Joining a gym is undoubtedly a rewarding investment. It can help with physical and mental wellness and forces you to take time to care for yourself. There are a number of things to consider before you commit to a gym. I have been to a number around Holborn, all of which offer benefits and have different conveniences.

The first to consider is the LSESU gym. Located right on campus, where you are likely to be anyway, there is no time lost of travel. You can go as soon as you arrive and utilise the gym showers, at the end of the day, or even between classes if you have some time to spare. Like many student gyms, the gym is less overwhelming than many public gyms, as it is slightly smaller and a bit quieter. It still has a full range of machines and equipment, and is spread across multiple floors. The gym is more affordable than many of the chain gyms. Throughout the year, different offers come out to make it a bit more accessible.

In the past, I have used the UCLSU student gym, Bloomsbury Fitness. While it is on the smaller side, it still has a number of rooms and again is less intimidating. The gym is located right beside the UCL library in Bloomsbury. I have found this to be convenient: as an LSE student, you can use the UCL library, meaning you can combine your trip to achieve two things at once. Again, great for saving time. As a student gym, it is more affordable than many.

It is also worth recommending some of the larger gym chains. The chains tend to have their gyms in ideal locations for students living across London. A benefit of attending one of these means that you can continue going when home from university too, as it is likely that your home town has a branch. It is also advantageous if you are commuting from further out, as you have the flexibility to go to the gym when you are around the Holborn campus during the day, as well as the early mornings and evenings when you are home. I would recommend the Gym Group, as they offer a 9-month student deal.

If the gym does not appeal to you, a good alternative is signing up to Parkrun. These are completely free and are located across the city. Alternatively, if you want to get back into exercise after time away from it, Couch to 5km is a great way to rebuild a manageable exercise routine. LSE running groups and other sports clubs allow you to exercise in a more social way too.

Overall, when choosing a gym, make sure to factor in its proximity to campus, your job, your accommodation as well as the price. Gyms can be intimidating and its important to find where you feel comfortable and secure.