We’ve trained in plenty of places across the capital, from shiny health clubs to no-frills 24-hour spots, and we’ve built a fair picture of what works and what doesn’t.
Out of all the best gyms in London, one clearly comes out on top: Crowns Gym. It sets the standard, and in this guide we’ll share our take on the rest so you can judge for yourself.
Top 5 Best Gyms in London
Crowns Gym – Combat, conditioning, community, recovery, best
Third Space – Stylish, sprawling, varied, busy, costly
Equinox – Polished, pricey, wellness, image-driven
KX – Exclusive, luxurious, lifestyle, spa-heavy, extortionate
PureGym – Cheap, crowded, basic, functional, flexible
1. Crowns Gym – Beckenham
Step through the doors at Crowns Gym in Beckenham and it’s immediately obvious why it sits at the top of our list of the best gyms in London. It’s not about glitzy interiors or gimmicks; Crowns wins you over with substance.
The design is purposeful — clean, modern and unfussy — and every space has been created to deliver a specific training experience. The layout has been designed with precision. The Chamber is dedicated to combat sports, buzzing with energy during sparring sessions, while Room 101 is a serene space for yoga and Pilates.
The trainers aren’t just instructors ticking off sets; they’re seasoned professionals, from combat athletes to strength coaches, who know how to draw the best out of you.
There’s also a community feel that’s rare in luxury gyms: members support one another. This combination of expertise, atmosphere and facilities makes Crowns, without question, the best gym in London.
Variety is at the heart of Crowns’ offering.
The weekly timetable is packed with more than 30 classes that cover almost every discipline: boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and self-defence sit alongside conditioning favourites like HIIT, kettlebells, TRX and barbell pump. There’s balance too, with yoga, Pilates, mobility and dance-fit ensuring your recovery and flexibility keep pace with the heavy training.Each class is carefully structured.
Crowns doesn’t stop at physical training. The wellness offering rivals some of London’s most exclusive clubs. There’s a dedicated recovery suite complete with sauna, cold plunge and a red-light therapy bed: facilities more often found in boutique spas than gyms.
Nutrition coaching ties the whole programme together, so you’re not undermining your training with poor habits outside the gym. This holistic approach (strength, conditioning, recovery and diet) is what elevates Crowns above the rest.
Membership is straightforward and transparent. A luxury gym day pass in London is available for around £15, perfect if you want to sample the experience before committing. Regulars can opt for the “Crowns King” package at £95 a month, or secure even better value with an annual membership at roughly £1,100. There are no joining fees, and the packages include unlimited classes and access to all recovery facilities. In a city where luxury gyms often hide behind complicated pricing and contracts, Crowns feels refreshingly fair.
Check their website out today at www.crownsgym.com to see for yourself why it tops our list of the best gyms in London.
Cons:
Location in Beckenham may be a stretch for central Londoners
Crowns Gym
4 Thayers Farm Road, BR3 4LZ
+44 (0)117 302 1018
https://crownsgym.com/
2. Third Space – Tower Bridge
Third Space is often billed as one of the top gyms in London, and its portfolio of 13 sites makes a strong case. Each branch is designed individually rather than following a single template. At Canary Wharf, for instance, you’ll find 100,000 sq ft of training space, sprint tracks, climbing walls and a spa-like pool area.
The facilities are undeniably high-end, but you quickly realise that much of what you’re paying for is the polish and prestige. Some members argue that while the branding is sleek, equipment isn’t vastly superior to other London gyms that charge half the price.
The choice of classes is extensive. With more than 100 a week, the timetable ranges from boxing and HIIT to reformer Pilates, barre, cycle and hot yoga.
Some instructors are exceptional, while others receive lukewarm reviews, particularly from advanced members who feel sessions can lack depth. Third Space excels at variety, but if you’re seeking the personal attention of a boutique club, you might find it less satisfying.
Where Third Space leans into its luxury reputation is wellness. Most branches offer pools, saunas, steam rooms, cryotherapy, red-light therapy and sports medicine support. These facilities rival those of a Beckenham spa gym like Crowns, but here, access often depends on your membership tier or incurs extra costs. It’s impressive, but not always inclusive.
The clubs are modern, clean and central, from Soho to Marylebone. A London gym pass for one location usually runs £230–£260 per month, with all-club access exceeding £300. Contracts are often 12 months, and cancellation terms have attracted criticism. Crowds at peak hours can also dent the luxury feel.
Cons:
Very expensive memberships
Can get overcrowded
Extras often cost more
Third Space Tower Bridge
2b More London Riverside, London SE1 2AP
+44 20 7940 4937
3. Equinox – Kensington
Equinox in Kensington and St James’s likes to present itself as the pinnacle of luxury fitness. The buildings are impressive, Kensington with its art deco dome, St James’s with its boutique feel, but the truth is you’re paying heavily for presentation.
