5 Fun Exercise Classes in East London for Fitness Phobics
Let’s be honest, finding the motivation to get active is hard. First comes the daunting task of finding a gym in London that’s right for you. And even once you have, the muscle-bound strongman who seems to live there can be a touch intimidating. Not to mention row after row of specialist machines that look like you need a master’s degree to operate. But scratch beneath the surface and there exists a whole range of fun exercise classes that should help you get active in no time. With any luck, you’ll achieve the impossible and actually look forward to your workout.
Disco Sessions at Lee Valley Ice Centre
Where: Lea Bridge Road, E10 7QL
The ice rink at Lee Valley is open 7 days a week, but it’s on the weekends that it really comes alive. If you’ve ever fancied yourself a bit of a Bee Gee, their music filled Saturday evenings should have you dancing off the pounds faster than you can say ‘mirror-ball’.
Standard admission on Saturdays is £10.50 and includes skate hire.
Street Dance at East London Dance
Where: Theatre Square, E15 1BX
King of the dad dance? Don’t worry. This 10-week class puts the emphasis well and truly on self-expression and creativity, so as long as you stay true to yourself you can do no wrong. Led by a veteran street dancer and founder of an experimental dance collective, the ethos is to let your emotions drive you. Oh, and no fancy gear necessary. But it can’t hurt to bring a beanie to help get in to character.
The suggested donation for a street dance class is £5, but ELD operate on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Community Yoga Classes at The Yard Theatre
Where: Queen’s Yard, E9 5EN
Ever sign up to a class in a moment of rare motivation, only to freak out and cancel when the time comes? It happens to the best of us, but you’ll never have that problem with The Yard Theatre’s community yoga classes. If you want to join, just turn up on the day. Yoga can be the perfect alternative to a more intensive style of exercise and a great way to get to know your own body before you decide to try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Yoga at the Hall is open to all skill levels, so there’s bound to always be someone who can help you improve, as well as someone who’s learning alongside you.
King Pin Wednesdays at All Star Lanes
Where: Westfield Stratford, E20 1ET
After a workout that feels nothing like a workout? You’ll find it at All Star Lanes, located inside Westfield Stratford shopping centre. While you won’t receive formal training here, the recurring weekly promise of free bowling and food for those who can score above 180 should be motivation enough to have you work up a sweat. You can even indulge in some hard-earned calories in the on-site American-style restaurant once you’re finished… We promise we won’t tell a soul.
Peak time games are £9.95 per person if you book online, or £10.50 per person on the day.
Ping Pong Sing-along at The Bat and Ball
Where: Montfichet Road, E20 1EJ
Okay, so this isn’t strictly a class. But with The Bat and Ball’s tables within shouting distance of their karaoke machines, we think it should be. In any case, a game of table tennis can be as relaxed or intensive as you make it. Spread across two large rooms, The Bat and Ball describe their space as a ‘table tennis temple’ with 10 championship sized tables. The venue also boasts a well-stocked bar and no one to judge you if you want to get your drink on while you get active.
Tables rates are £8 for 30 minutes or £15 for a full hour. Karaoke starts at £5 per person.