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Petranek Fitness is school of ELITE FITNESS located in Santa Monica, California. We teach basic to advanced level classes in functional exercise, athletic conditioning, plyometrics, kettlebell training, Olympic weightlifting, medicine ball and dumbbell training, power-lifting, gymnastics, rowing, running and jumping rope. Our students are extremely diverse in their experience, conditioning, and lives; and include students, business executives, stay-at-home moms, athletes, writers, producers, and martial artists. We utilize CrossFit as our primary training method, and focus our students on optimizing physical competence in each of 10 recognized fitness domains (Cardio-respiratory endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy.) The stimulus provided is always varied and the results are dramatic. The atmosphere is one of support and camaraderie to anyone willing to put in the work.

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To provide the world's most effective health and fitness training.

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A community that is healthy, strong and vital, who'se participants have the courage to live outside the generally accepted as "normal" belief that health, fitness and vitality must decline with age.

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To us, fitness is a state of mind, way of being. It shows up in the way you talk, walk, sleep, eat, work, play, dress and relax. It is the physical embodiment of the character traits of honor, courage, confidence, discipline, integrity, responsibility, dedication, and joy. It is also instrumental in reducing the immediate and cumulative effects of stress and anxiety. We’ve found that the fitter a person is, the more he/she is physically able to do the things that bring joy and fun to life – everything from feeling strong, confident and energetic through your normal work day, running around with your kids, being physically active and playing sports, to traveling to remote corners of the earth. Being physically fit is inspiring, feels good, enriches your life, and adds both years to your life, and life to your years. People that are fit seem to have a clearer, more optimistic view of life. For us, the bottom line is this: Fitness allows you to live your best.

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“Live Your Best!” Who do you know that when asked, would say that they don't want to live their best? Yet how many people actually do it? We've found that truly enjoying life, making the most out of it, and having fun at the same time requires commitment and hard work. It's difficult, yet its also as rewarding as it gets! When you're "Living Your Best," you are getting the most out of life, truly "sucking it dry" - but you're not necessarily having "fun." Instead, you are committed, challenged, confronted, and very often afraid, and yet somehow, especially when required, you find the courage to press on. Petranek Fitness is committed to that somehow – helping you find that ability – in your mind, and subsequently your body. To do this, we offer the most effective coaching available in fitness conditioning, diet and nutrition, and re-conditioning.

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Why do athletes train as they do? Because it works! Our program is based on functional movements that have been around for thousands of years. These movements, like the squat, have survived the test of time for one reason only – they get results. Whether you’re a beginner or have years of experience, functional training that closely parallels real life and sport movements, and that challenges your mind and body works the best – in spite of all the modern technology and machines you see at most gyms today. When we combine this with variation, movements that require skill, balance, accuracy, agility and power, you’ve got our program. Our CrossFit classes draw from gymnastics, weightlifting and cardiovascular training – they will present a workout that challenges you to your core, at whatever your level of experience. Click here for more info [Why CrossFit].

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Andy Petranek is the founder of CrossFit Los Angeles. He has been inspiring people to lives of health and fitness for over 15 years. His passion for life and sport has led him in many directions - from classical music as a teenager, to the Marine Corps, whitewater kayaking, and professional adventure racing. His skills as a coach come from years spent as a student - Andy is currently studying gymnastics, and is actively training as a Zen Buddhist. He coaches individuals and groups of all ages and fitness levels in nutrition, fitness, and athletic conditioning. His workouts, designed to be completed in less than 30 minutes, are the most effective and efficient you'll find anywhere.
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Becca Borawski started as a student at CrossFit LA (then Petranek Fitness) when we first opened in 2004. Currently she is CrossFit LA's Program Director as well as a class instructor. Nothings happens here without her knowing about it first!





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Michael is CrossFit LA's newest instructor. He joined us in 2006, and, finding something here that he had never found in his workouts and training before, quickly rose to the top of our leader boards. When he expressed an interest in instructing, we welcomed him with open arms.



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Jonesy came to us in 2007 completely frustrated by "pop-fitness" in Los Angeles health clubs. Finding our gym was a relief to him since we gave him a place to train more like what he was used to - and great for us, since he brought with him so many years of athletic training experience.



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Click here to see videos of the major exercises we use in our workouts.

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Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about CrossFit.

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Most personal trainers rely on their clients to not think. They are happy when their clients leave the gym and have no idea what they did. They also count on their clients not quite achieving their goals. It’s called job security. If your client never achieves his/her goal, and never really knows what to do in or out of the gym for a workout, he/she will always need you!

At Petranek Fitness, when you hire us, you are hiring a coach. Our job is to help facilitate your listening, thinking, learning, being aware and being responsible. We guide and steer you on a course and are there to help you maintain your heading when a “storm” throws you in the wrong direction, however, it is clear from the start of our relationship that YOU are ultimately responsible for your health, fitness and vitality. Our instruction focuses on movement techniques and skills, physical conditioning, and the development of healthy workout, eating habits, and self-discipline, so that after a period of time, you’ve got all the essential elements, experience and confidence to make it through your life with health, fitness and vitality.

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Why is it that gymnasts never have to do a bicep curl to get big and strong biceps? How about weightlifters... you may not know it, but they NEVER do leg extensions, leg curls, leg press, or adduction/abduction exercises. Weight machines were designed by engineers to simulate the isolated movement of one muscle in your body. In real life, your body rarely uses one muscle at a time independently of all others. So while you may be getting bigger biceps, you are functionally less strong.

At Petranek Fitness, you'll NEVER do a bicep curl or a leg extension. We choose exercises that make large demands on your nervous and muscular systems and require many muscle groups to work together synergistically. Body weight exercises challenge you to be strong and agile enough to be in control of your body (pull ups, dips, handstand push ups, push ups, etc). Weightlifting exercises require technique and skill, and call upon a large number of muscles in your body to work together at the same time (squat, deadlift, clean, jerk, snatch, kettle bell, etc).