London gyms for workouts with a wow factor

Discover these London gyms for some of the best workouts in the city, in finely honed surroundings that will please the design-conscious. From high-intensity strength-building classes to tension-releasing yoga sessions, fun dance-style training to relaxing sound escapes, we’ve picked the very best.  London gyms for fun fitness classes Blok Blok’s two east London gyms (there’s a third in Manchester) comprise the area’s leading fitness destinations. A vast range of fitness classes is on offer within the Clapton and Shoreditch outposts, including pilates, boxing, yoga, barre, and calisthenics. Some of the most enjoyable classes, though, are Blok-specific sessions such as Blokparty, a playful dance class equipped with smoke machines; Blokflex, a 50/50 HIIT and stretch class that burns calories and relaxes muscles; and Blokcore, which focuses on building core strength through a diverse range of exercises. Top-notch trainers can be counted on to deliver classes that are challenging and fun which, combined with Blok’s sleek interiors, makes going to the gym feel like a treat. Those who can’t make it to east London can enjoy Blok classes from home using BlokTV. The Tram Depot, 38-40 Upper Clapton Rd, London E5 8BQ, Clapton; Principal Place, 2 Hearn St, London EC2A 3BR, Shoreditch, bloklondon.com Best for high-intensity workouts  BXR BXR is a luxury boxing gym that offers intensive group classes and exclusive one-to-one sessions with seasoned professional boxers who will have you perfecting your form and building Rocky-like muscle in no time. Beyond boxing, the high-end gym has a menu of other calorie-blasting workouts including a Climb To The Beat Versaclimber class; a TRX-Sculpt suspension training and pilates hybrid class; and Form and Focus strength-building, among others. Its series of three London gyms are among the best spots in the city’s business areas – Marylebone, the City, and Canary Wharf – for a post-work workout.  Marylebone: 24 Paddington St, London W1U 5QY; City of London: Level 25, 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ; Canary Wharf: Unit 46, Minus Level, 2 Crossrail Pl, London E14 5AR. bxrlondon.com KXU KXU is a sleek west London gym perfect for those looking to build some serious muscle. Its menu of over 20 fitness classes includes low-impact classes such as Sattva Yoga, which combines traditional yogic teachings with contemporary mind-body research; and the PBB Signature, which combines pilates, yoga and barre for an intense workout.  But KXU’s most notable offerings are its cardio-intensive workouts such as The Games, which will transform you into Thor for an hour as you wield a sledgehammer, push sleds and flip over tyres; and the new Evolve class, an ultra-challenging blend of strength training and cardio that will push you to your limits 241 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP, kxu.com Wellness and holistic hotspots Alex Eagle Sporting Club  The Alex Eagle Sporting Club at the 180 Health Club is one of the most exciting wellness spaces to open in London. Eagle’s eponymous London shop has been an oasis of good taste since it opened in 2014 and her residency at the sprawling 180 The Strand space (which is part Soho House, part creative offices, part exhibition space) sees her apply her flawless curatorial skills to treatment offerings. The health club’s wellness offerings are vast, with an infrared sauna that is a great way to get a boost of light and warmth in the winter as well as detoxify; an ozone sauna that is designed to detoxify the system and improve metabolism; Koniver IV drips; sound escapes with musicians specialising in therapeutic sounds; and breathwork practitioners. These are perfect ways to unwind after taking part in one of the space’s many fitness classes, including body rolling that directly stimulates the bone for a hyper-intense stretch; Brazilian jujitsu; fencing (‘it’s a full body workout, and the outfits are amazing too’, says Eagle); suspension training; and much more. 180 The Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA, alexeaglesportingclub.com Bodyism Bodyism is a holistic wellness centre in London’s Notting Hill that offers fitness classes, nutritional therapy, physical therapy, CBT therapy, and homoeopathy. Whether you’re getting a treatment or trying out a class (yoga, pilates, kickboxing and HIIT are on offer), we recommend treating yourself at the café after. Delicious shakes use Bodyism’s own range of plant-based protein powders, as do the ‘protein excellence’ pancakes, which are topped with fresh berries, coconut yogurt, almond butter, and coconut flakes and taste like a decadent indulgence but are, somehow, good for you. 222-224, Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH, Notting Hill, bodyism.com §
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