Made in LA Fitness

Just attended THE most awkward and uncomfortable spin class ever. First of all, I arrive and can’t get in because the gate has a code with a note that says to call for the code. I call no answer. I tried a few more times over a period of 10 minutes. Eventually, 1 min before class I see someone entering gate and they let me in. Once I get upstairs, there isn’t anyone at the front desk, my «teacher» is slumped on a couch. Doesn’t introduce herself as the teacher until I ask. Then proceeds to inform me that I am the only one in the class. I think of this as a good thing (hmm maybe I’ll get a good focused class!). She has me complete a waiver form and shows me where the entrance to the class is. It’s now 5 minutes past the start of the class. Once inside, it seems like it still had potential to be so cool. It’s dark, there’s red lighting, like a rock and roll bar. And the teachers bike is on a platform with basically an «alter of rock» behind the bike. The teacher doesn’t introduce me to the bike, some bikes had clean towels some had none at all. I pick a bike in front b/​c I’m the only one there. «Class» starts. To tell you the truth it wasn’t even clear when class started. She just says to me «take all your resistance off.» Again, no orienting to the bike. Fortunately, I am someone who has spun before but if I was someone who hadn’t, it would have been even worse. We get through a song and she is still sitting on the edge of the teacher platform and I ask her, «Excuse me, but are you going to get on the bike?» To which she responds,“Oh, no. Not today. I have a hip injury.” So I spent the next 40mins of the class with this teacher just sitting staring at me and telling me when to get up and adjusting tension, no energy, no motivational phrases… why the eff wasn’t this class cancelled? It was so uncomfortable I just wanted to leave the whole time but I couldn’t because I was the only person there!!! It was terrible.
Also, there were some concerning things about the class itself. At one point she had me out of the saddle for 3 songs and sometimes having me be in the saddle or even out of the saddle with very little resistance.
I really feel like this class should have been cancelled. Now, because it wasn’t, I ended up having a bad experience with the gym itself.
Unfortunately, this was my first experience with this studio. I could absolutely see where the space could be great with a packed class, more energy (at least some energy from the teacher!) and the right rockin’ playlist!

I found Made in LA through ClassPass while I was visiting family in LA. This place is definitely different from your typical cycling studios like SoulCycle, CycleHouse, Flywheel, etc. You’re not going to get scented candles or cutesy décor, but the spin classes here are as kickass as they come. No tap backs, no choreography, just good old-​fashioned spinning (which is really what I want from spin class). Plus, I love Andrea’s rocking playlists! I never have to worry about hearing yet another played out Justin Bieber song when I’m here!
The location is kind of a hole in the wall because they don’t have a big flashy sign outside or anything. You have to enter through a gate on McCadden, go through a door propped open with a block of concrete, and walk up the stairs to the reception desk. The gate was locked when I went, but they have their number written on the gate for you to call.

I found this gym through groupon and am so happy I did. I bought a pass for 10 spin classes and hadn’t gone to a class in 10 years! I cannot recommend Andrea’s class enough. I now refer to her Sunday 10 am ride as going to church. I walk out feeling amazing and spiritually & emotionally recharged. Last night I did the ratchet ride and that was such a blast. Good music and such a diverse group of people. Can’t beat that! Plus they just got super awesome brand new bikes!

This place literally ROCKS! Best music of any gym I’ve ever been to, and Andrea is far and away the best instructor. Super tough but unbelievably encouraging. You’ll be covered in sweat and feel so freakin’ good about yourself when you’ve finished your ride. Great vibe in this place, awesome people of all levels of fitness just go for it in her classes. The whole staff here is super welcoming and helpful. I’ve tried lots of spin classes, and this is the one I’ll keep coming back to.

If you look at my other reviews I’ve been to a lot of Spin facilities. This one rocks… literally. Andrea’s class will kick your ass and not ask for excuses. She was trained by the founder, so her class is what Spinning is all about. It’s about your «journey» not some pre packaged class where a specific schedule needs to be followed. I’ve been to about 20 of her classes and no two have been the same. You get what you put in to it… cool crowd, really experienced /​in shape and beginners. It’s loud and awesome and takes you away for 45 minutes if you let it. Get out of your own way and try it. Let go and you will see results.

My first spin class ever, I love it can’t wait for my next one, Andrea was great, love the music

If you’re like me, and remember how once, in a galaxy far far away, there were NO BS gyms, owned an operated by humans, instead of the current landscape of corporate robot fitness outlets, then you will be pleased to learn that there’s still one left in LA…

I avoided spin classes for a long time (and most gyms in general), because I can’t stand bad house music. If I sit through too many crappy remixes, I will walk out in the middle of a class. I don’t like pop music much either, but felt like I had no choice. Now I’ve found my people.
Made In LA is full of rock lovers. Andrea plays amazing music — a blend of classic rock like The Stones, The Beatles, Bowie, T. Rex, Neil Young, Black Sabbath, and alt rock, punk, post punk, 90’s grunge, Nirvana, STP, The Verve, X, The Damned, Nine Inch Nails, Muse, Blur… she played Camper Van Beethoven the other day. When have you ever heard CVB in a work out class? She also plays hip hop too — Snoop, Biggie, Public Enemy.
It’s all a blend of bad ass music that gets you up and out of the saddle and motivates you to pedal faster. No matter how hard class is, it flies by and it’s tons of fun. I always get a great workout and class is about getting healthy not about getting Barbie.
Rock N Roll church class on Sundays is especially good.

