I didn't anticipate the sheer variety of membership models available in London - each designed for different lifestyles, budgets, and commitment levels.
After trying several gyms across the city, I've learned that the "best" gym isn't only about the facilities or the classes. It's about finding a membership structure that actually fits your life. Here's what I discovered.
Rolling Membership vs Class Packs: Two Gym Models Explained
Gyms generally fall into two categories:
-
Rolling Memberships (Unlimited Access) These are traditional gym memberships where you pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to facilities and classes. They typically require a minimum commitment period — sometimes 12 months! — and charge a fee if you want to freeze your membership (e.g. you can freeze for a month in any twelve month period).
-
Class Pack Memberships (Pay-As-You-Go) These let you purchase a package of classes that you can use whenever you want, with an expiration date. For example, you might buy 10 classes that expire in a month, or 3 classes valid for two weeks. This model offers more flexibility but requires planning to ensure you use all your classes before they expire.
My Gym Journey: From Equinox to Flexible Class Packs
Equinox: The Premium Rolling Membership
I started my London gym journey at Equinox Bishopsgate, and I genuinely loved it. Equinox is an American gym chain with three locations in London: Kensington, Bishopsgate (in The City near Liverpool Street Station), and the exclusive E by Equinox St James's.
What I loved:
- The facilities are impeccable. Think mint-scented cold towels from the fridge, spotless changing rooms, and a sauna that actually feels like a decent spa.
- The equipment selection is excellent — everything you need for solo training, from cardio machines to free weights and functional training areas.
- The class schedule is phenomenal. HIIT, running, cycling, various styles of yoga, barre, Pilates — you name it, they offer it. You can also work with a personal trainer if you want more structured guidance.
- The coworking zone is a game-changer if you work remotely. It's a quiet space where you can get some work done before or after your workout.
Pricing: Equinox requires a 12-month commitment with a rolling membership at £232 per month - the pricing is back from 2023 so I don't know where they are now with pricing policy. That works out to about £16.12 per class if you go 5 times a week consistently. I think at some point they introduced a max cap of classes you can attend a day (sensible, like max 3 classes per day), but it might vary from location to location. You can freeze your membership if you're going on holiday or working remotely elsewhere, and there's a small fee to pay for a freeze.
I didn't want to keep my membership longer as I travel and work remotely sometimes from other locations, and I didn't want to pay for a gym I wasn't using. That's when I started exploring more flexible options.
London Class Pack Gyms Reviewed: BLOK, Victus Soul, 1Rebel & Barrecore
BLOK
BLOK operates three studios in London: Clapton, Shoreditch, and Leyton (their newest location, called "Blokspace"). I attended their sleek Shoreditch studio, which was good enough for me. The changing rooms were a bit small, and very basic, not brightly lit compared to Equinox, but the classes were great.
What makes BLOK different: They don't have equipment for solo training — it's entirely class-based. But the class selection is amazing: yoga, Pilates, HIIT, barre, and even reformer Pilates at some locations.
Pricing:
- 10 classes for £160 (valid for 1 month) = £16 per class; slightly more expensive package will include a reformer
- Intro offer: 10 classes for £75 (new customers only)
- Various class packs available with different expiration dates
BLOK is great if you're looking for variety and community, but the lack of solo training space means you'll need another option if you want to lift weights or do cardio on your own.
Victus Soul
Victus Soul has two locations: Aldgate (90 Mansell Street) and Waterloo (Unit 1D, 2 Milner Place). Their focus is narrow — reformer Pilates and HIIT classes — but they do it exceptionally well.
Why I recommend it: If you're into reformer Pilates, Victus Soul offers some of the best classes in London. The instructors are excellent, the studios are well-maintained, and the reformer beds are top-quality.
Pricing:
- Intro offer: 3 classes for £45 (valid for 1 month) = £15 per class
- Flexible packages: 10 classes for £200 (6 months' expiry) = £20 per class
- Various class packs available with different expiration dates
The narrow focus means it's not a one-stop shop, but if reformer or HIIT is your thing, it's worth trying.
