Fitness First London Bridge

Ok, so I have rated this gym ⁵⁄₅ but if I was honest would be ⁴⁄₅ simply because I hate going to the gym, but that would not be fair. As this gym is on my way home from work I am still motivated to go, it is a small gym, and at peak times will be busy; however I am still able to have a productive work out. From the time I enquired with the manager, Nurul, about this gym I knew this would be a good fit for me and everything Nurul promised has been delivered. A friendly team who are always at hand to help, clean facilities, and no egos. You will feel welcome and not intimidated, the facilities are well maintained and clean. If you want a workout to be part of your daily routine, and you pass this gym on your commute, I seriously recommend it. And given it is a city gym it has very reasonable rates, especially compared to the likes of one of the Virgin branches in Croydon that charges over £80 a month!

So, lucky for me, my company benefits means I get a corporate membership with fitness first platinum which means I have gym-​hop around and this is one of the ones that allow me access, which is brilliant for me as it’s right across from the station which means I don’t have to carry my gym gear for very long! (#lazygirl)
The gym, like alot of the fitness first gyms I’ve seen are subterrannean and also recently refurbished with quite new and updated machines. This branch has two floors of gym, the ground and –1 which also has studios and weight. The spin studio is located at the bottom. I’ve tried a few classes here and I was INCREDIBLY impressed with the spin class run by Jason. It was crazy intense with old school chooons. I loved it. I’ve also tried the body combat classes and I was on the floor. (Retrospectively, perhaps doing back to back spin and then body combat wasn’t a great idea) but my only gripe is the studio is TINY and can fit 8 people max with a squeeze. This gym is also a stickler for having to book into classes (you MUST book or you won’t get in– other FFs are pretty lax)

The gym is located in the shadow of the Shard and is very handily located for London Bridge and next to All Bar One for a post workout brew.
This branch is one of the refurbished gyms so you need a padlock to lock your gear aware instead of relying on the membership card. The gym is very small but is located on three floors which means a lot of cardio exercise in navigating the stairs. Due to its location the gym is very busy and it doesn’t have enough equipment to go around all of the members, therefore I would recommend going off peak if possible.

This is one of the best gyms I’ve ever belonged to, real talk.
A stone’s throw from London Bridge Rail station’s front entrance, it’s got quick access if you travel through one of the busiest stations in London.
It had a massive refurb and re-​opened late 2013 (thereabouts). I never saw it before the refurb, having joined in March, but it’s very nice, and they’ve made excellent use of the tight, multi-​level space.
Staff: Super friendly, helpful, useful and attentive. They’re knowledgable about the machines, the classes, the schedules and services available. I know that sounds like it should be a given, and I totally agree. But sadly, with too many gyms that’s not the case!
Machines/​Weights/​Rooms: Due to the refurb, everything is nice and shiny. Ground floor offers the reception, a few stationary bikes and treadmills, with a medium-​sized area for floor exercises and strengthening/​lengthening –focussed machines. Some ipads wired up to peruse classes is nice, and touchscreens offer workouts and toning tips.
One level down is another small classroom, a handful more ellipticals/​bikes/​treadmills. This is also where the free weights are. This (the weights) is probably the busiest/​most popular area of the gym.
Two levels down are the locker rooms and a spin studio. The spin studio is the workout du jour these days and they made sure to account for that in the refurb. This thing is like a club, with banging speakers, colored lights and a big screen that you can use on your own or take a class with an instructor.
Instructors/​PTs: Speaking of instructors, they seem great. I signed up for five classes with a PT and have been very happy so far.
Locker rooms: Probably my favorite part. I’ve seen some nasty gym locker rooms and this place is like a five star hotel. Classical music piped in is a nice departure from the overplayed get pumped pop crap elsewhere. Always clean, plenty of room to move about and nice, big lockers with shelves and hangers for your stuff. Showers are clean and plentiful, soap provided if you don’t have your own, as well as a big mirror space with hair dryers. A sauna is there as well.
I’ve been going a few times a week since early March and have no complaints! I’ve never had to wait for machine and the free weights area is inhabited by career lifters who have etiquette. I’ve never been ogled nor frowned upon as a normal post-​work boring-​workout go-​er. Recommend

So, this is SO difficult to find, I walked round in so many circles it felt like I was churning butter! (Just before the Hays building, you’ll see a staircase going down, it’s down there)
Now once you walk into the reception don’t be out off, they should really do it up, my bedroom is bigger and better presented (but I’m gay so it should be really)
The gym floor itself is set into 3 separate areas — cardio, core and weights! The cardio are has a good number of treadmills, rowers, cross trainers, annoyingly only 1 power plate! The core area is SMALL, and no where near enough mirrors to be checking my fine self out on, and the weights area don’t go first thing in the morning, on weekends or after 6pm if you want to use anything in there it’s full of meatheads muscled guys who are so rude!
Plus side: all the PT’s are hot! :)