New Year, New You – Keeping fit in Croydon
Check out our list of the best central spots that not only offer killer workouts, but also come with some serious instructor-led motivation.
Yep, we hate ourselves a little bit for quoting this overused January mantra too – but humans will be humans and the desire to get fitter and healthier is never stronger than at the start of a new year!
With over 120 parks and green spaces (stretching from South Norwood Lake in the North of the Borough to Farthing Downs in the South) Croydon offers a huge variety of landscapes to enjoy a brisk walk or run in the fresh air.
But if you need someone else to encourage/motivate/guilt trip you into moving, here are some central spots which come with a side dose of instructor-led motivation.
Croydon Boxing Academy
Croydon has a pretty impressive Boxing pedigree with professional fighter (and Olympian) Joshua Buatsi having started his career at South Norwood’s Victory Club.
The Thornton Heath resident went on to hold titles at both the English National and European Championships and is currently managed by two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
This success permeates the (sweaty) air at Croydon Boxing Academy which offers boxing classes for amateurs and professionals alike. Those looking to just keep fit might opt for a Boxercise class but if you’re after a more specific challenge for the year, the White Collar Boxing classes will get you trained up for your first boxing match.
Want a 2024 fitness challenge that packs a punch? (Side)step this way.
Centrale Shopping Centre, 21 N End, Croydon, CR0 1XX
Croydon Yoga Hub
Yoga’s origins can be traced to northern India over 5,000 years ago. Whilst it began to grow in popularity in the UK in the 60s and 70s, more recent decades have seen take up at unprecedented rates.
With a lockdown boost (courtesy of You Tube’s ever encouraging Adrienne) over 500,000 Brits now take part in a class each week.
Croydon Yoga Hub is owned and run by local resident Laura. It is a small but perfectly formed studio operating out of the Matthews Yard building.
The roster of professionally trained teachers deliver a varied programme of classes for all levels including Ashtanga, Morning flow, Pilates, Pregnancy/Post-natal, Restorative, Vinyasa and Yin.
What the original practioners would make of the UK’s £900 million yoga industry is anyone’s guess but this independent studio offers a good balance of spiritual enlightenment and Lululemon accessories.
Unit 1, 6 The Exchange, Scarbrook Road, Croydon, CRO 1UH
F45
Established in 2018 by the Aussies Down Under, F45 merges three leading-edge fitness training styles into one 45-minute functional training class (hence the name Functional 45).
Whilst the business model may have proved less functional than the classes (with a well-publicised downfall last year) the franchise element means the London branches are still going strong.
Headed up by Csaba and Ayse, the Croydon High Street location runs 5 sessions a day during the week and a few over the weekend.
Each session combines high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional training (strength training that prepares your body for daily activities, like bending, twisting, lifting, pushing and pulling).
If you don’t have time to play with, head to F45 to work up a fast and functional sweat.
70 High St, Croydon, CR0 1NA
MyPT
Having set up in 2012, MyPT is Croydon’s original Personal Training gym. Headed up by Co-Directors Danny and Tom, what these guys don’t know about the personal training industry isn’t worth knowing.
Over the last ten plus years, the business has gone from strength the strength (pun intended) and now incorporates two locations and multiple ways to train that suit all budgets.
There is a straightforward gym membership, a group PT programme (where a PT works with a group of up to 15 members), a small group PT programme (where a PT works with a group of up to 6 members) or a One-to-One PT programme.
Those who are starting the year with lofty ambitions to make dramatic health and fitness transformations (but who recall previous resolutions falling by the wayside within the first couple of weeks) should consider ‘Foundations’.
Alongside the PT sessions, this six-week programme includes a Personal Coach and a tailored meal plan with recipes. If you get a kick out of those movie makeover big reveals, this is the one for you.
Sunley House, 4 Bedford Park, Croydon, CR0 2AP
VM Academy
Despite it no longer being 1974, everybody is still Kung Fu fighting on Surrey Street.
In this first floor Martial Arts studio which is white as lightening, the trainers might seem a little bit frightening, but classes run to precision timing.
Ok, we’ll leave that there…but with World Champion and Black Belt coaches, VM Academy is a great p lace to mix up your (literal and figurative) treadmill gym routine.
The weekly programme includes Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Wrestling and Kickboxing and there is also a range of stretch and conditioning classes.
12-19 Surrey St, Croydon, CR0 1RG
