London's best gyms and fitness centres
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Maggie Davis, Christine Koh Fleming, Fiona McAuslan, Andrew Shields
Updated: Tue Jul 14 2009 Central | North | South | East | West
North
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Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Adelaide Road, London, NW3 3NF
From the dazzling 25-metre main pool and 20-metre teaching pool on one side, to the impressive climbing wall on the other, this is a gem in both sporting and architectural terms. It reopened in 2006 as part of the wider Swiss Cottage regeneration project and caters to varied needs and tastes. The massive sports hall house most court and racquet sports, and there's a wide range of group exercise classes in two bright, light studios. The gym is stuffed with state-of-the-art gear and its lower level can be programmed for specific group needs such as women-only, 50-plus and GP referrals. The kids' programme ranges from ballet to basketball with the Rascals adventure zone keeping the under-12s active. Read more
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Triyoga
6 Erskine Rd, NW3 3AJ
Triyoga is the biggest yoga studio in London with 40 teachers and more than 100 classes a week covering every form, with beginners particularly well catered for. Its flagship Primrose Hill studio is beautiful: an ex-factory refitted with stained glass windows, a spacious reception with excellent café and chill-out area and four therapy rooms. There's a branch in Neal's Yard and another in Soho. Read more
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The Factory Gym and Dance
407 Hornsey Rd, London, N19 4DX
This year The Factory has added fencing and pole dancing (both with classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced) to its range of dance classes. Argentinian tango is strongly represented and The Factory has now added more Latin ballroom dance classes than ever before. Read more
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The Laboratory
The Avenue, London, N10 2QJ
Sitting in the shadow of Alexandra Palace, this former British Rail laboratory has been transformed into a beautiful and sophisticated gym. There is an underground swimming pool as well as an exercise room with the most up-to-date Cybex strength and cardio equipment which faces out on to pretty tree-lined views. There is also a well-spaced weights room and abdominal area, four beauty and holistic treatment rooms and a new poolside day spa and relaxation area with dedicated manicure and pedicure spaces. There's also a wide range of yoga classes on offer. Read more
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Yoga Junction
The Old Flower Shop, 93a Weston Park, London, N8 9PR
Set up in 2004 and approved by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), teachers guided by the BWY and other professional qualifications are trained here, which means it's suited for experts as well as beginners. The range of around 50 classes includes Astanga self-practice, Iyengar, hatha vinyasa flow and pregnancy. Read more
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Shaolin Temple UK
207a Junction Rd, London, N19 5QA
It's not every day you get the chance to train with a genuine Shaolin, but Shi Yanzi is a thirty-fourth generation fighting monk sent by the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple in China's Henan province to spread the word in the UK. Archway is where he pitched up, running a busy programme of kung fu, tai chi, chi kung and san shou (Chinese kickboxing) classes for all ages and standards - plus, for those wanting to learn more about the culture, occasional workshops in Mandarin, calligraphy and Buddhism. The Temple now has offshoots in Tottenham and Lewisham. Read more
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Bob Breen Academy
16 Hoxton Sq, N1 6NT
Bob Breen created his academy in Hoxton in 1970 and has taught people how to shape up and kick butt ever since. There are regular foundation courses teaching basic kick boxing, jeet kune do (the technique popularised by Bruce Lee) and self-defence, after which you're encouraged to venture into other classes. Read more
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Bodydoctor
7 Chalcot Road, London, NW1 8LH
The traditional Bodydoctor course consists of 20 one-to-one sessions over six-and-a-half weeks at smart premises in Primrose Hill (or the new Bodydoctor Plus in Chelsea). The doc - aka David Marshall - and his team stick to the tried-and-tested principles of strength, cardio and flexibility training with nutritional advice. They also promise to 'kick your ass safely and sensibly rather than just for the sake of it'. Read more
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Body Control Studio
15 Belsize Road, London, NW6 4RX
The Body Control Studio is owned by Conchita del Campo, who has been teaching Pilates since 1985. Here you can discuss your general medical history, lifestyle and postural details at your first session. There's also detailed instruction on how to breathe correctly and engage the core stabilising muscles. Read more
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Bikram Yoga North
173 - 175 Queens Crescent , London, NW5 4DS
Michele Pernetta was the first teacher to bring Bikram 'hot' yoga to the UK. She now has three schools across London. All teachers have trained under the technique's founder, Bikram Choudhury at his LA school. Read more
