DAWN EMERY, NOVEMBER 2017
Let’s get physical. Here are seven of the best places to get your fitness fix in London.
BARRECORE The best thing about Barrecore is how quickly you see results – bums feel lifted, and waistlines, hips and thighs feel more toned. You’ll notice a difference after just four or five classes. Barrecore, which has eight studios across London, offers a full-body workout inspired by ballet, pilates and yoga. Their Signature classes are low impact and use weights and props such as resistance bands. Pippa Middleton, Jourdan Dunn and Suki Waterhouse are among its fans. The teachers undergo 200 hours of training to ensure they’re of a high standard.
PSYCLE LONDON This is the place to go if you really want to sweat. Psycle London’s indoor cycling classes are low impact but high intensity – and a brilliant mood-booster too. Cyclists ride in sync, to the sounds of a carefully crafted playlist, and go through climbs, sprints and jogs for a cardio workout. They also use weights to strengthen and tone. With venues in Fitzrovia (near Oxford Circus), Canary Wharf and Shoreditch, they’re recently expanded to offer yoga, HIIT and barre classes too. Teachers Rod, Josh and Maria are our faves.
SEEN ON SCREENWe all like to pretend we’re Beyoncé from time to time. At Seen on Screen you can do just that by learning routines inspired by the hottest music stars. You can discover your inner Britney by learning her chair sequences, strut your stuff to Xtina’s ‘90s anthems, or try out some hip-hop moves to P.Diddy’s Press Play album. Beginners are welcome – check out their Diva classes every Wednesday and Saturday. Seen on Screen runs at various venues across London, and have an intro offer of three classes for £30.
BARRY'S BOOTCAMP David Beckham and Ellie Goulding are among the famous faces who’ve been spotted at Barry’s Bootcamp, which bills itself as “the best workout in the world” and spearheaded the boutique fitness scene in the UK. An import from LA, Barry’s has three London venues – East (near Old Street), West (Queensway) and Central (Euston). Their workouts combine cardio, weights and bursts of intense exercise, and you can burn up to 1,000 calories in one class. And even if you don’t think you’re a natural on the treadmill, the energy from your fellow classmates will help spur you on.
HULAFIT We’ve got the hoops, you’ve got the hips” say HulaFit, who offer a fun tummy-toning workout set in time to music. These classes are a bit more difficult than your childhood hula-hooping attempts – the hoops weigh up to 1.4kg. You’ll learn to spin the hoop on various part of your body, improving your balance and co-ordination. You’ll also do jogs, squats and spins to boost your cardio fitness. One hour-long session can burn up to 600 calories. Classes take place at various venues across London.
MINISTRY DOES FITNESSThe Ministry of Sound’s former hidden alcohol vault has been given a healthy makeover. It’s now home to the Ministry of Fitness, which specialises in circuit-based HIIT workouts. They partnered with Harry Jameson, a celebrity personal trainer, to offer six types of classes, such as Endurance and Cardio, seven days a week. The studio is situated around the back of the famous nightclub and is walking distance from both Elephant and Castle and London.
SWEATY BETTY The new flagship boutique on Carnaby Street comes with a studio and a range of classes including Fight Klub Drum ‘N’ Box, which features regular boxing, kick boxing and Thai boxing, to Equilibrium Total Full Body, which uses TRX Equipment. Our favourite teacher is Kiri Jones who takes the Model Method Pilates PR classes, which feature pilates, HIIT, and plyometrics. You’ll need to pay a fee – check out the introductory offers online – but you’ll find free fitness classes in other Sweaty Betty stores.