49 Best Fitness Classes For Men 2017
If you’re relying on your old Globo Gym membership to see you through New Year travails, you’re missing a trick. Mixing up your training is the best way to shock your body, and the key to that is joining the fitness class revolution. This is our pick of U
01 26 Styles Adidas 26rs, Mon at 18:30 with various trainers
However much time you pour into the perfect Bpm-specific Spotify playlist, pounding pavements on your lonesome can get real boring, real fast. The Adidas 26rs is a social way to prep for a marathon. Left your trainers at home? You can even borrow a pair of Boosts. There’s no better excuse to ‘ forget’ your kit. London Marathon Store, London, runhub.sweatshop.co.uk/adidas-26rs
02 Raise Your Flag Calisthenics, Wed at 07:45 with Jermaine
Anyone can saunter down to the park and bust out a few pull-ups, but if you want to progress to reverse levers, handstand press-ups and human flags without injury (or mid-winter frostbite), this structured, expert-guided indoor class is worth your bodyweight in gold. BLOK, London, bloklondon.com
03 Military Press SAS, Tue at 19:15 with Ryan
This isn’t some soft-roundthe-edges boxercise class. And there won’t be an attractive Antipodean serving post-class smoothies. During 15 two-minute rounds of sparring, abs work and skipping, you will get decked in the kidneys. You will get shouted at by unbeaten professional prospect Ryan Oliver. And you will love it. Bells, Altrincham, bellsgym.co.uk
04 Swing For The Fences Kettlebells, Mon at 13:00 with Richie
This Central London gym is brimming with more high-tech workout gear than you can shake an iphone 7 at, but when it comes to building power and shredding fat, you can’t beat the basics. Richie’s full-body kettlebell workout alone is worth the price of admission. Third Space Soho, London, thirdspace.london
05 Burn Out In Style Outdoor Fitness, Sun at 10:00 with Tom
Don’t be fooled by the chandelier hanging over the pool, or the glass of chilled champagne waiting for you post-workout. Set among these 17 acres of perfectly maintained parkland, Victorian gardens and Kentish woodland is an outdoor assault course worthy of Sandhurst. Oh, and did we mention the spa? Reynolds Retreat, Sevenoaks, reynoldsgroup.co.uk
06 Hot Foot Bare Gains Born to Run, Wed at 18:30 with Paul
When he isn’t winning 100-mile ultra races, Paul Tierney coaches beginners in the biomechanics of running. The UK Master Trainer for Lee Saxby’s hugely influential Born To Run programme, the focus here is on a back-to-basics ‘barefoot’ approach, with the ultimate goal of injury-free running. The Lake District setting is just a bonus. Missing Link Fitness, Kendal, missinglinkfitness.co.uk
07 Hit The Barre 1st Barre, Sat at 11:00 with Maxine
It’s fitting that the UK’S first and most male-friendly Barre studio is just a short ballonné from the home of Billy Elliot. Gym bros should consider swapping squat rack for studio – barre’s benefits include injury prevention, an increased range of motion and mirror-friendly muscle lengthening. Real men plié. The Barre, Newcastle, the-barre.com
08 Pull In Power Pull & Abs, Tue at 17:30 with Rusty
Time was, ‘bootcamp’ meant a month-long slog of face-inthe-dirt corporal punishment, getting beasted by spittles pouting drill sergeants. These days, it’s a 50-minute session combining treadmill sprints, plyometrics and floor work, all in a state-of-the-art facility soundtracked by daily playlists from the resident DJ. We much prefer this kind. Best’s Bootcamp, London, bestsbootcamp.com
09 Take It To The Street Street gym, Mon at 18:00 with John
During tours of Iraq, Bosnia and Kuwait, former combat engineer John Allison had to find innovative ways of tackling obstacles in a unique environment. He’s now a man on a mission to teach the capital’s hunchbacked desk jockeys how to do the same, leading all-weather outdoor sessions along the banks of the Thames. Learning to manoeuvre around London’s legions of tourists alone makes it perfect training for any upcoming obstacle course race. Southbank, London, streetgym.com
10 Fail Like A Man M3: Megaman, Sun at 12:00 with Matt
