A Guide to Gym Memberships in Los Angeles

There are a number of gym memberships available in Los Angeles, most of which offer the newest exercise equipment, expansive swimming pools, and a number of group exercise classes such as aerobics and Pilates. Most gyms also now have reasonable monthly and initiation fees, don't require extensive contracts, and offer highly discounted personal training. This is a guide to just a few of the gym membership options available in Los Angeles, suitable for those looking for both weight loss or general physical fitness improvement.

24 Hour Fitness, 6380 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. Phone: 323.461.2024. Web site: http://www.24hourfitness.com

24 Hour Fitness is a national chain with dozens of locations all over Los Angeles. Its Sunset Boulevard location is especially convenient and has all the equipment one might need. Their yoga classes aren't for the faint-hearted, but the atmosphere remains accessible to people of all shapes and sizes. There is a an expansive indoor swimming pool suitable for both water jogging and swimming, a hot tub, a basketball court, sauna, and steam room. Rock climbing is also available, as well as a kids' gym. The main Web site often offers free trial memberships.

Gold's Gym, 360 Hampton Dr., Venice, CA 90291. Phone: 310.392.6004. Web site: http://www.goldsgym.com

Though famed for its bodybuilders, Gold's Gym is not just for the muscular. Weight loss can be more than just a dream for those taking advantage of the Venice location's dozens of yoga, spinning, boot camp, Pilates, and other exercise and toning group classes. In addition to an almost hourly schedule of group offerings, Gold's Gym Venice also provides a number of resistance machines, fitness assessments, personal training, nutritional consultations, and other cardiovascular fitness options. Gold's Gym typically offers no-obligation, complimentary trial memberships.

Crunch, 8000 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. Phone: 323.654.4550. Web site: http://www.crunch.com/crunch/

Crunch is a smaller national chain with just one Los Angeles location, in the heart of West Hollywood. Crunch is found only in major cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, and New York, and offers a unique blend of mind-body fitness suitable to all weight loss and general health seekers. Crunch Los Angeles offers a number of group exercise classes not commonly found at other area gyms, including yoga body sculpt, vinyasa yoga, standing Pilates, and exclusive yoga suspension "Wings" methods only taught at Crunch. Crunch does have a number of free trial membership coupons available on the Internet.