Best in class

We all know we need to do more strength work to support our running, and fitness classes may well offer an accessible route into your local gym. But there are so many to choose from, it’s hard to know where you start. We set out to investigate five of the best classes for runners, available at a gym near you

Words: Emma Sturgess

No runner can run on running alone – at least not for long. If you want jogging joy to last a lifetime, strength and conditioning is non-negotiable. Group classes can be a brilliant way to show up and build strength, and the UK’s big gym chains have hundreds of options between them, from punchbags in darkened rooms to mighty sled pushes and good old-fashioned squat reps.

To find the best, we asked some of the Women’s Running Pod Squad – never ones to shy away from cross-training, let alone the opportunity to build bigger behinds – to try out the classes that are recommended for runners by some of the nation’s gyms.

Hyrox is hugely popular at the moment and a great way to work your whole body in a fun and energetic environment

The Gym Group

thegymgroup.com

Class Hyrox Power Location London Wood Green, The Mall Tester Evelyn

Who’s it for?

Everyone, although knowing how to use the different machines is an advantage.

Cost/availability of classes

Memberships at this branch are from £23.99 a month and there are four different Hyrox classes, available multiple times a week.

What they say

Unleash your strength with Hyrox Power! This class emphasises the strength and functional movements vital for Hyrox performance. You’ll focus on developing power, stability and muscle endurance through targeted strength training exercises.

What was the class like?

In a class of 17, we worked through the different Hyrox exercises with a partner, which gave me the accountability to keep going. The focus is on technique first, so you can choose to work with whatever weight you need to. On the sledge, I was ambitious and went with 15kg (much harder than it looked), while the person next to me had no extra weight, and someone else took on a whopping 45kg. It’s easy to see how you’d progress over time. I’ve never done so many squats without giving up. Here, I was too busy throwing a large ball high at the wall 15 times while squatting to think of stopping before the alarm rang to signify the end of that exercise!