Haven't taken any classes here yet, so will have to update after I do, but my wife and I really…read moreliked the cafe. It's a serene spot up above the chaos of Old Spitalfields Market, and the coffees and smoothies are quite good. We could have gone for a small bite to eat (after our workout at a rival gym, as it turns out), but it looks like they're still working on adding food to the menu, so it's just beverages for now. In any case, this would be a great place to sit and read, relax, or chat, and it's got overhead heaters for the chillier days.

I took a class here on Classpass, I really loved the studio, large warm room (not too hot),…read morewaterfall in room for relaxing sound, nice dim light, really an ideal relaxing yoga atmosphere. The room is large and so fit a ton of people but it didn't feel crowded at all, had plenty of space between mats. The changing room/showers are spacious and clean, have electronic lock lockers, and are stocked with cowshed products I believe, which is a nice bonus. I think you get one towel for your mat and can rent a second towel for showering after for a pound, not a huge deal, but there are some other boutique fitness spots like Ten Health & Fitness that have lovely fluffy towels and don't charge for this. At the end of the practice the instructor comes around and gives everyone a little 5 second massage/oil treatment with a cool damp towel over you which was so great and felt fabulous at the end of practice, provided you don't mind being touched. Overall this is the nicest yoga facility I've been to in the city, I've tried others like Yotopia, Fierce Grace (packed and smelly), and TriYoga Camden (stressful zoo of a changing room), and this wins for me, the super calming zen environment just feels like you are "treating yourself", I left on a cloud. I just wish there was one closer to my flat in central london, I would go weekly if I didn't have to take a tube ride to/from. Also wish they offered prenatal yoga, I would make a special trip definitely if they offered that.

Amazing space, it is on the top floor of this old building on posh chiltern street. The space is…read morejust amazing- high ceiling, all white and light... Providing an amazing place to relax and work out. It has a full range of Pilates offering group and private lessons. It does not have a locker/ shower room facility, but at least it provides a bathroom and changing area. Everything is done to a nice finish, love working out in here. It is my favourite pilates studio so far!

So happy I found this studio. I've always wanted to try pilates, but was afraid to do it…read more Walking into the studio, it was so refreshing and relaxing, you feel like you're walking into a spa. All the equipment is top of the line, brand new and they have equipment that most studios don't even have in the world! Really up to date, ahead of the industry. Impressive. All the instructors were so welcoming and very professional. I had so much fun, not realizing I was burning, burning, burning!!! Their energy levels are high, but very calming. Each instructor is extremely passionate about Pilates and it shows through the work. The sessions were very informative and I felt as if I learned a lot about NOT ONLY my body movement, but ways to improve my health through Pilates. I can't believe it took me going across the pond to find a studio where I really felt comfortable to try it and discovered a great and healthy form of movement. I look forward to each time I get to go back to this studio. I wish they would open on stateside! Thanks, bePilates!

Yotopia is in a really great, central location only a couple of minutes from Covent Garden tube and…read morenot far from Oxford Street. This is a bit plus for me as it offers two different ways to get home. The studio is pretty cool looking, very clean and sleek and new looking. No shabby edges, or poky spaces. Another big plus are the snacks and water on sale in the lobby. I almost always forget my water, so it's good to be able to buy some, or a snack if I'm finishing a class late. The changing area is good, but often gets crowded at busy times. Compared to some of the bigger gyms, it is obviously a lot smaller, but when you take into account how big other similar studios are in the local area they are more than adequate. The showers are nice and clean, although there isn't a huge amount of space for drying hair if you go before work. Not the end of the world at all, but it can sometimes be a bit of lottery if you'll get to use the hairdryer exactly when you want to. Hardly a big problem though! Yotopia has two studios, one (much larger) hot studio and one smaller and only warmish room. They are both kept clean and tidy (no smelly carpets) but again can pretty crowded at peak times. There are lines on the floor, but obviously you do have to be careful of space and not knocking into your neighbour! Class-wise, there is a really great mix to keep things interesting and there are good options for beginners and advanced students alike. I'm a particular fan of Jennifer Ellis' Ashtanga and Hot Flow classes. I've been practicing yoga for several years now and have been to most of the studios across London, so I think I can comment with quite a lot of authority on how good a particular studio is. Where Yotopia is really great, I think, is that it blends some of the 'trendier' and newer (or non dogmatic) yoga practices with traditional and expert teaching. I'd recommend it to any level of yogi, although perhaps not very very beginners as the heat can sometimes be a little overwhelming if you are completely new to yoga. Namaste!

