With its neon light sticks adorning the large front windows, it's pretty hard to miss this PureGym…read moreif you happen to be walking down Wandsworth Road. I'll be honest, I'm a solo cardio junkie, which means I only ever use the treadmills, bike machines and (very occasionally) the cross trainers at the front of the building. In fact I don't think I've ever crossed beyond the front 3 metres of the building! I'm also lucky enough to live within a stone's throw, so can't comment on the shower facilities, and I won't pretend that I've ever used a weight machine or attended a group exercise class here. That said, my experience of the neat little row of cardio machines has been predominantly positive; 99% of the time I can get a machine without any issue, although (probably like any gym) Monday evenings are particularly busy. One thing to note: music and TVs are minimal at this branch, so if you like to pump it to Pitbull or run to RunDMC you better bring your own tunes. There is also a lack of water machines (again, at the front of the gym!) so be sure to bring your own hydration. As I mentioned, the running / cycling / cross training / stepping machines are located at the front of the building - yep, right in front of the big windows onto the street. This might not bother you at all, but if you are looking for somewhere a little more private you may want to go elsewhere. All in all this PureGym has done me and my waistline well and I would recommend it for a low-cost, fuss-free workout zone to anyone in the area

I booked a free day pass on the Internet and then just went straight down to the glamorous location…read moreof Woolwich. If you drive, you can park in the car park beside the gym. Be sure to pay for enough time, or you may have to do as I did and run out in your shorts to buy another hour. Once inside the gym, the friendly member of staff opened the turnstile for me and let me in. The gym itself is an ex Fitness First unit. The main training area has 19 treadmills, about 14 elliptical machines, 3 rowing machines, 4 recumbent bikes and two hand bikes (like a bike but you pedal with your hands). There was also the old style Life Fitness strength machines and some newer Technogym gear. They also had a stretching room, which had an abdominal machine, lots of mats and some ladies dumbbells. In addition there was a spinning studio with 18 bikes - they do cinema spinning classes here (no instructor), plus a studio with some more cardiovascular equipment and some leg machines. To the back of the gym was a free weights room, which was quite tatty, dark and masculine! I didn't see any girls in there - just macho types. It did get a bit crowded in there and I feel that considering the demographic of this gym, they should dedicate more space to free-weights. Although the changing rooms were large enough there were only five showers, which were a bit old and not too glamorous. Anyway, I did have a warm shower! Chatting to members, it's evident why most people joined this gym - the very cheap price: £12 per month for an 18 month contract + £38 admin; £189 one off payment for one year; £19 per month (one month notice to cancel the membership) - admin fee is normally £29. I spoke to several people in the gym, who paid in the gym and got a discount. One guy said that he paid £100 up-front for the whole year. Another guy, who had joined that day paid £160 for the year. A lady told me that she had been on a rate of £10 per month for some months until the promotion ran out. To summarise I will say that this gym is for you if you are on a tight budget, you live in Woolwich and you don't mind mixing it with all types. Most of the people looked as if they were from the lower income bracket. Of course, this does not mean that they are bad people and, in fact, all the people that I spoke to were friendly and very nice. Although, some of the equipment had not been looked after, this place is still real value, so I'm giving it a 3 - and by the way, I had a real good work out here!

My gym of choice, mainly because it is just across the road from work. The Broadgate incarnation of…read moreFitness First is in the basement under one of the UBS buildings around Broadgate Circle. Despite it being a small space there is a full range of equipment from treadmills, cross trainers and bikes. There are only four rowing machines but they are in the Spin studio so they are always free. There is even the ubiquitous time wasters in the weights room but if you are patient the equipment eventually becomes free. The only problems are the poor air conditioning in summer which makes it feel that you are doing Bikram yoga and the general crowdedness of the place once the City finishes work at 6.

Compared to the Fitness First in Old street, this is definitely a better choice in terms of…read morefacilities and staffs and just the overall outlook. It's in the basement by the way, so don't expect any fresh air. Gets quite busy during lunch hours as the frantic office crowd gathers around the treadmills to burn off their lunch hour worth of calories. One good thing about this gym is their classes. 45 minutes long but you would have to call and book, which I think is a little silly, I've only walked in to a spin class once but don't know how the other classes work in terms of walking in. Shower, sauner, and towels. Ah, towels. I have been given towels several times until one night this lady told me I had to pay £1. WHAT? So supposedly if you're not a Black Member or don't have some kind of corporate membership, you would have to pay £1 for towel- as if the paying for this gym isn't expensive already in London. This gym also closes on weekends. Opens 6:30-9PM, and crowd usually dies down around 7.

Albany Leisure Centre is the smallest centre in Enfield with a gym the size of most people's living…read moreroom which luckily is air conditioned. The weights and toning equipment fight for space among the cardio equipment but there is a nice community atmosphere as you are so close to the people working out with you. The pool is clean and spacious with a mirrored ceiling for less backstroke crashes. There are 2 lanes during public sessions for 'slow' and 'fast' swimmers and also a sauna and a steam room on poolside for a real spa experience. Showers are cubicles in the ladies but there are only 3 so space is limited at busy times. Other showers are on poolside but can be seen by all swimmers so costumes and trunks should stay on for the benefit of the lifeguards and pool users. Changing rooms are spacious, the cubicles are around the edge with 3 large rooms for group changing. There are hairdriers and a large mirror for grooming in the ladies changing. The lobby has a variety of vending machines to choose from but none that cater to the healthy, mainly chocolate crisps and fizzy drinks with some extortionately priced tiny bottles of water. Behind the reception desk staff are friendly and helpful, and easily identifiable from lifeguards. There are also a range os swimming related items sold here suich as floats, goggles and armbands etc.

