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No matter how aesthetic the reformer class is, or how oversubscribed the bootcamp session is, I’m still going to dread it. Of course, I’ve never actually regretted working out; endorphins are very real, but what can make me rethink an early wake-up call is the state of the changing rooms. Especially if it’s a luxury gym, the likes of which are springing up one a penny across the capital.
I don’t even hate to admit it: slathering myself in santal-scented body butters and drying my hair in seconds with the GHD Speed makes running to my first meeting of the day worth it. Bonus points if the gym is so luxe that I can show up empty-handed, without any of my beauty essentials in tow, right down to my cleanser, dry shampoo and deodorant.
It’s not just me who takes this seriously; if we’re paying top dollar, we expect our beauty routines to be locked down, too. Equinox made the news when, after just one year, it swapped out Grown Alchemist, which provided its hair, body and face products, for cult New York brand Le Labo. The choice to switch to Grown Alchemist in the first place was a big deal for its patrons after 13 years with Kiehl’s—some even went so far as to cancel their memberships.
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Fashion PR Enrique Soza pays over £250 a month for his Third Space membership. “I can’t afford it at all,” he tells Who What Wear UK, “but having Cowshed products makes a difference. Good-quality body wash, shampoo and conditioner are a must. It’s always good to see premium haircare, and I’d also like to see some skincare included in the price. The reality is, if they’re cutting back on consumables, they’re probably cutting back in other areas. Beauty products might seem like a small detail, but they’re an indication of the overall standard. No one wants to use a communal bottle of Lynx Africa.”
Other gym-goers tell me that they opt for more expensive establishments simply because of the beauty offering. “I go to Psycle more than anywhere else because I think they invest in us by giving us nice products,” says one, whilst another adds: “I’m less likely to want to use the showers if I know the hair products will dry me out, or, god forbid, they have a 3-in-1 hair, face and body wash. [When] I spot Aesop by the sink, we’re in for a good time. Same goes for Dyson.”
So, in the name of journalism, I visited the most esteemed and exclusive gyms in London to get to the lowdown on their beauty offering. Here are the establishments where you can get a sweat on without towing over half your bathroom cabinet. It makes that monthly charge just that bit sweeter.
1. Third Space
Across its 15 gyms in London (a dozen of which boast pools), Third Space offers everything from reformer pilates, barre and yoga to HIIT, weightlifting, boxing, HYROX and cycling.
(Image credit: Third Space)
How Is the Beauty Selection?
The amenities at Third Space aren’t to be scoffed at. They start off strong with chilled eucalyptus face towels, perfect for wicking away any sweat after your spin class. Then it’s straight into the shower with a selection of Cowshed products; there’s shampoo and conditioner (which either come in their soften or boost ranges, depending on your location), and their body wash.
If you have any make-up that still needs removing, there’s Garnier Micellar Water and then Cowshed’s Essential Daily Moisturiser, which is suitable for all skin types. Pair that with their deodorant, the Ineos Skin Science Aerosol and Mist, and you’re nearly ready to go.
At all clubs you have GHD hair straighteners and curling wands, but at Group Plus Clubs, you’ll also have Dyson Airwraps and hair dryers. The product offering is excellent, though—it’s Arkive, formulated by London-based celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed. There’s The Prologue Hair Primer, The Mastery Liquid Hairspray, The Reset Dry Shampoo, The Veil Hairspray and The Good Calmer Moisture Cream.
Cowshed
Active Bath & Shower Gel
Arkive Headcare
The Veil Hairspray
Cowshed
Essential Daily Moisturiser
2. The Method
Perhaps the most beautiful studio I’ve ever stepped into, The Method in Notting Hill is more a curated lifestyle offering than a traditional gym. It has everything from dance cardio and reformer Pilates to strength training, sculpt, mobility, conditioning and HIIT. There’s also an on-site “Lab” for recovery, with sauna and cold-plunge contrast therapy, massages and an infrared lymphatic roller. End your visit in the members’ lounge and terrace before breezing out feeling a million bucks, smoothie in hand.
How Is the Beauty Selection?
The white, airy changing rooms are stocked with LA-born body-care brand Salt & Stone, known for its vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free formulas. Expect to find their Bergamot & Hinoki shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion in the giant shower pods, but not their famous aluminium-free deodorant. No, you’ll be using the Bionsen Dermoprotective Spray Deodorant (which luckily is also sans aluminium).
There’s also Bioderma Micellar Water, the GOAT that is Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo and Flex Hair Spray. Finish off your style with Cloud 9’s hairdryer and straighteners. Plus, there are Grace and Green period products.