Hello sexy! This is definitely the type of interior design where I can ease my mantra. Cool sleek…read moredesigns and love that the waiting areas and locker rooms which are generously spacious. Bring a lock with you - they have lockers unlike the typical open space hot yoga studios usually provide. Also, I really do appreciate the separate shower cubbies! Classes I've practiced all sorts of yoga the past couple of years and it was nice and refreshing to take the beginners hot yoga class to break down really good techniques like where to put the weight in your hands in a downward dog. I love that the hot studio has windows that brings in a lot of natural light but there are no mirrors. I think it's good to change the focus to how you feel rather than your form which is important in bikram yoga. Watch this space - will update after I take a few more classes. Namaste.

This place has just been re-opened today after a 3 month £700k refurb (as claimed on their…read morewebsite), complete with a new logo. The result is a more beginner friendly but not-so hardcore fitness addict friendly layout. Out are half of the cardio & weights machines, In is a new group exercise studio, and a freestyle exercise area with skipping ropes, climbing blocks, monkey bars (yes sounds just like a kids playground) So if you are a group exercise addict like me then you'll love the jam packed schedule in the studio, if you are into the treadmills and weights then expect some lengthy wait during peak times (and even off peak times). Also as with most of the refurb'd fitness firsts... you now need a padlock to secure your lockers. NB: This is a Tier 3 club (for people with multi-club access)

This Fitness First is located underneath Liverpool Street Station but can be accessed from the main…read moreconcourse. I used it for several weeks while the Broadgate branch was being refitted in the summer of 2013. This is a very small gym with the changing rooms and cardio areas being particularly claustrophobic. The weights area is well laid out and has a good range of equipment but at busy times there is an annoying shortage of dumbbells.

Beware if you visit this club for therapy services. I had been doing so for a couple of years, and…read moreafter a minor altercation with inexperienced and chippy young receptionists over their officious attitude to entry, I was banned from coming again by the manager, who had not even asked for my side of the story! I did write to complain, but have never even had a reply. Very disrespectful, and poor management. I have to say that the therapy area is down at heel. The loo is in need of redecoration, the waiting room is full of mismatched second hand furniture, and once there were two old workmen(?) sleeping and literally snoring on the chairs while I waited for my appointment. Signs for no mobile usage are often ignored. I have also used the cafe there, which reminds me of the student cafes of the 1970s, a hodgepodge of decor sourced from jumble sales. The photos on the website are exceedingly flattering! The food is OK, Vegan, but don't expect any service, let alone service with a smile, it's all DIY and pay upfront. And rather like Starbucks, the best seats are hogged for hours by people on their laptops, nursing a cup of coffee. There is a carpark, although I have not used it. Apparently you pay extra for that. There are tennis courts, but I have no info on those. The whole club seems to be a bit run down and poorly maintained, with little investment. It's a pity, as it could be a pleasant location. I have not been inside the gym, but a passing glimpse inside it appears to be choc a bloc crammed full of equipment. I have heard the pool described as grungy. My overall observation is that this is a club for the undiscerning young, who will put up with poor maintenance, and who don't expect any respect from staff for paying clients. It's all a bit "matey", so not at all what more mature and upmarket clients are used to. If I were looking for a gym, I would look elsewhere, there are plenty more in Chiswick.

I've been an on and off member for over ten years and feel it's the best in the area for my tastes…read more It's an adults only gym, so you don't get unwanted children running around causing noise and the facilities are in good condition. Recent refurbishments have been made to all areas except poolside but I imagine it would cost a lot and cause a lot of hassle. Maybe it's being worked on. I usually go for a casual workout followed by the spa and always get to use the equipment I need. Only thing I would advise is better customer focus. Ten years ago the personal trainers would say hello and front of house would greet you by name and say a farewell, but not since rejoining this year. Otherwise it's a fantastic club.

