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EPISODE 64: “Resetting Your Body This Year: A San Pedro Resident’s Guide to Moving Better”

The 2 most popular goals people set at the beginning of the year are to lose weight and exercise more. Is that a surprise to you? I am sure it is not. As we head into a new year, we want to get in shape, feel better, look better. We notice that our clothes are feeling a little tighter from the Holidays. We feel icky and we decide we are ready to be a new and improved version of ourself.


If you were flipping the pages and stopped at this article it is because you too want to get moving in 2026! This article is going to walk you through some easy steps you can take to get moving this year.


Getting Started

The most challenging part of any new thing is how and where to start. Often because this itself is so overwhelming, people never actually get started. We don't know if we should sign up for a gym to help is get started and where to go to or if we go somewhere new, we think that we won't know anyone there, or know how to use the equipment. We are scared. We also struggle to make time in our schedules by making excuses that we are too busy. We make getting started very big, when it can really be simple and small.


What do you Love?

Any new habit can be created by taking baby steps. The first step is figuring out what you like to do. Do like the gym and vibes? If so, do you like gyms that have classes so yo can show up and be told what to do, or do you like to work out on your own. Do you like Yoga? Pilates? Kickboxing? Strength Training? or even Ballet or dance? Do you enjoy walking or jogging? Outside or on a treadmill? Do you like to play sports? Weeknight basketball leagues? Weekend Soccer? Beach volleyball? Are you a 1-1 learner or do you like to meet people and exercise in groups. My first suggestion to figure out what you love to do.


Find your People

Next you need to go looking for the place. There are a ton of options in San Pedro. We have given you a long list of all recreational activities, gyms and fitness options you can get started with. Take a look and see if any of these stand out for you.


SAN PEDRO FITNESS DIRECTORY

Strength & Functional Training

HEYDAY ELITE FITNESS & CROSSFIT Functional and CrossFit-style training with personalized coaching and a strong community feel. Website: heydaytraining.com | Phone: (310) 504-1786

KO FITNESS & WELLNESS CENTER Bootcamp, HIIT, boxing and strength classes designed to motivate and challenge all levels.

Website: ko-fitnessllc.com | Phone: (310) 567-3827

PORT TOWN FITNESS Circuit training and kickboxing classes focused on building strength and endurance in a small-group setting.

Website: porttownfitness.com | Phone: (424) 536-3122

WEST COAST BARBELL Strength-centered facility offering powerlifting, bootcamps and performance-focused training.

Website: westcoastbarbellsp.com | Phone: (424) 536-9274

SAN PEDRO FIT WORKS Personal training and group classes tailored to individual goals in a supportive, boutique environment.

Website: sanpedrofitworks.com | Phone: (424) 342-9090

Boutique, Studio & Specialty Fitness

FIT CULTURE PILATES Dynamic reformer Pilates, hot Pilates, and yoga-style classes designed to build strength, flexibility, balance and overall wellness. Offers group classes and private sessions.

Website: fitculturepilates.com | Phone: (424) 484-2515

HARBOR FITNESS Waterfront studio offering kickboxing, dance cardio, strength and mobility-based classes.

Website: harborfitnessforlife.com | Phone: (562) 449-9021

HOTWORX — SAN PEDRO Infrared heat-enhanced yoga, Pilates, HIIT and barre with 24/7 studio access.

Website: hotworx.net/studio/san-pedro | Phone: (310) 622-1306

PURE BARRE Low-impact, high-intensity barre classes that sculpt and strengthen while improving posture and stability.

Website: purebarre.com/location/san-pedro-ca | Phone: (310) 547-2200

VIVE YOGA Community-oriented yoga studio offering flow, vinyasa, restorative and specialty classes for all levels. Focuses on mobility, breath work, and mindful movement.

Website: viveyogasouthbay.com | Phone: (310) 548-4366

Dance & Ballet Studios

DANCE TECH Ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acro and creative movement for dancers of all ages.

