On a brisk Wednesday evening in December, a small group gathered in front of the East Los Angeles Library for a walk — no sign-ups, no pressure, no playlist.
Led by a light blue flag that read “East LA Walking Club,” the mostly millennials set off down 3rd Street, passing local landmarks like King Taco and Lupe’s Burritos. Some wore leggings and running shoes, others were still in work scrubs.
The club was the idea of East LA resident Brissa Sanchez, 32, who launched it in September as a way to stay active, build community and spend less time on her phone.
“I didn’t think people my age would be interested because they’d think it was boring,” Sanchez said. “But people actually came out.”
With a come-as-you-are vibe, the East LA Walking Club meets weekly and encourages fitness in a type-B way. There’s no warm-up, stretching or selfies. No pump-up jams blasting from a speaker. Just a chance to be outside with neighbors after a long day hunched over a computer.
“I’ve been pretty sedentary most of my life,” said Sanchez, who works as a social media and outreach coordinator for the Eastmont Community Center.
In 2020, she kick-started her fitness journey after completing a certified teacher training at People’s Yoga.
“It was the most yoga I’ve ever done in my life,” said Sanchez. “I had to use topicals for my sore muscles. It made me realize how important it is to be active.”
Members of the East LA Walking Club cross 3rd Street after finishing their 2-mile route on Dec. 17, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Lopez / Boyle Heights Beat)
Five years later, she put that lesson into action: she designed a logo, created an Instagram account, and put the word out about the first walk. In October, some walkers held onto leashes of costume-clad dogs as they strutted down Whittier Boulevard for an impromptu Halloween paw parade.
So far, the group has clocked 23.7 miles, but it’s less about numbers and more about encouraging each other to keep moving. Some members meet up at LA Fitness to weightlift and do cardio. Others set goals like hitting 50,000 steps a week.
In a neighborhood where daily life can feel rushed and isolating, the club offers something simple: a reason to show up for one another.
“I like the social aspect,” said East LA native Angel Balencia, 30, who works in IT. “Time goes by quickly and cardio is less of a chore.”
After developing sleep apnea, Balencia was told by his doctor to lose weight. He joined a prediabetic group at UCLA and lost 100 pounds last year. Cutting out juice was critical, but balance has been key. He doesn’t deprive himself of anything and eats sweets in moderation to avoid binge eating.
“It’s not something I was taught growing up,” said Balencia, who played football at Montebello High School. “The culture’s shifting. Movement is more important. It’s been a learning experience.”
The East LA Walking Club gathers at the East LA Civic Center ahead of their last walk of 2025. (Photo by Andrew Lopez / Boyle Heights Beat)
The East LA Walking Club meets weekly, with routes changing monthly. Their mascot, Bucky, a fluffy terrier mix, is usually in tow and aside from the occasional dog poop, walks have gone smoothly. Staying local helps members, all of whom live in the neighborhood, stay consistent.
“Whenever there’s a club, I have to travel to Downtown or Pasadena,” said Sanchez’s sister Sandy Sanchez, who lives in Monterey Park. “It’s really cool having something here in East LA.”
Brissa, who rounded up walkers for last month’s inaugural car-free Camino City Terrace, wants to recruit older folks and kids.
“Everyone needs community,” she said.
As the walk winds down, the smell of carne asada drifts in the air. Conversations turn to food, dinner plans and errands — Costco, maybe In-N-Out— the group dispersing not as strangers but as neighbors who will likely see each other again next week.
Details:
The East LA Walking Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Meet-up locations and routes are posted a few days before walks take place. The next walk is Wednesday, Jan. 7. Find them on Instagram for more information.