Six of the Best Outdoor Exercise Classes in London

We all want to get in shape for the summer – but who wants to be cooped up inside when the sun is shining? Not us! Fortunately, London has a host of amazing outdoor exercise classes for you to enjoy, come rain or shine. We’ve put together a list of the capital’s best outdoor activities, all of which you can simply show up to and prepare to sweat!

Outdoor Games with Rabble

Say goodbye to boring exercise and hello to Rabble! In Rabble’s intensive outdoor sessions, participants play a variety of popular childhood games – from British Bulldog to Dodgeball – with a difference. These games have been souped up so that they count as actual exercise: meaning you’ll be getting fit without even knowing it by participating in cleverly-designed high-intensity workouts (all of which happen to be super fun!).

Rabble’s outdoor exercise classes take place all over London (and other cities), and are open to all – no matter your fitness level.

Bootcamp with Be Military Fit

Every week, Be Military Fit with Bear Grylls (formally British Military Fitness) run 500+ outdoor exercise classes around the UK. The bootcamp-style classes take on three main forms (Military Fit; Crossrun; and Active) and have been inspired by real regimens used by the army, navy and RAF. Whether you’re into cardio, strength training, team exercises or HIIT, there’s something for you – but whatever you choose, be prepared to train hard, work up a serious sweat, and squat until you drop!

Fly High with Gorilla Circus

Each spring/summer, Gorilla Circus set up shop in Kensington Gardens and Regent’s Park. Within these beautiful surroundings they run their flying trapeze school: a place where experienced acrobats teach newcomers and more advanced students how to fly. Gorilla Circus promise that their outdoor exercise classes are suitable for everyone (with students ranging between 8 and 78 years old!), and run a mixture of drop-in classes and courses. However, the more classes you take, the more exciting the tricks you can learn, so it might be worth signing up for a course if you’re addicted to acrobatics!

Sunrise Yoga at Sky Garden

At an impressive height of 36 floors, Sky Garden makes the perfect venue for early-morning bliss. Within its gorgeous tropical gardens, keen yogis can salute the sun (literally) whilst gazing out at spectacular, panoramic views of the city. This particular class focuses on dynamic vinyasa flow, making it suitable for amateur and advanced yoga students.

Classes start at 6.30 am during the week, so chances are you’ll be hungry after all that stretching. Fortunately the price of the class includes a delightful continental breakfast in the Darwin Brasserie. Namaste!

Breakfast Barre at Frame

Frame’s popular outdoor series returns this summer, and promises to be bigger and better than ever! A low impact class held on the steps to Regents Canal, Frame’s Breakfast Barre series aims to work all your muscles (including those smaller – often overlooked – supporting muscle groups). Inspired by the regimes followed by dancers, the goal is to strengthen and tone, creating the long, lean limbs of a ballerina through a sequence of challenging bodyweight exercises.

Packed with excellent tunes, Breakfast Barre guarantees a great workout in the great outdoors – what better way to start your day?

River Adventures with Active 360

If you’re a fan of the open water and have always wanted to explore the River Thames, Active 360’s roster of classes may be the perfect fit.

Pioneers of stand up paddleboarding (SUP), the world’s fastest growing watersport, Active 360 offer innovative classes that combine exercise with river tours. No experience is necessary: attendees are guided by expert instructors for the entire session, and are even given some land-based training before taking to the water. First-timers are asked to book a special beginners’ class; after this has been completed, they’re welcome to book reduced-rate ‘returning paddlers’ classes, which run at set times during the week.

Active 360 promise a fantastic workout that develops both fitness and core strength, as well as the opportunity to get out into the fresh air, enjoy the natural delights of the River Thames, and learn about marine environments at the same time. And, if you catch the SUP bug, you can extend your experience to include SUP yoga and pilates as well as the conventional SUP classes. Yoga on a floating mat? Sign us up now!