5 Of The Coolest Rooftop Workouts In London!

If the up close and personal, basement style workout class and queues for the treadmill aren’t your thing, now’s the time to take full advantage of those rare and oh-so-beautiful British summer days we’ve all been longing for.

Fortunately some of the capital’s swankiest venues have opened their doors and cleared the rooftops, so lucky Londoners can enjoy getting fit while taking in the city’s epic landscape.

From sky-high yoga to hula hooping, we’ve rounded up a selection of rooftop classes that tower above the rest:

YOGASPHERE AT THE SHARD

Taking place on the 72nd floor of London’s coolest skyscraper, Yogasphere’s open-air classes at The Shard offer 360 degree views of the capital. Did someone say post-workout selfie?

Running at 8:30am every Saturday, it might sound like an early start, but the relaxing 1-hour sessions are a world away from your usual morning commute. And if you can make the early escape from your bed, the sky-high salutations will leave you feeling remarkably re-energised.

Led by teachers Mandy and Leo, the yoga class aims to explore and create spatial and physical awareness and whether you’re a beginner or a fully-fledged yogi, this unique experience proves that the sky certainly isn’t the limit.

Yogasphere takes place each Saturday at 8:30am

Book here: www.yogasphere.eu

5 Of The Coolest Rooftop Workouts In London!
Image: Oliver Dixon/Imagewise

RISE AND STRETCH AT ROOF EAST

Stretching your way into Sunday on the roof of a disused carpark in Stratford might sound a bit grim, but we can assure you that The Urban Park at Roof East is streets apart from your usual NCP.

The kooky space, filled with recycled decking and plants growing out of vintage cars, scrubs up pretty well. And if the sight of the Olympic Village in the background doesn’t motivate you to power through the mat-based strength session, then we don’t know what will.

Fusing elements of yoga, pilates and body-conditioning, Rise and Stretch focuses on developing core-stability as well as allowing you to re-boot and re-charge. This is one carpark that certainly won’t leave you feeling stressed.

Every Sunday at 12:30pm – www.roofeast.com

HULA HOOP AT THE BERKELEY

Grab a hula-hoop and get ready to revisit your childhood – minus the pigtails and grazed knees. Hulafit at The Berkeley promises to burn up to 600 calories an hour by combining high intensity cardio with strength training moves.

But it’s not all hard work. From ‘The Vortex’ to the ‘Booty Bump’, your hula-hoop instructor will be on hand to teach you all the tricks you’ve never managed to master.

And the best part? When it’s over you get to cool off in the swanky rooftop pool that overlooks Hyde Park. It sure beats the confines of your old school playground.

Hulafit takes place at The Berkeley every Wednesday at 12pm until 28th October – www.the-berkeley.co.uk/health-club-and-spa/hula-hoop-classes/

Hula Hoop at The Berkeley Hotel in London
Image: The Berkeley Hotel

SKY HIGH YOGA AT SKY GARDEN

Rise above it with Lululemon and The Sky Garden – 35 floors above the city of London, that is. Yep, following the success of their previous collaboration in June, the unlikely duo are back and ready to take you from your downward dog to your cobra in the most stylish of surroundings.

With awe-inspiring views and a complimentary smoothie post-workout, this sunrise package is open to yoga lovers of all abilities, so pull out your stretchy pants and get ready to raise the roof. A loftier location would be difficult to find.

Kicking off at 6:30am on 22nd July, the class is sure to sell out quicker than you can say ‘Ardha Padmasana’ – www.billetto.co.uk/sky-high-yoga

p.s. If you miss out this time, keep an eye out as The Sky Garden are set to be hosting some incredible yoga events this Summer.

5 of the coolest rooftop workouts in London!
Image: Sky Garden Yoga with Lululemon

1REBEL AT THE ACE HOTEL

If working up an appetite sounds like your idea of fun, then Hoi Polloi’s Rooftop Brunch and Reshape package at The Ace Hotel should do the trick.

Kicking things off with a 45-minute reshape class from 1Rebel, you’ll be subjected to a serious ass whopping, all in the name of conditioning and re-sculpting your muscles. And be warned, the sweat filled session might just break you.

The good news is, if you survive the workout you’ll be rewarded with a healthy brunch from the guys at Hoi Polloi. And you’ll be free to enjoy the roof terrace views without the aforementioned sweat dripping into your eyes.

Taking place at 11am on 19th and 26th July at The Ace Hotel – www.acehotel.com/calendar/london/hoi-pollois-rooftop-brunch-and-reshape

5 of the coolest rooftop workouts in London!
Image: Ace Hotel and 1Rebel

Looking for further elevation? Then check out our Sweat-Guide to London’s hottest summer fitness trends for 2015, for even more rooftop classes taking place across London.