Boutique gym classes have become something of a cult in recent years, being the preferred choice for anyone wanting to mix up their fitness regime and keep motivated without the same old slog on the treadmill.
But as with anything that takes off in popularity, there are now so many to choose from it’s become hard to know where to start. How do the different studios we see popping up around the UK capital differ? Where’s good for HIIT? What’s best for Spin? Well, I’ve gone and saved you a tonne of research and spent the last month testing some out across the city of London to find out.
Using the latest innovation and technology to bring you a unique experience, here are the best boutique classes I’ve tried (and loved) in the big smoke so far…
F45, Islington
What I love about F45 is that it’s based on a super simple yet innovative concept.
It’s a 45 minute high-intensity circuit training workout class, coming in 27 different varieties – depending on the studio you go to and the time – but are either resistance focused (more controlled weight-based workouts) or HIIT based (faster, more intense cardio). Every day of the week offers a different 45 minute workout, all of which are created by the firm’s Athletics and Peak Performance Department from a database of over 3,000 different exercises. This is intended so members never get the same workout twice.
What I really enjoy about attending an F45 class though is how it makes use of technology across the studio to ensure the experience is as straightforward as possible for everyone; members and newcomers alike. A series of wall-mounted TVs provide an organized, station-by-station diagram for each daily workout. This visual aid, along with the guidance and motivation of the F45 trainers, means members can easily progress throughout the different exercise stations without getting lost half-way through, or having to stall and ask what they should be doing (something that can easily be done in station-based HIIT classes).
I took several of both the HIIT and resistance-based classes over a four week period at the Islington studio, but there are studios scattered all over London, and they are all based on the same premise: a space to sweat!
Lunges in Leggings, Haggerston Park
Compared to most others on this list, Lunges in Leggings has a completely different take on fitness, and it’s this I think that makes it innovative. It couldn’t be further from the high-tech nightclub vibes of many current boutique offerings such as Barry’s and co, but still, it offers participants a fresh way of staying in shape: through community, movement, and fun (while wearing a pair of jazzy compression tights).
With a more stripped-back, natural environment in which to get fit, and easy-to-follow exercise techniques that will get you moving with a smile, Lunges has to be one of my favorite fitness classes in London. And that’s probably something to do with how it doesn’t require so much thinking. Being outside, there are no fancy countdown clocks, no over-complicated treadmills to operate, and definitely no wondering “am I at the right station?” or “do I have the right apparatus?” – leaving you more time to focus on really pushing yourself.
Founder and instructor, Matt Feczko, told me that he set up Lunges in Leggings not only to bring people together but because he wanted to combine his passion that “movement of all kinds is healing”.
He explained: “The classes are designed to be social and meant for people to interact with each other. For the bootcamp many of the exercises are done with a partner and can be done anywhere. A park. Indoors. A club. You name it.”
And so anyone attending a Lunges in Leggings class is likely to stumble into a 45 minute romp of warm-ups, games, strength and body conditioning exercises, mobility work, and some yoga flow to top it off.
“Rather than the gruel of CrossFit, or something else that’s highly competitive, my classes are not designed with goals – just movement,” he added.
“That’s how I think my classes and my teaching style is innovative. I bring community, I bring movement, and I make you smile. Perhaps it’s the leggings (yes, I own over 35 pairs), or my loud, nasal, American Jewish accent. Regardless, you’ll have fun.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Known as the bootcamp yogi, Feczko, also runs a yoga edition of the Lunges in Leggings bootcamp class. For more information on timings, check out the timetable.
Speedflex, Bank
Speedflex is a studio based in Bank, City of London, that operates a class of the same name and promises anyone that visits a taste of “the pinnacle of high-intensity low-impact training”, where – in a 45-minute class – users can apparently burn up to 1,000 calories “safely with minimal risk of injury”.
The class and the studio’s name actually comes from the Speedflex weight training machine, a device that generates personalized resistance levels based on how hard and fast the user trains with it. The machine is unique in that it’s “momentum free”, providing increased resistance as the speed of use increases. This means that as you get tired and slow down the machine decreases resistance, allowing users to train at their maximum intensity for as long as possible.
