Have you been mulling over trying a new sport but never really got to it? Or, maybe, you already have a favorite one – and you want to join a community of people as stoked about it as you are?
If your college or university doesn’t have a great sports club for you to join, there is no need to call it quits on the idea! Santa Monica has plenty of sports clubs for people of all ages and backgrounds where you’d be welcome.
Why Join a Sports Club?
If you’re a student, free time is mostly a luxury, not an abundant resource. That’s why you might be hesitating to join a sports club – it’s a significant commitment, after all. So, in case you need a bit more convincing to make the first step, here are four key benefits you can reap from this endeavor:
- You can try a new kind of sport – who knows; maybe it’ll become your favorite pastime;
- You’ll meet new people, boost your social life, and have a chance to network. Plus, you’ll have fun in the process, too;
- You’ll get the additional motivation to be physically active. It’s hard to keep procrastinating on it when you’ve paid for the membership, and club meetings are set in time;
- You’ll keep yourself healthy and fit. Plus, exercising will help you build confidence and improve your mood and ability to concentrate!
And in case you realize your homework is getting in your way more than you’d like, don’t worry: you can always hire an academic essay writer at EssayPro to make time for doing sports. Your body will thank you for this investment.
But for now – here are five Santa Monica sports clubs perfect for any student.
1. Track Club Los Angeles
- Location: Corsair Field, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd
- Pricing: $120 annual membership fee
- It’s for: runners of all levels and ages
- More information at: www.trackclubla.org
Every Tuesday at 6:00 pm, Santa Monica College Track becomes the place where aspiring and pro runners gather for a 30-minute warm-up before a workout led by Track Club LA. The location and the time are ideal for students, so picking up running with this club shouldn’t have any negative impact on your academic performance.
Don’t worry if you’re a complete newcomer to the world of running: there’s a separate workout for beginners! What’s more, you can go to a couple of workouts for free before joining the organization.
But those Tuesday workouts aren’t the only thing this club has to offer. Its members train for local races like the LA Marathon and Will Rogers 5K/10K. So, if running is your thing and you want to put your abilities to the test in a competition, Track Club LA can help you out, too.
2. MC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club
- Location: 320 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. B1
- It’s for: anyone who wants to learn Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai (kickboxing)
- More information at: www.mcbrazilianjiujitsuclub.com
Are you fascinated with the fighting style of John Wick? Do you want to pick up some of his moves? Or, maybe, you just want to build your self-defense skills? Then Jiu-Jitsu classes are the ideal pastime for you!
MC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club welcomes total beginners and experienced martial arts fans of all ages. So, whether you want to lose weight, find a stress-relieving activity, or develop your self-defense skills, go ahead and pay a visit to this club.
Not sure if Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai is a good match for you? Coaches have you covered here: you can try a free class before making any commitments!
3. LA Leggers
- Location: Tongva Park, 1450 Ocean Ave
- Pricing: $75 per season
- It’s for: runners and walkers of any level
- More information at: laleggers.org
Whether you want to run a marathon or you’re an entrepreneurial student in need of some stress relief after a week of hard work, LA Leggers are waiting for you! Every Saturday morning, stop by Tongva Park for a workout that’s going to make your day – and week.
If you consider yourself a couch potato, don’t worry; this non-profit has a great track record of turning couch potatoes into full-on marathoners. And it’s not just that! LA Leggers is a massive community of sports lovers open to anyone.
What’s more, its seasonal membership fee is just $75. With that in mind, it’s one of the best bargains for sport-oriented students on this list!
4. Santa Monica Beach Volleyball
- Location: 2600 Ocean Front Walk (the beach north of the Perry’s Cafe)
- Pricing: $30 (single class), $100 (a pack of four classes), $180 (8 classes), $240 (12 classes)
- It’s for: aspiring and pro volleyball players of all ages and backgrounds
- More information at: santamonicabeachvolleyball.com
Volleyball is a great sports choice for everyone who likes to spend the day under the sun at the beach. But in case you need someone to play with and guide you, Charlotte Wasserstein’s one-hour classes are always open to new participants.
You can choose from three levels of classes: beginner, intermediate, and experienced. Most classes take place during the weekend, all year round.
By the way, if you’re after an athlete scholarship, volleyball is one of those sports that come with full-ride opportunities. How about that for an additional incentive?
5. Westside Tennis
- Locations: John Adams (JAMS), 2425 16th St; Colorado Center Park (Main hub), 2501 Broadway
- Pricing: $150 per month (1 class a week) or $280 per month (2 classes per week); drop-in rate – $45 per class
- It’s for: anyone who wants to learn to play tennis or boost their skills
- More information at: westside-tennis.com
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro tennis player, Westside Tennis is the place for you. It offers Beginner and Intermediate Clinic sessions (groups of 2 to 6 participants) with world-class coaches to train you. And if you want to level it up a notch, there are Live Ball Clinic sessions for intermediate and advanced players!
With two locations in Santa Monica and sessions for all levels scheduled every day, Westside Tennis is perfect for students. You don’t have to worry about a rigid timetable – you can tweak your schedule on a week-to-week basis if you need to.
In Conclusion: How to Choose the Right Sports Club
So, here you have it, the five Santa Monica sports clubs that you should consider if you want to join a local one. As you can see, there’s no shortage of them. So, how do you pick one – and avoid regretting the decision afterward?
Here are four simple tips to guide you in your decision-making process:
- Check the reviews and ask around for opinions. Go to Yelp and see what people have to say about this or that club. If those aren’t enough, don’t hesitate to take to social media and ask your friends for feedback.
- Consider the cost. Not all students can afford to pay $400 a month for a sports club. So, be realistic about your budget and take it into account before reaching out to shortlisted organizations.
- Consider the location and schedule. The workout sessions should be held in a location convenient to get to, and the timing should be a good fit for your schedule.
- Try it out before committing. This is the only way you can gauge the team’s vibe, the coaches’ attitudes, and the workout style to see if they match your preferences.
