Barry's - London Central

Item: Barry's - London Central
Rating: 5
Author: The Fit Guide

London, UK

The Barry's Story

Barry’s proudly proclaims their cardio and strength hybrid training to be the ‘best workout in the world’, and have built a large and loyal global following.

Founded in 1998 in Los Angeles by Barry Jay, Barry’s became a pioneer of the boutique fitness scene and one of its most recognized brands.

After steady growth during its first decade, Barry’s opened its first international location in Norway in 2011, followed by London two years later. There are currently seven locations in London, with one location each in Manchester and Liverpool.

The famous ‘red room’ has since expanded to over 70 locations across the globe in 14 countries including Singapore, Australia, UAE, Qatar, as well as other regions in Europe.

The company is now headed by former Barry’s instructor Joey Gonzalez, who is overseeing their further expansion with a mix of franchise and corporate-owned locations.

How Did Barry's Central Score Overall?

The full client experience at Barry’s London Central was excellent, achieving The Fit Guide Award Of Excellence.

The Class Experience was also impressive and has received The Fit Guide Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The Highlights

The iconic red room atmosphere and upbeat energy made the class experience a real highlight.

The club had a sleek, high-end look with playful, personal touches.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“The class flew by—I couldn’t believe it was an hour long.”

“I loved the little details around the club, like the puppy photo wall.”

“The energy in the room was electric, and it pushed me to give it everything I had.”

What To Expect From A Barry's Session

Try a session in the famous ‘red room’ and you’ll see it’s so much more than treadmill running and weights. The red light, the pumping music, and the strong presence of the instructors all come together to create one of the most memorable experiences in fitness.

Offering both 50 and 60-minute sessions, a typical Barry’s class involves coach-led treadmill running alternating with dumbbell and bodyweight strength work on “the floor”.

Each day’s strength work has a different focus, with some days serving up ‘Full Body’ strength and others focusing on specific areas such as ‘Chest, Back and Abs’ and ‘Abs and Ass’. For those that prefer strength work, Barry’s offers the ‘double floor’ option, which skips the treadmill and doubles up on the weights.

The Reception Service

When we called Barry’s London Central the staff member was polite and knowledgeable about the classes, even asking what time we’d like to train. More warmth during the call would have helped us feel a little more comfortable about our first visit.

On arrival, the welcome was efficient and we were offered a simple orientation. The process was smooth and unrushed, but the interaction felt procedural.

After the class, we weren’t asked how the session went and no effort was made to encourage us to return. The experience was polite, but lacked spark or personality.

The Class Experience

The Class Experience was impressive and has received The Fit Guide Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The class at Barry’s London Central was a high-energy and engaging experience that left us feeling buzzed and motivated. Right from the start, our coach made a great first impression by greeting first-timers, clearly explaining the format, and giving a reassuring “don’t worry, the hour will fly by” message that instantly put us at ease.

Energy remained high throughout the session. The coach offered clear instructions, injury checks, and progressions for those who fancied an extra challenge. The music added to the fun, keeping the atmosphere lively and upbeat, although at times it was so loud that it was a little tricky to hear cues. Despite this, the class flowed smoothly, and the coach stayed attentive, moving around the room to assist if needed.

While there wasn’t much effort to build a sense of wider community, the mix of clear coaching, fun music, and upbeat energy made the experience a real highlight.

The Equipment And Studio

The studio space at Barry’s London Central delivered exactly what you’d expect from the brand. All the equipment, from the Barry’s-branded dumbbells to the Woodway treadmills, was in top condition, with enough range to cater for everyone from beginners to hardcore regulars.

The “red room” setup brought the signature Barry’s vibe, with red lighting and branded touches throughout, creating an intense but motivating workout atmosphere. The space felt comfortable and safe to move around in, with everything well-organised and fully stocked, so no one was left scrambling for the right weights.

The Facilities And Public Areas

Barry’s London Central brought a big dose of energy to its high-end style. Pride flags, glitter balls and even a “puppy corner” with staff dog photos gave the space personality, while exposed brick and steel piping kept it looking on-brand. Everything felt professional, from the reception setup to the waiting area, which had enough space and seating to make pre-class time comfortable.

The changing rooms were generous in size and well-kept, with free shower and workout towels, tidy amenities, and even straighteners provided. There were a few small signs of wear and tear, but nothing that disrupted the overall polished look.

Showers were plentiful with hot water and strong pressure, and the club nailed the little touches, like neatly rolled towels and branded drinks for sale. A smoothie bar was present but unstaffed during our visit.

Digital And Technology

We found Barry’s London Central’s website to be easy to navigate, with bookings simple to make and payments quick and secure. The tone felt on-brand and inclusive, with fun touches like, “Barry’s isn’t a fitness trend. It’s science, and it works.”

The branded app worked well overall. Social media pages were active and true to the Barry’s vibe, but they lacked branch-specific accounts and didn’t link directly to class schedules.