8 Of The Best Gyms For Strength Training

The Foundry

The studio where your favourite Barry’s instructors train, The Foundry is for those serious about fitness. Renowned for its raw facilities and impressive range of equipment, and classes led by ex-military and former pro coaches, the standard is high. Strongman, one of the toughest workouts in town, uses kit seen on the World’s Strongest Man circuit. Sweat is a bootcamp session proven to torch fat and supercharge metabolism. Semi-private sessions, with a maximum of four people, are also available and a great way to refine technique.

WHERE? It has studios in Bank, Old Street and Vauxhall.
HOW MUCH? A commitment-free, 30-day trial will set you back £225 (usually £399).
INSIDER TIP: Towels are provided free of charge, but bring your own products if you want to shower. You’ll also need a padlock for the lockers.

 
Visit FoundryFit.com
 

The Fore

Fans of TRX – the resistance workout developed by Navy Seals – should head to The Fore, a stone’s throw from Granary Square. Classes are small, bridging the gap between personal training and group exercise, and the workout is guaranteed to get your heart racing. With an emphasis on training smarter and more efficiently, expect sprints on the SkillMill, suspended TRX planks, lunges and single-leg squats, and shoulder-strengthening moves with the Rip Trainer. Refuel post-workout with an adaptogen-spiked protein shake at The Fore’s smoothie bar before doing it all again. This class is seriously tough, but the endorphin kick will leave you wanting more.
 
WHERE? R7 Building, 14-18 Handyside Street, King’s Cross, N1C 4DN
HOW MUCH? Get ten days of unlimited classes, plus a buddy credit for moral support, for £55.
INSIDER TIP: Alternative therapies such as sports-enhancing acupuncture and postural massage are on offer here too.
 
Visit The-Fore.co.uk
 

F45

F45 is the world’s fastest-growing fitness network and has a cult following thanks to a fool-proof formula: functional training, 45-minute sessions and no mirrors. With a constantly revolving roster of classes, all with a strong emphasis on resistance training, you’ll be fighting fit in no time. F45’s heart-rate monitors, which track various metrics and displays them on an in-studio screen, are also worth the investment. With dozens of studios dotted across the capital, there’s no excuse not to get your F45 fix.
 
WHERE? Find your nearest studio here. The newest are in Soho and South Wimbledon.
HOW MUCH? First-timers can get two weeks’ worth of classes for £60; individual classes are from £25 thereafter.
INSIDER TIP: Keep an eye out for F45’s 8-Week Challenge – great for those in need of some mental motivation.
 
Visit F45Training.co.uk
 

UN1T

The brainchild of former rugby professional Rob Smyth, UN1T is a conditioning studio that means business. Classes focus on building strength, muscular endurance and mobility, and rotate every 12 weeks, so there’s no chance of boredom. The first-rate instructors are motivating and welcoming, and constantly encourage you to train beyond your comfort zone. High-octane and highly rewarding, it’s no surprise UN1T has developed a loyal following among City workers, thanks to its convenient London Bridge location.
 
WHERE? 140-148 Borough High Street, London Bridge, SE1 1LB
HOW MUCH? Drop-in classes cost £20; memberships start from £95 a month.
INSIDER TIP: UN1T is on ClassPass, so give one session a go before you commit to buying a pack of classes.
 
Visit UN1T.com
 

Manor

Taking a no-frills approach to fitness, Manor has four sites across town, all serving up the same combination of strength, conditioning and mental resilience. Sign up for StrongMan, which focuses solely on weights; or Gas Tank, the ultimate cardio blast; or Yard Work, a gruelling combination of the two. Phones are confiscated and moaning is banned – stop mid-round and you’ll earn yourself and your team some punishment burpees and planks. Manor takes rest days seriously too, offering recovery workshops that incorporate breathing techniques and mobility work.
 
WHERE? It has studios in Vauxhall, Victoria, Oxford Circus and Shoreditch.
HOW MUCH? From £65 per month, depending on the studio.
INSIDER TIP: Dubbed London’s toughest workout, these classes claim to torch up to 1,000 calories a session.
 
Visit MyManor.London
 

WIT Training

This one-of-a-kind training facility is the home of CrossFit in the Square Mile. Sessions run throughout the day, focusing on CrossFit’s metcon (metabolic conditioning) principles of weightlifting, gymnastics and endurance. WIT is for those looking for a long-term commitment: drop-ins are allowed, but sessions are designed to be smashed out three times per week as part of a year-long programme. Expect fast results in a community of like-minded fitness fanatics.
 
WHERE? Lower Ground, One New Change, Bank, EC4M 9AF
HOW MUCH? Classes cost £25 each, or cheaper if you buy in bulk.
INSIDER TIP: On-site nutrition consultations will support training and boost performance.
 
Visit WIT-Training.com
 

BXR

With the Anthony Joshua seal of approval, London’s finest boxing gym occupies a 12,000sq ft space in the heart of Marylebone. Cutting-edge equipment is paired with a dark, industrial aesthetic to create a seriously cool workout space which attracts Victoria’s Secret models and heavyweight champions alike. Throw a punch in classes led by professional fighters (complete with made-to-measure Di Nardo boxing gloves) or head downstairs to Sweat by BXR, a set of three pay-to-train studios focusing on boxing skills, strength and conditioning, and cardio.
 
WHERE? Chiltern Street, Marylebone, W1U 5QY
HOW MUCH? Classes are £30 each; memberships available on request.
INSIDER TIP: Form & Focus, created to hone your weightlifting technique, is ideal for beginners.
 
Visit BXRLondon.com
 

ONE LDN

Offering the benefits of a traditional gym membership alongside five-star boutique classes, One LDN serves up the best of both worlds. Book in for a weightlifting class, led by some of the best GB and CrossFit coaches, or try a WOD (Workout of the Day) that fuses battle ropes, sandbags, kettlebells and TRX. Boxing and spin classes are available as well as a studio for yoga and Pilates, ideal for improving mobility and preventing injury.
 
WHERE? Imperial Wharf, The Boulevard, Fulham, SW6 2UB
HOW MUCH? Individual classes cost £20; membership, including gym access, starts from £80 a month.
INSIDER TIP: With pay-as-you-go and membership options, One LDN is perfect for time-poor workers in need of flexible training options.

Visit OneLDN.com