8 Best Recovery-Based Fitness Classes In London

New emphasis on active recovery from fitness experts has sparked a wave of low-impact classes in studios across London. From self-massage to meditation, here are eight ways to make the most of your rest day.

Stretch at Barrecore

Cult studio Barrecore’s Stretch offering is designed to aid recovery in muscles used specifically in ballet-style classes. Using myofascial release techniques alongside lengthening stretches to ease tension, aches and pains, this 45-minute class will leave you feeling energised and restored.

FLY LDN

Bend It Like Barbie at Frame

If you spend hours hunched over a desk, Frame’s Bend It Like Barbie class will set you straight. Available at Frame studios across the capital, this 45-minute class focusses on stretching out your whole body – shoulders, spine, hamstrings and hip flexors. Ideal for stressed-out city workers and keen runners alike, regular attendance will guarantee a more flexible body and longer, leaner limbs.

Stretch at DEFINE London

Designed to bookend one of DEFINE London‘s heart-raising workouts (think barre, mat-based pilates and dance), this 30-minute stretching session comes highly rated. This class will aid movement and recovery by releasing fascia, the dense, fibrous connective tissue that encompasses muscles and bones. DEFINE founder Ashley Verma claims the class encourages muscles to recover in double time, so book in for supercharged results.

S&M at Gymbox

Committed to making getting sweaty and out-of-breath fun, Gymbox’s tongue-in-cheek S&M (that’s Stretch & Massage) class isn’t for the faint-hearted. Based around the foam roller, this 45-minute offering will get to work on unwanted knots and tightness triggered by strength and endurance training. The length and intensity of the session make it ideal for those training for a race or triathlon.

Yoga Nidra at Triyoga

Looking for an alternative recovery practice? Book in for iconic London yoga studio Triyoga’s Yoga Nidra class, which harnesses the power of meditation to put you in a state of conscious deep sleep that’ll unwind the nervous system and induce complete relaxation. Proof that not all recovery needs to come via a foam roller, this restorative practice offers emotionally and physically healing.

TenStretch at Ten Health & Fitness

London’s only reformer-based stretch class, this unique session focusses on the spine as well as tight hips and shoulders. Using the traditional pilates reformer to enable a deeper, more effective stretch, this hour-long class also aims to improve flexibility and posture. Never tried a reformer? Fear not – TenStretch is less intense than a standard reformer class and designed for beginners and pilates enthusiasts alike.

RX Series at Equinox

Designed to explore the three m’s – massage, mobilisation and maximising performance – Equinox’s RX Series class will take you through a range of self-myofascial massage techniques using yoga therapy balls, rollers and other props. Ideal for gym junkies, runners with niggles and those looking to improve their posture, this self-massage treatment may just fill in for the real thing.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.