It certainly looks like one of the cool gyms in London, but the atmosphere can feel more about image than serious training. If you strip away the skylights and spa lighting, the core facilities aren’t dramatically different from other cool gyms across the city.
There’s no shortage of classes: boxing, yoga, reformer Pilates, cycling, strength circuits, all branded with slick names. Personal training is another revenue driver, with highly qualified staff available at a premium.
But despite the variety, the experience isn’t always transformative. Classes can feel generic, with little tailoring once numbers climb. For beginners it’s a safe place to start, but advanced members may question whether they’re paying for coaching or just a polished presentation.
Wellness is heavily marketed. You’ll find saunas, steam rooms, cryotherapy, spa treatments and nutrition services, but most of these sit behind additional charges. The promise of an “all-in-one” fitness and wellness hub is watered down when so much costs extra. It adds to the sense that the brand sells exclusivity more than substance.
This is where Equinox really divides opinion. Membership at Kensington hovers around £290 per month, plus joining fees of up to £400.
When you compare gym prices in London, it’s one of the most expensive memberships in the city. For some, that buys prestige. For others, especially those who actually want performance coaching or variety, the numbers don’t add up.
Cons:
Very expensive (£290+/month plus joining fee)
Extras often cost more than expected
More about image than serious training
Equinox Kensington
99 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
+44 20 7666 6000
4. KX – Chelsea
Let’s be honest: KX isn’t competing with the other best gyms in London. It’s operating in a completely different realm. This is the definition of a luxury gym, tucked away in Chelsea and catering to an ultra-wealthy clientele. We’re talking celebrities, royals, and people for whom price is simply not a factor. If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it.
Inside, KX is pure opulence. The spa and changing rooms feel more like a five-star hotel than a gym, easily some of the most polished in the city. But the constant presence of staff keeping everything spotless can feel clinical rather than calming, creating a slightly sterile atmosphere.
It’s less a gym and more a private health sanctuary, offering everything from cardiovascular screenings to personalised wellness plans. Impressive? Yes. But if you’re after a relaxed or gritty training environment, this isn’t it.
KX is in a league of its own when it comes to cost. Membership reportedly starts around £8,000 a year, and you’re not just paying for gym access, you’re buying into a full lifestyle package that includes the restaurant, medical clinic, and social club, whether you want those extras or not. Trial passes? Not available. This is all-in or not at all.
Cons:
Astronomical price: easily the most expensive gym in London
Can feel soulless
KX Chelsea
151 Draycott Avenue, London SW3 3AL
+44 20 7584 5333
5. Puregym – Moorgate
PureGym is probably the most recognisable fitness brand in London. With clubs in Bermondsey, Moorgate, Ilford, Whitechapel and plenty more, it has become the go-to choice for people who want affordable, no-frills training. The big draw is the price and convenience.
You can walk into a PureGym at any time of day or night and know you will get the essentials. It is not glamorous and certainly not a luxury gym London option, but it does exactly what it promises.
Classes are included in most memberships and range from spin and circuits to boot camps and fat-burn sessions. Many branches run dozens of classes each week, so there is variety. The catch is inconsistency. A good instructor makes a huge difference, and not every class has the same energy or quality. Personal training is available, but the standard can vary widely from one branch to another.
This is the area where PureGym falls short compared with other cool gyms in London. There are no pools, no spa zones, no recovery suites. Facilities are limited to the basics such as changing rooms, lockers and showers. For many members this is perfectly fine, since they join for price and access. But anyone expecting a wellness element will not find it here.
PureGym’s strength lies in its reach. There are more than 20 clubs in London and most are open 24 hours, making it convenient for people with busy schedules. Each gym is stocked with plenty of cardio kits, weight machines and free weights.
Even so, overcrowding is a constant complaint, especially in central branches at peak times. Cleanliness can be hit and miss, again depending on the location. Another frequent gripe is membership management. Although advertised as contract-free, members have reported difficulties when trying to cancel.
Cons:
Overcrowded at busy hours
No extras such as pools or spas
Quality of classes and PTs is inconsistent
Complaints about cancellation and cleanliness
PureGym London Wimbledon
Unit 6, 17-27 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW191PS
+443444770005
How We Judge the Best Gyms in London
Finding the best gym London has to offer isn’t as simple as counting treadmills or checking if the showers smell of eucalyptus. We look at how a place actually fits into your life. Is it convenient, motivating, and consistent? The nicest gyms in London should feel inspiring, not intimidating, while popular gyms shouldn’t leave you fighting for space at peak hours.
We weigh up values too. A luxury gym day pass London is a great way to see if a club really delivers before you commit. Some of the posh gyms charge eye-watering fees, but unless the experience feels genuinely premium, what’s the point? The best gym membership balances price with perks, not just shiny kit, but proper coaching, recovery and atmosphere.
