As I finished my last set of squats, soft morning light glowed through the windows of the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC). No music interfered — there was near silence as everyone worked out in the meditative atmosphere. Exertion and relaxation. I walked to a railing and looked down on the hardwood basketball court, complete with a winged foot LAAC logo. On the opposite railing, an expansive atrium spread a glow over an Olympic swimming pool. How could I make this workout last longer?
It’s a question I pondered as I wandered the club, and took in a place that’s at once historic, creative, communal, and athletic. With FIFA 2026 set to kick off on June 12 at LA’s SoFi Stadium, the club provides a place to stay, work out, socialize, and branch out, all while immersed in the culture of old Los Angeles. Here’s what stood out during my visit.
More Than a Gym: A Century of LA Culture
The Los Angeles Athletic Club’s story began in 1880, in the city’s early days of only 11,000 residents, when stagecoaches roamed the streets. Forty well-known Angelenos — like pioneers, adventurers, and athletes — joined forces to create the city’s first private club. The initiation fee was $5, and monthly dues were $1.
In 1885, the Los Angeles Times noted: “The Los Angeles Athletic Club is, in fact, one of the leading organizations of its kind on the coast, ranking next to the Olympic Club of San Francisco. Its influences are good morally and physically, inoculating a better and more vigorous life while furnishing amusement free from taint. It ought, therefore, to receive, as it has hitherto done, the moral support of the best elements of the community.”
Over the years, Hollywood icons have graced the halls, including Charlie Chaplin, who once lived there in his youth. Additional luminaries include Jack London, William Randolph Hearst, and WW1 Ace Eddie Rickenbacker. In the decades since, the Beaux-Arts building has continued to evolve, including a recent multi-million dollar renovation.
Valentina Sallas, LAAC Complex Marketing Manager: “The Los Angeles Athletic Club has long served as a cornerstone of downtown Los Angeles. Originally built as a gathering place for athletes, the club played a central role in shaping the city’s early sports culture while fostering a strong sense of community.”
“As Los Angeles grew into a global hub for entertainment, media, and creativity, the club evolved alongside it. It became a place where athletes, creatives, and industry leaders naturally intersected, creating a unique environment that blends physical performance with cultural influence.”
Toni Mendoza, LAAC Membership Experience Manager: “LAAC holds a storied legacy, and while we prioritize the privacy and discretion of our current members, our history is built on icons of sport and screen.”
“Historically, our walls have been home to local legends like Charlie Chaplin and Walt Disney, who both found community here. Our athletic heritage is equally prestigious, featuring Lakers legends, ESPN personalities, and numerous John R. Wooden Award winners. This blend of Hollywood pioneers and elite athletes continues to define the unique spirit of the LAAC.”
Everything You Need to Train Like a Pro (And Then Some)
Upon entering LAAC, the private, club-like feeling took me from the start. Staff greeted me like a valued guest and directed me where I wanted to go, which was the free weight/machine/cardio area accessed via elevator. Along the walls, various sports memorabilia commemorated great athletes and historic moments, and created a classic, curated environment.
Valentina Sallas: “What sets LAAC apart is the breadth and depth of its offerings within a single, cohesive environment. Spanning multiple floors, the club features everything from a 25-meter indoor pool and full basketball court to squash, strength training, and a growing wellness program that includes Pilates and yoga.
“Unlike traditional gyms, the experience is not transactional – it’s immersive. Members move fluidly between fitness, social spaces, and work areas, creating a rhythm that feels more like a lifestyle than a workout routine.”
Upon reaching the workout space, gentle light poured through the windows, and there was a slightly retro-industrial feel with ductwork and windows reminiscent of old factories. I got to work on the squat rack, then bench press, and more, as members quietly, respectfully moved through the space. On either side, a banister overlooked the swimming pool and a basketball court. A rubberized, banked track bordered the building.
Free-weight workouts are full of strain, but LAAC’s near-spa-like atmosphere created a space to enjoy. On the opposite side of the free weight area, I ventured into a space of treadmills and machines, and completed my core workout with a medicine ball and kettlebells. I loved the feeling of community among everyone, and the staff who greeted me, asked about my workout, or how they could help.
My body worn out, I warmed down on the John Wooden basketball court, playfully shooting some hoops under the latticework atrium. But the workout was only the beginning.
After the Workout, the Real Experience Begins
Next, I traveled through the intriguing spaces of LAAC, reminiscent of reading a story on old LA. Interspersed with wood-paneled rooms with towering ceilings were cozy hideaways full of creativity and character. In the Blue Room, stacked books formed a column among old leather couches and chairs, an array of old tennis rackets, a chandelier, and classic memorabilia. Checkered window panes let in a dim, soft light.
Next, Duke’s Sports Bar turned back the clock with red leather stools, arcade games, aged wood surfaces, and a shuffleboard. Bricks showed through on some walls, and stained-glass windowpanes added an old-time character.
Valentina Sallas: “Some of the most defining moments at LAAC happen in spaces that feel both historic and unexpected. Beyond the core athletic facilities, the club is home to a series of distinct environments that each reflect a different chapter in its history.
“The Blue Room speakeasy offers a more intimate, tucked-away experience, while social spaces like Duke’s bring a livelier, nostalgic energy.”
But perhaps the biggest draw was the almost endless displays of athletic memorabilia. At the forefront was the club’s Olympic history, with 97 medal winners (47 gold) at the Summer Olympics. Today, the club serves as a training base for swimmer Jamal Hill, foil fencer Nick Itkin, artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez, and track & field medalist Isaac Jean-Peal.
As my group explored different levels and rooms, there was always something new, something intriguing, like the shifting scenes of a movie. Downstairs, we watched vigorous squash matches and peered in on yoga classes. White brick walls and a maze of hallways led us onward.
Walking through another space, a signed photo of Jackie Robinson was a vivid display of sporting greatness, against maple-toned walls with old catcher’s masks and decades-old basketballs. Another highlight was the displayed John R. Wooden Award, which LAAC awards each year to the country’s top college basketball player. Symbolizing the club’s personality was the 17-foot Mercury sculpture, representing the focus and grace of athletics.
In a way, anyone who exercises is an athlete. But being inside LAAC makes you feel a part of sporting lore.
For post-workout recovery, my group visited the in-house Famous Players Café, led by Top Chef contestant Marcel Vigneron. I found the ambience a blend of formal and casual, with plaid-sided wingback chairs, clay-toned tile floors, large screen TVs, blue velvet couches and chairs, and soft overhead lighting. Hollywood legends and sports memorabilia line the walls. I picked the chicken avocado wrap, a mix of fresh and hardy, made of iceberg, carrot, tomato, cilantro, avocado, chipotle mayo, flour tortilla, alongside seasonal fruit.
Once You Train Here, Every Other Gym Feels Like a Step Down
Over the years, I’ve been to many gyms and some private clubs. LAAC felt like both. Not only that, but it exuded the essence of old LA, while commemorating the screen and sport icons at the heart of the city. The contrast of dark and light spaces, some cozy, some expansive, unfolded like a story, as I worked out and unwound, enjoyed fine California cuisine, and savored life.
Those staying at the Los Angeles Athletic Club for FIFA 2026 can enjoy full member benefits, including World Cup viewing parties and member events, and of course, proximity to the amazing SoFi Stadium.
For the active traveler attending FIFA 2026, LAAC should be on your radar. It provides a luxurious headquarters, where you feel part of the city’s lore, and can work and play to your heart’s content.
