The New Fitness Studios To Know
Vita
The Details: Chelsea’s Vita is a destination to know for all things yoga, Pilates and barre. Spread over six floors, you’ll find dedicated PT studios, state-of-the-art Reformer machines, stylish yoga and barre studios, and treatment rooms dedicated to physiotherapy, osteopathy and sports massage. With each class capped at six people, you’ll receive an individual experience every time – refuel in the studio’s resident cafe afterwards, which serves drinks from Kiss The Hippo, the capital’s first carbon-neutral coffee company.
What to Book: Try the signature VitaDynamic, which focuses on the Reformer, for an all-round workout that sculpt muscles from all angles and build endurance. If you’re pre- or post-natal, consider signing up for a one-to-one with a Vita expert.
Where: 31 Sloane Square
Visit VitaBoutiqueFitness.com
Box Centric
The Details: A luxe boxing gym fused with a members’ club, Box Centric is a studio with a difference. On joining, members are given a 360º fitness consultation, including a personalised DNA nutrition package, body scan and life coaching, to dictate your fitness goals. Build strength and stamina with Box Centric’s range of boxing-focused classes, all taught by professionals in the field. It’s also the first UK club to utilise VR and AR tech for both boxing and meditation sessions, and offers classes every Saturday for five to 15-year-olds.
What To Book: Combat Circuit is a conditioning class that will help you build the perfect balance of strength and suppleness, while Run Centric is the gym’s outdoor run club that will help you build fitness levels through a combination of intervals and sprints.
Where: 8 Egerton Gardens Mews, Knightsbridge, SW3 2EH
Visit BoxCentric.co.uk
Retrofit
The Details: If you want to get fit but are looking for a gym with a community vibe and decent classes, Retrofit is the members-only space everyone’s talking about. Unlike your average gym, the class quality is unparalleled – think TRX, boxing and athletic conditioning. There’s also a dedicated spin studio and Instagram-worthy yoga studio, where classes take place against a backdrop of a Himalayan pink salt wall. Choose from hot yoga, vinyasa or yin, or mix things up with barre and Pilates.
What To Book: Whether you’re a casual spinner or cycling pro, Retrofit’s spin classes will raise your heart rate and boost endorphins. And if the timetable doesn’t suit, jump onto a virtual on-demand cycling class.
Where: Petersham House, 29-37 Harrington Road, South Kensington, SW7 3HD
Visit RetrofitLondon.com
John Reed
The Details: Already a major success in Berlin and LA, John Reed recently opened its doors only a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street to become the gym group’s 40th location across ten countries. A gym like no other, look forward to a strong programme of classes, including hot yoga, boxing and barre. Twice a week, DJs play live sets, all mixed with your workout in mind, and members also have access to a John Reed Radio App where you can listen to pre-mixed sets. Membership also gives you access to a Finnish sauna – the perfect spot for post-workout recovery – as well as an initial body check and training plan session with a PT.
What To Book: Wind down in the yoga studio, which features a light that mimics the moon – a dreamy end to a manic day.
Where: 90 Liverpool Street, City, EC2M 2RH
Visit JohnReed.Fitness/UK
Compass Chelsea
The Details: The latest addition to London’s mindfulness scene, Compass Chelsea offers some of the best yoga classes in town, whether you prefer a restorative vinyasa flow, full body stretch or grounding meditation. Founded by ex-lawyer turned yogi Alexandra Baldi, the nature-inspired space was designed to soothe, refresh and energise, offering frazzled urbanites the opportunity to mentally and physically reset. With a focus on mindfulness, Compass also offers a series of classes dedicated to nourishing the mind – think gong and sound meditation or meditation with singing bowls.
What To Book: Compass specialises in ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha and yin yoga, so you can’t go wrong. If you don’t live locally, tune into a virtual session, which also take place regularly throughout the week – Monday evening’s virtual yoga nidra is a must for those who struggle with their sleep.
Where: 9A Lamont Road, Chelsea, SW10 0HP
Visit CompassChelsea.com
Barrecore City
The Details: The much-loved barre concept’s 14th studio in the UK is set to open in St Mary Axe next month. The perfect spot for City workers looking to sculpt and tone, the new studio comprises of two spaces, both of which will be used to teach the signature Barrecore method. If you haven’t tried Barrecore yet, it’s the original and arguably still the best barre workout around – it fuses the fat-burning format of interval training with static stretches for longer, leaner limbs. Post-class, refresh in the changing rooms with Cowshed products.
What To Book: Since launching in 2011, Barrecore has expanded its class offerings – we love Sculpt, which uses resistance bands to further chisel muscles, and Restore, the perfect rest-day option which focuses on breathing techniques, joint mobilisation and stretching.
Where: St Mary Axe, City. Opening November.
Visit Barrecore.com
Anthro Contrology
The Details: If Pilates is your thing, be sure to check out Anthro Contrology, which recently opened in the heart of Richmond. Offering private classes, founder Amanda Caldwell is fast becoming the name to know for a stronger, healthier body, whether you’ve just had a baby, are training for a marathon or merely looking to increase flexibility. A calm, serene space, Amanda’s studio, and her teaching, provide a room to breathe and escape from everyday life.
What To Book: All classes are private, one-to-one sessions. Start with a 90-minute Introductory Session, during which Amanda will chat with you about your goals, followed by time on the reformer and two further foundation flow sessions.
Where: Richmond – the exact address is shared on booking.
Visit Anthro-Contrology.com
1Rebel Hammersmith
The Details: Fans of 1Rebel should head down to the fitness juggernaut’s latest studio in Hammersmith. Not for the faint hearted, the studio champions one sole concept, which is centred around a rig. A 45-minute session that combines HIIT and strength training across the bike, rowing machine and bench – no two classes are ever the same. Designed to work the full body, do a couple of classes per week to build and tone muscle and endurance.
What To Book: Friday Night Lights sessions are worth putting into your diary. Expect a signature Rig workout accompanied with a live DJ followed by bottomless Prosecco on the house.
Where: 10 Hammersmith Grove, Hammersmith, W6 7AP
Visit 1Rebel.com
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