Ever wondered why some young Londoners would rather splash £10,000 on a gym than on nights out or holidays? Welcome to the wild world of luxury fitness, where the line between spa retreat and workout is seriously blurred.

Meet Owen Willis, a 23-year-old marketing professional whose day doesn’t truly start until he steps into his gym—though, calling it a ‘gym’ is like calling Buckingham Palace a ‘house.’ Owen’s morning ritual includes a private shower room filled with lavender and eucalyptus scents, a £32 bottle of Cowshed body wash, and fluffy white towels that make home feel like a distant memory. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t at his flat; it’s at Third Space, a London chain of ‘luxury health clubs’ where memberships kick off at £230 a month and soar to £305 for access to all their chic branches—think Himalayan sea-salt walled saunas and UV-fresh air. Willis spends about 22 hours a week at Third Space, calling it his ‘second home’—one that gobbles up 10% of his income. He’s not alone. More and more Gen Z Brits (ages 13-28) are making gyms a budget priority. A recent survey found over a quarter of young adults deem gym memberships essential, ditching nights out for ‘wellness’ and spa-like amenities. Another poll reveals 22% of 18-24 year-olds spend more than £50 a month on fitness, with nearly a fifth prioritizing their health over clubbing and eating out.

Owen’s gym escape isn’t just about biceps—it's his ticket away from stress at home, including dodgy flatshares with limescale-ridden showers and mouse infestations. At Third Space, the concierge knows his name and hands him a fresh towel. ‘If they knew how my apartment looked, they’d probably cancel my membership,’ he jokes. The gyms themselves are decked out with everything: irons, starch spray, even dry-cleaning. Owen has slashed costs by using the club’s high-end toiletries and facilities, sometimes skipping showers at home for weeks.

This AI generated newscast about luxury gyms reveals that the trend is booming. Third Space has grown from a single club in 2001 to 13 in 2025, with consumer spending up 41% in just one year. And they’re not alone. David Lloyd clubs, with memberships at £150+ monthly, are also seeing record numbers. Gen Z is driving this fitness revolution, according to UKActive—making luxury gyms one of the biggest winners of the wellness era.

These gyms have gone full-on luxury: at Lanserhof in Mayfair, it’s £6,500 a year; at Surrenne in Belgravia, you’ll pay £10,000 plus a £5,000 joining fee—and that gets you ‘a new paradigm for wellbeing’ and oxygen-enriched air. Even outside London, clubs like CPASE in Cheshire offer ‘revolutionary fitness playgrounds’ for nearly £4,000 a year. At Cliveden House, the historic manor, annual gym memberships nudge £6,000.

This AI generated newscast about luxury gyms wouldn’t be complete without the people whose lives have been changed. Niyi Akinseye, who started hitting the gym as a self-conscious teen, has found not just fitness, but a career path as a coach and a whole new social life. For Niyi, spending £250 a month is an investment in health and community—and he says the gym’s ‘therapy’ helps him tackle the unpredictable world young people face. Similarly, Nishka Parekh, a London marketing manager, spends £75 a month on pilates and classes, finding that group workouts are a healthier alternative to traditional socializing. She says her mental health gets a major boost from fitness, especially after rough days at work.

Luxury gyms are shifting away from the old ‘sweatbox’ stereotype. Now, they want you to linger: Third Space CEO Colin Waggett says he aims to recreate boutique hotel vibes, not just gyms. Think workspaces, cafes, wellness centers, and, yes, botox and lymphatic drainage massages. David Lloyd has invested £500 million to build spa retreats and co-working spaces so members can blend ‘me-time, together-time, work, rest, and playtime’—all under one very fancy roof.

For loyalists like Owen, the idea of downgrading to a regular gym is unthinkable. ‘I’d probably go once, say I don’t want to stay here anymore, and leave,’ he laughs. The luxury fitness craze is here—and for young Brits, these swanky gyms are more than a flex. They’re a lifeline, a community, and a sanctuary from the chaos of everyday life.