Hit up these spots in London if you wanna get into HIIT
HIIT –
The length of HIIT workouts really is one of the main attractions of this workout format, as you’re usually able to cram a range of dynamic exercises in less time than a typical gym visit. This is even more ideal in a city like London where we can struggle to find enough time to squeeze physical activity in between commutes to and from the office, and attempting to keep up a social life too. Most HIIT classes in town range from about 40-45 minutes, so head to the likes of Volonté Energy Studio, Rumble or F45 if you need something relatively quick.
On the other end of the spectrum is Barry’s, which is an international chain with several studios in London. Their classes are cult favourites – particularly with celebs and fitness fanatics – for a reason, not least of them being that you can burn 1000+ calories in one session. But each class at Barry’s is usually about 60 minutes, so they average out to be a bit longer than most. You might think that 15-20 minutes more doesn’t sound too bad, but trust us, you’ll be thinking differently when your muscles are burning and you’ve still got a couple intervals left. So, go to Barry’s prepared for a challenge.
Almost every gym in town has its own version of a HIIT workout on its class list – here are some of the best HIIT classes to try in London.
Check out our recs on the best barre, spin, pilates, boxing, weights and yoga classes too.
Volonté Energy Studio
If you like your classes small and your workouts tough, then Volonté Energy Studio is the place for you. The Brompton Road studio, which sits underneath Cafe Volonté (so you can grab a shake or nutritionally-balanced meal post-class), has a signature U360 class that combines cardio, strength and recovery elements to provide a comprehensive full body workout. The studio is kitted out with bikes, rowing machines and a whole range of weights, so there’s plenty of variety to the workouts, and with only a few people taking the class at any one time, you get plenty of attention from the instructor – that means there’s no slacking or getting away with bad form!
Brompton Road
cafevolonte.co.uk
Rumble
Rumble, which has a flagship gym in Dalston and studios in Fitzrovia and Primrose Hill, runs the most flexible HIIT classes in the UK. The HIIT circuit classes, which consist of four stations taking 10 minutes each to complete, run for 40 minutes throughout the day, meaning you can join in after every 10 minute station rotation, so you don’t have to worry about arriving early or running late. The circuits focus on a different body part each day, and each station has a screen detailing the exercises and running a timer, with trainers on hand to assist and motivate you. Rumble also plants a tree for every workout to offset its carbon emissions, so you’ll be doing a good deed by getting a sweat on.
Dalston, Fitzrovia & Primrose Hill
rumble-gym.com
Barry’s Bootcamp
Barry’s is the OG when it comes to treadmill and weights interval training. Loved by celebs and fitness fanatics from LA to London, you can burn up to 1000 calories in a class (believe us, they make you work HARD) in one of their signature red-tinted studios. Each day has a different focus, so you can target specific muscle groups or go in for a full-body workout.
Bayswater, Bloomsbury, City of London, Soho, Victoria, Canary Wharf & Shoreditch
barrysbootcamp.com
F45
It’s absolutely huge in Australia and now F45 is a craze over here too because those who go swear by it. It’s a pretty simple concept; there are 31 varieties of 45-minute, high-intensity circuit workouts (mainly cardio or resistance-based) with a different class on offer every day. The workouts are intense but effective, and there’s enough variation to keep you interested.
Various locations
f45training.co.uk