METABOLIC LONDON REVIEW
Where: Greater London House
Hampstead Rd
London NW1 7QX
Closest Tube: Mornington Crescent
Website: www.metaboliclondon.com
Intro Offer: 50% OFF MY FIRST CLASS
Changing Facilities: 5/5
Rating: 5/5
I had heard about this new workout space that has popped up near Mornington Crescent, and they have a signature workout ‘METAROW’ and how DISGUSTINGLY BRUTAL it is. So, with that in mind, I had to check it out…I mean who doesn’t want to leave a workout feeling absolutely destroyed in the best way possible.
Now being a North Londoner I am always excited when I hear of amazing things happening North because I often feel like we are forgotten sometimes. I may be wrong and just haven’t discovered enough hidden gems but who knows. When I realised just how easy it was for me to get to Metabolic I was already a happy man, it meant I could get a lay in…well, when I say lay in it means a 5:45 am wake up instead of the usual 4:30 am alarm.
The gym itself is located a two-minute walk from Mornington Crescent, in the basement of the ASOS head offices, which means you see some interesting fashion choices on the way in/out of your workout. The workout space is so spacious with massive paned windows letting the sunlight flood in, now I would describe the setup as BULLSHIT FREE, no fancy PA no disco lights, just a no-frills approach. Now the workout equipment is top notch, with the bonus for me of ropes so we can smash out a rope climb. Everybody loves to climb a rope no?
Before I move onto the workout, let me just describe Laurence who is the man behind Metabolic and indeed Metarow. If you would describe his gym as BULLSHIT free, then you would know he styled it on himself. He is genuinely one of the nicest, friendliest and caring people I have met in the industry, and he is one of the main reasons I head back there so much. When someone tells you to push harder and dig deeper you naturally will do it, when Laurence tells you to push harder and dig deeper you do it because you don’t want to let him down. Because he cares!!
So, the workout consists of:
?4:00m ROW
?4-minute AMRAP
10 x KB swings
10 x squats
10 x kneel downs
REPEAT TWICE
?5:00m ROW
?5:00m AMRAP
10 x slam balls
10 x press ups
10 x burpees
The only thing that changes is the AMRAP part, which keeps it fresh and keeps you on your toes as it were. There has been a recent addition though, in the form of a leaderboard for the distance set on the final 5:00m row. This has added a new dimension to an already brutal workout, meaning if like me you have a DO or DIE attitude, where you empty the tank and go full idiot mode. When that last row is over you fall off the erg, onto the floor and try to breathe. Every week you try to beat yourself, better your previous week’s score and hope to place on the board.
One word of warning about METAROW though, you WILL end up hungry for the whole day! The struggle is real….