While the Megaformer machines used in this class appear to be in direct contravention of Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, this torture device does at least tone and strengthen muscles in the process. Pilates-style moves are performed painfully slowly and to the point of failure. You will break. But you will go back for more. Studio Lagree, London, studiolagreeuk.com
11 Try The Next Big HIIT Fit Body Boot Camp, Mon at 06:25 with Toni
With hundreds of gyms springing up across the USA, Canada and Australia, Fit Body Boot Camp is fast becoming one of the biggest brands in global fitness. It’s a simple formula, but undeniably effective: highintensity interval training paired with active rest periods to keep your metabolism firing all day – or long after you’ve said your goodbyes to the endlessly energetic Toni. Fit Body Boot Camp, Birmingham, uk fitbody bootcamp.co.uk
12 Up And Over Parkour Fitness, Tue at 18:30 with Francois
Parkour’s emphasis on natural movement crafts bodies that move (and look) the way nature intended. This 90-minute indoor class builds strength, agility and endurance through functional drills – think vaulting, crawling and climbing. Chainstore Parkour Academy, London, parkourgenerations.com
13 Cane Excess Fat Urban Escrima, Thu at 18:30 with Nigel & Charlie
Defend against early onset man boobs with this fast-paced martial art. Escrima is a Filipino selfdefence system that uses canes and hand-to-hand techniques to pummel attackers, smacking belly fat in the process. London Fields Fitness, London, london fields fitness.com
14 Fight Safe Intensive Boxing, Wed at 07:00 with Carlos
Throughout a long and illustrious career as an international amateur boxing champion, Carlos ‘ Special One’ Moreno maintained assiduously detailed training diaries. Those notes now form the basis of highly technical non-contact classes, taught by Moreno himself. Heavyweight tutoring for anyone who wants to get fighting fit without getting hit. Moreno Boxing, London, morenoboxing.co.uk
15 Up Your Flex Appeal Core flex, Fri at 14:30 with James
The exercises are familiar – cleans, presses, rows – but the machines certainly aren’t. Speedflex’s strength-training equipment responds to the force you generate when pushing/pulling to deliver a high-intensity, but low-impact workout. Speedflex, Newcastle, speedflex.com
16 Master Muscle-ups Calisthenics, Mon at 19:30 with Aslan
Whether perfecting a planche or struggling with one pull-up, this mixed-ability group will take you through all the bodyweight progressions you need to pull off Insta-worthy moves. And there’s no better tutor than callisthenics champ and Ninja Warrior course tester Aslan Steel. Bar Mob, Brighton, barmob.co.uk
17 Go Commando EMF 30, Tue at 18:15 with Mark
At first sight – lithe ladies browsing racks of Lululemon athleisure wear; stylish people typing on Macbooks – this doesn’t look like the spot for a 30-minute, full-body beasting. Until, that is, you meet ex-royal Marine Commando Mark. You’ll wish you’d just bought some leggings and left while you had the chance. Ethos, Cambridge, ethos.com
18 Feel The Force Jump & Burn, Mon at 20:00 with Nicola
Cast all childhood memories aside – trampoline gymnastics is an Olympic sport and its athletes have the six-packs to prove it. This class claims to burn 1000 calories per session. After an hour generating the power needed to propel yourself skywards – and battling the G-forces of mid-air rotation – you’ll know why. Jump Nation, Manchester, jumpnation.com
19 Stroke Of Genius Open Water Swimming, Thu at 19:00 with Len
Winter is the time to perfect your core manoeuvres – think stroke technique, stamina and adding lengths in the indoor pool. In the brighter half of the year, however, the group takes to the jaw-dropping waters of the Falmouth coast. There’s no more picturesque place than this to work on your freestyle hourglass pull. Len Hatcher Swim School, Falmouth, lenhatcherswimschool.co.uk
20 Find Your Own Wray Running Sessions, Tue at 18:00 with Ursula
