Lacking motivation? Fortunately there’s now another reason to visit the gym, with a selection of London gyms also providing great cafes. Get an extra glow with a healthy post-workout smoothie or seasonal salad and it may even encourage you to hit the gym more often.
The Grace Apothecary Bar & Café at Grace Belgravia
Grace Belgravia is an ultra stylish health and lifestyle club exclusively for women. The equally stylish Grace Apothecary Bar & Café within Grace Belgravia is open from breakfast until dinner. It offers healthy meals and snacks carefully designed by nutritionists and chefs, with additional input from yoga guru and SuperFood author, Julie Montagu. Along with an extensive smoothie menu, you’ll find chia porridge, smashed avocado on toast and nutritious seasonal salads. The cafe also hosts a range of debate, art, music and cultural events.
Although not technically a gym, the four Triyoga centres across London offer yoga, pilates, Gyrotonic sessions and barre classes. One of the most central branches is Triyoga Soho, in the foodie hotspot of Kingly Court. Attached to Triyoga Soho is The Retreat Café which, although petite, is perfectly formed. The menu has been developed by qualified naturopath and chef Kimberly Parsons, and is entirely gluten free and refined-sugar free. Often filled with yoga students relaxing after a class, there’s a great selection of smoothies, gluten free wraps and better-for-you sweet treats.
Core Collective take a different approach to fitness in their boutique fitness studio in Kensington: they have no sign-up fees, no contract and no monthly charges. They currently have a simple range of options to refuel after one of their high intensity workouts. From smashed avocado on toast and gluten free pancakes, these are great protein-filled options. There is also a selection of post training recovery shakes. Keep an eye on the latest developments as the Core Collective team are always developing their cafe offering.
Whether you prefer burpees or barre, Lomax Chelsea has plenty of pay-as-you-go classes to get your heart pumping. It is also the location for Grill Market Lomax. The Lomax nutrition team has worked with Grill Market chefs to provide a healthy and sustainable menu suitable for gym-goers. It contains a balance of good fats, protein and complex carbohydrates. Expect meat and vegetarian dishes served hot off the grill, plus generous seasonal salads, shakes, juices and coffee. Grill Market Lomax is also open for breakfast, so head down early for protein pancakes or coconut milk porridge.
Transition Zone take a holistic approach to health and fitness, recognising the importance of eating nutrient rich food as part of a balanced fitness regime. In addition to classes, they offer supper clubs, workshops, guest speakers and exhibitions. Their in-house cafe, Recovery Cafe, is focused on supplying great post-workout refuelling options. The cafe offers a simple and tasty menu of hot drinks, snacks and smoothies, all backed by a team of nutritionists. If you’re attending a class, you can even choose what you want before your workout; your order will then be ready as you finish your class.
