Double the fitness in half the time

For the tired, commuting professional, fitting in a workout at the end of a long day can be a tricky business. Very rarely is an hour just an hour and by the time you’ve factored in travel, changing and the inevitable need for something to eat, a simple workout can end up consuming a considerable amount of time.

But this gym-jam is exactly what the current crop of condensed workouts set out to save you from. Their aim is to allow you to do double the workout in half the time. Sounds tiring? It certainly is — but these high- intensity workouts cut down both your visits to and time spent in the gym, allowing you to get on with the rest of your day.

Reebok CrossFit

It was with trepidation that I approached the Reebok CrossFit gym, or “Box”, that had been unpacked next to Tower Bridge. The turbo-charged advert currently showing on TV, with its cast of alpha athletes, hadn’t exactly filled me with confidence.

The CrossFit method focuses on vigorous, intense workouts that take up no more than 20 minutes. Mine lasted for just 10, and involved a combination of burpees, squats, press-ups and sit-ups.

CrossFit’s speciality, though, is “not specialising”. Each WOD (workout of the day) is different and scaled to your level of fitness, so one day you might be doing weightlifting, the following day gymnastics, the next rowing. All in short, sharp bursts.

The workout style is a backlash against the solitary “headphones” gym experience. We were split into teams, and no one could move on to the next exercise until the last person in their team had finished. Intended to foster competition, as well as supportiveness between team members, at times it felt rather like an over-zealous PE lesson.

However, to feel like your whole body has been exercised in such a short time is remarkable. This is a class for people who want to feel the burn, in the most efficient way possible. And don’t be put off by the advert. This workout is for everyone.

Classes available across London. For full information, visit crossfitlondonuk.com

The Third Space — Half Grand

A shorter version of the Third Space’s popular Grand Circuits, which calls for 1,000 reps in 45 minutes, the Half Grand crams in 500 reps into 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a high-intensity lunchtime workout, this could well be it.

The training style focuses on exerting the maximum amount of effort in the minimal amount of time. Explosive exercises such as squat jumps and crunches are built into the workout, and all levels of fitness can be accommodated.

In keeping with The Third Space’s overall fitness ethos, this workout

is intended to make you stronger

for life, rather than just for a

specific sport.

The Third Space, 13 Sherwood Rd, W1, 020 7439 6333, Tue 1–1.30pm.

FitRooms — Ridiculous

This ultra-intense class is not for the faint-hearted; just to take part you’ve got to pass a fitness test.

Aimed at those in pretty good shape, this hardcore group workout burns around 1,000 calories in an hour. Five-minute workouts are broken up with 15-second breaks, so there’s not much time to catch your breath. For those looking for something a bit more competitive and meatier than your average workout, though, this is it.

The Ridiculous (real name) tends to be populated by red-blooded males who enjoy its extreme nature — but anyone with high fitness levels can take part.