London In Lycra: October's Best Fitness Events

By Zoe Craig Last edited 100 months ago
London In Lycra: October's Best Fitness Events

Here's our pick of the best, unusual and unique ways to get a sweat on and move your body in London this month.

Wellness Week at Pop Brixton

Pop Brixton presents Wellness Week, getting a head start on the month by beginning in September. The day at Pop already begins with Yoga and Pilates classes from 7.30am daily, but this week there's a whole host of new classes. We like the sound of Voga on Tuesday morning (a mix of Yoga and vogueing, set to an iconic 80s beat); Rocket Yoga on Saturday (fast-paced flow yoga); and Project Yogi, a kids' yoga workshop, also on Saturday.
28 September-4 October, Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road. Prices start at £8

Macmillan Lido Challenge 2015

Take part in a 2k or a 5k relay swim, or go it alone in a 2k or 5k individual challenge. It's a tough event, not for novice swimmers, that'll see you doing 22 laps (or 56 laps for the 5k) of this 90 metre cold water pool.
3 October, Tooting Bec Lido, from 2pm, £20 entry fee

Mass Yin Yoga at Granary Square

This mass restorative yin yoga class in the massive Granary Square building is for a good cause: all money raised goes towards helping child refugees. Enjoy 60 minutes' stretching, relaxation and meditation before a good dose of refreshment at the newly opened Frame Kings Cross.
4 October, Central Saint Martins Granary Square Building, 5pm. £5

London Neon Glow Fun Run

Run on down to Mile End for an evening 3k with a colourful vibe, all in aid of RNIB. Run, walk or dance the 3k fun-run route, sprayed with glow water and lit with a UV backlight. Don't forget to wear white, although other fancy dress is encouraged. There'll be great tunes from the 80s, 90s and noughties to help you on your way.
9 October, Mile End Stadium, 7pm. Fundraise at least £25

Open Wheel Breakfast Ride

Once a month, The Open Wheel hosts a free 20 mile cycle ride in London. Suitable for all riding abilities, the rides are lead by the Open Wheel team. There is no timing equipment, no signage and no maps. The ride starts and finishes in Dalston, and there's the chance to have breakfast and a coffee when you're done.
10 October, meet at Gillet Square, Dalston at 7:50am for 8am start. Free

Royal Parks Half

Runners from last year's Royal Parks Half. Photo by Gary Etchell in the Londonist Flickrpool

Since starting in 2008, the Royal Parks Half has become a great fixture on London's running calendar. The stunning 13.1 mile route takes in loads of London's famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of the eight Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens. Unless you've already got a place for 2015 then you won't be able to run this year (register for 2016 here), but you should still pop down to Hyde Park on the day to cheer on this year's runners, and indulge in the Food and Fitness Festival that coincides with the race.
11 October, Hyde Park, 7.30am. Festival closes at 4pm

View From The Shard Yoga Class

Want to take part in London's highest yoga class? Of course you do. The weekly Yogasphere classes don't come cheap, but you get a goodie bag after the session, plus all those priceless, feel-good vibes. And Yogasphere plant 10 trees for every yoga class you do with them.
17 October (and all Saturdays), View From The Shard, 8.30am-9.30am. £40 advance booking, five class pass for £175

London Bridges Challenge

13 bridges, 10 miles and some brilliant views of London. This family-friendly fundraising walk starts at Chelsea football stadium, then winds through the heart of London and finally over Tower Bridge for the end celebrations.
11 October, Stamford Bridge. £5 for adults, under 12s go free

Fight Club

Fight Club is a boxing-based workout; you'll skip, shadowbox and punch your way through a challenging circuit-style workout, all at a secret studio in Shoreditch. Then you can indulge in a fresh and healthy post-workout meal.
23 October, secret location near Liverpool Street, 7.30pm-10pm. £35 (£30 early bird is already sold out)

Jekyll and Hyde Park Halloween Duathlon

Probably the only duathlon in the world where you risk a clash with Changing the Guard. The website warns if you're not starting your final bike lap by 9.25am, you'll be withdrawn from the race. So, it's 8am sharp for the 175 participants at the Hyde Park Bandstand for your initial 4.2k run followed by a swift 20.8k bike ride, then another 7.6k run. There are various prizes to be won, including for the best fancy dress.
25 October, Serpentine Road, Hyde Park. £32 (BTF licence) / £35 (unlicensed)

Apocalypse at Allianz Park

This year's Zombie Evacuation Race brings you an all-new Halloween 5k obstacle course race. Allianz Park, the home of the Saracens Rugby Team, is overrun by hundreds of zombies. Your mission is to make it out of there with your life tags still firmly attached to your belt. A fab combo of frights, fitness and fun. And if you're really up for a challenge, why not try the Dusk Til Dawn race on the same day: the last survivor standing wins a £200 prize.
31 October, Allianz Park, Greenlands Lane, Hendon. Various heats from 1.30pm onwards. Prices start at £29

Last Updated 02 November 2015