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Yoga Therapy Centre
90-92 Pentonville Rd, N1 9HS
The Yoga Therapy Centre is part of the Yoga Biomedical Centre, which researches yoga as a form of complementary medicine. Classes here include one-to-one and general sessions for pregnancy, arthritis, lower back pain, cancer, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and ME. New courses for 2008 include yoga for depression (with discussion groups) and for weight loss. Discounted one-to-one consultations are offered on Fridays as part of a teacher-training scheme. Read more
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Bodymentors
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Bodymentors founder Pip Jenkins and her team run courses from her small but well-equipped studio in north London as well as arranging home and office visits. Assessment focuses on stamina, nutrition, wellbeing and personal goals with programmes adapted to individual needs. One-on-one and group sessions (up to three people) are available individually or in blocks of 12 based on two sessions a week for a six-week cycle, with discounts for block bookings. A 30-minute, one-on-one kettlebells session is £30. Members of her team also operate a running clinic, sports therapy and even offer styling advice. Read more
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Boxing London
20 Hazelville Rd, London, N19 3LP
The bags may be well punched and the weights worn here, but the tuition with former super-middleweight contender Enzo Giordano is excellent and the atmosphere good-humoured and empowering. The classes - three each weekday and a couple at the weekend - attract both sexes and all standards. Read more
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NY Pilates Studio
43-47 Lonsdale Rd, London, NW6 6RA
Daphne Pena-Higgs' studio follows the teachings of Joseph Pilates as espoused by Romana Kryzanowska's New York studio. The studio offers the full repertoire of Gratz equipment built to the specifications of the man himself. Read more
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King's Cross Studios
154 Caledonian Rd, London, N1 9RD
Headed by Tisha Harrington, a Pilates Foundation-certified teacher, this centre offers private sessions and classes with a maximum of four people. Gyrotonic is also available. Read more
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Sunstone
16 Northwold Rd, London, N16 7HR
Set in a former church, this stunning women-only gym is well equipped with a pool, sauna, steam room and a gym spread out over three floors. Cardiovascular equipment and resistance machines are tucked in under the roof's arches and a large studio space in the centre offering everything from salsa aerobics and capoeira to spinning classes. The club also has a small lounge area-cum-café at reception, crèche and children's activities, and two treatment rooms offering beauty maintenance and complementary therapies. The attentive and friendly staff will devise a specific training programme for each new member. Read more
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The Special Yoga Centre
2a Wrentham Avenue, London, NW10 3HA
Alongside classes for adults, this centre operates as a charity providing yoga therapy for children with special needs. This can have a hugely positive effect on respiratory patterning, physiology and muscle tension among other things. The centre offers a wide range of classes including hatha, dynamic flow, Iyengar, Ashtanga, therapeutic, gentle and pregnancy yoga plus the widest range of classes for children in London. Read more
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Pilates Art
2b Heath Hurst Road, London, NW3 2RX
At this centre, as in Australia, Pilates is taught mainly as a rehabilitative technique rather than a form of exercise - an approach embraced by the specialists here. Read more
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Soho Gym
193-199 Camden High Street, London, NW1 7BT
Overlooking Camden Town tube, this branch of Soho Gym takes an upbeat approach to working out with in-gym DJs, a cool blue-and-silver interior and energetic vibe. As well as all the usual gym equipment in the main workout space, there's a bright studio towards the back with more sedate tai chi, yoga and Pilates to Thai kick-boxing and Krav Maga, the Israeli army's preferred form of self-defence. There are saunas for men and women. There is also a Borough branch. Read more
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Kieser Training
Hampstead Road, London, NW1 7DF
This is a serious place to undertake strength training - particularly in relation to the back. Research has shown that 80 per cent of back problems are the result of weak muscles, and that targeted strength training can help prevent problems altogether. It can also be helpful for people with existing ailments; with the extensive range of weights machines, as well as the high-tech medical area, the centre seeks to sort out musculoskeletal problems. Helpful staff debunk common exercise myths while assisting on the variable resistance machines. On joining, you receive a free medical evaluation. Read more
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36 comments
The problem with big gym chains is that they recruit too many members. The result is massive overcrowding.
And they don't invest in cleanliness or repair of equipment to a sufficient extent.