And finally, we keep an eye on the scene. Every new gym London launches wants to be one of the premium gyms London raves about. Only a few make the cut.
Is a Pricey Membership Really Worth It?
London is full of exclusive gyms promising transformation, community, and cold-pressed juice on tap, but does signing up to an expensive gym actually change your life, or just your bank balance? We’ve seen plenty of fancy gyms London has to offer, complete with marble reception desks and spa robes, and while some are impressive, others are simply expensive gyms dressed up with buzzwords.
A slick fitness centre London can absolutely motivate you, but results still come down to showing up and putting the graft in. The truth is, good gyms in London don’t always mean posh ones; sometimes a solid fitness club with decent kit and classes trumps another “Instagrammable” venue.
Before committing to a long-term gym membership, ask: am I paying for progress, or just paying to say I go there? In the end, the badge of exclusivity isn’t what gets you fitter.
Day Passes vs. Long-Term Commitment
Here’s the thing about London gyms: everyone wants your loyalty, but sometimes all you want is a taste before you dive in.
A day pass is perfect for that. Whether it’s a tenner at a budget chain or £40 at one of the glossier clubs, it lets you suss out the vibe (the crowds, the kit, even whether the showers actually work) without tying yourself down. Think of it as speed dating for fitness.
A long-term commitment, on the other hand, comes with perks and pitfalls. You’ll often get a better rate, maybe some extra classes or wellness credits, but you’re also locked in. Twelve months at the wrong gym can feel like a very long year.
Our advice? Use the pass, test the waters, then commit only if you can see yourself showing up week in, week out.
Boutique Buzz or Budget Basics?
Not every workout in London needs chandeliers and cucumber water. Sometimes your local gym does the job just fine, other times you crave the glow of the luxury gyms in London with their saunas and sleek studios.
We’ve spent time on both ends of the spectrum (from gritty south London gyms to the high end gyms in London that feature in glossy magazines) and the truth is, it comes down to what you value most. Here’s how we weigh it up:
Atmosphere: A London fitness club with boutique vibes can feel inspiring, while your local spot may be more no-nonsense.
Cost: A London gym membership at the top gyms in London can hit triple figures, while smaller clubs stay affordable.
Facilities: A London luxury gym offers recovery suites and pools; budget gyms keep it simple with weights and treadmills.
Location: The best gyms in south London might not have a marble lobby, but they’re closer, and you’ll actually show up.
Wellness, Recovery and Extras: Do They Really Add Value?
It’s easy to get dazzled by the add-ons. Many London luxury gyms promise spa suites, cryotherapy, even IV drips, but do these perks actually help, or just pad the bill?
We’ve seen both sides: the most expensive gyms in London with marble steam rooms, and the affordable gym where a foam roller in the corner counts as “recovery.”
Here’s how to cut through the noise:
Passes: A 1 day gym pass is the best way to see if wellness extras matter to you before locking into a contract.
Access: A proper 24 hour gym means you can recover or train on your own schedule, not theirs.
Commitment: A 3 month gym membership gives you long enough to test if you’ll use the extras or ignore them.
Balance: The best health clubs and the best gym to join don’t just throw in fancy treatments, they make recovery part of training.
How to Get a Gym Membership
It sounds simple enough (sign up, swipe your card, start training) but anyone who’s ever tried to compare gym memberships in London knows it’s never that straightforward. Every club has its own spin: some lure you in with a 1 day gym pass, others push 12-month contracts, and the real trick is figuring out where you’ll actually turn up. You can scroll through endless cool gyms in London, but if the commute kills your motivation, you’ll waste your money.
Here’s what we look at before picking the best gym to join:
Location and vibe: even the cool gyms lose appeal if they’re a pain to reach.
Value: always compare gym prices, what’s included, what’s extra, and what’s just fluff.
Extras: at places like Crown Fitness or the Crown Spa Gym, recovery is built into training, which makes the spend feel justified.
Last Words About the Best Gyms in London
After touring the capital’s fitness scene (from posh clubs with sky-high gym membership prices to stripped-back 24-hour chains) one name consistently stood out: Crowns Gym! It blends serious training, spa-level recovery and a genuine community feel, making it more than just another health club.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Gyms in London
What Is the Best Gym in London Right Now?
Crowns Gym in Beckenham takes the top spot for 2025. It combines expert coaching, structured classes, spa-level recovery facilities, and a welcoming community—all at a fair price.
Are Luxury Gyms in London Worth the High Membership Fees?
Not always. While clubs like Equinox and Third Space offer slick interiors and wellness extras, you’re often paying for branding. Some, like Crowns, deliver luxury and substance.
Is There a Gym in London with Recovery Facilities Included?
Yes. Crowns Gym includes a full recovery suite (sauna, cold plunge, red-light therapy) in its standard membership, unlike many luxury clubs that charge extra.
Read more:
The Best Luxury Gyms and Health Clubs in London in 2025