It’s that time of year again — the month of green juices and hopes of building the physique of your dreams. Whether the freshly lycra-clad you plans to stoically puff through reformer Pilates or pump behemoth weights, we’ve put together the best gyms and fitness spaces to help you meet all your goals. That pesky tendency of doing hundreds of press-ups for the first few days of January, only for them to be long forgotten by February, will be a thing of the past with our swanky picks for places to hack your health. Forget endless hours on treadmills, staring into the middle distance while watching the seconds slide by in slow motion. Think boutique personal trainers, holistic approaches to health—saunas and stunning swimming pools. Read on to find out more.
Barry’s
Barry’s is the original high-energy, cardio and strength interval training workout that pioneered the boutique fitness movement.
The brand has 7 London studios including two in the City: Barry’s East in Moorgate and Barry’s St Paul’s. Since it opened its first London studio in 2013, the brand has built a loyal community of fans and has grown from “The Best Workout in the World” to become not just a fitness leader, but a community and lifestyle with best-in-class studios, a Fuel Bar serving post-workout HERMOSA shakes, retail offerings including Barry’s own merchandise and a competitive loyalty programme called The Academy.
Each Barry’s class takes place in its signature Red Room: a dimly-lit studio that allows participants to focus on the motivating cues from best-in-class instructors and lose themselves in the energy of those around them. Barry’s signature schedule offers classes that alternate muscle focus every day of the week, to ensure the body gets a balanced workout and proper time to recover.
This January, Barry’s is launching its “Find Your Strength” challenge tasking clients to take either 10 or 20 classes in 30 days. Clients who complete the 10 class challenge will receive 250 stars in the Academy plus a long-sleeved tee. Those who complete 20 classes will receive 600 stars and a hoodie.
_Also launching this month, protein brand HERMOSA is collaborating with Dirtea, the leading functional mushroom brand, on a new, limited edition shake blended with the brands’ award-winning protein and Lion’s Mane powders. Available until 13th Feb, the shake will be sold exclusively at Barry’s Fuel Bars and cost £8.
Individual classes at Barry’s start from £26 per class but new starters pay just £9 for their first class on signing up for an account. Both weekly and monthly class memberships are available starting from £54 per week and £160 per month. For more info on pricing, please visit barrys.com.
Ultimate Performance (U.P.)
Founded in 2009, the company specialises in private, one-to-one weight-training sessions, offering clients fat loss, muscle-building, and complete body recomposition programmes to help people boost their holistic health and well-being, as well as dramatically change their physiques.
The facility boasts a state-of-the-art training area, custom-made Watson dumbbells and Atlantis strength-training machines, an 18.5m strongman track, modified strongman equipment including farmer’s walk, sled, rope, and prowler; metabolic conditioning training equipment; a supplements shop; protein shake bar; showers and changing rooms; and a transformation results wall to inspire clients.
U.P. gyms are not commercial gyms open to the public. They are private, by-appointment-only gyms, with trainers judged and financially compensated purely on the quality of the results they deliver to their clients.
For clients, their journey begins with a dedicated personal trainer, chosen to match their specific goals, and a complete lifestyle audit. U.P. trainers meticulously analyse over 150 data points, from stress levels to bodyfat levels to sleep quality, to craft a personalized training and nutrition plan that is bespoke for each client. This individualized program is continuously refined using bio-feedback data, ensuring no stone is left unturned in ensuring clients achieve their goals.
To book a consult, visit: Personal Trainers in St Pauls, London | Ultimate Performance
Third Space
Founded in 2001 with a first club on the Crown Estate in Soho, Third Space are London’s luxury health clubs; individual in style, bound by a common philosophy: to be the Third Space for members, inspiring them to be their personal best. All the clubs have at their heart a state of the art fitness and training offering centred around group classes, top-quality equipment and personal training. Additionally, all clubs have luxury, best in class changing facilities, and a healthy grab and go café – Natural Fitness Food. Facilities which vary from site to site including swimming pools, spas, medical centres, climbing walls, and altitude chambers. Alongside the finest equipment and facilities, Third Space brings together leading Elite PTs, master trainers, instructors and nutritionists to provide world class education and assistance to all members.
The business has grown to thirteen prestigious locations in central London: Battersea, Canary Wharf, City, Clapham Junction, Islington, Marylebone, Mayfair, Moorgate, Richmond, Soho, Tower Bridge, Wimbledon, Richmond and Wood Wharf.
Club memberships start from: £230
Equinox
Close to Liverpool Street Station, this luxury health club is known for its stunning facilities and cutting-edge classes in the city.
The club boasts a range of facilities, including a dedicated Yoga Studio with Hot Yoga, a Pilates studio, a Cycling studio, steam rooms, and a full-service Spa offering hydrafacials and sports massages. Swoon in the sauna, or maybe mix up your meeting schedule and invite a client to sweat with you.
Pioneering precision run coaching, this techy technique takes your vitals and promises to hack your health. Created by coach David Siik for Equinox, the training helps you train smarter, not harder. A boutique balanced interval training, easily customisable whatever your fitness levels fast tracks your personal goals whilst reducing the risk of wear and tear often associated with plodding the pavements. Technique is prioritised over speed or incline. A coach on hand, Pilates style, subtly alters your stance. They will meet you where you are at.
Perspire your problems away in the hot yoga studio, and then hop over to core-focused pilates, also available online if you can’t make it to the city. Zen meets dumbbells with Equinox’s focus on holistic health, prioritising your mind-body connection whilst also honing your six-pack.
Avant-garde art decor is softened with wood panelling, adding a homely touch to the sleek surroundings. Expertly trained personal trainers are scattered throughout the Bishopsgate 32,000 complex, on hand for cheeky one-to-one or just to offer enthusiastic encouragement. Personalised nutritionists, one-to-one pilates training and help you find those little muscles you didn’t know existed.
Equinox Fitness Club – It’s Not Fitness. It’s Life.
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