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Gyms in the City of London

The Square Mile has few residents and a very large working population, so most of its gyms are built around the working day. Here's where to train in the City and who to train with.

Gyms and venues
51
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Showing 1–24 of 51 gyms

Neighbourhoods in the City

Where the City's few thousand residents live.

Training in the City

A small resident population and a very large working one.

The City of London is tiny. It covers 2.90 km², the smallest city in the UK by area, and only around 8,600 people lived here at the 2021 Census (median age 37), and the Barbican Estate is its main residential area. Its working population is another matter: more than 500,000 people were employed here in 2019. That's who most of the City's gyms are for.

The City's own public leisure centre, Golden Lane Sport & Fitness, closed on 30 April 2026 after its operator, Fusion Lifestyle, went into administration. The City of London Corporation plans a £10.4 million refurbishment, with works due to start from December 2026 and to take up to 12 months; its tennis courts stay open. For now the nearest public pools are just over the border in Islington, at Ironmonger Row Baths and Finsbury Leisure Centre. Inside the Square Mile, training means chain clubs and studios: Third Space, Gymbox, Virgin Active, PureGym, The Gym Group, Barry's and 1Rebel.

If you work here and live somewhere else, the people you train with can come from your office, your lunchtime class or your commute. Gymist helps you find them.

Where to train in the City

The public centres nearest the Square Mile first, then the clubs and studios inside it.

Nearest public centres

Premium clubs

Chain gyms

Studios

Find a training buddy in the City

Someone for a lunchtime session at Moorgate, a before-work lifting partner near Bank, a running partner for the Thames Path: find people nearby who train when you do.

Find a buddy

Start a City training group

A lunchtime run along the river, an after-work strength session near Liverpool Street, an office Hyrox team: set it up in minutes and we'll help people nearby find it.

Start a group

Train outdoors

Places to train in the open air in and around the Square Mile.

  • The Thames Paththe riverside walk through the City, completed in 2023 with a stretch at Queenhithe.
  • Golden Lane tennis courtsstill open while the leisure centre is closed.
  • Hampstead Heathoutside the City but run by the City of London Corporation, with the Parliament Hill track, lido and bathing ponds.
  • Epping Forest and other City-owned spacesthe Corporation manages over 11,000 acres of open space within and beyond London.

Getting around

Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, rail, bus and bike routes to the City's gyms.

Tube

  • 10 stations, including Bank, Monument, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, St Paul's, Barbican, Aldgate, Mansion House and Cannon Street

Elizabeth line

  • Liverpool Street, with Farringdon just over the border

DLR

  • Bank and Tower Gateway

Rail

  • Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, City Thameslink and Moorgate

Bus and bike

  • 35 daytime bus routes
  • 35 Santander Cycles docking stations
  • Cycle Superhighway 3 (Barking to Lancaster Gate) and 7 (Merton to the City)

Who trains here

What the census and the City's traffic counters say about the people you'll meet here.

  • 8,600ResidentsAround 8,600 people lived in the Square Mile at the 2021 Census, up 16.4% since 2011. Median age: 37.Census 2021
  • 500,000+People employed hereIn 2019. Most people training in the City work here rather than live here.Wikipedia, City of London
  • 64,000People cycling, summer 2025Counted at the City's traffic counters, up from 8,000 in 1999. Cycles make up around 60% of traffic at morning and evening peaks.Wikipedia, City of London

City of London gym questions

What people ask before they train here.

How many gyms are there in the City of London?

Gymist lists 51 gyms, studios and sports venues in the City of London, mostly chain clubs and boutique studios around Bank, Moorgate, Liverpool Street and St Paul's.

Is there a public leisure centre in the City of London?

Not at the moment. Golden Lane Sport & Fitness, the City's public centre, closed on 30 April 2026. The City of London Corporation plans a £10.4 million refurbishment, with works due to start from December 2026 and to take up to 12 months, and a future operator is still being chosen. Its tennis courts remain open.

Where is the nearest public pool to the City?

Golden Lane's members were moved to two Better centres in Islington, each within a 10-minute walk: Ironmonger Row Baths on Norman Street, which has a 30.5 m pool, and Finsbury Leisure Centre next door.

Where can I run or train outdoors in the City?

The riverside walk along the Thames is part of the Thames Path, completed through the City in 2023. The City of London Corporation also runs green spaces beyond its boundary, including Hampstead Heath, where you'll find the Parliament Hill athletics track and lido.

How do I get to gyms in the City?

The City has 10 Tube stations, two DLR stations, a London Overground station at Liverpool Street and 35 daytime bus routes. Liverpool Street is also on the Elizabeth line, and there are 35 Santander Cycles docking stations.

How do I find a gym buddy in the City?

Join Gymist free, add your gym and when you train, and browse members nearby. If there isn't a group for your kind of training yet, start one.

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