on the band wagon and give Cycle House a shot, but ever since I did (and it’s been a year now), I’ve become an addict. I frequent Aaron’s 5:30 class because his energy is almost as crazy as how absolutely friendly and approachable he is. Since the new year has started, I’ve noticed these classes selling out on ClassPass which is why I decided to check out the brand new 30 minute express ride. “No weights. No breaks.”
Every new year brings new goals and increased motivation to reach those goals. January 1st can be a much-needed kick in the butt especially after a month of indulging (yes, I did eat about a pound of cheese fondue on New Years Eve, oops).
Two of the most common and arguably most important goals are to eat healthy and exercise more often and I am so excited to be hosting two events this week that can help jump start your resolutions for 2016! See below for details, and I hope to see you there! Did I mention they’re both FREE!
As I look back at 2015, I felt and I sweat so much love. I’ve heard and seen journeys of amazing strength, weight-loss, and recovery. I screamed and hugged as I helped someone succeed at running to her fastest time ever. I watched as my friends finished marathons, climbed mountains, and were married.
All of this love should lead to simply that… more love. But through the grapevine I also heard things like: “Can you believe how skinny she is? I wonder if she actually eats?” and, “You’d be so much prettier if you fixed your teeth (or lost weight).” and, my personal favorite, “Are you really going to eat that?”
This year was a sweaty one and, with 250 classes down, I have narrowed it down to my top ten classes of 2015!
There are seven days left in 2015, how are you going to end your year?
There’s truly nothing like being surrounded by friends and family for the holidays. After jet setting my way through 2015—from Chicago to Hawaii, Florida to Baltimore, and of course, DC—I let my plans for December fall to the wayside. It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized I was longing to be home.
Of course, booking a flight days in advance comes with a hefty price tag. Thank goodness for thoughtful husbands who are willing to share their airline miles.
So, after a few hours searching for the best flight and some rush fee charges, I am officially headed to the east coast on Friday (it also helped that I don’t mind traveling on Christmas)! I seriously couldn’t be more excited. Although my husband won’t be joining me due to his crazy work schedule, I’ll be back in time for a 2016 kiss.
After flying so much in the last year, here is my roundup of the top eight travel essentials.
sweat and repeat 