Not only did I soak my entire gym kit through with sweat, but I had a lot of fun at the Speedflex class. The machines offer something a bit different to your bog-standard HIIT class, and the studio uses Myzone heart rate monitors to gamify the whole experience, making it a little more competitive. Visual feedback from TV screens placed around the studio definitely helps to motivate you when you feel yourself waning. This, SpeedFlex says, also allows users to track the classes they attend and the number of calories burned over time, as well as seeing their optimal heart rate zone for training. I’m sold.
HIIT & Chill at Frame, King’s Cross
Frame’s HIIT & Chill class is a combination of two of my favorite kinds of exercise: HIIT and yoga, the latter of which in this case is more of a deep stretch, yin type with meditation to restore your body and mind after a stressful day of work.
It’s aimed at those who find it hard to ‘switch off’ and this is rather appropriately dubbed “the workout overstimulated Londoners have been waiting for”. I can see why. After doing my class I felt unusually relaxed considering how many calories my Fitbit had told me I’d burnt.
It starts with a HIIT combination of speed, strength, plyometric and isometric movements, driven via specially-crafted deep electronic music, something that class creator Gede Foster told me will help heal you while you sweat.
As the HIIT winds down you are led into recovery with accompanying sounds based on the healing of live gong soundbaths, something Foster experienced during yoga while traveling in Bali. These make use of low-frequency Schumann resonances, which are said to be “the heartbeat of the mother Earth”. When a person’s brain waves resonate with this super low 7.83 Hz sound, it has been proven to benefit physical and psychological health.
“Meditating hasn’t ever been something I find easy, as for a lot of people who lead busy city lives,” she admitted. “But the sounds and vibrations just resonate through you and take you there much easier.”
All this, I am sure, will help even the most amped up adrenaline junkie chill out, all while staying in shape.
Eco-Spinning at Terra Hale, Shepherd’s Bush
If you’re looking to save the world while breaking a sweat, give Terra Hale in Shepherd’s Bush a spin. Literally. The brand new studio is London’s first eco-friendly, human-powered fitness destination, where effort isn’t measured in calories burned but watts generated. That’s because the energy generated by the bikes in the spin class feeds back into the gym to help power the lights, making it the most environmentally conscious way to stay fit, ever.
I apparently generated enough energy in my spin class to power 44 hours of light bulbs
At the end of my 30 minute spin class, I alone had generated 221.8 watts of power. Each full spin session is said to create between 1,500 and 3,300 watts, which is enough to power a desktop computer for an entire working day.
Reshape at 1Rebel, Southbank
Powered by Technogym’s latest and greatest SkillRun machine for some high-tech kick ass cardio, alongside a press bench for some arm-numbing definition, Reshape is probably one of the best boutique classes for a complete full body workout, helped by some of the latest innovative technology, which I must add, is pretty swish.
The SkillRun is unique in that it meets all the needs of runners, from sprinters to marathoners and triathletes thanks to its Multidrive tech, which enables users to perform running sessions and resistance workouts on the same piece of equipment, providing a well-rounded cardio and power training workout.
The Reshape class involves 45 minutes of running to and from the SkillRun and the bench, making it both physically and mentally intense. It’s not hard to see how it’s been designed to condition and resculpt a range of muscle groups at the same time.
Like Terra Hale, there’s also an eco element to 1Rebel; the gym enforces a no plastics rule, meaning plastic bottles are forbidden, replaced with aluminum reusable containers on entry. This action was taken after the studio calculated that its annual plastic bottle consumption exceeded over 37,000 units at its two City-based sites.
1Rebel’s super-sweaty spin class – Ride – is also worth a try if you fancy more of a high-intensity, total cardio workout along to some banging tunes and disco vibes.
HIIT, Cycle and Yoga at Another_Space, Bank
If you’re wanting to get your boutique class fix in one place, get your ass over to Another_Space, where minimal meets both physically and mentally nourishing.
