We all adapted to at-home workouts recently, but nothing quite beats a workout IRL to whip you into shape, does it?
Whether it’s a restorative yoga session, sweaty spin, or lively boxing session you’ve missed the most, here is our round-up of the best fitness classes in London to get your workout endorphins flowing once again.
Louisa Drake Method
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You are in very safe hands at Louisa Drake Method; Drake has trained the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, and members of the royal family after all. Unique, multi-compound classes fuse transitions between resistance, conditioning, cardio, stretch, and elements of dance to encourage long, lean limbs and build strength. The class sizes at the Fitzrovia studio are purposefully small, so there’s plenty of one-on-one time with instructors to finesse your posture. Positioned below Detox Kitchen, it’s near impossible to avoid a delicious green juice and slice of more-ish banana bread post-class too.
Psycle
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The Psycle community is like no other, and with all four of their fitness studios re-opening this week, expect a high-energy return with excellent playlists to boot. From sculpting barre, to energetic spin, and a range of strength and yoga classes, every workout is designed with a feel-good factor in mind. Look out for mindfulness classes (coming soon), a new fifth pillar to Psycle’s holistic approach to wellness. Also new is the launch of the Psycle’s Flex package, offering unlimited use of the excellent At-Home online platform, as well as five in-studio classes for £100 per month.
Bamford
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A haven of peace for the well-heeled Brompton Cross crowd, Bamford Wellness Spa is the chicest space to work out in town. There are all manner of yoga classes on offer in the ethereal skylit studio (yin, slow flow, vinyasa) to unfurl tight limbs, and still the mind. And it would be rude not to linger a little longer after your class, whether opting for a skin-purifying facial, or deep-tissue massage to further melt any pent-up tension. Naturally, a visit to Bamford wouldn’t be complete without stocking up some of their famous bath products too.
Sweat By BXR
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Train like an athlete, even if you are a beginner at Sweat by BXR. The signature class at both the Marylebone and Canary wharf outposts is Versaclimbing: a super sweaty 45-minute class taking place on a Versaclimber, which is a vertical machine that mimics the motion of climbing. The aim of the game is to keep going to the beat of the music. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s surprisingly mind-clearing.
Define London
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If you want a body like Jourdan Dunn – and quite frankly who wouldn’t? – there’s only really one place to go: Define London. Ex-Broadway dancer, Ashley Verma, delivers her barre classes with an infectious energy, and her peppy team of instructors are equally as enthusiastic. All classes are focused on small, isometric moves which deliver on that signature barre burn and an unbeatable shake! Mat is a fantastic floor-based class which incorporates hand and ankle weights to sculpt the leanest of limbs, whilst Power combines classic barre moves with cardio for a sweatier session. Expect perkier glutes and rediscovered abs in no time.
KOBOX
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Put everything you think you know about boxing out of your mind. KOBOX is anything but intimidating, even for first-timers. The dimly lit, underground studio allows you to really lose your inhibitions and release any tension on one of the punch bags suspended from the ceiling. The 50-minute classes fly by. The first half puts you through your paces with combinations of crosses, jabs, and hooks. The other half covers a range of targeted floor work exercises from burpees to lunges. Classes focus on a different body part each day of the week, to ensure a full body workout.
Heartcore
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Feeling a little hunched from a year spent crouched over your laptop and makeshift desk? May we suggest Heartcore to realign you posture. Their signature Dynamic Pilates takes place on a reformer and while their controlled moves are low impact, don’t be fooled – this is tough! It all pays off to build core strength and endurance. Expect to feel two inches taller after just one class.
Workshop Gymnasium
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What could be more swish than turning up to The Bvlgari Hotel for your workout? It’s favoured by socialites and celebrities alike, which is unsurprising, considering Workshop Gymnasium’s bespoke approach to fitness. Each client is assessed in order to curate a specific programme tailored to their goals, workouts include stellar personal training sessions alongside everything from water barre to boxing. There’s also an on-site physiotherapy service available to mollify aches and pains, as well as excellent fascial stretch therapy to promote ultimate flexibility.
Boom Cycle
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The original boutique spinning studio in London is still as addictive as when it launched in 2011. You are guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and fizzing with energy. With playlists you’ll want to sing along to and dark buzzy studios, it’s a bit like being back in a nightclub – remember those? Classes are inclusive, there’s no competition, and instructors inspire you to push harder and switch off from the day’s stresses – if only for an hour.
Core Collective
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There’s no chance of getting bored at Core Collective. Offering a dynamic variety of classes including Cycle, Circuit, Row, Power Yoga, and Mat Pilates, they take a well-rounded approach to fitness. TRX is their best offering to seriously sculpt abs and deliver a deep burn you’ll feel for days after, whilst also testing your balance and coordination. This week they introduce LIFT too: a kettlebells- and dumbbells-based class with heartbeat raisers to seriously fire up your metabolism.
Barrecore
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Barrecore is renowned for being the UK’s original and finest barre studio. Follow the likes of Pippa Middleton, Claudia Schiffer, Rita Ora, Jourdan Dunn, and Poppy Delevingne if you want a perfectly sculpted torso, and visibly so in just a few weeks. With elements of ballet, pilates and yoga combined with HIIT, Barrecore’s method combines high intensity but low impact training (HILIT) and focuses on intelligent movements designed to ’shake’ the muscles.
With 12 UK studios and two online workout options (to continue while you’re on your travels), stay fit and perky at home and on-the go.
Any Questions or Tips to add?