2020: predicting next year’s trends
Five London training brands transformed Townhouse into a luxury fitness club on its final day, giving guests the opportunity to spin, sweat and stretch. We asked each of them to predict what health trends are on next year’s horizon
1. Equinox: sleep — the final frontier
We all know the importance of sleep and recovery for performance levels. Rooms at the new Equinox Hotel in New York City are soundproofed, climate-controlled and devoid of ambient light to ensure sleep conditions are as close to perfect as possible. Two more hotels are scheduled for Seattle and Los Angeles, the latter designed by Frank Gehry. Meanwhile, Equinox Kensington and St James’s offer sleep coaching, using medically approved methods, a little closer to home. equinox.com
2. Third Space: introducing the mind gym
Creating spaces that cater for both physical and mental wellbeing has been a key focus in fitness. Third Space’s new Islington club offers guided meditations in purpose-built quiet rooms to help members relax and recover. It also offers ‘Little Space’, a dedicated zone for children featuring a custombuilt athletic rig and group activities including gymnastics, football and martial arts. So while you unwind, the kids get a run-out. thirdspace. london
3. BXR London: the niche fitness retreat
Dedicating a week of valuable holiday time to health and fitness is a growing trend, focusing on specialist skills and themes to make real progress in a short time. Anthony Joshua’s specialist boxing gym BXR will partner with Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas to open its first fitness retreat on Crete, giving guests the chance to hone skills and build stamina in sunny surroundings. There will be eight week-long retreats throughout the year, across seasons, with the opportunity to work with trainers on bespoke programmes. bxrlondon.com
4. Boom Cycle: feel-good fitness
As the mental side of health increasingly attracts attention, so the moodlifting benefits of exercise are becoming more tailored. At Boom Cycle, workouts are geared towards elevating mood and supporting mental wellbeing through a rush of endorphins, addictive beats and a high-energy environment. Next year, the spin class specialists will be collaborating with the suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably to support its mental health work. boomcycle.co.uk
5. Blok London: the holistic fitness class
Blok recognised the goal of gym-goers is to be well-rounded, building strength and flexibility in equal measure, which is why it is launching “Blokmove”, a class which uses drill-based repetition to achieve progressive and sustainable improvements. Whether you can’t touch your toes or want to get stronger, it works on weaknesses to get you back in balance. In 2020, Blok will add a third studio, its first outside London, in Manchester. bloklondon.com