Leading the cross-training trend, Another_Space offers three class styles under one roof, with daily Cycle, Yoga and HIIT classes that you can experience on a class-by-class basis, meaning no need for a membership or joining fee.
It also offers some pretty specific workshops depending on what you’re fitness goals are. I took a counter-balancing workshop with yoga legend Sean Phelps, for example, which focused on strengthening techniques for handstand and inversion practices.
Ally at Un1t, London Bridge
UN1T is a team conditioning studio based in London Bridge and Fullham, offering a trio of cardio, strength, and mobility focused classes which all incorporate teamwork and unity to complete the class.
The Ally class has to be one of the most challenging (but rewarding) 45 minutes of my life thanks to its competitive nature. You pair up with an “ally” (hence the name) to compete in teams against other pairs and complete the most number of sets given, against a timer, across one of four grids on the gym floor. Brutal is the only word but the ridiculous amount of endorphins you reap after will definitely leave you wanting more.
Elevation 2.0 at Third Space, Soho
As if HIIT wasn’t hard enough on its own, then try taking some of the oxygen out of the equation. The result is lots of sweat. And I’d know; I gave this super intimate workout a go and managed to survive.
Located in the Hypoxic Chamber at the top floor of Third Space’s Soho gym, Elevation involves circuits between a Versa climber, WattBike, TechnoGym SkillMill and a Woodway Run, alternated with medicine balls, dumbbells, and body squats, all at a simulated altitude of 3000 meters, for 30 minutes.
By exercising in this low oxygen environment, you can develop enhanced endurance and stamina. Third Space says a 15 min high-intensity session in the chamber can be equivalent of a one hour workout at sea level. No wonder I was nearly dead, then.
Blaze at David Lloyds, Kensington
Blaze is touted as a dynamic new HIIT workout which combines mixed martial arts, intense cardio and strength training that is synced to music by epic dance DJs. The class offers a whole new way of working out and invites attendees to wear a heart rate monitor throughout the class to track their progress and encourage healthy competition.
It lasts 45 minutes and members spend three to four minutes at each station and colored lighting changes in the class signaling the end of the round, allowing a breather until they move on to the next station.
I only have fond memories of doing this class, most likely because I attended the launch where early ‘00s pop queen Sophie Ellis-Bexter belted out some disco tunes while I and a group of nine or so others sweat and sang along.
Never thought I’d ever say this, but just did a disco circuits class with @SophieEB, looking as glam as ever, obvz! @HarbourClubs #Blaze #SophieEllisBextor @DavidLloydUK #circuits #WHYDOESITFEELSOGOOD pic.twitter.com/PZQ6MLtdy5
— Lee Bell (@llebeel) February 22, 2018
PRAMA at the Harbour Club, Kensington
As the health and fitness industry ramps up its personalization factor, expect more gyms to integrate technology to attract the tech-savvy generations. This is already happening in some clubs.
Fresh from Spain and available at the Harbour Club gym in Kensington, a fitness concept called PRAMA is looking to put the fun into high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with interactive tech. The 45-minute circuit class includes a full-body workout powered by Pavigym flooring technology, where instructors can develop fitness programmes for all ages and fitness levels. Depending on which workout they choose the lights on the floor correspond with the exercises. Expect PRAMA and more classes of its kind, to grow in popularity.
Virgin Active’s Altitude spin class, Canon Street
Virgin Active isn’t exactly a “boutique” studio per se, but it’s most innovative spin class in its Apex Studio at the company’s Walbrook branch has a boutiquey feel for sure, and so is definitely worth a mention here. The Altitude class takes advantage of technology more than any others on this list, all in a bid to make it more true to a real-life experience of cycling high above sea level. While class-goers aren’t exactly taken up to 3000m, the room is designed to simulate being at that altitude by taking oxygen out of the air, making your workout harder thanks to lack of oxygen going to the respiring tissues (hypoxia) of participants. Put some spin bikes in there and bam: just like riding through the Alps.
