When Hollywood’s leading women need results fast, they call Lauren Kleban, the powerhouse behind LEKFIT, the cult favorite workout that blends sweat, sculpt, and serious fun. After transforming the fitness scene from her Hancock Park home studio, Lauren has now opened a stunning LEKFIT space in Los Angeles that feels more like a house party than a gym, complete with marble details, music that moves you, and an energy that keeps you coming back for more.
We caught up with Lauren to talk about building one of LA’s most beloved fitness communities, why rebounding is the ultimate multitasker, and what it really means to move with joy.
You started as a professional dancer and choreographer, at what point did you realize there was space for a method like LEKFIT? As a professional dancer, I was also very engaged in the fitness industry. At that time, dance-based workouts were really taking off, think Zumba, The Grind on MTV, pole dancing, it was all on the come up! I knew that at some point I’d have to transition out of performing, and that fitness would be my next career path. I wanted to build something that could carry me forward when I became a mom for the first time that became LEKFIT.
The method itself was born because I saw a gap. Dance fitness classes back then felt like traditional dance classes, lots of stopping and starting, learning choreography, then going full out. I wanted people to experience a workout, something continuous, very, very simple to follow choreography, and designed to keep your heart rate up while moving with joy.
Most importantly for me, this was the “bikini body ready” era and I wanted to shift far away from that ideology in my teaching. I didn’t want LEKFIT to be about punishing your body like other popular workouts at the time. I wanted to come at it with a dancer’s mentality which is about movement as healing, moving through things, loving and embracing your body, and getting all the benefits of moving, instead of trying to punish the body.
How would you describe the LEKFIT method to someone who’s never tried it? LEKFIT is a really unique, complete fitness method that offers cardio, strength, sculpting, recovery and lymphatic drainage in one. We deliver new workouts both online and in LA seven days a week. No two classes are ever the same, and everything is structured so you can safely move your body every day. We believe in moving your body every day of the week, but not in the same way every day. You can’t lift heavy every day, just like you can’t only stretch every day, which often makes it challenging for people when trying to find a studio and deciding between CrossFit, pilates, barre etc. We’ve built the perfect balance so your body feels challenged, restored, and strong without the need to have multiple studio subscriptions or run around town – from strengthening and sculpting to lymphatic flow and stretching, we have you covered.
Rebounding, sculpt, strength, choreography, what makes these elements so transformative together? It’s the structure and specificity that make it transformative. Every week we release nine new workouts, and each one is completely different. Some days we’re at the barre, some days on the mat, some days combining cardio and strength, or focusing on using just our own body’s resistance. Each week has is tailored to have its own focus and flow, heavy to light, sculpt to restore, so your body never gets bored or plateaus. You’re always moving safely, always working the entire body, and always keeping your system guessing, which is important so the body doesn’t get complacent. We want to take the guesswork out of it for you. All you have to do is press play or show up in LA, your body stays engaged, challenged, and evolving.
You talk a lot about lymphatic flow. Why is that piece so important, especially for women? All our bodies have a lymphatic system, but it doesn’t have its own pump, so you have to move it manually. The rebounder is the best way to do that. Sure, you can get a lymphatic massage or dry brush, but rebounding activates your lymphatic system while also detoxing the body and engaging every muscle, especially the pelvic floor. When you’re bouncing, you’re literally pumping and clearing toxins, improving circulation, and strengthening from head to toe. It’s incredible for health, energy, balance, and recovery. Honestly, I still can’t believe when I see people choose to do something besides rebounding – that’s how good it is, a true multitasker.
When a client is preparing for a film or red carpet, how does your approach shift compared to when you’re training them for everyday strength and longevity? When a client is preparing for something specific, say, a film role, I’ll tailor their workouts to fit that character or physical demand. But more often than not, people come to get ready for red carpets and events. My philosophy is that we should all aim to be camera-ready all the time, not out of vanity, but because it’s healthier than constantly cycling between extremes. That push-and-pull, getting “ready” and then letting go, is basically yo-yo fitness. I prefer a sustainable approach: consistent movement, hydration, and nutrition is really, really important. The goal is to look and feel strong, healthy, and confident always, not just when a big moment comes up.
What did you want the new LEKFIT studio to feel like the moment someone walks in? When somebody walks into the LEKFIT studio, I want them to catch all kinds of feels! We designed it to be very similar to my home in Hancock Park, which is where LEKFIT first got started in my home studio. I wanted it to feel like walking into the most elegant, fun, and inviting house party. You walk through the patio, the music’s bumping, there’s a marble check in desk and black chevron floors – it’s gorgeous but warm and I want you to just feel like you’re home but in a blissful elevated way.
The most important thing is that everyone feels welcome. I know the workout looks intimidating and truthfully, it is hard. It will always be hard. My motto is: if it’s not hard, I’ve failed. But I never want anyone to feel out of place. The culture we’ve built is supportive, inclusive, and community-driven. You’ll sweat, you’ll be challenged, and you’ll leave feeling incredible and you’ll be surrounded by people who are cheering you on.
What kind of culture are you trying to build for women inside this space? We’ve built a culture where women feel strong, connected, and completely themselves. From day one in my garage to now, I’ve seen friendships form and confidence grow, that’s what it’s all about. I want you to come in, and you know you’re going to sweat and you know you’re going get worked and you’re going leave feeling energized and amazing. LEKFIT is a space where people feel welcome and celebrated. Everyone is so supportive of each other and welcoming. It’s just the most amazing thing.