1Rebel
1Rebel operates 12 premium studios across London, including locations in Angel, Bayswater, Broadgate, Holborn, Oxford Circus, South Bank, St John's Wood, St Mary Axe, and Victoria. They're known for their immersive, high-energy environments with cutting-edge technology.
What they offer: Classes include Reshape (HIIT), Ride (cycling in the dark — seriously, it's pitch black), Rumble (boxing), Reformer, and Reset (recovery). Some locations offer barre classes as well.
Pricing:
- Intro offer: 3 classes for £49 (valid for 2 weeks) = £16.33 per class
- Flexible packages: 10 classes for £220 (5 months' expiry) = £22 per class
-
- Various class packs available with different expiration dates
1Rebel is perfect if you want a fitness experience with a nightclub vibe. The Ride classes in the dark are genuinely fun and surprisingly intense and make sure to put on the cycling shoes they offer before you enter the studio - I didn't realise they don't have shoe cages, at least in the St Mary Axe location.
Barrecore
Barrecore has several London locations, including St Mary Axe, Notting Hill, Wandsworth, Chelsea, and Hampstead. They specialize in barre and reformer Pilates classes.
What I liked: Barrecore is great for low-impact, high-intensity workouts. The barre classes are challenging but accessible, and the reformer sessions are excellent for building strength without heavy weights. This is the first gym that is very female-oriented as I didn't see any men in the Barre classes during my intro classes.
Pricing:
- Intro offer: 3 classes for £45 (valid for 2 weeks) = £15 per class
- Flexible packages: 10 classes for £220 (6 months' expiry) = £22 per class
Barrecore is one of the more affordable options if you're looking for barre or reformer classes, and the quality is consistently high.
Why Flexible Gym Memberships Are Worth It in London
After trying all these gyms, I realized that flexibility is worth paying for when you have an unpredictable schedule. I often know where I am withing the next month but rarely further in advance, so I can't commit to a 12-month membership. While Equinox offered the most comprehensive facilities and unlimited access, the 12-month commitment and freeze fees didn't align with my lifestyle.
Class pack memberships give me the freedom to:
- Travel without worrying about wasted membership fees
- Try different gyms and class styles without long-term commitment
- Adjust my workout frequency based on my schedule
The trade-off? You need to be disciplined about using your classes before they expire, and the per-class cost is often higher than unlimited memberships if you work out frequently.
Which London Gym Should You Choose? My Recommendations
If you travel frequently or have an unpredictable schedule: Class pack is your friend. Please, take advantage of intro offers! This will give you an understanding of what it is like and it is a great way to try different gyms - intro offers are often cheaper than regular membership. Test different gyms, then buy larger packs at the studios you love.
If you're new to London or fitness: Try the intro offers at multiple gyms (BLOK, Victus Soul, 1Rebel, Barrecore) before committing. You'll quickly figure out what class styles and environments you enjoy.
If you want variety and a premium experience: Equinox / Third Space is worth the investment if you want premium experience, you're willing to pay for that, have a stable routine and is going to use it consistently.
Final Thoughts on London's Gym Scene
London's gym scene is incredibly diverse, and there's genuinely something for everyone. The key is being honest about your lifestyle, workout preferences, and budget. Don't let the fear of commitment (or lack thereof) stop you from trying new things.
I've found that mixing class packs from different studios keeps my workouts interesting and fits my travel-heavy lifestyle. Your perfect gym setup might look completely different — and that's okay.
What matters is finding something sustainable that you'll actually use.
Quick Reference: Cost Per Class for Intro offers (based on prices in 2025)
- Equinox Bishopsgate: ?? - ask if you can do a trial
- BLOK: £75 for 10 classes (1 month expiry) = £7.5 per class
- Victus Soul: £45 for 3 classes (1 month expiry) = £15 per class
- 1Rebel: £49 for 3 classes (2 weeks expiry) = £16.33 per class
- Barrecore: £45 for 3 classes (2 weeks expiry) = £15 per class