PRESS RELEASE - Los Angeles Crowned World's Leading Fitness City

News — Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, USA – The Fit Guide (TFG), the world’s leading independent rating system for boutique fitness clubs and studios, has officially launched in Los Angeles, marking its first year evaluating the city’s boutique fitness landscape. Already a global fitness capital, Los Angeles has now been confirmed as the highest scoring city in The Fit Guide’s international rankings, with an impressive average rating of 87.6% across all clubs evaluated, against a global average of 80.5%.

Often described as the "Michelin Guide for fitness," The Fit Guide provides objective, anonymous evaluations of the world’s top boutique gyms and studios. Clubs are assessed across five key areas: reception service, facilities, group class experience, public areas, and digital and technology. Each club is scored using over 250 objective standards, ensuring consistency and fairness across all evaluations.

The Big Talking Points From LA’s Inaugural Launch Of The Fit Guide

Highest scoring city globally, with an average club experience rating of 87.6%
10 clubs awarded The Fit Guide 5-Star Award
12 clubs awarded The Fit Guide 5-Star Class Experience Award
Yoga was the lowest scoring modality in Los Angeles, consistent with The Fit Guide’s worldwide trend
Best branding and design elementsglobally, with LA clubs leading in sense of arrival and consistent brand expression throughout studios
Second globally in architectural and interior design, just behind New York
Lowest percentage of clubs offering showers, at 63.3%
Lowest global score for offering alternative exercises to accommodate injuries or inexperience, with only 69.2% of instructors providing modifications where needed

"We expected LA to score well, but we were genuinely surprised by just how high the results came in," said Jack Thomas, Co-Founder of The Fit Guide. "The city has a reputation for great hospitality, strong personality, and standout design—and our first year of evaluations really reflected that."

"We're here to raise the game in global fitness," said Matt Lavender, Co-Founder of The Fit Guide. "With smart insights and a passion for quality, we help people find amazing studios—and support operators in creating standout, five-star experiences."

Further US Expansion In 2025: Next Stop, Miami!

Following success in New York, London, Singapore, Dubai, and Sydney and now LA, The Fit Guide is expanding to Miami later this year, furthering its mission of recognizing the world’s best fitness experiences.

To view all of LA’s award-winning clubs, visit The Fit Guide Los Angeles!

THE FIT GUIDE 2025 LOS ANGELES FACT SHEET

Overview: The Fit Guide is an independent rating system that recognizes and evaluates the world’s leading boutique fitness clubs and studios. Often described as the 'Michelin Guide for fitness,' it provides a trusted, data-driven benchmark for the fitness industry. All evaluations are conducted by highly-trained, anonymous ‘experience evaluators’ who visit the clubs incognito.

2025 LA Evaluation Highlights:

LA was the second launch city of 2025, following New York, and marked our first year of evaluations in the city.
LA claimed the highest number of 5-Star Award-winning clubs globally, with ten in total.
Yoga was the lowest-scoring modality in LA, reflecting a consistent global trend.
LA was the highest-scoring city worldwide, with an average club experience rating of 87.6%.
Twelve clubs earned The Fit Guide 5-Star Class Experience Award.
Fourteen clubs received The Fit Guide Award of Excellence.
LA led globally for branding and design, with standout sense of arrival and cohesive brand expression throughout its studios.
LA ranked second globally for architectural and interior design, just behind New York.
LA had the lowest percentage of clubs offering showers, with only 63.3% providing them.
LA scored lowest worldwide for offering modifications to accommodate injuries or inexperience, with just 69.2% of instructors providing alternatives when needed.
LA achieved the highest cleanliness scores globally, nearing full marks across all visits.
LA’s Reception Services ranked highest globally, averaging 79.8% compared to the global average of 73.7%.
LA scored the lowest worldwide for instructor punctuality

Award Structure:

Clubs scoring over 70% receive the Recommended rating.
Clubs scoring over 80% receive The Fit Guide Award of Excellence.
Clubs scoring over 90% earn The Fit Guide 5-Star Award, recognizing the highest level of excellence.
The Class Experience 5-Star Award is awarded to clubs delivering an industry-leading class experience, based solely on group class performance.

2025 Los Angeles 5-Star Award Winners—our top award for the overall experience

Solidcore, Santa Monica
Bunda, Santa Monica
Circuit Works Santa Monica
CycleBar, Culver City
Orangetheory, Brentwood
Pilatesmith, Culver City
Pvolve, West Hollywood
Speir Pilates, Venice
TruFusion, West Hollywood
Vibe Cycle, Hollywood Hills

Award of Excellence Winners

Aviator Nation RIDE, Santa Monica
Barry's, West Hollywood
BFT, Santa Monica
BoxUnion, Sherman Oaks
BURN, Brentwood
CAMP, Santa Monica
Carrie's Pilates Plus, West Hollywood
F45, Santa Monica
Rumble Boxing, WeHo
SoulCycle, Brentwood
Sweat Yoga, Santa Monica
The Bar Method, Studio City
The Studio (MDR), Playa Vista
Y7 Studio, Silver Lake

Expansion in 2025:

Following LA, The Fit Guide will launch in Miami (later in 2025) as well as revisiting London, Singapore, Sydney and Dubai

What The Fit Guide Evaluates:

Each club is assessed across over 250 standards in five key areas:

Reception Service – Quality of welcome, engagement, and professionalism.
Facilities – Cleanliness, design, and maintenance.
Group Class Experience – Coaching, engagement, and class execution.
Technology – Booking process, digital tools, and ease of use.
Online Presence – Website, email and social media representation.

Quotes:

"We expected LA to score well, but we were genuinely surprised by just how high the results came in. The city has a reputation for great hospitality, strong personality, and standout design—and our first year of evaluations really reflected that."

– Jack Thomas, Co-Founder, The Fit Guide

"As we expand into new cities, our goal remains the same—to set a gold standard for fitness industry excellence. By delivering objective, data-driven insights, we’re helping both fitness enthusiasts find the best gyms and studios and operators provide consistent five-star experiences." – Matt Lavender, Co-Founder, The Fit Guide

“Yoga was LA’s lowest-performing category, which was in line what we’ve seen in the other global cities we’ve visited. Studios that can invest into the yoga experience—particularly for beginners and first timers—have a clear opportunity to stand out.”

– Jack Thomas, Co-Founder, The Fit Guide

"LA is packed with world-class fitness talent and cutting-edge studios, but there’s still plenty of room to raise the bar when it comes to hospitality. The best gyms have a real opportunity to match the genuine, attentive service you’d expect from a top hotel or restaurant.”

– Matt Lavender, Co-Founder, The Fit Guide

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