This gym/club wants to be sort of like Shoreditch House - at least that's what one of the managers told me when I recently took a tour of this little gym in Notting Hill. They've just come under different owners, and the new proprietors are aiming to capture a bigger share of the luxury consumer pie by trying harder to position themselves in that cachet of exclusivity and cool - limiting the total members to somewhere around 1700. I'd say they have a bit of work to do. Much like Shoreditch House (and maybe this is where they got the idea that they had a chance of being its pseudo-version in the first place) Body Works West has a beautiful pool... clear sparkling water of a gentle chlorine colour, surrounded by calming neutral tones and blues; the pool is so serene, just looking at it makes the thought of a relaxing swim a very compelling idea (I had to hold myself back from jumping in fully clothed - and I'm not even that big into swimming). Another nice thing about BWW is that they have a good number of power plates - those vibrating platforms that are supposed to boost your metabolism by 50% just by doing some light exercise and stretches atop them - it's a nice extra detail that hasn't hit mainstream gyms just yet, and especially nice if you've wanted to try one. The gym, however, is very small... which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I guess I do tend to like more roominess and anonymity in my gyms. The classrooms looked especially tiny - definitely not the sort where you can hide in the back. And I absolutely hated their elliptical machine setup- a single row of machines perched high up on sort of a makeshift balcony overlooking the weight/stretching area - the people working out up there looked awkward, and I can imagine why... who wants to be so prominently on display while panting away? In case it catches your fancy, however, you should know that there are DVD players attached to the machines - so that you can sweat away to whatever comedy or action film will make your workout less painless. The manager who gave us our tour (sorry sister to the other manager, Thea, I forget your name...) was a bit strange... ice-cold and uncomfortable to be with - maybe it's because we didn't fit into her image of the new cool customers they are looking for... but still, it certainly tainted my image of the place - if I were rating the gym just based on my encounter with her, it would get 1 star. Seriously, I couldn't wait for our 'tour' to be over so that hard stare and furrowed brow would stop. Thankfully, the rest of the staff that we interacted with were very courteous and nice. While there are some true destination gyms out there with too-rad classes and fantastic fringe benefits, I think gym membership decisions unusually come down to the convenience factor - so if Body Works West is close to you - it certainly has the requisite weights, classes, machines, etc. most gym rats are looking for - so nothing should stop you from joining. But if you don't live nearby...no matter how prestigious this place wants to be, it certainly doesn't offer anything that would make a person want to put in any extra effort to be a member. read more

BodyWorksWest - BodyWorksWest - Gyms Near Me - London, XGL

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This is my gym and I don't know what I would do if I lived further away than I do. It's owned and run by a New Yorker who wants it to be a full-service gym with all the bells and whistles. The gym itself has about 10 treadmills, 8 ellipticals, 5 cycles, 2 rowing machines, 3 power plates and all the weights and equipment one could want. If you're there off-peak then you basically have the place to yourself! Every member has free monthly training sessions, but the trainers don't do much in the way of helping you out when you're on their own -- they are either too busy chatting with each other or giving privates. Being from New York, I expect attention from trainers even if I am not in a session, but I guess they just do things differently here. I recommend Fabio for men, Simon for everyone and the new girl (Kia?) for women. The classes are great and I think Daniel is one of the best reformer pilates around. The steam room, sauna, pool and hot tub get me motivated to actually get to the gym, and Beauty Works West, next door, offers a whole range of spa treatments. The lobby downstairs is always very nice with internet connection, daily newspapers, tea, coffee, a TV and magazines. My criticisms are mainly due to the workers, in particular Thea or something similar who works on accounts and signed me up. Never in my life has someone working in the service industry -- let alone a luxury health spa/gym -- been so incredibly rude and demeaning. I have thought about writing directly to the owner to voice my complaints, but maybe via avenues like this people will get the message. She has a serious attitude problem and every time there has been an error with our account (yes, more than once!) we have been blamed and scolded (!) I think she needs to get out of client services pronto, but anyhow, avoid her and your experience there can be care free and lovely! read more

