Clarissa Cruz

Barre class—a total-body barre and mat workout based on classic ballet movements—is one of the hottest fitness trends out there, and for good reason: It promises a long, lean, sculpted bod without the bulk, making barre super popular with Victoria’s Secret models and regular folk alike. And while it’s its own brand of tiny-movements torture—the classes' ubiquitous "one inch up, one inch down" refrain couldn’t be more deceptively simple—there’s probably no better workout for serious booty-lifting—it may even surpass the glute-busting of spinning classes and the toning of yoga. We gritted our teeth through a gazillion tucks, pliés and relevés to find the best barre classes in L.A.

We have no shortage of workout options here in L.A., from great yoga (even free yoga!) to only-in-L.A. fitness classes you won't find in any other city. But when you really want to work up a sweat and burn some serious calories, there's no better option than a spin class. So which of L.A.'s indoor cycling studios are legit workouts and which are just spinning your wheels? Two weeks, more than a dozen classes and countless commands to "back that ass up" later, here’s our list of the best spin studios in Los Angeles. (Oh and guys, chilled eucalyptus towels are a thing.)

Leave the yoga to the lightweights and work up a sweat inside the ring. Whether you like your boxing classes boutique or bruising, there’s bound to be a knockout gym for you somewhere in the city. But how to separate the champions? We jabbed our way through a gaggle of contenders to come up with this no-punches-pulled list of the Los Angeles gyms offering the best boxing classes—most even let you try your first class for free. Gloves up!

Pop Physique is housed in a small warehouse-like space, with the prettiest wooden ceiling—good thing too, because you spend a lot of time on your back, cursing your glutes as you suffer through yet another round of hip bridges. But you’re in good company at these packed classes filled with women working hard to get that perfect balance of sleek and strong. Instructors makes sure the energy level stays high, even as your body is screaming "What the tuck?". Pricing: $25 for one class, $240 for 10-class pack; $150/month for unlimited classes with auto pay. 

The Bar Method is the other big fish in the barre class sea, with locations nationwide and a loyal following: Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston and Kirsten Dunst are among the celebrity fans. And it’s easy to see how these ladies got their sculpted limbs, because a few minutes into class, Everything. Was. Shaking. Even body parts you didn’t know could shake were shaking. Cheery instructors encourage you to embrace the shake (because that’s where change happens, people!) and keep things moving so you don’t have time to think too hard between exercises.  Pricing: $28 for one class, $225 for 10-class pack; $250/month for unlimited classes. New clients can get one month of unlimited classes for $99.

With more than 400 studios in North America, Pure Barre is the biggest barre chain in the land, and it’s easy to see why: The studios are clean and spacious, the classes run smoothly and efficiently, and the sleek teachers and clientele speak volumes about the results. The moves aren’t easy—these classes are particularly thigh-burning—but smiley instructors keeps you engaged with attention to your form and shouts of encouragement. Pricing: $27 for one class, $230 for 10-class pack; $240/month for unlimited classes. New clients can get one week of unlimited classes free, or one month of unlimited classes for $125.

This class is about form, not cardio, and Dailey Method acolytes have the long, lean figures to show for it. Instructors here are equal parts calming and detail-oriented, adjusting students throughout the class—a sweat-free combination of ballet, yoga and Pilates—and making it clear that this method is about getting the form correct before you invest in all those reps. The studio is clean and bright, making it easy to relax into the tiny little pulses… who are we kidding, they still suck. But the studio is pretty nonetheless, and Intelligensia is right next door so you can reward yourself with a coffee treat post workout. Pricing: $28 for one class, $220 for 10-class pack; $185/month for unlimited classes with auto pay. New clients can get one month of unlimited classes for $79. Child care is available.

The most beautiful of the barre studios we visited is located in an airy sun-drenched space with great views of Downtown LA—the better to bathe their lithe, attractive students in flattering light. Owner/instructor Audra Skaates is an enthusiastic, super positive teacher, gently correcting students’ form while delivering encouraging mantras. Just leave extra time for parking and actually finding the place—it’s on the fourth floor of the Santa Fe building so you need to be buzzed in. Pricing: $25 for one class, $199 for 10-class pack; $159/month for unlimited classes. First class is $20; new clients can get one month of unlimited classes for $100.

Consider it the Tiffany’s of barre classes: Lululemon for sale in the lobby, a hushed, deliciously scented space, the lockers and showers often missing at other barre studios. (Other locations include the Hamptons and Dubai.) More importantly, helpful and engaging instructors who are attentive to newcomers, while still making sure the regulars—the most flexible and most, um, enhanced students we saw all week—are hitting their goals. The only downside? Carpeting on the studio floor, which may skeeve germaphobes out. Pricing: $31 for one class, $270 for 10-class pack; $250/month for unlimited classes. New clients can get one week of unlimited classes for $31.

