Top 5: Best Spinning Studios in LondonBy Patrick Mcaleenan
If, like me, you like the idea of cycling minus busy London traffic, you should try the indoor kind, aka spinning. These high energy, euphoria-inducing classes are suitable for all levels of fitness and not just a workout for the legs: you get to use your core, arms, shoulders and back to burn fat and improve strength and endurance. If you’re not interested, or maybe just shy about hitting up an actual spin bike class, consider buying one for your home. Check out our five favourite spin studios in London. All are non-membership, pay as you go and provide complimentary cleats (cycling shoes). Here’s where to get your spin on:
The Lowdown: It’s there in the name – Psycle’s two studios focus on giving your body and mind a challenging and refreshing workout. As the lights go down and the music starts thumping, overhead, fluorescent strip lights start flashing and the up-tempo beat makes the floor vibrate. Psycle’s 45-minute classes are high intensity, low-impact classes with specially tailored music (one class began with Willy Wonka’s ‘Pure Imagination’) and a weights workout to make you smile, whoop and sweat in abundance.
With over 150 sessions available per week, from 6.30am to 7.30pm, run by a range of multi-skilled instructors – from a former ballerina to a gymnast and dancers; each class finishes with high fives and a trip to their luxurious changing rooms, worthy of a 5 star boutique hotel.
Price: First two sessions, £20.
Where: 76 Mortimer St, W1W 7SA & Crossrail Place, Level -2, E14 5LQ
The Lowdown: With their primary location (of two) in the shadow of the iconic Gherkin, 1Rebel provides a luxury ‘Ride’ – their name for spin, as well as two other high intensity workouts – Reshape and Rumble. They have the swankiest changing rooms in the city with bronzed lockers and a Smeg fridge full of chilled towels to cool you down post class. The 30 or 45-minute rides are often themed and post-class you can pick up a super-food shake or juice from their juice bar, Roots & Bulbs.
Coming this Autumn, they will also launch ‘Ride 2 Rebel’- a fleet of new exercise buses travelling from and to four pick-up points in north, south, east and west London – High Street Kensington, Stratford, Clapham Common and Angel (Islington).
Price: First session, £20
Where: Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS & 63 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8LE
For a Boutique Spin: Core Collective
The Lowdown: A boutique studio tucked away just off High St Kensington, Core Collective offers three classes: Velocity, Resistance, and Accelerate – their spin class. If you needed to know where the Made in Chelsea lot go to sweat, look no further. In state of the art studios in an industrial style setting, they host classes that are typically smaller than the other studios on our list.
It’s also the first fitness destination in London to offer Bamford products in the changing rooms, with leather sofas and polished concrete walkways in a spacious and stylish lounge/cafe area – perfect for a pre or post-workout chill. Contemporary artworks are also on rotation display in a separate gallery space.
Price: First session, £20
Where: 45 Phillimore Walk, Holland Park, London W8 7RZ
For a Musical Themed Spin: BOOM Cycle
The Lowdown: BOOM Cycle is all about the music. The studio that launched the spinning revolution in London offers urban music-themed rides to cycle along to R&B, Garage or Drum and Bass in their intimate and dimly-studio. This is a fun, hip and effective class in a pumped up sweaty rave atmosphere with the music turned up to the max.
BOOM Cycle delivers a killer workout that burns serious calories and gives a major endorphin rush. They also have a monthly Urban Tri which kicks off with boxing with the Boxx Method, then a 10km will take you to the BOOM Cycle studio in Holborn where you’ll cycle your way to the finish line. It’s all wrapped up with an afterparty.
Price: Introductory offer of three rides for £20
Where: 2 – 8 Scrutton St, EC2A 4RT & 16 Procter St, WC1V 6NX
The Lowdown: If you’re super competitive, then get yourself to Cyclebeat – the only spinning class that includes a Beatboard – a board that tells you exactly how you’re doing to motivate you to spin harder. Each bike is linked to a computer, which measures your performance, from your average speed rate, to your average RPM and the amount of calories you’ve burned.
The instructors here are serious cyclists and there is an emphasis on correct cycling technique. After class, you can log in to an account and see miles cycled, energy used and your maximum power. A great spin to do with your (more competitive) friends.
Price: £10 days for £20
Where: 8 Lombard Court, London, EC3V 9BJ
