With the mornings and evenings drawing in, most of us might start to lose whatever motivation we had to hit the gym. But if the mornings and evenings don’t do it for you, how about a workout in your lunch hour instead?
Luckily, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fitness in Hatton Garden. We’ve curated a list of the best gyms in the area, ideal for locals looking for a pre-work, post-work or lunchtime fitness fix. The best thing is, they’re all so close by you’ll be back in the office before you’ve come down from your endorphin high.
Best For: Pilates
Where? Ten Health and Fitness, 36-38 Hatton Garden
What? This boutique London chain is considered one of the best places in the city for small-group classes. Dynamic Reformer Pilates classes are their speciality. Described as ‘pilates taken to the next level’, they utilise special pulleys and benches to intensify the exercises. Expect a challenging workout focusing on strengthening your core muscles and improving your flexibility.
Lunchtime offerings: They run beginner, intermediate, and advanced Reformer Pilates classes on weekday lunchtimes (check
their timetable for exact details)
Pricing: It’s pretty dear if you buy individual classes (£30 a pop), but if you buy a package then the prices drop significantly. You can choose from a variety of options, including 10 classes to use over 8 weeks for £220, or 10 classes to use in one month for £185. Newbies can try 4 classes (and receive a complimentary guest pass) for £50.
Best For: Short and Sweet Classes
Where? Mob45, 20 Farringdon Road
What? This high-energy studio prides itself on intense, fun group classes. Whether or not you believe their promise that they can make working out ‘joyous’, you’ll certainly feel the effects of their carefully curated sessions. Look forward to a high-octane mix of cardio, conditioning, and toning led by scarily energetic instructors.
Lunchtime offerings: An average weekday has one class at 12:10, and two or three classes at 13:00. There are nine different exercise types which rotate in the weekly schedule, but typical options include Conditioning45, Cycle45, and Pilates.
Pricing: £49 /month if you sign up for a 12 month contract, and £57 /month for 6 months.
Best For: Swimming
Where: Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, Mecklenburgh Place#
What: The membership includes access to the 20 metre pool, the well-equipped gym floor, and 70 weekly classes.
Lunchtime offerings: There are a number of group classes running in the middle of the day, including BODYPUMP, Yoga, and Aqua Zumba. Alternatively, head to the pool and relax with some lane swimming.
Pricing: The best option is to sign up for 12 months (£74 p/m, all inclusive), but you can also take a rolling monthly membership for £82 p/m with a £20 ‘activation fee’.
Best For: Low-cost, No-contract Gyming
Where? PureGym Farringdon , 122 Clerkenwell Road
What? Pure Gym offers a large weights area, an Olympic lifting platform, and plenty of cardio machines (including climbmills, treadmills, steppers, and rowers). The membership includes an array of classes, and it’s open 24/7.
Lunchtime offerings: There are at least two classes around lunch time each day- try Bodytone on Mondays from 13:15-13:45, or Cycle on Thursdays from 12:15-12:45. If you don’t fancy a class then you can work out independently on the gym floor.
Pricing: Pure Gym is definitely the best-value option in the area, with rolling monthly membership priced at £34.99 (plus a £15 joining fee).
Best For: Lunch Hour Dance-offs
Where? Frame, 35 Farringdon Road
What? Frame hosts an extensive selection of weekly classes, with more imaginative options than you’d typically find. Think TRX, Boxing, Barre, and Rebounding (a class using mini-trampolines).
Lunchtime offerings: On Fridays from 12:10 don your dancing shoes and go to Dance Cardio- “45 mins of non stop dance accompanied by some big tunes to transport you to your happy place." What’s not to love?
Pricing: There are a multitude of different options here, but one of the best seems to be the £60 monthly membership, which includes 6 classes (excluding Reformer Pilates) and 3 smoothies (!).
Best For: Having Too Much Fun To Feel The Pain
Where:
Gymbox , 12A Leather Lane
What? Gymbox boasts ‘resident DJs’ and ‘very personal training’ as well as a proper boxing ring and a matted combat area. You’ll certainly never get bored with a membership here, and you might even find a new fitness passion.
Lunchtime offerings: Try False Grip on Mondays at 12; a gymnastic rings class focused on building upper body and core strength. If you’re feeling brave there’s MetCon on Wednesdays at 12: a fast-paced workout which promises to put your metabolism into overdrive.
Pricing: You’ll have to call them up to get your quote- +44 (0)203 872 5870