I LOVE Meghan’s Saturday morning abs and butt class!!! I haven’t had a workout that made me that sore in years. She pushed everyone hard but it was so much fun! It is so refreshing having a woman trainer teaching such an intense class. I look forward to it every week now!

My spot for indoor cycling is Made In LA. Rock music, rock music, and more rock music. I feel at home at Made in LA. It’s not pretentious, it’s real; real bad ass! Andrea Lawent — the owner — is a Hollywood icon. Her personal story is an inspiration. My favorite quotes of hers are: «It’s not a race, it’s not a contest», «This is a rock n roll meditation», and something like «I never heard the word comfortable and change in the same sentence». If you want to challenge yourself to the baddest dripping sweat you’ve ever had, accompanied by the some of the coolest cats in town, guided by the fiercest leader, to some of the BEST music you’ll ever hear, then come spin in Hollywood at Made In LA.
Peace…

If gritty is your thing, you might like Made in LA, but it just didn’t do it for me.
I attended «The Ride» spin class here, and it just felt kind of gross.
The tatted-​up rock n roll style sounded rad, but the class itself just wasn’t fun. Throughout the 45 minutes, a woman on a microphone (the owner?) walked around yelling difficult-​to-​understand instructions including «Get your G — D— ass out of the saddle!» and «Don’t fidget!»
After attending clean, motivational spin classes like Flywheel, I just feel like I’m not getting a lot out of a spin class like «Made in LA» where they say, «your ride is up to you.» I totally get that everyone is different, but I WANT my spin instructor to tell me how to challenge and push myself.
They provide free spin shoes, but they’re super uncomfortable and old. Also, the studio is located in the grossest part of Hollywood. On my walk from the parking garage to the gym, a girl ran down the sidewalk screaming at her boyfriend, seemingly on drugs. Not the studio’s fault, but enough to make you dread coming to this part of town.
I really wanted to like this place, but it just didn’t happen.

I highly recommend taking a class here with the owner, Andrea! It’s unique and sets itself apart from all the other spin studios who mostly embrace the same style of spin nowadays and frankly, Andrea is bada$$ awesome with a kind heart!
Andrea throws it down with her Rock N Roll tunes (a mix of old school and current rock with groove and matchable beats) while She encourages You and pushes You to make the best of Your ride without intimidation. She dances and jams along with us, all while ensuring the comfort of her students in class to set the temperature and ambiance just right and makes sure that You have all the necessities (a good towel, proper bike set up etc.) before class begins.
I’ve taken a ton of spin classes in all parts of L.A. and I immediately noticed the camaraderie at this gym and love how this is a private gym with an über cool rock n roll vibe.
If You’re looking to surround Yourself with positive energy and go to a gym where You feel Your business and presence is appreciated, this is the one! 5 stars all around!!! I will for sure be back to ride again!
Tip: Parking is easy, in the (residents and public) garage right across the street. $ 4 with 90 minute Made in L.A. validation at the desk.

I have enjoyed being in classes here and got a great workout each time. One very notable plus to the spin classes here, is the clientele. Each time I was there, the other people in the class were so cool and kind to me that I didn’t feel like an outta place newbie. I have had two different instructors both with very different approaches but I appreciated both. The ride here is pretty different from other studios in that it really is «your ride.» That was tricky for me to adjust to initially but i did and loved it.
The staff members at the desk each time, as well as the instructors (one of which i believe is the owner) were all friendly, helpful, and clearly felt invested in this gym beyond their «job.» They made me feel welcome and confident.
Lastly, the room. The bikes are easy to set, nothing fancy, and there’s just a cool, positive, energetic, feely vibe in there. I loved it.

I’ve taken many spin classes and to this day there is not an instructor that rocks a room and kicks your b*tt harder than Andrea. Her spin class to me is a therapy session and I highly recommend trying her classes. Aside from that the gym is a place where people go to actually work out and not take selfies!

If you want to have a real work out… come see Lena!!! She’s the best trainer ever & that’s the only reason why I come to made in la!

