While January is often thought of as the time to supercharge your fitness routine (or begin a previously non-existent one), the truth is that you can commit to healthier practices at any point – no matter the month or even the day.
Whether it’s eating a more balanced diet, losing weight or getting into shape, health is one of the most common resolutions. While the first is important to achieve the second, the third has many more benefits when it comes to feeling good and boosting endorphins and serotonin.
The benefits of working out are far more extensive than simply the physical. Exercise works wonders in lifting your mood, expelling negative thought patterns and reducing mental stress. Anyone who has partaken in just one spinning or box-fit class can attest they stepped out the door feeling far more anxiety-free than when they arrived.
And signing up has never been easier. Lockdown changed the fitness landscape. It brought our favourite gym classes into our homes and made virtual workouts a thing. The only problem? Finding the time to slip it into your day. Lounging on the couch is just far too tempting.
Research claims as many as one in six (16 per cent) will go the whole year sticking to their resolutions. Being part of that small elite group is easier if you get a gym membership. It is the all-important first step to drive your fitness success.
It may be the idea of not wasting that monthly subscription fee that encourages you to show up, or its proximity to work or home that means you have no excuse not to stop by. You may be committed to the sauna or steam room waiting for you at the end of your studio time or the pampering products stocked in the changing room. Ideally, the workouts themselves make it something to look forward to (or at least feel accomplished when you leave) with expert trainers, pumping tunes and personal bests to beat.
It all comes down to a simple fact. If you enjoy it, you will go. So, choosing the membership that’s right for you is of the utmost importance.
Below, we break down everything you need to know about the top studios in London, what you get for your money and the quality of the workout.
For extra motivation, consider signing up with a friend. Researchers from the University of Southern California revealed that working out with friends resulted in feeling happier and in a better mood. It also increases your personal accountability.
Browse the best gym subscriptions in London below.
Third Space
Pros:
- Luxury
- Spa-like
Cons:
- Expensive
Every gym session at Third Space feels like a luxury experience. Whether you are making a day out of it with a dip in the pool and unwinding in the sauna and steam room after your class or gym time, or popping in for a quick 30-minute session, it feels like you are treating yourself.
Each of the establishments, whether you are heading to Tower Bridge, Angel, Tottenham Court Road or even the smaller Moorgate space is kitted out with hi-tech equipment and the likes of a boxing ring, sprint track or expansive swimming pools often feature in the larger spaces.
When your workout is complete, the changing rooms have all the trimmings including Cowshed products.
Buy now £245.00, Third Space
F45
Pros:
- Know what you’re going to get
- Same around the world
- 45-minute classes
Cons:
- Not the best changing facilities
- Can feel repetitive
- Expensive
For anyone that’s dabbled in the fitness community, you will have no doubt heard of F45, the functional training export from Down Under. The brand is franchised and has investors that range from David Beckham to Mark Wahlberg and the studios are ubiquitous with new establishments opening left, right and centre.
Each day, there is a different focus with cardio on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and varying legs and arms on Tuesday and Thursday. The weekend sessions are full body and one hour. Arrive at F45 and you will notice an abundance of screens around the room.
The studio is split into zones, numbered for ease of moving from circuit to circuit. The instructors will show you the moves at the beginning, but they are also replayed over and over on the screens so there’s no fear of forgetting.
It’s fairly formulaic and you get out what you put in. It is a pricey membership, and the shower facilities could be better.
Buy now £220.00, F45
1Rebel
Pros:
- Different classes available
- Motivating music
- Premium facilities
- New locations constantly popping up
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Classes very popular so waitlist is common
I have been doing 1Rebel workouts for many years and I never tire of them. The sense of satisfaction after stepping out of a class is enough to keep you coming back for more but then you have the plumping playlists, totally dark studios so you can focus on your technique without worrying who's watching, lavender-scented towels waiting for you on finishing and four different types of workouts to keep it fresh.
