The Rise of Outdoor Boot Camps: What to Expect in LA’s Group Fitness Scene

Saturday before sunrise, on a stretch of sand between Ocean Park Boulevard and Venice Pier, nearly forty Angelenos face the Pacific and begin squatting under the barked encouragement of a coach. Early-morning, open-air boot camp is now the hottest ticket in group fitness, drawing everyone from Silver Lake freelancers to Santa Monica parents for sweat-soaked classes that promise both community and accountability.

The surge couldn’t come at a more relevant moment. With gyms across Los Angeles still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions and another record-breaking hot summer already underway, residents are seeking ways to stay healthy, social, and safely distanced—without sacrificing the energy that comes from working out together. Outdoor boot camps check all the boxes: fresh air, camaraderie, and a rotating lineup of exercises that stave off boredom.

Santa Monica Stairs to Runyon Canyon: LA’s New Outdoor Arenas

In true LA style, these boot camps have made iconic locations their unofficial studios. Legacy gym Barry’s is back with its ‘Open Air’ circuit classes on the grassy expanse beside the Santa Monica Pier, charging $28 for a drop-in. Meanwhile, Sweat City LA hosts daily classes at Griffith Park’s famed Old Zoo picnic area, where groups lunge through eucalyptus-filtered sunlight with a view up to the Griffith Observatory. Smaller entrepreneurs are making a mark too: Silver Lake Bootcamp draws regulars to the edge of the Reservoir at sunrise, and BOT Bootcamps has begun popping up on Pan Pacific Park’s east lawn, each session capped at 25 to keep things personal.

This local boom follows a distinct shift among Angelenos post-2021, says LA Rec & Parks: park permit applications for group fitness grew by 47% between 2022 and 2025. City data shows at least 120 recurring boot camp sessions now active on public land each week, up from fewer than 60 in mid-2021. Cost varies, with most classes running $15 to $30 per participant, and monthly packages offering discounts for regulars. Some city-run rec programs, including the long-running Griffith Park Fit Club, remain free—though waitlists have tripled since Memorial Day, with 160 people signing on last quarter alone.

Ready to Join? Here’s What to Expect

So, what’s a first-timer in for? Expect dynamic, circuit-style routines—think interval sprints across grass, partner push-ups, agility drills with resistance bands, and the occasional sandbag carry up a hillside. Most camps cater to all levels, with modifications for beginners and friendly reminders that hydration is non-negotiable (especially when temps push past 90 by late morning). Social connection is a draw: Santa Monica Workouts estimates half its members return for the group’s camaraderie as much as the calorie burn. Organizers advise booking ahead, bringing a mat or towel, and wearing a hat—and if you’re heat-sensitive, look for sunrise or sunset sessions.

With City Council recently greenlighting more permits for fitness pros to use parks and beaches, even more options are set to launch by August. For newcomers and veterans alike, LA’s boot camp boom shows no sign of slowing: as neighborhoods knit themselves back together, community fitness on the city’s own front lawn is feeling less like a trend and more like a new ritual.