18 of the best gyms and fitness studios (offering classes) in London

“Whether you've been to a class before or not, you're probably familiar with the Barry's Bootcamp franchise, which is known to have an army of celebrity fans ranging from Ellie Goulding to Victoria Beckham – and for good reason. I headed along to the Soho studio (one of 9 Barry's has in the UK; seven are in London, one is in Manchester and another is in Liverpool) and knew the workout would be tough, but didn't realise how big a sense of accomplishment I'd be left with by the end of class.

The set-up is simple: you spend half the class on a treadmill (with the instructor encouraging you to ramp up the speed or incline as you go), the other half is spent on ‘the floor’ – lifting weights, doing burpees, crunches etc. Yes, in theory, this is a workout you could do yourself in a gym, but in all honesty, it's so much easier to push yourself when surrounded by others and are in the red-lit room, complete with booming instructions and music over the top. It's an intense workout, but one that I loved. And given that I burnt over 300 calories in the class, I felt no qualms about grabbing a treat for the train home after.”

- Jennifer, Features Editor

You can book onto a Barry's Bootcamp class via Class Pass or through the Barry's Bootcamp website directly. Promo offers are often available too, such as 10 classes for £161. Just in London for the day? You can book a single class for £24.

“Unlike some of the other gyms and classes in this list, David Lloyd has been around for over four decades so it’s no surprise they’ve got it thoroughly nailed when it comes to the complete gym experience. Huge gym floor? Tick. Spa? Yes. Family friendly? Of course. Classes for everyone? Absolutely.

The OG clubs offer a wide range of signature classes such as high energy BLAZE and IGN1TE to cycling classes like RHYTHM and CYCLONE. All members will now be able to try a new class on the David Lloyd Clubs app, with select clubs running in person classes: The Art of Niksen. Anyone familiar with Niksen will know it’s the Dutch concept of essentially ‘doing nothing’ i.e. bliss! If signing up via the app, the class can be done virtually from the comfort of your own home. When it begins you’re greeted with a relaxing rundown advising how to properly (and I mean properly) switch off. It’s become one of my favourite things to do at 7pm on a Sunday to get into a good head space before a busy week at work.

Another class favourite after an intense workout on the gym floor is Spirit Live Sound Meditation. A sound bath and meditation combined, it also helps encourage a deep sense of calm.”

- Zoe Shenton, Site Director

Prices vary by club and membership and types start from £59 for a standard membership, which includes access to David Lloyd Clubs’ premium gyms, boutique exercise studios and swimming pools, as well as a range of On Demand content on the David Lloyd Clubs app. To find out more, visit your local club or www.davidlloyd.co.uk.

“To be a consistent gym go-er, I need two things: an incentive and the promise of fun (the latter, I know, can be a tall order). And, over the last five months, 1Rebel, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Gyms’ has delivered on both — which means, to my surprise, I’ve happily been getting up at 6AM three times a week.

With studios across central London, 1Rebel offers four types of 45-minute classes — all of which are energised by club soundtracks and lighting to match. There’s Reshape, which follows the same format as Barry’s: half the class on the treadmill and the other half strength-building on the ‘floor’ (usually split into three or four rounds of each); Rumble, which is the same format, but with boxing instead of running; Ride, 1Rebel’s take on a spin class; and Reformer pilates. Each class opens with a mini warm-up and closes with a high-power ‘finisher’ and then a cool-down.

I mostly do Reshape, as I’m a runner outside of the gym and I love high intensity classes. The music is a huge motivator, but I love that there’s so much variation in each class. On the treadmill, you might be endurance training, sprinting, or running up hills (admittedly my least fave) — sometimes all in one session — while on the floor, you’ll be targeting every part of your body with weights, burpees, core work, and so much more. I’m also partial to a little Reformer, especially as 1Rebel’s take tends to be more intense (in a great way) than other Reformer classes I’ve done. Both classes compliment each other so well, and I always feel stronger in Reshape when I’ve done a weekly Reformer, too. It helps that there’s towels and all the toiletries you could need waiting for you afterwards.

So that’s the fun, what about the incentive? Well, 1Rebel has a ‘use it or lose it’ credit policy, so, if you decide you want to cancel a class, you need to do it 12 hours before the start time, otherwise you lose the credit. Wasting money? What’s a better incentive than that?”

- Brit Dawson, Sex & Relationships Editor

You can book onto a 1Rebel class via Class Pass or through the 1Rebel website directly. You can buy single sessions (£26 each) or packages. Or you can invest in three, six, or 12-month memberships, which can consist of anything from five sessions a month (from £80) to unlimited (from £229). Promo offers are often available too, especially for newbies.