The result - mould in the showers, dripping shower-heads, no soap in the dispensers, filthy floors, loos that smell like some kind of slum in Calcutta. And in the gym, machines that say "out of order" for months on end.
I have just moved to North West London and I am looking for a gym to join and take part in some classes. I am looking for a friendly gym where I can meet new people and have fun, was wondering if anyone could recommend some good gyms,
thanks,
Lucy
Why would anyone choose to workout in an airless sweaty gym? There is a great alternative in British Military Fitness. Get outside, get an all over body workout lead by professionals and best of all MEET PEOPLE AND HAVE FUN! When was the last time you had a conversation with anyone in the gym?
In response to Dunstan, it seems you are mistaken. Aegis training may not be a bodybuilding or powerlifting gym - we specialise in weight loss- but it does have a wide variety of equipment and is regularly used for olympic lifting, strength training and strongman type training. The fixed db'd go up to 35 but there are adjustable olympic dumbbells, and also has a 150kg crane tyre - for flipping and sledge hammer work, a weight sled for dragging and heavy sandbags and even a beer keg. Plenty of stuff to keep the strongmen happy.
For a review of the 50 best gyms and fitness centres, its disappointing to see that there wasn't one bodybuilding / powerlifting gym included. The gyms listed are all the type of place where the dumbells dont go heavier than 20kg and there's someone doing bicep curls in the squat rack. If there even is one.
I am unashamedly a complete Bikram Yoga nut and having being do it for over four years now. Without it I would not have been able to even think about running the London Marathon yet alone do it. I been hearing a lot good things about Bikram Yoga Soho for some time now and last week I went to see what all the talk is about. Wow now I know. Clean, great atmosphere and HOT & SWEATY. If you’re into Bikram you must go there is - IT’S FANTASTIC!
aquaterra in islington has a decent pool but is overcrowded. dont know much about the gym as i dont use it. some of the staff are bit wotless and not very upto speed with whats going on when you ask them an easy question regarding the facilities that they offer.
I don't agree with Steve or Mandy. I love Bikram yoga and have also been to many of the Bikram yoga studios in London, and several in Australia - and Bikram Yoga Soho is by far the most pretentious, clinical, crowded and unpleasant studio I have been to, with the rudest and unfriendliest staff. The location is good, but I try to avoid this studio if I can.
Jen- apparently there is a Bikram studio opening in Canary Wharf this summer. Just do a search in "International" on www.bikramyoga.com
This is a great compilation! Great work Time Out!
Just to make a general note and a piece of advice:
I made the unfortunate mistake of joining Fitness First Black Label - AKA Globogym (for those of you who have watched dodgeball).
While the staff and trainers at my local branch were very friendly and made the gym feel as much as a homely environment as one could expect from such a large facility, dealing with head office was a NIGHTMARE! I would not wish this upon anyone. From troubles with cancelling my membership, misinformation, and problems with the direct debits i found my mouth got the biggest workout of all arguing with people over the phone!
My best piece of advice - stick to your local 'small guy' fitness club as much as possible. The people are usually friendlier, you get more personalised service and you don't get caught up in the loads of corporate hotlines.
The Factory Gym (North London) have so many new classes, Bollywood fusion, belly dancing as well as new classes in the next few weeks I am eager to try, like the Jazz fusion and newly added street dance class (even though I have no rhythm). Don't underestimate the power of dance for a full work out!!
Does anyone know of any Bikram yoga classes in Canary Wharf?
I used Gymbox on the pay-as-you go option ... however, this did not turn out to be the case.
Following the cancellation of my membership they continued to extract money from my account and the staff's attitude completely changed when dealing with customer complaints.
Very very disappointing
The aquaterra at Islington is dreadful. The free weight training areas consist of one tiny rubber mat in front of a mirror but the free weight rack is in the same space, so anyone who wants to grab a weight has to somehow get around the person who is using the tiny mat to train. There is another tiny mat area but "priority" is given to staff who have clients to train, to the extent that they barged around me without even waiting for my set to finish. So rude, what kind of work out ethos is that? Also, only one pair of 3kg free weights, although this is the most popular size used by women. Dirty. Machines time limited to 15 minutes. bureaucratic. Dull. Dingy. Depressing.
Steve's comments aobut Bikram Yoga Soho is spot on! It rocks! I did the ten day trial then signed up for the year. Just a few minutes walk from Oxford St tube and so so hot!