Website: dancetechsp.com | Phone: (310) 935-2888

DANCE FACTORY SCHOOL-PERFORMING Multi-style dance instruction from recreational to performance level.

Website: dance-factory.net | Phone: (310) 519-3600

HALEY CLARK DANCE COMPANY Technique and performance-focused dance training across styles.

Phone: (310) 548-5570

SAN PEDRO CITY BALLET Classical ballet training for youth and adults with performance opportunities.

Website: sanpedroballetschool.com | Phone: (310) 732-1861

Full-Service Community Fitness

ANN & STEVE HINCHLIFFE SAN PEDRO & PENINSULA YMCA Comprehensive community fitness center with strength and cardio equipment, pool, classes and youth programs.


Parks, Recreation & Outdoor Activity — San Pedro, CA

Parks & Outdoor Spaces

  • Peck Park — Hiking trails, picnic areas, open field space.560 N Western Ave

  • Averill Park — Scenic pond, shaded paths, leisure walking.1300 S Dodson Ave

  • White Point Park & Nature Preserve — Coastal trails, overlooks, rugged terrain.Paseo del Mar & W 36th St

  • Angels Gate Park — Ocean views, bluff walking paths.3601 S Gaffey St

  • 22nd Street Park — Flat open space for light jogging + dog-friendly.2200 S Crescent Ave

  • Harbor Waterfront Promenade — Walk/run path along the water.Downtown Waterfront

Recreation Centers

  • Bogdanovich Recreation Center — Courts, fields, rec programs.(310) 548-7596

  • Peck Park Community Center — Fitness & community programming.(310) 548-7580

  • Leland Recreation Center — Neighborhood rec, sports & events.(310) 548-7729

Adult Sports Leagues

Tennis & Pickleball

  • Bogdanovich Rec Center Courts — Tennis + pickleball striping.

  • Peck Park Courts — Tennis courts, open play availability.

  • Gaffey St. Community Courts (Angels Gate area) — Tennis + casual pickleball.

  • 22nd Street Park (informal) — Pickleball/rec play on flat surfaces (self-organized)

Running / Walking Spots

  • Peck Park trails

  • White Point coastal paths

  • Harbor Waterfront Promenade

  • 22nd Street Park

  • Angels Gate bluff area


Lock in your Schedule

Lastly you need to lay out your schedule and be honest with yourself about it. Start slowly. 1-2 times a week is a good start. Not only to ensure that this is something that you like and works for you, but also to avoid getting injured. If you go into a new activity and do too much, too quick you put yourself at risk of spiking your training load too quick. This is a recipe for injury.


Create A New Habit

Once you have scheduled your exercise time into your hard schedule you need to comitt to it. Priortize yourself. It is not an option to move something into this time you have scheduled for exercise. Everything but this is a NO. Get good at saying, " no I can't meet at that time I have Pilates" or I am sorry I can't do breakfast that day I am have a kickboxing class then." If you don't make exercise a priority in your life, it won't be.


So what is stopping you now? I gave you lots of options. I gave you a plan. Let's go! There is no time like the present to get started. It's never too early and it's never too late.


Struggling with an injury?

If you’re in the San Pedro or Los Angeles area and looking for some help, we are a practice that reflects these values — individualized care, intentional programming, and long-term performance. We’d love to work with you at Physical Therapy San Pedro.


For those outside the area, we also offer telehealth sessions and online programs focused on ankle and knee pain, designed for athletes who want to keep progressing no matter where they’re located.


Stay Connected & Take the Next Step

📅 Book an in-person or virtual session with Dr. Ja’nae Brown at Physical Therapy San Pedro

📸 IG / FB: @physicaltherapysanpedro

📺 YouTube: Physical Therapy San Pedro

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

📞 (424) 536-3023

📍 415 W 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731


💪 Guest: Lawrence Alcera — Port Town Fitness

📸 IG: @porttownfitness

📘 Facebook: Port Town Fitness


Stay strong. Stay moving. And have an amazing 2026 year!


❤️ Dr. Ja’nae Brown









 
 
 

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