“After destroying my joints with one too many HIIT classes (something I also found hard to keep up with and enjoy), I decided to look after my body and my worn-out knees a little more. And that’s when I fell in love with Exhale Pilates. With two new boutique studios in Primrose Hill and North Finchley, Exhale is passionate about pioneering Classical Pilates, which use the core principles created by Joseph Pilates, called ‘Contrology’. The brand is well-known for Reformer and Mat classes and Tower Pilates, a class rarely seen in the UK (which combines all aspects of Pilates, like sitting, standing or lying down on a mat while utilising 'springs' for added resistance). You only need to follow them on Instagram to find that founder Gaby Noble has multiple celebrity clients, from models to athletes to… ahem, Harry Styles. Still, they’re not intimidating in the slightest: the teachers are so friendly and welcoming.

I’ve been going to Exhale’s North Finchley studio for about four months via ClassPass, flicking between Tower and Reformer weekly. It’s no frills here: they don’t need loud music or flashing lights because all the attention and focus is on your form, engaging your muscles and using the equipment correctly. I love that each class is small (up to six). It’s perfect for a Pilates newbie - I feel like I’m accomplishing something rather than being forgotten at the back of a class. As well as *actually* looking forward to exercising, I’ve found it’s lengthened and strengthened my body too, my core feels stronger, and I seem to get injured less during higher-impact workouts. I am also much more aware of my awful office posture, finding myself correcting my alignment regularly.”

- Sophie, former Head of Social Media

A one-off class is £35, or you can book class packages directly through the Exhale website to save money - view the prices here. Sadly my bank account doesn’t allow me to go as often as I’d like, but booking through ClassPass usually works out cheaper (around 9-13 credits per class).

“FS8 is a low impact pilates circuit session incorporating reformer pilates, light resistance exercises and yoga. I was completely new to reformer pilates when taking the class, and the instructor Emily couldn't have been more helpful in showing me the ropes and correcting my form when needed (which, err, was a lot). There’s also TV screens around the room with demonstrations on how the movement should be done.

The circuit element was a really refreshing way to do pilates as it kept the tempo up, caused me to break a sweat, and if ever there were any exercises I wasn’t too keen on, they were always over within a minute. The class is an intimate size, and everyone goes at their own pace. The new FS8 studio is in Oxford Circus, and honestly looks more like a luxury spa, than somewhere I was working out.”

- Lydia, Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer

A one month unlimited FS8 membership is £220.00. A one-off session is available for £25.00. FS8 is currently running an introductory offer on their website for five classes for £49. Classes can be booked directly through their website or on the FS8 app.

“Nestled in the heart of Forest Gate, East London, beneath the railway track arches, lies The Reformery - a specialised studio devoted to Reformer and Mat Pilates. Boasting a diverse range of sessions, from strength and conditioning to prenatal and injury rehabilitation, the studio is ideal whether you're a beginner or seasoned pro. It also offers personalised 1-2-1 coaching alongside group classes.

The Reformery itself radiates tranquility and I found it to be the perfect backdrop for my Pilates journey, which began with an introductory 1-2-1 session alongside Rachel Stephenson, the studio's incredible founder. She conducted a comprehensive posture examination on me and introduced me to some fundamental Pilates exercises ahead of a group class, and offered up plenty of posture-related tips to take home too.

Spoiler: Rachel's energy and enthusiasm made even the toughest of classes feel joyful, and I'm now a proud Pilates convert! There's truly no feeling quite like sweating it out on a Reformer bed, experiencing the sensation of your body elongating and strengthening with each movement… It really is worth all the hype.”

- Jaime Lee, Art Editor

The introductory offer includes three sessions for just £55, inviting you to discover the transformative benefits of Pilates.

“As well as being slick, well-equipped gyms in its own right, those in the know will also be aware that GYMBOX are the absolute dons when it comes to fun, creative and inventive fitness classes. They offer up so many varieties of workout and constantly keep their rota updated, from SKIPTOK (a skipping-based sweatathon accompanied by ear-worm viral tunes) to Pole Tricks (does what it says on the tin), to my personal favourite: Callback, which sees you learn a killer dance routine in just 45 minutes.

Like every GYMBOX class, Callback is always taken by an energetic and bubbly instructor, and I find that because I get so focussed on nailing the moves and am enjoying it so much, the time absolutely flies by. It barely feels like a workout (although it definitely is, as I'm constantly feeling my Fitbit vibrate during a session, telling me I'm pushing my heart rate into the fat-burning zone). It's fast become my mid-week highlight.”