Three words: It’s Britney, bitch. And the Backstreet Boys. Even the Spice Girls. Yes, music is but one component of the total barre experience, but in this case it was, as Scary Spice once sang, everything. This was the most dance-y of the barre classes, with more choreography than hard-core movements. That said, all of the instructors are upbeat and run the classes like a pointed-toe bootcamp, keeping the energy level high and the heart rate up. Pricing: $22 for one class, $199 for 10-class pack; $189/month for unlimited classes. New clients can get one week of unlimited classes for $45, or one month of unlimited classes for $99.

There’s a reason why this studio is a favorite for the competitive (and super driven) types: Accountability. Glow-in-the-dark metrics displaying resistance, RPM and power are right on the bike, and if you participate in the public TorqBoard you can see how you compare to your fellow riders (perfect for competitive types!). This means no vague directives to "turn it up!"; high-energy instructors—Stone’s Energizer-Bunny-meets-Sargeant Foley demeanor is especially motivating—give you speed and torque ranges so you know exactly how hard you need to work. Flywheel also has studios in West Hollywood, Woodland Hills and Playa Vista. Top instructor: Lacey Stone Pricing: $25 for a single class, $220/month for unlimited classes. First class is $15. Free shoe rental, water and fruit.

SoulCyclers are so devoted, they famously schedule their work meetings around the Monday at noon booking window so they can sign up for their desired classes. What inspires the fervor? A dance-party-on-a-bike vibe, complete with pumping music (they have the best, most perfectly timed playlists in town), candlelit studios, and sexy instructors shouting affirmations. Sample rallying cry from The Amazing Race alum Forsythe: "You didn’t get out of bed this morning to phone it in!" And while the megachain gets flack from cycling purists for their spa-like touches, those grapefruit candles smell pretty damn good. Top instructor: Alli Forsythe Pricing: $30 for a single class. No unlimited class option, but a 5-session package is $145. First class is $20. Shoe rental is $3 and bottled water is available for purchase.

Even if you weren’t a fan of the short-lived reality series about Cycle House, Hollywood Cycle (and based on the dismal ratings, you probably weren’t), there’s a lot to like about this sleek boutique studio: Complimentary apples, bananas and oranges; a cute coffee shop next door filled with scrumptious treats that will cancel out your effort. But most importantly, the star of Hollywood Cycle herself, Hines, who asks "Do you want to sit in the same bullshit? Or do you want to make a change?" while leading a class so calorie-burning, there were not one, but two brides-to-be in the front row. Top instructor: Nichelle Hines Pricing: $29 for a single class. No unlimited class option, but a 5-session package is $140. First class is $18. Shoe rental is $2 and bottled water is available for purchase.

The original yoga-and-spinning studio (YAS, get it?) has been toning up Angelenos since 2001, and there’s a reason why it’s remains popular: It’s an accessible workout that newbies can get the hang of right away, yet can be tweaked so regulars won’t get bored—especially if they choose the YAS Class, 30 minutes of spinning immediately followed by 30 minutes of yoga. We opted for a thoroughly enjoyable Lady Gaga-themed ride led by veteran instructor Rosen, and watched riders of all shapes and sizes get their Bad Romance on. If you're not near the beach, try the Silver Lake, Downtown or Costa Mesa location–they've even expanded to Portland, Oregon! Top instructor: Sherri Rosen Pricing: $25 for a single class, $265/month for unlimited classes. First class is $15. Shoes not provided (but pedal cages are available so you can wear regular sneakers) and bottled water is available for purchase. 

"Don’t be like that lover that didn’t know how to get you off!" Squire shouts, eliciting cheers from the sweaty riders cycling furiously around him. What sexual ineptitude has to do with spinning we have yet to figure out, but this R-rated, hip-hop themed class was certainly the most fun of the bunch. Featuring a playlist no self-respecting 90s undergrad could do without (think Montell Jordan and Naughty by Nature), the ride takes place in a studio heated to 84 degrees, which ups both the sweat and endorphin factor. Hip hop hooray, indeed. Top instructor: Jason Squire Pricing: $26 for a single class, $149/month for unlimited classes for the first month; $300/month thereafter. First class is $10. Shoe rental is $3 and bottled water is available for purchase.