1Rebel is perhaps best known for its Reshape class. A workout that combines a treadmill and floor work and with lower, upper and core focuses. This is one of the hardest classes on offer in London but you are given a range of beginner, medium and advanced to alter the challenge to suit your ability. Different studios will then offer Reformer, machine-based Pilates set to a banging soundtrack, Ride so you can go hell for leather and Rumble, a boxing class that is likely the least popular.
There are studios across London, from Broadgate Circle to Angel to Bayswater but you will likely find that the most popular times require advanced planning for fear of being waitlisted.
Price from £41 a month.
Buy now £44.00, 1Rebel
Kobox
Pros:
- Huge stress relief
- Learn new skill
- Great instructors
- Some of the best playlists
Cons:
- Only three studios
For a full-body transformation, look no further than Kobox. The type of workout is evident from the name (K.O. box) – it’s a box-fit class with an emphasis on nailing the skill behind the sport and learning the different types of punches, all while elevating your heartrate and giving you one of the best sessions on the market.
There’s nothing quite like ending a tough day at the office with facetime with a punching bag. The classes are split between bag and floor. On the bag, you are given a series of number that co-ordinate punches. It may sound confusing, but you will pick it up quickly and have an induction with your instructor. The series is projected onto the wall and may be 1, 2, 3, which corresponds to a straight punch (jab) with your dominant hand, followed by a straight punch with your other hand (cross) before finishing with a hook with the first hand. The numbers 5 and 6 relate to upper cuts. There are only six moves with the added bonus of kicks, freestyles and knock out sprinkled throughout. It’s great fun.
As it stands, there are only three studios in London; City, Marylebone and Chelsea. The changing rooms are fully kitted out.
Buy now £76.00, Kobox
Barry’s
Pros:
- Great workout
- Premium facilities
- Convenient locations
- Tasty shakes
Cons:
- Expensive
There’s a reason that Barry’s has a cult following around the world. The 60-minute workouts are far from easy but they are incredibly effective for smashing your fitness goals. The HIIT sessions are made up of treadmill rounds and floor work, the former to improve stamina, speed and running ability and the latter for strength work. Each day corresponds to a different part of the body with specialised arm days, abs and legs for a varied workout.
There is typically a class every hour with a shortened session at lunch so you can squeeze it into your break. I recently trialled Hell Week, a challenge that encourages you to do seven workouts in seven days and while it lived up to the name, I saw results – not just in terms of my physique which was noticeably more toned but my fitness levels improved as I was able to push myself faster on the treadmill and run for longer. All this in just a week. My gripe? The soundtrack is dominated by house music and could use a few more singalong songs when the going gets tough.
The facilities are always top-notch with Malin + Goetz products in the showers, fresh towels provided and toiletries on hand, including tampons, earplugs, mints and more. Don’t leave without sampling one of the legendary Barry’s shakes – a true treat.
Buy now £126.00, Barry’s
Blok
Pros:
- Unique workouts
- Virtual classes too
- Passionate instructors
Cons:
- Pay for towel
- Reformer Pilates extra
Blok caught my eye as the studio was running a promotion where the class packs were half-price, bringing the cost down to just £10 a session. I added a 10-pack to basket to fully sample the array of classes available.
As soon as you step into this studio, you will notice it’s beautifully designed with an ultra-modern concrete look. All the classes are given what feels like code names where reading the description is essential. You can choose between barre, Pilates, Reformer Pilates (which for some reason costs extra), boxing or HIIT dubbed the likes of BlokStrength, BlokFit and BlokSculpt. The instructors are experienced and motivational, especially Ellya, the brand’s Head of Barre whose enthusiasm in the early morning classes is unmatched.
There are studios in Clapton, Leyton, Shoreditch and Manchester as well as the virtual ones that turn your living room into a home gym. Note, Blok charges £1 for the use of a towel, and while this is not going to make too big of a dent on the bank balance, it feels unnecessary.
Buy now £50.00, Blok
No-frills gym options
Pure Gym - £19.99 per month
The Gym Group - £19.99 per month
Virgin Active - from £62 per month
Fitness First - £75 per month