- Jennifer, Features Editor

A three-month GYMBOX pass starts at £342 and includes classes and five guest passes too. You can also book onto GYMBOX classes via ClassPass.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t like gyms. I either find them too intimidating, painfully dull or overwhelmingly sweaty. But Frame is none of those things. In fact, I can’t believe I’m saying this but, I actively look forward to going. I first tried Frame through Class Pass and quickly decided it was the only gym I wanted to visit, so I switched to a membership with them directly – rather than offering unlimited access to fitness gear for self-driven workouts, Frame is all about the fitness classes.

The best part is, you can mix it up every week, so your routine never feels too ‘same-y’. One day I will do a barre class (which is a mix between Pilates and ballet), the next I’ll do Rebounding (a mini trampoline workout format) or a music video-inspired dance class. The staff are always super friendly, with the instructors making the classes fun and the time absolutely flies. Frame also offers a Beginners Reformer Pilates class, which is a great starting point for those curious about the format.”

- Natasha, former Fashion Editor

Frame can be booked directly on the brand’s website, or through ClassPass. Drop-in classes are £16 (and Reformer Pilates is £22), or you can opt for a class package, such as six classes for £60. The brand has a promo right now where you can get your first two studio classes for £20 (including Reformer).

“Whether you’re a beginner or a reformer pilates pro, Power Pilates UK in Beckenham, South London, has something for everyone. As a total reformer pilates novice, I started out with two beginner sessions and later enjoyed a private session with the Power Pilates UK founder, Korin Nolan – I had so much fun that I’m now an official reformer pilates girly!

I’m usually hesitant to work out (as I get major Year 10 PE flashbacks), but was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had at Power Pilates UK whilst still working up a major sweat! Perhaps my favourite aspect of Power Pilates UK is how intimate the classes are and how lovely the space is – honestly, I’d half expect Jen An to walk through the door.”

- Jade, freelance contributor

Power Pilates UK can be booked directly on their website or through ClassPass. Drop-in classes are £25, but you can bulk-buy and save yourself money. Monthly passes start at £209, or you can opt for a class package – such as five classes across two months – which start at £115.

“Triyoga's light-filled London studios are clean, comforting oases away from the city. Beyond yoga, they also offer pilates and holistic treatments such as reiki and acupuncture - it's like stepping inside a 360° wellness environment. My top tip for an hour of peace? Book a yin class, or even better - a warm yin class, if you're feeling super anxious. I fell in love when I found their Camden studio. Triyoga describes their Yin classes as 'an antidote to urban life,' focussed on 'releasing the connective tissue of the body.' Using cork bricks, sand bags, blankets, and resistance bands, I stretched and exhaled my way down to a place of calm. (A far cry from the agitated city-dweller I'd first shown up as.)

Triyoga's been around since the year 2000, so they're a popular and established network of studios. They currently have four centres across London: Camden, Chelsea, Shoreditch, and Ealing. They teach an abundance of yoga styles, from Ashtanga to Kundalini, Vinyasa, Hot yoga, and more. For me, it's not about honing my physique, but about supporting my mental health via an hour of calm.”

- Maddy, former Fashion Editor

Click here to book a single session on ClassPass, or click here to learn about all the membership and pricing bundle options at Triyoga

“I’m always up for a challenge, but having hip dysplasia and weak knees, I find myself having to avoid any sort of tough and intrusive classes that break a sweat – think HIIT, or absolutely any form of running! But after hearing how gentle on the joints a spin class can be, I decided to give a class a go.

I went to a 45 minute Cycle Ride at the Moorgate studio, which was bright, airy and stocked with complimentary fluffy towels – which in my eyes only meant one thing – that I was about to sweat *a lot*. The cycle studio was jam packed with 55 sleek bike stations, giving a more dramatic, less intimate class vibe. But what I really loved (and somewhat hated) about this class was the fact it was like training in a Nintendo Wii video game. Every rider spins away to some pretty cool spotlights, bass music, and an animated virtual race between your fellow riders on two huge screens.

The instructor (I had Heidi) encourages everyone to increase RPM, going up to as high as 130 RPM during sprint intervals, flat rides and hill climbs. It was solid, and my chest wanted to burst throughout the entire thing, but I felt such satisfaction (and saddle sore) afterwards. Sadly, there’s no hiding in this class, as your name and results are constantly being projected onto the front screen until the very last minute. So, if competition is your thing then this class is no doubt made for you.”

- Chloe, former Features Intern

You can book a cycle class via Class Pass or through the Digme Fitness website directly (where each class costs £22). Promo offers are often available too, such as 5 classes for £99).

