Best x3 Outdoor Gyms in London

London's indoor fitness scene knows no bounds, with high-end gyms offering the latest and greatest in biohacking, anti-ageing and forensic personalised programs. But like the best things in life, a healthy lifestyle is a choice and movement is free.

In a city of 9.1 million people, London boasts nearly 3000 parks and communal spaces, where some can-do attitude is mostly what's required to improve your flexibility, strength and cardio. 

Admittedly outdoors at this time of year, the British weather can be an impediment to our best intentions and February has been a washout. 

However those days are numbered, the light is returning, the flowers are up and nothing is more motivating than spring.

All around London these green spaces include access to bars, blocks, handles, hurdles, frames and stations, for an array of bodyweight exercises.

My number one is Trim Trail, located in Primrose Hill - nearest tube: Chalk Farm

I counted 17 different pieces of equipment all mounted on impact-absorbing flooring, located within the exercise arena, surrounded by hedging. 

At the time of visiting most of the equipment was being used as a seat by some French children having their lunch, while on a trip to London zoo, which is literally across Prince Albert Road. If you're lucky you might see some monkeys swinging from their bars while you consider what it'd be like to do the same.  

Trim trails is at the bottom of Primrose Hill, a park famed for its 64 meter high summit with a protected panoramic view of London's skyline. You can add some lung-busting cardio to your visit, with a sprint up to the top (or jog!), and if you're feeling like no challenge is too much, a burpee broad jump from bottom-to-top ought to scratch an itch. Warning - it may be more than the 80m distance that Hyrox requires!

Also to add that the Regents park outdoor running track is about 30secs jog away, which is one-of-a-kind. It measures an olde distance of 423 yards (approx. 386.8 m) and is a cinder track with very long straights and extremely tight bends. The spring flowers are already up at the East end. 

Number two is Paddington Recreation Ground in Maida Vale - nearest tube: Maida Vale

This centre of recreational excellence has almost everything, including an iconic blue, 400m olympic running track - free to use.

Inside the track there are 2-3 separate calisthenic sections, with frames, pull-up bars, dip bars, handles and hurdles, all installed on the same spongey, rubbery running surface, designed for shock absorption and energy return.

On a nice warm day or at a weekend, this place is humming with energy and activity. 

The broader grounds offer a cricket pitch at the centre of the park with four nets in which to practice, an outdoor bowling green and a multi-use tarmac court (mainly tennis), and a full-sized 3G artificial football pitch.

I am going to admit bias here, as I was a resident of W10 and trained here often. But in terms of sporting amenities within a concentrated space, available for everyone and anyone - this place is seriously cool.

Historical fact: Paddington Recreation Ground was the earliest public athletic ground of its kind in London. It was first used for recreational purposes in 1860 when the local church laid down a cricket pitch for the parish community to share.

Number three is a 'Steel Warriors' outdoor gym in Ruskin Park, in Lambeth - nearest station (overground): Denmark Hill 

Since 2019, there has been an excellent calisthenics-focused gym, with heavy steel bars that don't move if you load them up, many differing levels of bars and plenty of space to run a full strength session including pull-ups, dips and muscle ups.

The gym is free to use and Steel Warriors also offer free classes for all abilities - love that and love their involvement in the community. 

Always such a good mix of athletes here, with terrific energy, which helps everyone fit right in. You'll also see some of the most impressive bodyweight movements here!

If you don't want just calisthenics, Ruskin park is a decent 2km lap to run and includes a basketball court, table tennis table, football and cricket pitches on the grass, plus an all-weather pitch.