Best boutique fitness classes in London to keep up momentum
1. New functional exercise class | FS8, Oxford Circus
It's the ultimate fitness mash-up. The 'F' stands for functional. Every single element of the workouts has been designed to work together. Combining the Pilates reformer with mat work, dumbbells and activation bands, strength exercises and yoga, and breath work ensures the '8' key elements that form the core principles are ticked off.
Think of the dream team of fitness and wellbeing: cardio, mobility, posture, coordination, resistance, mental health, balance and flexibility. The weekly workout program includes various exercises to enhance muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and recovery. Now that's a modern class.
2. Exclusive boxing residency | JAB Boxing, at The Curtain Club, Mondrian Shoreditch
JAB Boxing, an elite boxing club based in Mayfair, is starting a residency at The Curtain Club, the member's space at London's Mondrian Shoreditch. From 23 January to 18 February, the residency will be open to members, hotel guests and the public.
This is the first time JAB Boxing has travelled to East London since former England boxing team captain and East London local George Veness founded it. He says, "Our mission is to empower people by teaching them how to box. Authenticity sits at the heart of the brand. Our coaches have all lived and breathed the life of a fighter, and our sessions are uniquely designed for you to experience this, helping develop your physical and mental resilience".
Prices range from £27.50 for a single session drop-in class - to £120.00 - for 1:1 personal training. Hotel guests and Curtain Club members save 15% on all classes - single-session drop-in classes will start from £23.38. To enquire about membership:
Pre-bookings are now available here
3. 30-minute lunchtime row class | ROWBOTS
ROWBOTS is a mindset-led fitness brand offering workouts centred around the rowing machine, the ultimate piece of equipment, offering a whole-body, low-impact workout that works up to 86% of the body at one time.
The half-hour express classes can be booked with regular class credits, ROWBOTS memberships or with the express class credits and packages, and has studios in Fitzrovia and the City from £12.
4. Flow to Go 5 pm Friday Workout | Nobu
A new addition to your TGIF feel is Nobu's balanced formula to kick-start the weekend. Led by Creative Director Marsha Lindsay comments, "I love working out, and I adore spending time with my friends; I wanted to find a way to combine the two. Flow to Glow is a movement I created that embodies these two things; Pilates and whatever makes you glow. But, of course, this is different for everybody, so join us as glow evolves."
Flow to Glow will be hosted every Friday at 5 pm, beginning with the signature and first-of-its-kind Nobu Pilates class in London, followed by a re-fuel by Nobu Pilates cocktail in the Nobu Bar. The package is designed to be the perfect tonic to start the weekend - leaving any New Year guilt behind.
Flow to Glow includes 45 minutes Nobu Pilates class and one signature Nobu Pilates cocktail for £45 per person.
5. Ultimate Wellness Stay in London | Ship Shape Suite at Sea Containers
To kick-start the new year, Sea Containers London has launched its new 'Ship Shape Suite', a unique space for those looking for the ultimate private fitness and recovery experience. Equipped with the latest fitness equipment, guests can train across diverse fitness genres. From cardio with Peloton to strength training with top-of-the-range NoHrD equipment and a VAHA X Mirror touch smart screen with access to hundreds of workouts at the touch-button fingertips.
The Ship Shape Suite will be split into fitness and recovery zones- equally crucial in the pursuit of holistic wellness and comes with a gut-friendly and healthy in-room bar and Theragun PRO to relax those worked-out muscles. Then you can hit the (high-tech) sack courtesy of a water thermo-regulated and digitalised mattress designed by sleep experts, Eight Sleep.
From £178 per night.
6. Weightlifting & Gymnastics with medal-winning champions | More Life Adventures
22 January: Lift & Lunch with Commonwealth Games champion Chris Murray is a weightlifting workshop popular with beginners, women and all ages. Learn to snatch and clean & jerk and meet new people over nutritious lunch provided by the new meal prep company, Mama's Meals. £90, for London dates and locations.
5 March: Gymnastics with coach Mike Lee is a space where you can learn handstands, toes-to-bar and muscle-ups. The workshop will include two 90-minute sessions. The first session will consist of handstand foundations & structure, progressions, mobility, safety and training for strength, balance and endurance. The second is strict work, kipping movements, common movement errors, mobility, basic shoulder anatomy, scaling options, and timing.
It is located in Battersea, £90.
7. Out of town beach retreat | Cosmic Wellness Series by The Gallivant
Head out of town to the beautiful Rye location of The Gallivant for their Cosmic Wellness series. Kicking off on the 18 February is a New Moon-inspired yoga and intention-setting practice with India Terry, followed by two-course lunch, mindful practice and a walk along the golden dunes.
All aligned with the waning moon, the ReWild events are designed to restore you by reconnecting with your natural surroundings. This will be the antidote to city life and offer an opportunity to learn new rituals or centuries-old practices that bring you closer to yourself and the environment around you—it costs £75 for the 4-hour wellness experience.