“Want a challenge or to completely overhaul your fitness? Ultimate Performance, also known as UP, has recently opened a shiny new gym in Canary Wharf; their fifth spot in London – and if you decide to sign up, you'll be in good company (fellow clients include Top Gun actor Glen Powell and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey). A typical programme would normally range from 6-12 weeks, depending on your goals and your progress (including diet) will be monitored through their high tech app, UP Transform. However, I just dipped a toe by dropping in for a one-off PT session to get a feel for the method.

Leading up to the event I felt apprehensive about having a private workout, but as soon as I arrived I relaxed, knowing I was in safe hands. It definitely wasn't as intimidating as I thought. My PT, Michael Turnbull, took me through an initial consultation where I had to fill out a very thorough questionnaire, have myself weighed and my body fat measured. We then went through some exercises to check my form and mobility. The best part of the experience was learning how to correctly use various gym machines - I feel like I can now walk into my local gym and not fear making a complete fool out of myself. Coming away from the experience, I feel a lot more in tune with my body and it has definitely giving me that boost of motivation.”

- Jaime Lee, former Art Editor

UP prices aren't cheap: with a monthly cost of £1,800 during peak times (which includes three sessions per week) and £1,548 off-peak times. But if you have a special occasion coming up or would like a complete lifestyle change, with trusted and knowledgable experts on hand to offer support every step of the way, UP could be the perfect place to go. Sign up here for personal training with UP.

“Pilates – mat or reformer – is my go-to workout of choice and it's safe to say I've tried a lot of studios over the years, each offering something slightly different. For me, how much I get out of the class comes down to the instructor, so I was excited to head to Sam Deville's home studio in Wimbledon Village to try one of her group mat Pilates classes.

Sam fell in love with Pilates as a form of rehab to overcome severe diastasis recti (when the left and right abdominals separate during pregnancy), avoiding surgery and rebuilding her core through exercise alone. She went on to retrain as a fully qualified Pilates instructor and developed her SDP Method. Not just her business' initials, the acronym reflects the focus on Strong Dynamic Power.

Sam Deville Pilates is by far the most intense Pilates workout I've ever done. With the use of hand weights and resistance bands throughout, it brought the intensity of the reformer to the mat. I felt the burn almost instantly but was able to push through any shaking legs thanks to Sam's encouragement. Her passion is infectious – it's no wonder her 1:1 sessions are so in demand!

With spaces limited to just six in a class due to the intimate set-up and Wimbledon perhaps a trek for some, Sam has just launched her online platform to make the SDP method more accessible to a wider audience. Looks like I'm out of excuses...”

- Alex, Senior Fashion Writer

Book onto SDP in-person classes or check out the online offering. Drop-in group classes start from £20 with private classes starting from £50. Access to the online platform is via an online subscription with the first 14 days free and then charged monthly at £24.99 or annually at £240. Head to the Sam Deville Pilates website for more info.

“Volonté's energy studio in South Kensington offers a class unlike anything I'd been to before - Body Strong. During each monthly phase of classes, you focus on mastering a new gymnastic skill - the one I trialled was handstands. Thankfully, my worries quickly diminished when I discovered I didn’t have to attempt (and fail) to do handstands for the entire session; instead, it's all about building up the skills to master it. Think lots of exercises for strengthening your upper body, core work and improving shoulder mobility, like dead hangs, planks, crunches, and eventually, handstands against the wall with assistance.

The class pace is slow, and the studio is small, which makes class sizes very intimate - it's so lovely to have that one-to-one feedback, like a small group PT session. It wasn't long before we were all chatting, working together and offering words of encouragement to each other, so it felt like a friendly community to be a part of (shout out to our trainer, Alex!). It's best to arrive in your workout gear as there are no lockers, and the unisex changing room isn't the biggest. There is a lovely bathroom you can change in, however, with products from Neom and toiletries like deodorant and dry shampoo, which is a nice touch when you're a forgetful person... like me.

Upstairs you’ll find Volonté's cafe too, which serves a nutritious selection of post-workout protein shakes, smoothies, barista-style coffees, baked goods and balance bowls - sustainable, seasonal, and ethically sourced, of course. A handy tip: if you attend an evening class (finishing after 6pm), you can pre-order a takeaway meal at the cafe, and it will be ready for you to collect at the end of your class!”

- Sophie, former Head of Social Media

A one-off Body Strong class is £25, or you can book through ClassPass for around 7-9 credits. For more info and to book, visit Cafe Volonté's website.