Underestimate instructor Ursula at your peril. She completed an 18-hour endurance Triathlon X last summer at the age of 50, and no one knows the crosscountry trails of her native Lake District better than her. These intermediate sessions (starting at Wray Castle and skirting Lake Windermere) are the most stunning. Just try to keep up. Workout Warriors, Ambleside, workoutwarriors.co.uk
21 Fear No Obstacle Ninja Warrior, Tue at 18:15 with Andrew
Whether you want to conquer the legendary obstacles of ITV’S Ninja Warrior – and the not-so-legendary patter of its hosts – or take on MH’S Survival of the Fittest, this OCR class won’t leave you hanging. It definitely puts the ‘ fun’ into functional fitness. Gymbox Victoria, London, gymbox.com
22 Thai Your Gloves On Thai-cercise, Thu at 18:00 with Gemma
Looking for a gentle workout? This Thai boxing conditioning class isn’t for you. Expect fast fists, high knees and a smile on your (bruised) face. Sound Mind and Body, Benton, soundmind andbody.co.uk
23 Spin At All Costs Boom Cycle, Tue at 18:15 with Hilary
What began as just ‘another one of those trendy East London spin studios’ has fast established itself as the home of pedal power in the capital. When co-founder Hilary tells you to turn your resistance up, you will do as she damn well says, even if your glutes are already 95% lactic acid. At least the banging house beats and disco lighting will distract everyone from the saline puddle forming under your bike. Boom Cycle, London, boom cycle.co.uk
24 Barre Gain Xtend Barre, Mon at 09:30 with Henri
If you still think ballet is for girls, you don’t deserve the lean, shrink-wrapped frame that comes with one of the most physically demanding pursuits on the planet. This class borrows moves from dance and will test your coordination, flexibility and strength in fast-paced, sweat-inducing exercises. The Macarena it ain’t. Xtend Barre, Stamford, xtendbarre.com
25 Uppercut Your PBS Kobox, Sat at 10:30 with Ian
Throwing punches in a nightclub is generally discouraged. Not so at Kobox. With the lights low and the music loud, stuntman and Olympic-level boxing coach Ian will lead you through lung-busting bag work and abs-sculpting bodyweight exercises in a workout that will build a fighter’s physique – minus the flattened nose. Kobox, London, koboxlondon.com
26 Shake Into Shape Power Plate, Thu at 07:00 with Adam
To you, Power Plate might look like a ‘get-fit-quick’ fad. To England Rugby players and a growing pool of Olympic swimmers, however, it’s an essential tool for shaking up any exercise. The moves may be familiar – battle rope slams, skipping, kettlebell swings – but doing them while your muscles contract under Richter Scale levels of instability is anything but. Shaky ground, solid science. Transition Zone, London, transitionzone.co.uk
27 Fight 360 Fatigue Synrgy 360, Wed at 18:30 with John
They call the eponymous Synrgy equipment – a collection of functional fitness gear, like battle ropes, kettle bells and punch bags – a ‘playground’. We like to think of it more as a Pandora’s Box of pain. Rest periods are few and far between in this short, sharp, calorie-blazing session, so don’t expect to be able to stand up at the end. David Lloyd, Cardiff, davidlloyd.co.uk
28 Show Some Grit Grit, Sat at 09:30 with Fred
It’s fitting that a class called Grit should be led by an ex-royal Marine Commando. But this session full of squat jumps, weighted lunges and incline press-ups is a perfect way for gym newbies to HIIT the ground running. Nuffield Health, Chesterfield, nuffieldhealth.com
29 Clown Around Circus, Weds at 19:30 with Anita
Roll up, roll up! Now roll down, flip over and muscle-up onto a swinging trapeze bar. This playful-yet-exhausting class welcomes all abilities, so you could end up learning handstand press-ups next to a budding Cirque du Soleil megastar. Belfast Community Circus School, Belfast, belfastcircus.org
30 Climb To Your Peak Parkour, Thu at 19:30 with Allan
Parkour may be all about transforming the urban environment into a veritable playground, but at Paramount they take playtime seriously. Each session focuses on two or three key movements, which you then practise on the gym’s myriad cargo nets, scaffold rigs and finger tip-thick climbing blocks. A martial arts-style grading system (complete with colour-coded T-shirts) makes it easy to track your progress. Paramount Parkour, Milton Keynes, paramountparkour.com