Salt & Stone
Bergamot & Hinoki Body Wash
Living Proof
Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Bioderma
Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
3. Equinox
(Image credit: Equinox)
NY-born Equinox currently has three London clubs, offering a roster of classes spanning Pilates, yoga, barre, cycling, boxing, HIIT, strength training, running, dance and martial arts, alongside personal training, spa treatments, saunas and steam rooms. Whilst none of its London clubs has pools, E by Equinox St James’s takes a more personalised, performance-led approach, with everything from body-composition analysis and metabolic testing to physical therapy. There are also juice bars, a complimentary laundry valet, Hydrafacials, and of course, their signature eucalyptus-infused towels.
How Is the Beauty Selection?
You’ll find Equinox’s sleek, hotel-like changing rooms fully stocked with Le Labo’s Basil range, which spans shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, face cleanser, moisturiser and body and hand lotion. There’s also Curie’s Full Body Deodorant, which comes in an exclusive juniper eucalyptus scent to mimic the brand’s chilled eucalyptus towels. It’s aluminium-, paraben-, and baking-soda-free, to boot.
And they don’t skimp anywhere else; there are Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryers, and GHD styling tools, as well as combs, shaving kits, toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash, for all your hygiene needs.
LE LABO
Basil Conditioner
Dyson
Supersonic™ Hair Dryer
4. Surrenne
(Image credit: Surrenne)
If you want extreme luxury, it doesn’t get much better than Surrenne—an ultra-exclusive subterranean gym, longevity and wellness members’ club and spa in Belgravia. It houses the first-ever UK workout studio by celebrity trainer-to-the-stars Tracy Anderson, a wellness café menu curated by nutritionist Rosemary Ferguson, facials in collaboration with Stella McCartney’s sustainable skincare line, as well as FaceGym treatments. Spanning four levels and designed by Rémi Tessier, it even has a 22-metre underground lap pool with an underwater sound system. Oh, and there are robes designed by Temperley London.
How Is the Beauty Selection?
Surrenne’s changing rooms are mini design marvels, and their beauty offering is fittingly curated. They have their own hair, bath and body collection, Ascend, which has only just been made available to purchase online and in Maybourne hotels. They feature a distinctive scent, developed by neuroscientists to enhance mood and energy, whilst the formulas feature adaptogenic botanical blends.
They are also outfitted with Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryers and the brand’s Corale Hair Straighteners. Surrenne also provides additional products seasonally; right now, members can find the Density hair collection by Flora Lab Paris, and deodorant sprays from Weleda.
Claridge’s
Surrenne Ascend Body Lotion
FLORA LAB PARIS
Flora Lab Paris Serum N° 4 Densite
Weleda
Weleda Sage Deodorant
5. Psycle
(Image credit: Psycle)
Now with seven studios across the city, Psycle has moved the high-energy spin category into the boutique space, with additional classes offering everything from reformer, barre, strength and yoga to sculpting classes in an infrared-heated studio. Their cleated cycling shoes are always complimentary, and their Bank branch allows you to grab a recovery shake on the way out, courtesy of plant-based Energy Kitchen.
How Is the Beauty Selection?
Inside Psycle’s sleek changing rooms, you’ll find the algae bioscience bodycare brand Sachajuan, which provides its shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion and hand soap. Hairdryers and straighteners come courtesy of GHD, with diffusers available too. There’s also dry shampoo from Batiste, deodorant from Dove, feminine products, and of course, fluffy white towels.
Sachajuan
Intensive Repair Shampoo
Sachajuan
Intensive Repair Conditioner
GHD
Gold Hair Straightener
6. KXU
(Image credit: KXU)
When it opened in Chelsea, KXU brought the luxury members’ club premise to its city-dwelling, busy clientele by offering pay-as-you-go classes. There are 14 class concepts, spanning HIIT, strength, barre, spin, functional fitness, yoga, plus HYROX. There’s also a medi-spa focused on recovery, replete with an infrared sauna, as well as a fully stocked nutrition bar.
How Is the Beauty Selection?
KXU’s rose-gold lockers are speedy-access and boast phone chargers, so you can load up as you work out. After you’re done, head to their showers, which are kitted out with Aesop’s Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, as well as the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and Geranium Leaf Body Balm.
GHD Air Hairdryers, as well as the Classic Curl Tong, Classic Curl Wand, and the Platinum Professional Straightener. Plus, period care products and deodorants from Nivea.
Aesop
Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser
Aesop
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
