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If you like the idea of cycling minus the London traffic, you should try indoor cycling. Known by fans as raves on bikes, these high energy classes are suitable for all levels of fitness. They’re not just a workout on your legs, either: you use your core, arms, shoulders and back to burn fat and improve strength – so take a spin on the wild side at one of these studios in town:
BOOM Cycle
This legendary urban music-themed rides give you a chance to cycle along to R&B, Garage or Drum and Bass in an intimate studio, riding with others like a party peloton. Live DJ sessions take place once a month and after you've burned rubber, you can grab a killer nut protein smoothie from the juice bar. If you want to try a new experience, they have a monthly Urban Tri which includes 45-minutes of hot yoga at Yotopia, a three mile run around the city with Sweatshop then an eight mile Boom cycling session, wrapped up with an afterparty.
Shoreditch location: 2-8 Scrutton St, EC2A 4RT.
Holborn location: 16 Procter St, WC1V 6NX.
Price: Introductory offer of three rides for £20.
Psycle London
Psycle’s 45-minute classes include a light dumbbell workout and the music is chosen for lyrical content and energy levels rather than just beats per minute – so if you don’t have rhythm or want to take it at your own pace that’s okay. If you really love the tunes, you can check out the Psycle Spotify account and keep the studio vibe going in your headphones all day.
Central London: 76 Mortimer Street, W1W 7SA.
Canary Wharf: Unit 46, Level-2, Crossrail Place, E14 5LQ.
Price: First two sessions, £20.
1Rebel
With their primary location in the shadow of the Gherkin, 1Rebel guarantees a luxury experience. They call their venues ‘boutiques’ and have the swankiest changing rooms: you’ve probably seen the bronzed lockers in many a sweaty selfie. They even have a Smeg fridge full of chilled towels to keep you cool. The 30 or 45-minute rides are often themed and sometimes including live music. Lunchtime sessions include a complimentary super-food shake or juice from their juice bar, Roots & Bulbs.
St Mary Axe: 63 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8LE.
Broadgate: Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS.
Price: First session, £10.
Edge Cycle
Lawyers and creatives alike are known to cycle hell for leather at this spacious Clerkenwell studio. As well as purist cycling, they also offer classes that mix cycling with mat work, which focus on upper body and abs such as Edge Bootcamp, Edge Yoga, Edge Fight Club, Edge Latin Craze and Edge Tabata. Their free introductory induction classes are ideal for beginners or those who find the idea of indoor cycling a bit daunting.
2 Leather Lane, EC1N 7RA.
Price: First class, free. Otherwise £15 a ride.
Ride Republic
This roomy Fulham studio has a personal boutique feel with a more grown-up vibe than most, which is what you’d expect as a lot of the clients are Fulham mums. Someone comes around during the class and hands out chilled towels and the bright changing rooms have everything you might need, including razors. There's also a real community feel as they collaborate with other local businesses. The café upstairs serves handmade food and drinks so you can stay for lunch or a coffee with friends.
709 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL
Price: Introductory offer of three rides for £20.
Cyclebeat
The instructors here are serious cyclists and there is an emphasis on correct cycling technique. You can opt into the Beatboard that displays your progress and ranking on a screen at the front of the class, which is perfect if you have a competitive edge. After class, you can log in to an account and see miles cycled, energy used and your maximum power. If you cycle to the studio, you can also lock up your bike in reception.
8 Lombard Court, EC3V 9BJ
Price: Introductory offer of ten days of unlimited rides for £20.
Pedal Studio
The studios in Putney and Wimbledon don't have a reception, so you use a code to get in and set yourself up – much like affordable high-street gyms. But an instructor is on hand to help so you aren’t completely left to your own devices. Everyone is provided with a heart-rate monitor to wear so you work in your own personal training zones and monitor how hard you are pushing yourself. The technical elements attract serious athletes and people who want to monitor their fitness goals.
Fulham: 4 Fulham High Street, Putney, SW6 3LQ
Wimbledon: 7 Elm Grove, SW19 4HE
Price: First ride, free. Otherwise £12 a ride.
Take a look at the best gyms in London to get fit.