The Tatler Awards 2014 showcase the best gyms in London according to their specialism, and I’ve researched each one in a bit more detail:
Best Personal Trainer in London: Stephen Price
Stephen Price, former pro cricketer, created this bespoke gym at 3 Jubilee Place, Chelsea, London SW3 3TD. Membership is restricted to just 30 people at a time, and the waiting list is long.
Annual membership gives you access to a range of health professionals, including a psychotherapist and life coaches.
Equipment includes a high-altitude chamber (Hypoxi-training) – ideal for pre-ski workouts, so you can hit the ground running when you arrive in Courchevel or St Moritz.
Runner-up: David Kingsbury
David is a former rugby player and pilates expert, whose private gym at Olympic House (317-321 Latimer Road, London W10 6RA) includes a range of bespoke equipment and services. He works alongside London personal trainer Charlie Whiteley.
Best Rehab Gym: The Library Gym
Founded by Zana Morris, The Library Gym is a very stylish boutique gym at 206-208 Kensington Park Road, London W11 1NR.
Activities include pilates, boxing, yoga, and a range of sports rehab therapies. There is also a beautiful chill-out area for reading and relaxing.
Runner-up: The Third Space
The Piccadilly branch of The Third Space (13 Sherwood Street, London W1) boasts a range of therapies including acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractor, massage and reflexology. There are also branches in Soho (Brewer Street), and Marylebone (Bulstrode Place).
Best Bespoke Gym: Dalton Wong’s Twenty-Two Training
Dalton and his team have created an impressive holistic health & well-being centre in a mews house in west London (22b Elvaston Mews, London SW7).
The team includes David Hastie, a graduate Sports Rehabilitator who specialises in fascial release and sports injury; and Josh Betteridge who also specialises in sports injury rehabilitation.
Runner-up: Freedom2Train
Freedom2Train offer corporate group physical training sessions in parks around London, backed up by nutrition services in Harley Street. Personal trainers Steve Mellor and James Osborn are the brains behind this operation, with London personal trainer Jun Baietti assisting.
Best Family Health Club: The Park Club
Set in 27 acres of space devoted to sports and fitness, The Park Club (East Acton Lane, London W3) offers a dazzling array of sports and fitness options.
Highlights include an outdoor pool which is heated all year round, gym, tennis, boxing, and a creche for the kids.
Runner-up: The Chiswick Riverside Health & Racquets Club
This flagship Virgin Active health club is one of the most impressive clubs in the country for tennis, with 12 indoor courts, and 14 outdoor courts, all immaculately maintained.
There are also swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a hydrotherapy pool, a gym, and a range of spa treatments.
Dominic Londesborough is the author of this blog and a personal trainer in London