We know, we know: A trip to Palm Springs in the summer seems like a terrible idea. But the desert playground (about a two-hour drive from L.A.) empties post–Memorial Day, which makes hotels super affordable, buzzy restaurants easy to book and the local attractions crowd-free. On the drive in, the canyon-hugging gondola ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has the benefit of stunning scenery and a 30° temperature drop. Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Don Graham   Seek relief from the sun at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. It may be a hipster hot spot, but any insufferableness should be offset by June rates as low as $259. The gorgeous pool is the perfect place to while away a sweltering afternoon. Movie theaters are a welcome respite from the heat, so consider booking your trip during the Palm Springs International ShortFest (June 19–25). More than 100 short films presented at the annual bash have gone on to receive Oscar nominations or awards.   Photograph: Courtesy Palm Springs Art Museum   Museums are another air-conditioned oasis, including the Palm Springs Art Museum. While you’re there, check out a showcase of photos from road trips across the desert (through July 29). Finally, what better way to cool off than with an ice-cold horchata? Taqueria Tlaquepaque serves all the expected Mexican favorites, but we’re partial to the egg breakfasts.

Jake Dupree, 29, teaches at Barreworks in Brentwood, several Equinox locations and Booty Works in Sherman Oaks. At the latter location, you’ll find has signature class, a barre workout so intense he’s dubbed it “Jake That Body”: a nonstop combination of barre, HIIT and body-weight resistance training. Dupree’s banter and zingers are a standout of his classes, as well as outside of the fitness studio; he is also a host and fitness instructor on PopSugar Fitness, as well as cosmopolitan.com’s first-ever unicorn-inspired personality, Glitter Fantasy. We chatted with Dupree about New Year’s resolutions, burlesque shows and bringing fun into the world. What sets you apart from other fitness instructors? My sense of humor. I know that fitness changes lives and can help people live healthier, but we’re not curing cancer, we’re working out. My fitness philosophy is to always add an element of comedy because laughing is really great for your abs in general. And if I can make people get out of their heads and forget about their own insecurities for a second, then I’ve done a good job. How did you start doing what you do? I moved to L.A. in 2011 for a boy and it didn’t work out. I answered a Craigslist ad from a studio that was looking for a barre instructor and got the job. Through teaching I found my voice and owned my funny—I got to try out my material in my classes. Publications eventually started to write about me and I was rated one of the best barre instructors in L.A. I started

It’s been more than a decade since Sideways put Solvang—the Danish-style town where many of the 2004 film’s memorable scenes were shot—on every oenophile’s radar, but it’s a great place to explore this winter and spring whether or not you’re into vino: The weather is temperate, the Copenhagen-meets-California architecture is distinctive, and you won’t have to wait behind a crowd in the tasting rooms. Food and (the aforementioned) wine should factor into a visit to the area (about a three-hour drive from L.A.), and you might want to plan your trip around Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week (Jan 21–27), when dozens of restaurants offer three-course tasting menus for $20.18. For something less structured, Taste of Solvang (Mar 14–18) enables you to sample delectable creations from local chefs, bakers, winemakers and other culinary artisans. Photograph: Courtesy the Landsby   If you spend the night, the Landsby—a modern respite from the kitschy hotels in town—provides sleek yet hygge guest rooms, a delicious restaurant and a chic Scandinavian aesthetic that makes it popular with tourists and locals alike. It’s just steps away from the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, where you can discover the the author’s dark original tales— before they were Disneyfied. It’s also worth checking out nearby Los Olivos, Solvang’s less touristy sister. Sunstone Winery boasts gorgeous views and tasting rooms in a pretty Provençal-inspired villa, and the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe touts scrumpti

We may have all been obsessed with Big Little Lies this past spring, but fall is actually a great time to visit the coastal region where the addictive HBO series was shot: The summer crowds have dispersed, and while the air is definitely crisper than in July, you can enjoy the same stunning scenery for off-season prices. Drive in via the Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most picturesque structures in the country—and the money shot in the BLL opening credits. (It’s actually about 18 miles south of Monterey, but let’s call that creative liberty.) You may want to time your trip around the nearby Carmel International Film Festival, which takes place October 18 through 22 and multiplies the tiny town’s population, with 24,000 attendees expected to take in more than 125 films. (A $50 day pass gets you access to all screenings before 5pm.) While you’re there, stop by local favorite the Cheese Shop and pick up some Brillat-Savarin and a baguette to smuggle into one of the fest flicks. If you go in search of the pretty waterfront coffeeshop where Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman have their gossip sessions on BLL, you’ll be disappointed: It was filmed at Fisherman’s Wharf, a crowded tourist trap where you’re as unlikely to find an A-lister as you are a decent latte. Instead visit Cafe Lumiere for freshly baked pastries and enough whimsical coffee art to satisfy moneyed moms and hipsters alike. Finally, stop by Monterey Bay Aquarium, ironically a former sardine cannery. Don’t miss the