Barry's - St Paul's

Barry's - St Paul's

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 St Paul's Score Overall?

The full client experience at Barry's St Pauls was impressive, achieving The Fit Guide Award Of Excellence.

The class was also excellent and has achieved our Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The Highlights

The studio felt polished and welcoming, with clean spaces, branded details, and a fresh atmosphere that set the tone for the visit.

The class energy, music, and smooth flow made the session feel fun, inclusive, and easy to follow from start to finish.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“The whole visit felt seamless—everything was easy, from booking online to finding my way around the studio.”

“I left feeling energised and like I’d been part of something fun, not just another workout.”

“The studio had the right balance between busy and comfortable. It never felt cramped, even with a full class.”

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 the club to get prepared for class, the experience was quick and efficient. Although there was no attempt to personalise the interaction, the class details and facilities were described clearly.

On arrival, our first impression was mixed. While registration was completed quickly in a tidy reception area, the welcome felt a little underwhelming, as the receptionist was initially distracted and didn’t acknowledge us right away. An orientation was given, but it was basic and didn’t go beyond pointing out the changing rooms and studio.

When it came time to leave, there was no enquiry about how we’d enjoyed the class, and the conversation ended without any real effort to encourage us to book in for another class. The experience was polite but transactional.

The Class Experience

Barry's St Paul's has received The Fit Guide Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The class kicked off on a strong note, with the coach arriving early and clearly well-prepared. First-timers were acknowledged, with some basic questions asked to gauge experience levels. The music added good energy to the room and we found the instructions for most exercises to be clear and easy to follow. Regressions and progressions were highlighted to cater for different abilities.

As the session unfolded, the structure kept things flowing smoothly, with defined breaks and an overall good rhythm. While the coach checked in on injuries and offered group-level guidance, there were moments where certain bench exercises could have been demonstrated more clearly, and there weren’t consistent individual adjustments to form throughout. That said, the coach struck a good balance – motivating without pushing too hard and ensuring the atmosphere stayed positive.

The class wrapped up with a clear cooldown that brought the intensity down in a calm, professional way. A quick follow-up after class to see how things went was a nice touch, although we didn't really feel a strong sense of wider community in the room. Overall, it was an enjoyable and well-run class that left us feeling accomplished and energised.

The Equipment And Studio

The classic red room studio left a strong impression, with a high-energy design that matched the brand’s bold reputation. Both the strength and cardio equipment were spotless, in top condition, and from trusted professional brands like Woodway, with logos and brand colors tying everything neatly to the Barry’s identity. Everything was well-organized and fully stocked.

The training space itself felt fresh and comfortable, with enough room to move safely during the class. Red lighting, signature branding, and a sleek layout brought the Barry’s aesthetic to life, while the kicking sound system kept the energy high throughout the session.

While there were a few scuffs on the floor and walls, they didn’t detract from the overall impact. The setup, equipment quality, and branded environment created a premium workout space that felt polished from start to finish.

The Facilities And Public Areas

The public areas at Barry’s St. Paul’s made a strong impression from the moment of arrival, with bold lighting, signage, and design elements that reflected the brand’s signature look. The atmosphere throughout the club felt fresh and polished. Branded workout attire was available to purchase, and the layout made it easy to find your way around.

The changing rooms, grooming spaces, and bathrooms were generally well-presented, with clean towels provided free of charge and plenty of amenities like deodorant, hair spray, and cotton buds. There were some small signs of wear, but these didn’t really detract from our overall impression.

Extra touches, like the smoothie bar, free water refill station, and branded beverages for purchase, were cool additions.

Digital And Technology

Booking a class at Barry’s St. Paul’s was smooth and straightforward. The website was polished and easy to navigate, with clear instructions for purchasing single sessions or packages, and a functional booking system that worked without glitches. While the booking confirmation email explained the cancellation policy well, it could have gone further in helping first timers feel fully prepared by including more arrival guidance.

The website looked and felt professional, with sharp branding and upbeat copy that captured the energy of the brand. Social media pages were updated regularly and reflected the Barry’s vibe perfectly, though the lack of a class schedule link on Instagram was a minor gap.

Overall, the digital journey was on-brand, making it easy to get excited for our first class.

Pricing

Barry's St Paul's offers an introductory deal for first-time clients. Newcomers can enjoy their first three sessions for only £50.

If you’re looking for a longer-term commitment, memberships are available from £160 for eight classes per month up to £355 for 30 monthly classes.

Drop-in sessions are available at £26 per class, with smaller commitment packages also available, starting at a five-pack for £125.

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