This Virgin Active, formerly Holmes Place, is just inside the City boundaries. Therefore it's most…read morecrowded on weeknights just after the City boys and girls finish work. The good news is they're very quick in their workouts, and they clear out by about 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. It's a good gym, with a pool downstairs, as well as a sauna and a steam room. They update the equipment regularly, and have the full range of equipment you'd expect at this type of facility, e.g., Powerplate and Techogym. There is a full schedule of classes, inlcuding different types of yoga, and V-Cycle Spinning. I'd give them an extra star, but sometimes the evening staff are too eager to start cleaning up and shutting things down while the gym is still open, and that's doubly annoying when that happens in the shower area.

I called up in the morning and managed to speak to Jojo, who deals with new members. I explained…read morethat I was looking to join a club and would like to try theirs out. She said that although they normally charge a £15 trial fee, she would waiver this for me. I met Jojo later on at 1:30pm for my session. I must say that both the receptionist and Jojo were very professional. I can't find any criticism of Jojo - She was polite, friendly, positive, she knew about all the classes and was actively involved in them herself (some sales people have never put a pair of training shoes on in their lives). The gym segment of the club is on the lower ground floor, so has natural light. They have a cardiovascular section with about 50 machines, a full set of Technogym machines, a very decent size free weights area, varies studies for classes (including spinning) and some stretching areas. The changing rooms are downstairs along with an 18 meter pool and a steam room and sauna. Good Points: Virgin have kept this gym in very good condition. They seem to take care of how their gyms look and also have up to date equipment. The staff seems professional and well trained. The gym didn't seem to get too crowded at anytime - even though I trained at about 2pm. They have natural light, which many gyms in the city lack. The members seemed friendly and at least two people approached me to converse - most members work in companies around the city. Bad points: The main criticism I have about this place is that I felt they could have had more mirrors. There weren't any in front of the running machines and none in any of the machine sections. They could have even done with one next to the dumbbells in the free weights section. Just one other thing that I felt that they should have included was a Jacuzzi next to the swimming pool. A final word: The people running this gym take pride in what they do. The ambience was good enough (it wasn't buzzin', but good enough). Jojo offered to start me up on £60 per month with a £15 joining fee to use just that one Virgin Active club. I'd say that represents value. She also offered me a weekend rate of £27 per week, which would restrict me to using the club from Friday night to Saturday night. That would also be good value to someone living locally. I've given four stars to this club because they are good at what they do. I can only give five stars if there is some very prominent wow factor!

I've been enjoying taking classes here recently with Work It who offer studio classes and personal…read moretraining in swish office building Henry Wood House. I use to work in this building when it was less than fancy BBC building, so it's pretty nice to come here now that it's all done up like fancy woman, with posher changing rooms that have hair straighteners. There's a studio space on the second floor that Work It use for its classes. You book and pay for sessions in advance online, you can pay as you go but there are different block booking methods available. There's six classes to pick from that run every day at lunch and after work. So far I have tried hip hop box, HIT, yoga and kick boxing. The boxing was amazing - an hour long, interval training class where you took turns smashing pads with your partner. The trainer was extremely encouraging, and I ached happily the next two days. Weirdly at least a few people in every class seem to work for the building management company the Office Group, but they seem a nice bunch and the class sizes aren't too big. My only gripe is it's a real shame none of the lockers seem to work - so I can't put anything away securely, and I wish towels came for free as the classes cost enough for the privilege. But Work It is brilliantly convenient for me, as it's right next to my work (in-)it. I admit I've slacked off the last few weeks as I got the sniffles again but I am sure if I go back they will get me back on track!

Jubilee Hall is a very good gym that has all the facilities you would expect apart from a swimming…read morepool. With a huge open floor design there is a mass of resistance machines and free weights, making this club an excellent choice for people wanting to bulk up. There are over thirty cardio machines to, so there is something for everyone. There is a large gay community at the gym and the management address this by focusing on this community as the main target audience. This leads to a gym with a diverse culture, although the majority remains well- toned, well-groomed homosexual males. To join this gym costs £50 per month. This is excellent value for the facilities.

Good gym, friendly staff, had a fantastic experience visiting them via Helsi app. They offer water…read moreand sauna, towels cost money, but it's only 1.5 pounds, so its ok.