Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Los Angelenos are serious about their fitness. In a town where image is everything, locals rush to the gym and swipe their membership cards. They pack yoga and pilates rooms, hit treadmills and elliptical machines and spend hours in cardio kickboxing and cardio striptease classes. But, in addition to a variety of gyms and classes to partake in, Los Angeles locals also have the advantage of having the advantage of some of the best weather in the country. The city's sunny, warm weather makes for some awesome outdoor workouts.
Head over to the Santa Monica stairs for a full-body workout. Tone your legs, butt and quad with this steep concrete staircase that overlooks the city. The Santa Monica stairs are not for the faint at heart, but are for those looking for an exhausting workout that will push their bodies to the limits. The Santa Monica Stairs are located in Santa Monica, just minutes outside of Los Angeles, on the intersection of 4th Street and Adelaide Drive. In addition to the infamous concrete steep staircase, there is also another wooden staircase just a few feet away. That staircase is supposedly a little easier to climb. Adelaide Drive borders the staircase and offers a scenic walking and jogging route that is a good place to jog and warm-up before hitting the stairs. For those who left home without bottles of water, there is a drink machine at the bottom of the staircase.
Take a trip to Drake Track Stadium in Westwood, located at 340 Charles E. Young Dr. North in Los Angeles. College students and Westwood neighborhood locals head here to race along the track, walk while listening to iPods and jog up and down the stadium steps.
Head over to Runyon Canyon Park off of Franklin and Fuller Avenue in Los Angeles. Celebrities, locals and newbies head to the park toting dogs and iPods and run through the trails for a full body workout. The park is 134 acres and is very scenic. There is a breathtaking view at the top of the Canyon called "Cloud's Rest." For those who don't want to hike back down the mountain, there is a dirt trail that is easier to descend. That is not a bad idea, considering that the trail is over 2 miles long and takes approximately an hour to climb.
Run the trails at Will Rogers State Park, located at 1501 Will Rogers Park Road in the Pacific Palisades. This Brentwood staple has trails throughout the park, which range from heavy-duty to workout to walking-friendly. Inspiration Point is the shortest trail, but there are other trails that are about 5 miles long. The park does charge $7 to enter, so bring cash.
Go barefoot on the beach and run through the sand. There are several beaches right outside of the city's hub, including Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach and Malibu Beach. These beaches can get packed on the weekends, so head here during weekday mornings. Trudge through the sand, running as fast as you can. The sand offers resistance and will give beachgoers a total body workout.