31 Prime Your Pump Phat Arm Friday, Fri at 17:15 with Craig
Gym bros rejoice! A class designed to get your pump on before your Friday night out. Yes, you could do the 600+ curls and extensions in the free-weights area, but it’s much more enjoyable doing it alongside your swole mates. The Club Gym, Glasgow, theclubgym.co.uk
32 Wage War On Weight Warrior, Mon at 08:00 with Mark
Cardio meets strength endurance as half the class runs 15-minute sprint intervals, while the other lifts weights or uses TRX. While you sprint, your muscles rest; while you lift, your lungs rest. We use the word ‘rest’ loosely. Centric: 3Tribes, London, 3tribes.co.uk
33 Uncage Beast Mode Iron Zuu Whole Body, Sun at 10:15 with Maria
Infinite curls and chest presses will pad out your T-shirt, but they might also lead to injury-causing muscle imbalances. By blending animal-like moves with resistance training, Iron Zuu ups max strength but keeps you supple as a leopard. Virgin Active, Nottingham, virginactive.co.uk
34 Go HIIT crazy Insanity, Mon at 17:40 with Lucy
The basic concept is simple: when the going gets tough, your body’s stress adaptation response kicks in and tells you to quit. You’d have to be straight-up certifiable to keep pushing past that point. Hence, Insanity, the original fat-burning full-body workout phenomenon. It’s outlived early accusations of fadness, and at 1000 calories burnt per session, remains better value than most HIIT classes on the saturated market. DW Fitness, Leeds, dwfitnessclubs.com
35 Fight With Power Rumble, Fri at 18:30 with Daniel
If you like the idea of training like UFC superstar Conor Mcgregor, but aren’t keen on being pounded into a bloody pulp, then 1Rebel’s MMA-inspired Rumble class is right up your octagon. Explosive fist and footwork, strength training, and a complimentary glass of prosecco after you’ve towelled down are included. Spit-and-sawdust this ain’t. 1Rebel, London, 1rebel.co.uk
36 Take A Hi-tec Trip The Trip, Wed at 18:00 with Caroline
A nondescript leisure centre in the spiritual home of the roundabout is an odd place to find an immersive, next-gen spin class. Super hi-res digital vistas are projected onto cinema-sized screens as you pedal past laser fire, or down rabbit holes into magical forests. It’s Wii Fit, on speed. Woughton Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes, 1life.co.uk
37 Knuckle Down Combat Conditioning, Tue at 18:45 with Rannoch
About as friendly and accessible as a class centred around punching things can be. Not one for experienced combatants perhaps, but workout rookies will incinerate calories as they switch between core battle training (pad work, shadow boxing) and general strength and conditioning exercises (sandbag throws and resistance band rows). A handy boost when you’re seconds out from abs season. Fitness Soul, Edinburgh, fitnesssoul.co.uk
38 Get The No1 Body No1 Boot Camp, Sat at 06:00 with Gee
Not so much an exercise class as a gruelling day of Doms-inducing punishment. The fun begins with an hour of cardio (usually spinning or boxing) followed by circuit training and finally, a long hike through the picturesque Norfolk countryside. Gluttons for punishment can stay for the full week. But eight hours with ex-royal Marine PTI Gee may prove plenty. No1 Boot Camp, Norfolk, no1bootcamp.com
39 Give Thanks To WOD Crossfit, Wed at 18:00 with Jordan
Crossfit is more addictive than crack, so it won’t be long before we’re all lacing up our Reebok Nanos and dropping terms such as AMRAP and WOD into conversation. Coach Jordan Wallace made the Regionals in 2015, which in Crossfit terms makes him very, very good indeed. Crossfit Reebok Tyneside, Newcastle, cross fitreebok tyneside.com
40 Do Sets On The Beach Beach Bootcamp, Sat at 10:00 with Andrew
When you’re taking on the sheer power of the oceans, your body will be pushed to breaking point. That’s why the country’s best surfers flock to this bootcamp on the North Devon coast – to train with Andrew Blake. And if you can still stand when you’re done, you can hang ten on one of the UK’S finest surf breaks. Bay Fitness, Croyde, bayfitness.co.uk
