Fit Mom

Mother of two and founder of danceinspired fitness method LEKfit (a hit with celebs like Busy Philipps and Emmy Rossum), Lauren Kleban opens up her 1920’s English Tudor home in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park and spills her daily wellness routine, plus how moms can get back into their workout groove.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home— Tell us about the place!

LAUREN KLEBAN | Thank you for coming! We wanted to maintain the integrity of our traditional Hancock Park home (which is a 1920’s era English Tudor), while adding our own modern, eclectic rock ‘n’ roll vibe. I am very much a minimalist and prefer clean lines. I love a simple color of palette of black, white, and grey and my husband prefers more color so we agree on “pops” of color throughout the home.

MINI | Do you have a favorite room in your home?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I love our living room. It’s the first room you see as you enter the foyer and sets the tone. When we were decorating, we used the Greenwich Hotel in NYC for inspiration. We wanted a warm and inviting space with bold accents.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?

LAUREN KLEBAN | For starters, living in LA, we’re fortunate to have local access to great sources of antique items. We just purchased a framed vintage American flag from the Rose Bowl swap meet that I’m totally in love with. The antique crystal chandelier that hangs in the dining room was our first major purchase as homeowners together, so that will always be special. It sits above a ten-foot Tom Dixon brass dining room table. We love the combination of the two together. Also, our growing collection of contemporary and pop art has also heavily influenced our décor.

MINI | Where do you spend the most time in your home?

LAUREN KLEBAN | Since the studio is located in our garage (until spring 2018), I spend most of my time there. As a family, we spend most of our time in the kitchen or the patio directly off of the kitchen. Living in LA, we are spoiled by the great weather most of the year, which allows us the possibility of indoor/outdoor living.

MINI | Talk to us about your kids’ rooms. What inspired you in creating their spaces?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I never thought I would choose traditional blue and pink for my son (Miles) and daughter (Romy), but it happened and the kids couldn’t be happier. They have a Jack and Jill bathroom that is neutral with splashes of color so everyone is happy. I am a bit of a neat freak, so thankfully both kids have ample storage for their belongings. We had an entire wall in both rooms outfitted with built-in shelves and cabinets, which has been perfect storage for active (and messy) kids. I kept both rooms simple with small accents so they can be free to play and make it their own space.

MINI | What are your favorite elements in their rooms?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I love Miles’ teepee that his sister gifted him when she was born and Romy’s red heart wall decorations, which accent her bright pink walls.

MINI | What do you love most about raising your kids in Los Angeles?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I love the tremendous amount of cultural activities that are available to us as a family. For example, we live down the street from LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits, which we often visit. Also, I always think of LA of a bunch of little cities all wrapped up into one. So, we can alternate between one day visiting urban Downtown and the next day drive the kids to Malibu Country Mart and explore nearby beaches.

MINI | On a career note, tell us about LEKfit and how it all began.

LAUREN KLEBAN | I’ve taught at numerous studios and gyms, and saw a need for a more beneficial dance-inspired workout. Most of the workouts I had experienced were either pure cardio or mat work, but no one was combining the two. I also wanted to create something more feminine, so I consistently draw inspiration from my ballet, jazz, burlesque, and yoga training to create fun and effective workouts that empower women, and promote body love and acceptance.

MINI | Let’s talk wellness— You are the founder of LEKfit afterall! What is your daily wellness routine?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I like to sweat every day. I typically teach one class in the morning and when I’m out of town, I’ll stream LEKfit on-demand. I begin each day with warm water and lemon then have an all green juice after my workout. Getting in an early workout and necessary nutrients sets me up to make healthy choices throughout the day. Wellness is about being in tune with your body and doing what feels good.

MINI | What, diet-wise, do you try to stick to or stay away from?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I try to stay away from gluten, cow’s milk, alcohol and meat. I eat lots of fish, brown rice, vegetables and fruit. Nothing is completely off limits however, if I am craving something, I eat it!

MINI | We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?

LAUREN KLEBAN | My day typically begins at 6:30 with emails, teaching or calls. My kids wake up around 7 or 7:30 so if I’m I already in the studio, they will sneak in to give me kisses. I spend the rest of the day working with the LEKfit team on content, social media and various projects. I try my best to take both kids to their weekly dance classes and I’ll break to pick my son up from school as often as possible. Owning a business means there is always work to be done. But, putting the phone down and walking away from the computer to have dinner as a family has been a top priority for my me and my husband. I try to wrap things up for the day around 9:30 to take an epsom salt bubble bath. Then I read, watch a little Netflix, and spend time with my husband before bed.

MINI | Moms often have a hard time getting back into the workout routine after baby or even just juggling the kids, what would you suggest they do?

LAUREN KLEBAN | It’s super important to be gentle and patient with your body after baby. Take it slow, be realistic, and don’t stress. Be sure to workout with a trainer or an instructor who has had a baby or has a very clear understanding of the pre and postnatal body. Make time for yourself and don’t let “mom guilt” creep in! You can’t take care of your family if you don’t take care of you.

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I have the best nanny in the entire world and LEKfit would not be possible without her. She has become a fixture in the studio, in addition to helping us raise Miles and Romy. Having a husband who supports me on the business side also helps!

MINI | What is your mom uniform?

LAUREN KLEBAN | FRAME black denim, concert tee and Anine Bing booties or black VARLEY leggings, Heroine Sport bodysuit and black Adidas UltraBoost X sneakers.

MINI | Where do you like to shop? For yourself and your kids?

LAUREN KLEBAN | Barneys, Anine Bing, WhoWhatWear for Target and H&M for my kids.

MINI | How has motherhood changed you?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I have had to become much better at organizing and scheduling. Also, I’ve learned how to delegate to my super amazing staff at LEKfit.

MINI | What is your greatest joy of motherhood?

LAUREN KLEBAN | Watching their individual personalities form.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry?

LAUREN KLEBAN | Protecting them from the sometimes crazy world.

MINI | What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?

LAUREN KLEBAN | I think people actually do talk about it, but nobody can fully explain what it feels like emotionally to have your heart walking around outside your body in the form of your children.

MINI | Looking back to your first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?

LAUREN KLEBAN | Nobody does this perfectly. Nobody. So, go with the flow and seek help when you need it.

MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?

LAUREN KLEBAN | Be proud of who you are, accentuate your strengths and own your weaknesses. Be kind to everyone and know that I will always love you.

FAST FACTS

SIGNATURE SCENT Diptyque’s jasmine, saffron and ylang-ylang body oil.

GUILTY PLEASURE Scrolling the Daily Mail app.

FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE Trolls for the music!

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT M Cafe.

IDEAL DATE NIGHT Concert and sushi.

FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Only One You by Linda Kranz.

CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Niia and Gallant.

ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Peanut butter.

IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Relax more.

TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Venti almond milk capp.

BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Know all the lyrics to Let It Go.

ON MY NIGHTSTAND Slip silk eye mask, my iPhone, lavender pillow spray.

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS I’m really looking forward to taking a few days to just hang at home and spend time with family. We’ll celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas with our family at our home then head to Coronado in San Diego for a few days. This year is extra special because it’s the first year the kids are completely aware of the joy of the holidays and what they mean. It’s special to watch it through their eyes.

Photography by Ivy Reynolds