Convenient gym for people who live around Westbourne Grove/Ledbury Street. Great for classes, very nice 18m swimming pool. Spinning room, pilates reformer, and yoga studios. But the main gym/weight room is weak. The equipment is not in great shape: the touchscreens on the treadmills don't work properly and the ergometers are slack, among other things. But the biggest problem is weights. Far too little in way of free weights and dumbells, making it difficult to get a proper heavy weight workout in. The men's locker room could use a renovation, or at least better cleanings. The 'club' attempt is cutesy but it's not worth joining for that. The classes and one-on-one training are the best elements of the gym, as well as its convenience. read more

I am a member here. And I will remain a member here because it is convenient but I would leave in a heartbeat if there was another option (Third Space, Equinox, or any other nice gym!!!) in Notting Hill/Westbourne Grove. The gym itself is fine. It's basic and small, but the equipment is nice and current. It's clean, never crowded, or too hot. The free coffee and tea is also a bonus. My issue with it is that there are not many classes and the sign up system requires you to be in the gym to write your name on a list. If you're a busy person who likes to know you will get a spot in a class, it's extremely frustrating because more often than not you have to be there at least 30+ minutes before a popular class or you're out of luck. I end up spending extra money at HeartCore for yoga, spin and Pilates-- and that gets expensive and always feels a bit ridiculous given what I pay monthly at BWW! The team at BWW are also just average. They are not rude but not super competent, and have a consistent "computer says no" attitude about everything. If they could only be slightly more accommodating or understanding it would make a world of a difference. read more

pretty disappointed that they're happy to not make any many rather than me walk in and give them some money as i'm a tourist

Beautiful/fancy gym in a quiet muse in Ladbrooke Grove. I came here on a Sunday morning for a Pilates reformer class. The class was quite small and relatively easy (not an intense painful workout). The instructor was very kind and helpful with everyone's various quirks/strengths/weaknesses. She made sure everyone was doing the poses correctly and staying in form which is important as a lot of times instructors don't take the time to adjust people. My only complaint would be that way he people at the front desk were not very friendly and came off a bit pretentious to people who were not full time members of the gym. read more

Upscale gym that saved my work out needs while traveling to London. Next to Notting Hill, the warm-welcoming staffs, clean equipments, and elegant locker/shower rooms made my experience at this gym a pleasant one. Since the gym is situated in an alley, it is not so easily noticeable. But I treasure privacy and only hoped to have found out about this hidden gem sooner. They even offer overseas membership for those who are not local but travels to London from time to time. Definitely recommend this gym to everyone! read more

The gym is nice and clean and projects a very chic attitude. The monthly training session and selection of classes is very good. While I also like the TVs on each piece or cardio equipment, none of it can overcome the lack of free weight and hammer strength machine. They just didn't have enough space to build a worthy gym just a chic one. Having said that, it is close to where I live and generally meets my needs. I will lift heavier elsewhere. read more

In heart of Notting Hill, this is suitably flash. If you want looks, it's OK. If you want expert help and encouragement with fitness, go elsewhere. Looks shiny and well equipped, but as other comments show, comes with bad customer service. Staff and managers don't know about health and physical fitness. Management offer (often costly) special sessions (say, nutrition) without delivering basics of good classes and gym sessions. Staff work on charm to recruit new members, who get shock of big let down on promises of high standards and 'club' ambitions. It all looks nicer than facilities like Virgin, and is warmer and whiter than public facilities, but the training, hygiene and safety are quite bad in comparison. Range of classes, in nice light studio, but not many in evenings. Some good classes (Daniel, Alison) show up poor standard generally, and management has no expertise, couldn't care less, and employ some indifferent class teachers. Trainers in the gym chat to each other, ignoring members and don't help unless paid extra for personal training sessions. Good equipment, again let down by lack of engagement and poor attitude. Cool changing rooms. Good looking pool, 18 metres, and steam room. Members grumble a lot about cleanliness and safety. Expensive extras such as Pilates reformer. Not very Internet friendly booking, so have to book spinning classes just one hour before class and in person not online - useless for people who work or have busy lives. Owners seem obsessed by image, so standards suffer. If you want something like Shoreditch House etc, why not join it, then save your cash and use a chain gym where staff care about standards not showing off. read more