I stayed the night at Coulsdon Manor and I absolutely loved this little hotel from driving into it…read moreto sleeping on the comfortable bed. I know it is almost in the middle of nowhere which is a great thing if you are constantly running around London and stuck in an office for hours sat on your desk. This place seemed like a little get away and has activities from golf to the newly built health centre. The staff were great and helpful, much nicer than the moody London workers which is very refreshing. We had arrived thirty minutes before our check in and because they had to make sure the room was ready, we were welcomed with complimentary tea or coffee. Once our room was ready, we were ushered up the stairs and into the new corridor they just built. The lady to us that they have been doing some expansion and the room we were staying at was brand new! As we walked in, we were hit by the smell of paint but that's not something I would mark them down for in stars because as she said, it is new. The room however was magnificent for a country house hotel. The interior were perfectly matched to the theme of the room which was light and colour (did I just make up that theme?). There were a lot more complimentary tea, coffee, sugar, milk and even biscuits in the room. More than one would get at a Radisson Blue ! The bathroom was really nice; we had a shower and a bath (and sink and toilet of course). The only downside which I will not have them lose a star for is the creaking of the stair cases and the loud sound made by the windows in attempt to shut them. The latter they can do something about with I mentioned at check out but the age of the building can't be as it is an old building and old buildings make noises! I would recommend this place as a (cute) little getaway if you are a fan of peace and quiet and of course, golf! (I don't play golf but I love peace and quiet!) Happy holidays!

Originally built in 1850 for the Byron family, the Manor House has been tastefully restored to its…read moreformer glory. You will now discover a beautiful country house with a modern health club. The club offers plenty of classes as well as four tennis courts and four squash courts. A really friendly club at a great price.

Image hipster meeting exercise class and you've pretty much got Frame down to a T…read more I love the vibrant vibe Frame has... it's for those with limited time, that want to exercise, and who want to exercise it style. This is the new edition to the Frame family, joining it's sisters; Queen's park and Shoreditch. With locations like that, and so close to the newly developing hub of Granary Square behind Kings Cross Station, you'll know what to expect. You're greeted by a juice bar that sells healthy snacks in the foyer, concrete floors and an industrial feel. It's a well proportioned, well lit studio, interluded with the bright 'Frame' colours - something a little reminisce from the 90's. As a new purpose built studio they have everything you need from hair straighteners in the bathroom, shampoo, condition and shower gel provided, good sized free lockers and lemon water. But the bit I like the most? - you don't have Mat hire fees! It's my one bane having to carry that cylinder on the tube. I also have to adore the changing room - looks of mirrors, well lit and amazing showers. You're treated well here! Towel hire however is £1. Classes are reasonably priced from £9 to £20 (Drop in) and range from Abs and Ass, reformer Pilates to Vinyasa Flow Yoga. You can get packages as well as discounts depending on purchases. I've been going to for Vinyasa Flow Yoga, it's pretty good, but you need to know the positions and their names as it's a quick running class, so not really for beginners and is only a 60 minute class.

This fitness centre has recently been refurbished. Which I am thrilled about, as this was the gym I…read morewent regularly during my student time living in Fulham . For once you can jog there, as the roads in Fulham are not overcrowded and there is even a Park near Fulham Palace Road, where you can do your warm up when the sun is out! Through the Fulham & Hammersmith library I was able to get a discount pass as a resident which only cost me a couple of pounds when joining a class and the lowest member ship rate I have researched so far for any gym in London. Lillie Road has an energetic team of instructors who know you by your name after a while. I booked an appointment with a German instructor, who took my inquiry very serious: getting back on track again. As at this point I had serious back problems. With an gym program tailor-made for me I conquered the gym and diligently made my exercises. Getting bored by this after a while, I went back and asked for more exercises. Which was not a problem. I also started to join the yoga classes, I have to say there were different types of instructors, one even lighted candles and made us hum in the relaxation phase. I could not hold it together and burst into laughter. So please do please ask which day of yoga lesson is the best for you. Also there is a crèche available for little children.

Ok those who know a little bit about ten em bee would know it started years ago as a a football…read moreclub. It has now transformed into a bonafide sports development service. The venue has transformed over the years. It now boasts tennis courts, artificial playing surface, grass pitches a new and revamped hall area alongside its up dated changing areas. It is set in 5 acres of land, which you do not find often in inner london (ok you can argue its location but I think it is inner london). The hall area can be hired out for your evening events along side the outdoor areas being hired out in the summer months. Parking on site is limited but the park next door provides a convenient overspill parking area. Depending on your needs, social evening or a venue to host a training event this is a venue which can accommodate.