Kettlebell trainers in Los Angeles
Where instructors in this lineage have taught across the LA basin, and how to find one near you.
Kettlebells Los Angeles began on the Westside — Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, and Pacific Palisades — and spread outward as Dr. Cheng’s students became instructors in their own right. There has never been a single flagship gym; instructors teach in parks, studios, martial arts schools, and private settings, and each runs their own schedule.
Areas covered
West Los Angeles & Santa Monica
The original catchment. Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, and the surrounding Westside neighbourhoods. Historically served by Anton Summers, who ran an open-level outdoor class at Clover Park in Santa Monica, and by Dr. Mark Cheng himself for private clients.
Outdoor park training suits this area well — the climate cooperates almost year-round, and kettlebell work needs nothing more than flat ground.
Culver City
Anton Summers has taught at the Culver City Senior Center for many years. His teaching there now centres on Tai Chi rather than kettlebells; details are on his page.
South Bay — Torrance, Harbor City, Redondo
Joe Chalakee founded Kettlebells South Bay in Torrance after certifying under Dr. Cheng in 2008, offering kettlebell, sandbag, TRX, and battling rope classes. The business continues today under different ownership and has moved to Harbor City — see kettlebellssouthbay.com.
Inland Empire — Covina, Pomona, San Bernardino
Dr. Courtney Mizuhara-Cheng taught kettlebell strength, rehabilitation, and fitness training in this area during her residency at Pomona Valley Hospital.
Orange County — Irvine
Kingston Heng ran open-level kettlebell classes in Irvine alongside teaching Seven Star Mantis kung fu. See his page for current contact status.
Riverside County
Covered separately — see kettlebell trainers in Riverside County.
How to find a current class
Because instructors operate independently, this site is a directory of the lineage rather than a live timetable. The reliable sequence:
- Identify the instructor closest to you from the roster.
- Contact them directly using the details on their page, and confirm day, time, location, and price before travelling.
- If nobody in your immediate area is currently teaching, either arrange private training, or search the StrongFirst instructor directory — Dr. Cheng holds the rank of Certified Master Instructor there, and it is the closest equivalent standard to the training taught on this site.
What to look for in an LA kettlebell trainer
Los Angeles has no shortage of people offering kettlebell classes, and the quality range is wide. Three questions separate the serious from the decorative:
- Do they screen before they load you? If your first session goes straight to a workout without anyone watching you hinge, that is a warning sign.
- Can they name their certification and their teacher? Hardstyle kettlebell training is a lineage discipline. A good instructor will tell you exactly who trained them.
- Will they take a lift away from you? An instructor who never removes an exercise is not paying attention to the individual in front of them.
Los Angeles kettlebell questions
Where can I find kettlebell classes in West Los Angeles?
Instructors in this lineage have taught across the Westside — Santa Monica, Brentwood, Venice, and Pacific Palisades — typically in parks and private settings rather than a fixed gym. Start with the instructor roster and contact the person nearest you to confirm what is currently running.
Are there outdoor kettlebell classes in Santa Monica?
Open-level outdoor classes have historically run at Clover Park in Santa Monica, at the southwest corner off 25th Street next to the tennis courts. Confirm directly before travelling — park classes are both weather dependent and subject to instructor availability.
Do I need a gym membership to train with kettlebells in LA?
No, and that is much of the appeal. Kettlebell training needs a bell and a patch of flat ground. Group classes in this network have generally run in public parks on a pay-per-session basis, and private instructors will often travel to your home or office.
How much does kettlebell training cost in Los Angeles?
Group classes in this network have historically run around $20 per session paid at the class. Private rates are set individually by each instructor and vary with location and experience. Active duty police, fire, and armed forces personnel train at 50% off at any Kettlebells Los Angeles event.