London's top health clubs

Membership fees:
Currently running a joining fee special offer of £50, then £70 monthly (peak), £62pp for couples. ACE membership (including tennis) £89 monthly, £77pp for couples. Off-peak also available.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, Aerobic, dance classes; steam room, sauna, swimming pool; three indoor and one outdoor tennis courts.

Not included:
Personal training, swimming lessons, beauty and holistic treatments.

Children?:
Free creche, pool-use, supervised play area and specially equipped kids' gym.

Pool:
20 metres

Our Opinion:
Great for design-conscious families - the decor is a delight, as are the facilities.

KX Gym UK, 151 Draycott Avenue, SW3 (020 7584 5333)

Membership fees:
Joining fee £250-£1,000 depending on use. Annual subscription £1,000 to £2,000, slightly reduced for couples. No off-peak membership available.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes with a wide range of kick-boxing / martial arts classes, including the Brazilian martial art Capoiera; plunge pools, boxing ring.

Not included:
Holistic therapies and personal training.

Children?:
None - over-21s only.

Pool:
No pool.

Our Opinion:
Perfect for well-heeled Chelsea singles and couples looking for a truly luxurious environment.

The Third Space, 13 Sherwood Street, W1 (020 7439 6333)

Membership fees:
Joining fee £250, membership fees £990,annual or £99 monthly. No off-peak membership.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes, as well as martial arts Eskrima and Wing Chung. Competition-sized boxing ring, oxygen reduced running chamber, 75m white-knuckle climbing wall, pool, spas, sauna, steam room.

Not included:
Holistic medical treatments (but you do get one free consultation if you join before the end of June).

Children?:
None, children are not accepted.

Pool:
20 metres

Our Opinion:
Cutting-edge cool that will satisfy the most hyperactive fitness fanatic with its dedication to finding the latest classes.

Homes Place Moorgate, 33 Bunhill Row, EC1 (020 7448 5454)

Membership fees:
Joining fee £150-£300. Monthly membership fee £49-£90. Seasonal offers, corporate rates and off-peak available.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes (including exclusive New York City Ballet).

Not included:
Beauty treatments, sunbeds, two squash courts (£5 court hire).

Children?:
No creche but Saturday-morning children's swim with activities for kids and parents.

Pool:
25 metres

Our Opinion:
Reasonably priced with luxury surroundings; their nod to children on Saturdays is a nice touch.

David Lloyd Leisure Finchley, Leisure Way, High Road, Finchley N12, (020 8446 8704)

Membership fees:
Joining fee £200 single, £150pp couple, £300 family. Monthly subscription fees £95 single, £131 family. Off-peak available.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes; spa, sauna and steam room.

Not included:
Health and beauty treatments, tennis court hire, tennis and swimming lessons, creche and nursery.

Children?:
Creche (£2.50 per hour) at Busy Bees pre-school nursery - £700 per month. Kids' activities also include summer camps, supervised cardio workouts, weight management.

Pool:
Outdoor is 25 metres, indoor is 25 metres.

Our Opinion:
Although traditionally orientated around David Lloyd's tennis reputation, these days his clubs concentrate equally on general health and fitness.

Virgin Active West London, 23 Bromyard Avenue, W3 (0845 130 9111)

Membership fees:
Opens on July 12. Joining fee £5 to £25. Membership £45-£85 a month. No joint memberships. Off-peak available.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes; spa with hyrdro poool, sauna, steam room, football pitch, netball court, cricket pitch, igloo.

Not included:
Beauty and holistic 'Living River Therapies.'

Children?:
Full Kidsville World play centre for children from three months. Three-storey play area, swimming pool, arts and crafts, movie den and fitness classes.

Pool:
25 metres

Our Opinion:
Brilliant for families and great value, particularly as joining fee is so low.

Balham Leisure Centre, Elmfield Road, SW17 (020 8772 9577)

Membership fees:
No joining fee. All inclusive membership fee £41 per month, £451 per year. For couples £77 monthly, £847 annually.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes; swimming pool, sauna and steam room, free use of facilities at other leisure centres in the area.

Not included:
Sunbeds, four squash courts. No beauty salon.

Children?:
Fun-House Club drop-in centre with bouncy castle, arts and crafts etc. Costs £2.95 per hour; use of swimming pool.

Pool:
25 metres

Our Opinion:
A great example of how a local leisure centre can give private ones a run for their money. Great facilities and atmosphere.

Harbour Club, Watermeadow Lane, SW6. (020 7371 7700)

Membership Fees:
Joining fee £2,900; membership fee £152 per month, £266 for a couple. Off-peak membership available.

What you get:
Full range of holistic, aerobic and dance classes; tennis, real tennis, spa, sauna, steam room, creche.

Not included:
Exclusive 'Bolshoi Body Fitness' course, beauty and holistic treatments, medical treatments such as physiotherapy.

Children?
Classes (including children's yoga and swimming), tennis, waterfall splash pool for under-threes, Harbour Active room for arts and crafts.

Pool:
25 metres

Our Opinion:
A fabulous club but expensive. Great for moneyed Chelsea families, ladies who lunch and children who expect non-stop action.