Fitness
8 of London’s best lunchtime fitness classes
Want to feel the burn on your break? Try out one of these eight exercise sessions.
Waking up super early in the morning or trekking to the gym after a long day at work isn’t for everyone, which is why we’re all about those lunchtime classes. With classes from 30 to 45 minutes and studios dotted around London, ‘I don’t have time’ is no longer a valid excuse to not fit in a workout. And when the classes leave you feeling positive and motivated for the rest of the day, what’s not to love?
Here are some of the top classes for you to check out in London on your lunch break:
1. Barry’s Bootcamp
Leave the desk for the neon glow of a Barry's Bootcamp studio
© Barry's Bootcamp
Best for: Calorie burn
Studios: West (Bayswater), Central (Euston), East (Liverpool Street), Canary Wharf, SW1 (Victoria), however not all of these locations offer reduced-length lunchtime classes.
Cost: £22 per class, with package deals for multiple class purchases.
Global fitness chain Barry’s Bootcamp is based on the science of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to burn as many calories as possible and increase fitness. Attendees alternate between resistance training on the floor to intervals on the treadmill. Normal classes are 60 minutes, but at lunchtime (12pm and 1pm), certain locations shorten classes to 50 minutes (including stretching); to compensate for the reduced class length, free protein shakes are offered after the class. It’s a seriously intense session, but perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up if you’re feeling lethargic!
2. HIIT – Another Space
Another Space's class puts the hit in HIIT
© Rich Maciver Photography/Another Space
Best for: Fat burn
Studios: Bank and Covent Garden
Cost: £22 for a one-off class, or monthly passes available.
HIIT at Another Space combines boxing and MMA moves with floor-based resistance training. This high-intensity class is short (35 minutes at lunchtime) and incorporates a variety of exercises to keep your body working. The studios are also beautiful, so perfect to enjoy a shake and shower in post-class.
3. Hot yoga – Another Space
Have you got the moves for hot yoga?
© Rich Maciver Photograph/Another Space
Best for: Flexibility
Studios: Bank and Covent Garden
Cost: £22 for a one-off class, or monthly passes available.
Held in the same studios as HIIT, hot yoga at Another Space is the perfect option if you’re looking for a less intense workout. Don’t be fooled though – expect to work on both your flexibility and strength in this dynamic, heated yoga class. The heat is held at 32 degrees for 45 minutes to gain maximal muscle benefits without the extreme heat of other hot yoga.
4. F45
Trainers are on hand in F45 classes to motivate and correct form
© F45
Best for: HIIT
Studios: All over London! You’d be hard pressed not to find one near your office.
Cost: Cost depends on your membership, which are available as monthly to biannually. The eight-week challenges are priced separately. Intro offers available at most studios.
A concept born in Australia, F45 provides groups classes of functional high-intensity circuit training. F45 has 27 different ‘genres’ of workout, each focussing on a different aspect of fitness, such as HIIT, cardio or resistance training. At the front of each class, screens display each exercise, while multiple instructors roam the class and are on hand to motivate and correct where needed. Most studios also offer an ‘eight-week F45 challenge’, aimed at reducing body fat over the course of eight weeks. This may be too extreme for many (it encourages the cutting of carbohydrates for quick results), but could be the kick needed to get back into shape after some time off.
5. Signature Express – Barrecore
Get your ballet on at a lunchtime barre class
© Barre Core
Best for: Barre
Studios: All around London, including Chelsea, Islington, Kensington, Mayfair, Notting Hill and Moorgate.
Cost: Membership starts at £200/month for 9 credits. Introductory offer available.
Barrecore’s Signature Express class promises to strengthen, lengthen and tone muscles in the space of 45 minutes. This class incorporates barre (ballet-like) moves coupled with resistance training.
6. Define Express – Define London
Low impact sculpting is on the lunchtime menu at Define London
© Define London
Best for: Low-impact sculpting
Studios: Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia.
Cost: Single credit £28 (excluding £10 off offer for new clients).
If you’re looking for a quick and dynamic workout, the Define Express classes offer all the toning and strengthening of their longer classes in just 30 minutes. Depending on the day, you can expect barre, floor workouts and strength workouts to target specific muscle groups. Lunchtime classes run from 12:30 – 1pm and 1:05pm – 1:35pm.
7. Shake & Ride – Boom Cycle
Boom Cycle's classes result in smiles (and sweat) all round
© Boom Cycle
Best for: Mood boost
Studios: Hammersmith, Holborn, Battersea, Monument.
Cost: One ride is £18 with package deals available. A one-month unlimited pass is £135.
There’s nothing quite like spinning to raise the heart rate and get the blood pumping. Boom Cycle is akin to a party on a bike, with loud music, coloured lights and an instructor who practically dances at the front. If you’re into high intensity cardio, Boom Cycle is for you – expect to leave grinning (and sweating) from ear to ear. Lunchtime classes vary in length – they are either 45 minutes or 30 minutes, and the latter includes a free shake after the class!
8. Quick HIIT – Metabolic London
Best for: All-round everything
Studios: Mornington Crescent.
Cost: Monthly membership is £100/month for unlimited classes. Single class is £20.
If you’re truly strapped for time, this 30-minute class could be exactly what you’re looking for. With a mixture of cardio and strength training, this class will leave you burning fat long after leaving the studio, and the endorphins with power you through your afternoon at work. This isn’t for the faint-hearted, but you get out as much as you put in, and at only 30 minutes long, what is there to lose?