I was looking for a place to get some exercise in a class setting as I’d been in a bit of a rut for awhile.
I’d done yoga in the past and found that as long as there are other people doing it I feel motivated to try and keep up.
Made in LA was made for Sarah B.
I was a little scared before going as I’m about 20−30lbs overweight for my frame and wasn’t sure I could handle any intense physical activity since the most I’d done in a year was walk a mile a day when I felt like it…
Andrea’s spin class today at 10:30am proved I can do it!
There were about 25 other people in the class. It’s a small, clean, and private gym.
You enter the building from McCadden and walk up a flight of stairs to get to the main gym area.
There is a small seating/​reception area with a friendly gal with really pretty blue hair.
She was helpful getting me signed in, explaining how the gym worked, what spin is like, and helping me find a pair of spin shoes that fit me.
(you have to wear a special pair of shoes that clip into the bike pedal)
The class was a mixed bag of guys and gals of all different ages and experience.
I didn’t feel intimidated.
Andrea came in and helped me adjust my seat and the bike so I wouldn’t hurt/​strain myself (I’m only 5’4″)
She started with a nice introduction, put on the some music, and the 45 minute class was the most pleasurable experience I’ve had sweating (other than sex!)
You are able to adjust the bikes resistance level to what you feel comfortable doing. I mostly stayed at little to no resistance but would stand up occasionally on a higher one– that is how I felt most comfortable.
Andrea was supportive and accommodating to my «newcomer needs».
I felt this was a thorough work out for the mind, body and soul. It wasn’t a race or a contest.
Just a good honest work out.
I can’t wait to go back to more of her classes — and that is saying something for the girl who usually only reviews restaurants in between naps and Netflix.
If you are reading this check the schedule, grab a water bottle and go!!!

If you love to spin, because you love «the ride», then MADE IN LA is made for you.
At most spin gyms, spinning seems to be on an evolutionary path to becoming a full body workout. But can it be? Can you really get a great upper body workout on a stationary bike?
I have never found this to be true. Worse than this, is that the constant shouting at you with instructions to stand, sit, do curls, do triceps, position 1−2−3, shoulder thrusts, etc etc. has stripped spinning of its uniqueness. I know of no other workout where you can disappear in your head, listen to the music, and really enjoy the process of syncing up your movement with the rhythm of the beat. You don’t have to worry about your balance, so you can close your eyes and take a personal inner journey. What other workout allows you that unique experience of being connected to the music, to the energy of a room full of people doing the same, and yet still feel like you are in your space experiencing something all your own?
Well MADE IN LA is all about the ride. The music is awesome, and Andrea and her instructors focus you on your ride. You are challenged to stay with the beat, to make the hill steeper, to push harder, and to keep good form. The only instructions you will hear are to stand, sit and keep your pace to the beat. That’s it. The rest is up to you, and you can travel to that soulful place in your head that can only be achieved with intense movement, great music, and a release of endorphins. The ladies at this gym in particular, are kick-​ass spinners. Spinning at MADE IN LA is the real thing, it’s authentic, and it’s addictive.

I love this place. I’d taken a couple of spin classes before at 24 Hour and really didnt see what all the hype was about. Then I came to Andrea’s class. It’s not only the best workout I’ve ever had in my life, but it’s fun. The music is insanely great, the classes are small and personal, and what it did to my body in just a few months was unbelievable. Someone took a picture of me in a bikini at a 4^th of July BBQ from the back, and I didn’t even recognize myself at first. Do yourself a favor and try these spin classes. They are the best thing I’ve ever done for my butt and my head.

Made in LA Fitness is the BEST!!! I’ve been spinning with Andrea Lawent (the owner) for almost twenty years. She absolutely rocks. There is simply no class anywhere as fun or as challenging as Andrea’s. btw — there are a few comments saying Made in LA is not «clean» — not sure what studio these people have been too. Made in LA may not be as slick looking as the fancy new gyms and studios. But it’s spic ‘n span clean and, more importantly, it has SOUL!!!

Came to Made in LA about 5 or 6 months ago… A friend of mine has been coming here for years and literally told me to go for the past 2 years. Located above the Starbucks on the corner of Hollywood Blvd and McCadden go through the gate past the little tour bus company and up the stairs all you smell is clean. Love that.
So this private little gym is where many of hollywood’s hot little bodies are sculpted. Super cool vibe for private training but what I come there for is to spin. I had never been to spin before because I thought it was too hard and I would never be able to do it. At first I could barely stand up but Andrea, the gyms very sweet and supportive owner encouraged me to do my best and to challenge myself as well. I must say my ass has been handed to me many times. And the music… the music is amazing… Pearl Jam, Elton John, Stevie Nicks… and shit that will make you spin your ass off like the Devil went down to Georgia (almost had a heart attack that day)…so much fun. I love this place. I’ve turned around on days and realized that there was a supermodel or very relevant actress spinning right behind me. It’s great… after a short while I was able to keep up with most of them. Happy Happy! I love coming here every week and get real bummed out when I can’t. Really grateful for everyone at Made in LA. It’s changed how I think of myself.