Where to work out in London

Whether you’re travelling for work or leisure, one of the downsides can be that you get out of good exercise routines you’ve built at home. If you want to avoid that ‘first day back’ feeling after a few weeks out of the gym, here’s where you can work out in London without a membership.

Free classes and workouts in London

Lulu Lemon – Spitalfields

Yoga classes Sundays 10am: first come, first served!

Run Club 6:45pm Wednesdays

Sweaty Betty – nationwide

More than 70 free classes a week across London and other UK cities including barre, run clubs and HIIT. Pre-booking needed.

London’s parks – London and nationwide

If you’d rather go outside then London has loads of big parks where you can run and walk. Or join Park Run for free, timed, 5k events every Saturday morning all over the UK

Cheaper classes and workouts in London

London Fields Lido – London Fields

A heated outdoor 50m pool open all year. Changing facilities and lockers on site. Only £4.80 for adult non-members to swim.

This is my favourite London lido because it’s heated, and it’s right by Broadway Market so you can get some great food when you’re done.

London Aquatics Centre – Stratford

Want to follow in the footsteps (quite literally) of Michael Phelps and Tom Daley? Then head to Stratford for London’s Olympic swimming and diving pools.

Just check the website for opening hours as it still plays host to competitions throughout the year so certain pools can be shut to the public on weekends.

Adult peak time swimming is £5.25. At the weekends you can also take part in ‘extreme aqua splash’, a 40m long obstacle course at just £7.50 for adults.

If you fancy a thrill then you can also join ‘dive for all’ on Monday nights where you can access the 1m and 3m spring boards and 1m, 3m and 5m platform diving boards.

RIP Fitness – across London

For a home away from home check out RIP Fitness classes and events. They’re excellent value and always have the best instructors. You’ll always feel right at home here, make new friends and get one of the best workouts in London.

Follow them on Facebook for up to date information about classes across East and South London, half day events and weekends away.

Look out for my favourite instructor, Faye Edwards, who runs 2 hour masterclasses for her dance fitness concept FIT Jam. You can book at www.bookwhen.com/fitacademy. Masterclasses are usually £20 or follow her on Facebook and Instagram to catch her at other events across London.

£20+ classes in London

Boom Cycle

For a spin class that’s a full body workout (you use dumbells while on the bike…don’t let that scare you) head to Boom Cycle. There’s great music and low lights; it’s more like clubbing than exercise. Studios now in Shoreditch, Battersea, Holborn and Hammersmith. Individual credits £18, introductory offer £29 for 3 rides (must be used within 2 weeks).

Frame

A great range of classes are available at Frame with studios now open in Shoreditch, Kings Cross, Queen’s Park and Victoria.

They have regular classes as well as one off events, including music video master classes where you can spend 2 hours pretending you’re Britney or Beyonce. Classes include yoga, pilates (including reformer pilates), barre, dance, rebounding, circuits, box fit, and loads more…

No membership needed, classes are individually priced (although you do need to sign up). Drop in classes priced from £9 for 30 minutes up to £25 for a 2 hour masterclass, making it on the cheaper side for upscale London gyms.

SOMA

If you need a hot yoga fix (or spinning, barre, or TRX) head to SOMA in Spitalfields market. Toiletries, towels, hairdryers all provided so you can just pitch up, work out, then get on with some sightseeing (after lunch in Spitalfields Market, obviously).

Individual credits £25 or make use of the introductory offer, an unlimited week for £30.