s we brace ourselves for the bumpy road ahead, it’s time to whip yourself into shape mentally and physically.
The easiest way? Nab yourself a personal trainer (even Boris has one). See, there’s really no slacking when you’re one-on-one.
Whether you want to learn to lift heavy, give yourself a cardio blitz or are planning a total body transformation, the capital is brimming with coaches who can train you virtually or in-person to smash your goals.
Here’s who to call – and if you can’t afford their hourly rates, give them a follow on the ‘gram for endless on demand #fitspo.
USP: Former Olympic speed skater Sarah Lindsay is founder of Roar Fitness, a boutique training facility and celebrity hangout specialising in jaw-dropping fat loss and muscle-building transformations. Her two-pronged attack consists of weight training coupled with a nutrition overhaul – and it delivers results fast.
Clientele: Nick Grimshaw, Professor Green, Ellie Goulding, Pixie Lott and Henry Holland are all on the list, as is Piers Morgan.
Where: Roar Bank, Liverpool Street and High Street Kensington
Cost: Eight-week transformation packages start from £2,200
USP: Dalton is the owner of TwentyTwo in west London. His training plans focus on exercise, nutrition, recovery and lifestyle – and his signature miniband and glider workouts are are renowned for working hard-to-reach muscles – expect to feel the burn.
Clientele: Vogue Williams and Ashley Roberts (ahead of her Pussycat Dolls tour) are loyal disciples of his method.
Where: Twenty Two in South Kensington, also via Zoom.
Price: £200/session in studio or £100/session on Zoom.
USP: With a background in professional rugby, Mark’s training technique takes an athletic approach. His aim is to teach you to move better, pain free, while making serious gains. A typical session includes mobility work, plyometric drills and strength and conditioning. You’ll have fun with medballs, assault bikes and ski ergs while you’re at it.
Clientele: Creatives, senior executives and city slickers.
Where: Outrivals, a private PT space in Moorgate.
USP: Louisa Drake’s eponymous LDM Method combines elements of yoga, barre, Pilates, light resistance, conditioning and cardio to hone and sculpt physiques. An initial typical PT session includes an in-depth lifestyle assessment, taking into account stress levels, eating and sleeping habits, as well as strength and fitness.
Clientele: Gwyneth Paltrow and Felicity Jones are former clients, as are members of the royal family.
Where: LDM Studio in Fitzrovia, outdoors and on Zoom.
USP: Lyanne (@just__tig) and Sam (@samprynn) have just opened the capital’s first female-only strength training unit where they offer no-nonsense strength and conditioning and Olympic lifting personal training and group classes.
Clientele: Women of all ages, with zero to pro lifting experience.
Where: StrongHer space, Bethnal Green.
USP: A qualified sports scientist and Nike trainer, Luke is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things fitness and nutrition. His sessions focus on a balance of strength, cardio fitness, mobility, body composition and emotional wellbeing.
Clientele: Forest Whitaker, Jodie Comer, Winnie Harlow and Sabrina Elba, to name a few.
Cost: from £110/session.
USP: Lottie’s “abs attack” PT sessions will give you a rock-hard core in no time. Take a sneak peek on her Instagram where she offers free live workouts each week.
Clients: Women of all ages with all sorts of personal goals.
Cost: from £35/30 minutes
USP: Laura’s uplifting energy and carefully thought out progressive strength training programmes will whip you into shape mentally and physically in no time – expect plenty of tyre flipping and sled pushing.
Clientele: Author and running enthusiast Bella Mackie is her latest heavy lifting convert.
Where: The Foundry gym in London, where she also offers semi-private PT classes and online via her Team LIFTED coaching community.
Price: enquire via her website.
USP: Ciara’s vibe is all about female empowerment and body positivity. Her workouts celebrate female bodies in all their glory – expect plenty of booty band workouts. She trained a squad of over 9,000 via her IG subscription service @bodybyciarasquad in lockdown.
Clientele: Rita Ora, Mabel, Neelam Gill and Maya Jama are all fans.
Where: Online and at her Muswell Hill gym – soon to open.
Cost: £90/session or £15/month for IG squad membership.
USP: Mary Helen’s workouts are adored by dancers and supermodels for their ability to deliver strong, toned, elongated ballet muscles, pronto. Expect targeted, ballet-inspired movements that strengthen the legs, butt, core and upper body, to build an elegant posture and improve flexibility.
Clientele: Mary Helen trained Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan, other A-list fans include Liv Tyler, Alexa Chung, Jennifer Lawrence, Doutzen Kroes, Karlie Kloss and Miranda Kerr.
Where: private and semi-private lessons online.
Price: $450 (£345) for first three classes.
USP: Nike trainer Nesrine, founder of Health Hub London, specialises in strength and conditioning, and corrective exercise. She also trains and competes in Muay Thai in which she offers private and group sessions.
Clientele: A mix of athletes, marathon runners, new mums and people completely new to exercise.
Where: Zoom and outdoors.
Cost: enquire via her website for PT sessions, online group classes start from £5/session.
USP: Over in East London, Maiken’s infectious energy will have you nailing one-handed burpees in no time. She specialises in training women to lift heavy and look badass while they’re at it. As a former athlete from Norway, she’s also heavily into cardio – expect plenty of track and field-inspired exercises in a session.
Clientele: Mostly female young creative types.
USP: Hackney-based Jermaine Johnson is a boxing and strength and conditioning coach, his PT sessions involve weight lifting, TRX and bodyweight work. Check out his synchronised kettlebell workouts and movement sessions with clients over on the ‘gram.
Clientele: Laura Mvula has trained with him, as have a number of bloggers.
Where: Legends Gym in Dalston, Zoom and Millfields Park (weather permitting).
USP: Hollie Grant is the founder of Pilates PT which has two London-based studios. She specialises in posture correction and pre and post natal fitness and her Pilates PT method combines HIIT with reformer Pilates and weight training to deliver a strong core and taut, toned limbs.
Clientele: Hollie’s client list includes Jourdan Dunn, Melissa Hemsley and Ella Mills (aka Deliciously Ella).
Where: Zoom and in studio.
Price: £200/session, membership for her online classes costs from £50/month.
USP: Matt Roberts is who celebs call to prep for major shoots and filming. Based at his swanky Mayfair gym, he and his team of experts combine science, technology and high intensity training to ensure clients achieve their goals in a sustainable way.
Where: Matt Roberts Evolution on Grosvenor Square.
Clients: High flying business tycoons and a roster of celebrities, including Naomi Campbell, John Galliano, Amanda Holden, James Cordon, David Cameron and Mel C.
Cost: £200-£300/session
