WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT CLASS PASS

ABBIE JS
Jun 4, 2017
5 min read

Ever since moving to London I have been gawking over all of the workout classes across London. Part of the attraction of London to me was how easy it is to be surrounded by events, shops and classes with like minded people who love fitness, health and food!

Gym membership in London is not cheap, you are looking at around 60-80 a month. The classes at most of these gyms are good but they are super crowded and if you're like me you like a change of scenery from your normal workouts. Also prime gym season (May - September) you are queuing for machines- its tragic, and nothing like putting me in a bad mood than not being able to do the workout I had planned. So when I saw Class Pass on a deal for 3 months for 29.00 for 5 classes I jumped at it!

...However me using them is another story. The idea of class pass is great, you can go to (the majority) of classes all over London, 5 classes in 1 month. You can't go to the same studio more than twice in a month but there are so many this shouldn't be an issue.

The problem for me is that I like to go to the gym and do weights, fitting in these other classes and travelling all over London seemed quite a chore. I have a yoga studio right by my house but for someone who is a little hermit in the night as I get up at 5.45am to go the gym I just haven't prioritized these over my weights sessions (but really I should because I have the flexibility of an 80 year old woman).

Another problem for me is the classes I want to try out are all in the City. I prefer to do my workouts in the morning as I have more energy but to get to the classes and then get ready and in work for 9am I'm looking at getting up at 5am - when I can just have an extra 45 mins and go to the gym right by my house. And after work I have literally have ZERO motivation for anything but going home and catching up on Made In Chelsea.

Signing up with a friend would deffinatley help. My friend signed up for me in the first month and it was a great trade for going out for an expensive dinner or a glass of wine. Going to these classes alone just seemed like something I didn't really want to do. Another problem for me is that the weekend is a great time to go as you have no time restraints of getting to work etc and don't mind travelling into the sitting (and doing brunch afterwards). That's how I've used a few of my passes. However I have had such busy weekends the past couple of months, been away for bank holidays etc ok, or hungover from birthday shenanigans that I just haven't got round to using my passes.

Below are a few of the classes I tried out:

Best Bootcamp, Charing Cross

I have a love/hate relationship with this class, kind of like that of spin. Back in November I did the Best beast deal, 7 classes in 7 days. I managed 6 and let me tell you - it's tough. The class is a mix of weights and the treadmill. 6 minutes of sprints/uphill running/lunges then 6 minutes with weights of whatever body part the class is tailored to for 50 minutes. Every time I do it I question why I do it, then after I feel like I am a goddess while taking an ice cold towel and patting down for a good half an hour. It's the kind of class you're still sweating post shower (good facilities FYI, shampoo, conditioner etc). I also got a free coffee after class from Grind - winning!

Reformer Pilates, The Strand

I decided to pick this studio as it is literally a 2 minute walk from my office. I've seen a few of these on Instagram and thought it looked so cool (and easy). It's a bit weird on entering, it's down an alley way with a buzzer to get in. If you arrive more than 10 minutes early she probably won't answer. The actual class content is really good, the studio is quite small so you get a lot of attention and the movements and slow and easy to understand. I felt my core and inside of my thighs the whole way throughout, and the next day Jesus Christ, I felt it. A really good class which looks way harder than it looks without sounding 50 shades of grey there's something therapeutic about swinging on the ropes and stretching out!

Kula Wellbeing, Clapham Junction

Yoga is always something I've wanted to get into and this studio is really convienient for me on the way home from work. I tried out the Vinyassa class with my friend and absolutely loved it. Tried 60 mins and 90 mins and 60 is deffinatley enough. You feel so good after, so stretched out and you get super sweaty - I'm not sure how people do the proper hot yoga and normal yoga I legit am sliding off the mat. I always feel great after leaving this class, mentally and physically. For quite an expensive studio the changing facilities aren't great and the classes are crowded but the instructors I 100% recommend, they push and motivate you and I feel muscles working I didn't even realise I had!

1 Rebel, Rumble

By far my favourite class. I SO wish I lived/worked closer and had more free weekends! I went to this class on a Saturday morning and even though its a good 30 mins, 1 train and 2 tubes to get there it was one of the most fun workouts I've ever done. I left feeling so full of energy. The teacher was really motivating, the music was great, the studio is the dream, so instagrammable. I've been to boxing classes but never like this! You are in a room where all the punch bags hang in circles, all facing in the instructor stands in middle and tells you the movements. It's also lights down LED lights on. I felt so BADASS.

I feel like if you don't have a gym membership, or can incorporate it in your gym routine and be willing to travel/find classes near you its great. 5 classes a month isnt enough for me to warrant ending my gym membership but its great to try out new workouts, meet new people and see what's around London. I have 3 classes booked for this week which I aim to use on yoga/reformer Pilates and have roped my boyfriend into joining me for a 6.30am boxing class, lucky him.