Los Angeles is a paradise for outdoor junkies – mountains, desert landscape, rocky cliffs, the Pacific Ocean, creeks and waterfalls, lakes, lush forest – all at an Angeleno’s fingertips! Plus, the weather is almost always sunny and balmy, offering a temperate climate for a variety of outdoor activities. Access to the outdoors is an amazing way to keep in shape; there are activities that can act as strength training, cardio workouts, mental fitness/relief, or a combination of the three!
But where to start? Read below for an introduction into the best activities that combine spending time outside and exercise for your mind and body.
HIKING
Los Angeles is surrounded by a number of national and state parks, and has hiking trails hidden all over the city itself within smaller green spaces like Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, Debs Park, Elysian Park, Eaton Canyon, and more. Having access to such wonderful trails in the city are a huge plus for Angelenos, providing the perfect opportunity for walking, running, hiking, or climbing in the fresh air.
Here are some highlight trails in and around the city that shouldn’t be missed. The more well-known trails you hike, the more you start to notice the smaller offshoot trails and discover hidden gems. So start with the basics and then explore, explore for more! You can even use apps like AllTrails for hiking recommendations, trailhead locations, and difficulty information. That way you choose a trail that fits your physical capabilities and challenges you just the right amount.
SURFING
It goes without saying that Californians are known for their surfing habits. Getting to the beaches in LA can be a hassle if you don’t live right on the shore, but every Angeleno has to try surfing at least once! Surfing can act as strength training and cardio training at the same time, PLUS it can offer mental relief through direct connection between body and nature. Surrendering yourself to the elements is always a challenge, but ultimately a blessing.
Surfing can be great as a family activity or a pastime of solitude, but be sure you’re aware of the basics before you head out for your first surf session – appreciate the culture of the sport and respect the safety requirements.
SCUBA DIVING
One of the most unique outdoor activities from the plethora available to citizens of Los Angeles is scuba diving – though it may be a stretch to call it an outdoor activity in some ways, considering the participants spend much of their time submerged underwater.
While scuba diving is an extreme sport and requires attention to safety measures, it is an amazing experience and can offer a variety of health benefits. Proper training results in safe divers and prevents accidents, so make sure you book your scuba experience through a reputable local dive shop.
The body’s exposure to lower temperatures, increased drag to move against the water, and the fatigue of carrying and wearing all of the gear topside are factors that contribute to an increased calorie burn and full body muscle use throughout the entire activity.
Along with these major physical advantages, scuba diving is known to improve symptoms of general depression and anxiety. It requires focus and intention, giving the participant feelings of control. It also narrows a person’s focus to the present, eliminating overstimulation and allowing the diver to release thoughts of anything but what is required to complete the dive. While the concept of scuba diving can seem scary to some, it is actually quite straightforward and achievable for most once they try it. The benefits of diving are certainly endless enough to warrant trying the sport!
SNORKELING
Want to experience life underwater without submerging yourself? Snorkeling is for you! Snorkeling is great for an amazing glimpse into life underwater with a short time commitment.
Snorkeling requires constant kicking and swimming, often against waves, choppy conditions, or mild currents (beaches in Los Angeles aren’t exactly known for the glassiest surface conditions – hence the surfing!), which burns calories and exercises your joints and muscles with relatively low impact.
Swimming and breathing through a snorkel also increases your lung capacity over time, so the more you snorkel, the longer you can stay out enjoying the fish the next time! This variety of low impact physical health benefits, along with the mental relief and sun exposure benefits, make snorkeling a great exercise activity for anyone.
PARKS AND RECREATION
In addition to the more experiential outdoor activities above, Los Angeles boasts access to so many recreational sports and facilities. Here are a few:
Swimming – Griffith Park Pool, Culver City Pool, Hawthorne Pool, Hollywood Pool, and Highland Park Pool are just a few of the outdoor facilities that offer lap swimming access for a small fee. Swimming is the perfect exercise, because it combines cardio and muscle strengthening without stress on the joints.
Biking – It may come as a surprise, but the city is littered with bike trails. No, it’s not only that one trail down the beach…
Cycling can be as intense or easy as you need, and offers changing scenery to keep you inspired. It increases stamina and endurance, along with other notable fitness benefits.
Running – For some, there’s no better exercise than a classic run. Running is an exercise that can happen literally anywhere, and there are run clubs all over Los Angeles for those that enjoy the moral support during a workout. For running stairs, try Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Santa Monica Stairs, Los Feliz Heights Steps, or any of the other hidden staircases dotting the city.
Rollerblading – For the quintessential Venice Beach experience, rollerblading is the exercise of the day. Rollerblading gets your heart rate up, and works your leg muscles and core in such a unique way. Get that beach body ready, and look good doing it.
Yoga – Your local park has a class, every beach has a class, that building down the street with a cool rooftop has a class….Connect mind and body with intentional breathing, stretching, and balance. Yoga takes patience and commitment, but has lasting wellness results.
Tennis – Playing tennis for exercise can be more of a commitment than some of the other suggestions in this article, because it requires reserving court space, purchasing or renting gear, and having a partner to play with, but the health benefits of tennis are undeniable. Find a court near you and start improving your agility, speed, focus, and endurance.
Basketball – Whether you shoot at a hoop in your driveway or find a public court to play at with friends, basketball is an age-old sport that improves balance, coordination, muscle-building, and calorie burning. This is not a low impact sport, but it’s so fun that you forget you’re working out (until you’re sore later)!
Paddleboarding – For a more low-key exercise that still improves strength and balance, try paddleboarding. There are paddleboard rentals all up and down the coast, and you can even seek out special destinations to paddleboard for an experiential day trip outside the city.
Beach Volleyball – The courts along LA’s beaches offer choices for private or public use. For a grittier and more involved physical activity, beach volleyball is awesome. You can meet new friends, or rent a court with a group for a weekly activity.
OUTDOOR GYMS
If you’re less inclined to enjoy a varied workout regimen and prefer to workout on a regular schedule with planned repetitions, outdoor gyms may be your choice for exercising outdoors. You can set up your own outdoor gym, or check out memberships with existing outdoor gyms like Muscle Beach or any of these other awesome gyms.
Whatever it is that gets you outside and exercising, make it happen, and make it happen often. Los Angeles has so much variety in nature to offer that there’s no reason outdoor activity shouldn’t be a regular part of your fitness regimen. Leave a comment with your favorite outdoor workout activity or destination in the city!