Starting an exercise regime in a new gym can be daunting. But it needn’t be: in fact, you’ll be spoilt for choice for your perfect gym in Clapham. If you’re not tempted by the outdoor boot camps and independent personal trainers making use of the copious green space on Clapham Common, there are some quirky and exciting new ways to work out alone or in a tribe.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best gyms in the Clapham area. Here are our favourites.
Gyms in Clapham Junction
CrossFit Shapesmiths
Get stuck into the class-based cardio and weight training fusion that’s taken the world by storm at CrossFit Shapesmiths. This gym is hidden away under the arches next to Clapham Junction station, and has the feeling of a renovated warehouse — there’s plenty of space for the thriving fitness community that hangs out here. With rigorous programs and the CrossFit structure of training with a tribe, this place is perfect to get you in the mood to work hard for amazing results.
Under the seven arches this gym sprawls across, you’ll find four CrossFit workout zones (complete with upmarket changing rooms), a wholesome café, The Livewell Clinic Medical Team rooms, a pH Nutrition team and Off The Rails dance-fitness and yoga studio.
This is a class-only gym, with additional one-to-one coaching available for anyone looking to start CrossFit but in need of a little extra help: for example, if they are recovering from an injury. Membership prices are flexible. You pay for nine classes (£135) or 13 classes (£180) in a month and use them whenever you like. Or for £205 a month you can sign up for unlimited classes.
DW Fitness First
If you’re not looking for a class-only gym and you want to work out around your own schedule, you can’t go wrong with Fitness First. Here you’ll find a large and airy workout space right by Clapham Junction station, and all the facilities you could want: a cardio theatre, spin studio, sauna, members’ lounge and even a fresh towel on arrival.
If you do want to try a class occasionally, Fitness First has everything from ballet to dance fusion here, so there should be something for everyone! There’s also a full cohort of personal trainers in the gym. Sign up with one of them for a more personalised training regime.
Fitness First offer a free day pass to try for yourself, so we recommend using that up first to make sure you like it. After that, memberships are upwards of £54 a month, depending on whether you commit to a twelve-month or a one-month membership.
One thing to watch out for: these types of gym memberships are infamous for locking you into a contract and never letting go, so it might be worth paying a more expensive monthly fee for a shorter contract if you’re starting a new exercise regime or you’re trying new things out.
Gyms in Clapham North
Gymnasium
For community-focused workouts that get you rowing, biking, jumping and laughing together while you work towards your goals, we love Gymnasium. Their focus is on strength and mobility training, with more than enough kit for everyone to get involved at the same time. With recently renovated luxurious showering facilities, you’ll emerge fresh and fabulous after a session here ready to take on the day.
Alongside a CrossFit class schedule, Gymnasium run a program called Athletica which is unique to them. Coaches use natural movement to mix cardio, strength training and high impact exercises. Athletica focuses on weight loss, strength or general fitness, and an ‘Athletica Membership’ is £155 per month for all classes or £125 per month for evenings and weekends only. Alternatively, you can go for Athletica Stronger, which is the same thing but with weight training added in, if you really want to push it up a level.
You can book a free taster class, or dive right in with a full membership – unlimited anytime CrossFit classes are £205 a month, or £175 for evening and weekends only.
Wing Chun School
For something a little different, why not try learning a martial art! For mental focus, commitment to increasing your fitness and learning skills in self-defence, the Wing Chun School in Clapham North could be for you. Here you’ll find the same ethos as the class-based gyms, with the added spiritual and artistic elements of discovering and perfecting the art of Kung Fu, which literally means time and effort taken to obtain a skill.
All new students have to have a trial session first. These are held on Tuesdays and are £10. After that, if the teacher assesses that you are committed and ready to begin learning, you will be told the price of further classes. For a more zen routine, there are a range of yoga hotspots in Clapham for you to enjoy.
Gyms in Clapham Old Town
Hub
At Hub, right by Clapham Common Tube station, you can attend a high impact training session in their gym, get a deep tissue sports massage, or even book an appointment with an osteopath. It’s Clapham’s one stop shop for everything your body could need! In the gym here you’ll train smarter, coached by professionals who will be able to optimise how you exercise from the inside out.
Choose from one to one personal training or a class schedule of strength and conditioning classes led by experienced coaches – they’re currently running an introductory offer for a month of unlimited classes for £30. Hub also have specialised pregnancy fitness classes in their timetable.
If you’re after a treatment too, sports massages start at £50, or Osteopathy consultations are an initial £80, reduced to £60 for follow-up appointments.
GO Mammoth
If you’re looking for a regular place to get your pilates fix, try GO Mammoth. Brilliant for building bone density, tackling back pain and generally toning and stretching your body, pilates has become enormously popular in recent years. All mats, weights, straps, blocks and balls are provided here, so you just need to bring yourself and your desire to get strong!
GO Mammoth run things on a flexible, month-by-month membership of between £33-39 depending on how many classes you want to attend per week. For only an extra £5 for unlimited classes though, we say the multi-class pass is best value for money.
Gyms in Clapham South
Rize
If you’re looking for relaxed and inclusive coached group exercises in Clapham South, look no further than Rize. With a creche on-site, this gym is the choice for parents looking to reconnect with their routine and their body. Classes here range from classic strength training, like HIIT sessions and Kettlebells, to baby-friendly yoga and pilates classes. If you’re looking to make a day of it, pick up the kids and head to one of Clapham’s vegan restaurants after class.
Rize pride themselves on being a gym environment that works for everyone. They offer either standard gym membership package or sessions packs, so you can choose to only pay for what you use. Choose anything from a single class (one-time purchase) for £18, to a five-class pack (that doesn’t expire) for £65. Or, if you’re happy to sign up to a recurring payment, choose 8 classes a month for £85, or unlimited classes for £125.
More in the Clapham area
We’ve compiled a few other guides to the best places to eat, drink and relax near our Clapham estate agents.
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