41 Try Downward Dogg Hip Hop Yoga, Mon at 17:30 with Ben
Your head is like a jungle sometimes, it makes you wonder how you keep from going under. Well, the answer could be this stress-relieving yoga class. You’ll get down like a dog and flex in the usual yogic ways, but with less chanting and more rap music. Alex Fitness, London, alex-fitness.co.uk
42 Get Fit In 3D FGT HIIT, Wed at 09:00 with Amir
Squatting: up and down, two-dimensional. Running: backward and forward, two-dimensional. The underlying principle of this freestyle HIIT class is to get your body moving in all three dimensions, using dynamic movements to engage as many muscles as possible, while raising your heart rate to astronomical heights. You will boldly go where no bench press has taken you before. Fitness First, Stirchley, fitnessfirst.co.uk
43 Score A Winning Tri Open Water Fitness, Sat at 07:00 with Dan
Triathletes out to raise their swim stamina to Brownlee heights should make the pilgrimage to this openwater session run by Dan Bullock – arguably Britain’s top tri coach. The only entry criterion is that you can swim 1km, non-stop. Breaststrokers look elsewhere. Swim for Tri, Upminster, swimfortri.co.uk
44 Fight Like A Pacifist Boxing Yoga, Mon at 17:50 with Mairi
Originally developed by an elite combat coach, boxing yoga aims to up mobility and prevent injury in anyone who spends long periods with their shoulders pulled up around their ears – be that a pugilist with his guard up, or the nation’s desk workers. Incorporating minimalistic boxing movements, this streamlined, no-nonsense mobility class is a big hit. Hook & Flow, Didsbury, hookandflow.com
45 Lift Like A God Olympic Lifting, Thu at 18:30 with Will
Multi-stage movements like snatches and clean and jerks are superb ways of shredding fat, packing on muscle and – if you don’t know what you’re doing – causing yourself serious harm. Rather than just ripping weights off the mat and hoping for the best, perfect your form beforehand in this technically minded class. Oh, and hang around for the half-hour mobility session after – your muscles will thank you in the morning. Grange Fitness, Ipswich, grangefitness.co.uk
46 Pool Your Talent Swim Fitness, Sat at 11:30 with various trainers
If you find yourself gasping for air at the end of each length of your leisure centre pool, this intermediate-to-advanced session is not for you. If you live life in the fast lane, however, you’ll fine-tune your technique and knock seconds – or even minutes – off your Long Course time under the guidance of British Swimming’s top coaches. Wales National Pool, Swansea, wales national poolswansea.co.uk
47 Suspend Fatigue TRX CORE, Fri at 06:30 with Gok
If your weightloss goals are hanging in the balance, this TRX HIIT session is a great way to introduce stability back into your training. Clinging to the suspended TRX cords while you wobble your way through inverted rows and atomic press-ups pits your body against the full force of gravity, keeping your core engaged throughout 55 painful minutes. Heartcore Fulham, London, heartcore.co.uk
48 Up Fitness On The Fly Brotherhood, Sat at 08:00 with Kemo
Run on an ad hoc basis, this class takes 10 members at a time, revealing the location – be it park, studio or public space – a week before each session. An established level of fitness and mental resilience is needed, but apart from building your strength, fitness and athletic ability, no two sessions are ever the same – making this an inspired curative for stale fitness routines. Locations TBA, London, brotherhoodtrainingclub.com
49 Floor Your Opponent Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Wed at 19:30 with Colin
Who says the south coast is soft? Just because you’ll spend most of your time on the floor does not make mastering Brazilian jiu-jitsu easy. Based around grappling and ground-fighting, this martial art is at the heart, soul and bloodied face of MMA. It goes without saying, then, that these beginners’ classes will knock the wind out of you. Gym 01, Portsmouth, gym01.com