I've been a member of Body Works West for around 4 years, and I have to say the transformation from when I first joined has been quite incredible. I always liked the place, but it has improved considerably over the course of my membership there. The swimming pool and spa has been completely re-built, the gym has lots of new equipment and many of the other facilities have been replaced and refitted. The only drawback is the price, it is expensive for a full membership, however, you get what you pay for I suppose the facilities are some of the best I've ever seen. Its such a lovely environment, the people are really friendly, the trainers are professional, the studio classes great and varied. Overall I would rate this gym really highly and would recommend joining if you live in Notting Hill or nearby! read more

The gym is OK. The coffee is good. The women's changing/shower room was closed for one month while it was refurbished. It is now awful.l Not enough hooks for hanging towels, filthy floors that are totally yucky, drains that do not drain, no place to put your personal soap/shampoo/conditioner whilst showering except on the gungy, filthy floor. Why they did this I (and most of the other woman agree) will never know. I will be leaving when my membership expirers. I would put zero stars if I could. read more

The tranquil entrance area and inviting candle scent is spoiled by the grumpy and rude receptionist/sometimes manager. Don't know her name but she's an older , wrinkled lady with shoulder length brown hair. She's Rude with a capital R. The surroundings are beautiful, this gym is an artwork in interior design, it also has free internet and newspapers, but this is where all the positive aspects end. The staff at the gym floor are too busy chatting with each other to help. The monthly fee is more than double that of a regular gym, but is supposed to include a free montly training session, but when I approached one of the trainers about having a free training session (he was a short , skinny, red head, I think his name was Matt Watson), he brushed me off, and basically told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to book private sessions with him. The weights area is a joke. As a woman, I find it inadequate, so i'm surprised that there are men who actually go there. The couple of times i used their showers, they didn't seem to have hot water, apparently, this is a regular problem. Although, I love the body lotion they have in their changing rooms. I have paid for a year's membership, yet i stopped going a while back. I won't be renewing and don't encourage anyone to join. read more

At first glance, this gym is beautiful and appears to offer everything, however, when you get to the details, it is seriously lacking A few comments..... - the "welcome package" is a brochure in a paper bag (at Equinox at least you get a t-shirt!) and, with such a HUGE joining fee, they could at least throw in a t-shirt or a water bottle - the spin classes, particularly on the weekends, fill up quickly and you can't book in advance online (when we showed up for our first spin class, which was full, we were told some people come an hour early to sign up; who wants to do that on a Saturday morning when you've finally dragged yourself to the gym for a 9am spin class!?) - the women's change room has ONE bathroom, which isn't even in the change room (plus the toilet paper holder is falling off the wall) - you get told off by old ladies (who don't even work there) if you're on your cell phone in the change room - the gym is SMALL (the stretching space is full with 2/3 people), but even that's not a big deal as they have utilized the space brilliantly - haven't been in the pool so can't comment but it does look gorgeous - for a boutique luxury gym, they are not accommodating and constantly make you feel as if you're doing them a favour by becoming a member - probably great for the over 50 Notting Hill resident who doesn't really like to work out very hard - overall, gorgeous, too small, stuffy, arrogant and unaccommodating If you're going to splurge, go to Equinox, at least you'll get a t-shirt, plus the people are younger and its a way more inspiring work out environment read more

Found the spa to be a pretty unprofessional place. Wouldn't return. No customer service at all

Given the extremely high price of membership BWW is a disappointment. The problem isn't so much the equipment (much of it recently replaced by flashier but less useful machines) or facilities (though broken lockers etc are rarely repaired) but the bad attitude of management and owner. BWW"s great strength, besides its location in the heart of Notting Hill, was its trainers and first rate classes taught by some of the top, most experienced instructors in London (yoga, pilates, krav maga, barre fitness). But in 2015 BWW cut payments to trainers, many of whom left. The cheap replacements are inexperienced - some have done little more than weekend courses - and generally not as good. They also cut the number of classes offered in half, making the exorbitant fees feel more like a rip-off. read more