The Clubs Behind The London Sports & Wellbeing Revolution
Who's running up that hill?
Beyond London’s #RunTok boom, a fresh wave of swimming, climbing, camping, walking, and yoga groups continue to pop up in every corner of the city. For most, it’s about rediscovering the feeling of community; one that doesn’t have to rely on alcohol to be socially successful. They’re challenging the notion that improving your health has to come at a cost. What’s emerging is a wellbeing revolution that’s distinctly London in its diversity, creativity, and resilience.
As locals ourselves, we can’t help but talk about some of our favourites — gatekeeping is not our style. So, if you’re tired of the same-old solo self-care routine, why not try something a little different? Whether you just want a breath of fresh air (literally) or are looking to totally reinvent yourself, everything’s possible in the creative playground that is London. You just need to know where to look.
Friday Night Lights
Self-described as the city’s healthiest night out, nowhere quite captures the zeitgeist of London’s millennial and Gen X population quite like run-come-party club Friday Night Lights. Stampeding along Southwark, brandishing glow-sticks and coloured smoke grenades, the impossible-to-miss parade brings bundles of energy to London’s streets; the likes of which rivals anything you’d find in the clubs of Soho or Shoreditch. There’s a big festival energy about it. You won’t find any talk of PBs, marathon training, or medals here. You’ll come, run, have a blast with your mates, and leave all the happier.
Kez Camps Black Camping Club
Your Oyster card won’t help you here, but knowledge of how to shuck one might just come in handy. This London-born movement of Black and brown nature lovers (allies welcome too) meet once a year on the stunning Dorset coast for a good romp in the great outdoors and to celebrate all-things Afrocentric.
“I find that people often avoid camping, because they’re like, OK, well, there’s no one out there that looks like me. Or even if I’m feeling really ballsy and I’m going to go, I don’t want to go alone. I want to go with other people in the community. I want to feel safe, seen and heard,” founder Kez explains, reflecting on the barriers that have historically kept many Black Londoners from exploring beyond the city limits. “There’s a vivid felt sense of being othered within British landscape, so having the club has been essential in being able to take up space.”
"It's grown to we're having like 70, 80 people every time. Half the time I don't know who these people are. And I'm like, what on earth have I given birth to? But it's just nice to see people enjoy themselves."
The four-day retreat is as much an escape from city life as it is a cultural celebration. “Last year someone brought their guitar along, and so one night we had a whole choir situation going on.” Kez recalls from the last gathering. Still, being from London, there are naturally home comforts to be found with each excursion: food trucks, hot showers, and — most importantly — proper toilets.
Beyond the practicalities though, it’s about nourishing the body and soul. As a trauma psychotherapist, Kez understands this better than anyone. “Black stories are power: they’re really interesting and really important. It’s what defines us as individuals, as a collective, as cultures, as groups, as a diaspora”. It’s a place to unplug, watch sunrises and heal “on a somatic level.”
Les Run
We’re confident in saying FLINTA-friendly Les Run is the only group in London where post-run conversations include “I’ll bring you some plant cuttings for next week” and “I went on a first date last night and I’m already in love with her”. Founded by two long-time friends, brought together by their love for fitness, this weekly get-together puts community first and running second. Weekend outings typically start in the East End at all-day café and social space Knees Up, while post-work get-togethers stay closer to the city’s traditions: pubs, pints and a good natter.
Even as one of the scene’s relative newcomers, they’ve quickly garnered a 3,000-strong following and carved out a niche for the capital’s queer community. “Sports and wellness have always been a big part of our lives and so we wanted to create a space that puts queer women, trans and nonbinary individuals at the forefront” founders Phoebe and Robyn explain. “Running seemed like a good way to start this”. A quick two-minute scroll through their Instagram and TikTok confirms their popularity; collabs with Dykes Who Hike and Set Piece Social helping spread the word. It’s truly a 2025 take on wellbeing: a ‘come for the Sunday 5k, stay for the drinks, dancing and community building’ kind-of attitude.
TrackMafia
This Maida Vale-based run club is for those who feel the need — the need for speed. Come rain, hail or shine (and this is London remember, so we get it all), their free weekly meets are all about the friendly competition that comes with smashing PBs, personal or otherwise. Naturally, they call the 400m track at Paddington Recreation Ground home: the only fair place to measure, set and better records. From first-time sprinters to seasoned long-distance runners, this grassroots collective breaks down barriers to elite-style training, proving that speed work isn’t just for professional athletes.
“So many women live isolated because they don’t have a platform to meet people with the same interests. We're doing our best to fight that by creating a safe, welcoming and diverse community"
Athene Club
In a word: trailblazing. Born from lockdown isolation, Athene Club has been leading a quiet revolution in London’s outdoor scene, challenging its traditionally white, male, middle-class dominance.
Hosting everything from introductory bouldering classes to wild swimming workshops, co-founders Olivia and Zaineb simply decided that if their male peers could go on open-air adventures, why not women too? Hiking, foraging, running, skinny-dipping or meditating within and beyond the capital’s boundaries, this 10,000-strong sisterhood continues to prove that the outdoors belongs to everyone. They’ve created a safe haven where women of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations can discover their inner adventurers, free from judgment or exclusion.
Girls Who Walk
Escaping the frenetic pace of the city, Girls Who Walk centres on bringing women together through one of life’s simplest pleasures. What began as a simple plea on Facebook from founder Ella has grown into a nationwide movement, attracting over 12,000 members across towns and cities of the UK. It’s all quite wholesome really. Fighting the Sunday scaries with walks in Temple’s inner sanctum and the labyrinth that is Epping Forest, there’s a big focus on connecting with like-minded people in a safe, inspiring environment — all while getting your steps in.
There’s more to this movement than just moving though. “So many women live isolated because they don’t have a platform to meet people with the same interests” explains Ines, ambassador for Girls Who Walk London. “Loneliness is a real concern in the 21st century and we’re doing our best to fight that by creating a safe, welcoming and diverse community.” It’s working too. Members speak colourfully of finding not just walking partners but lifelong friends, turning the city’s vast network of paths and parks into places where they can connect.
RunTheBoroughs
New Balance-affiliated RunTheBoroughs does exactly what their name suggests. They’re all about the good vibes and shared energy that naturally comes with pounding pavements in graffiti-bright railway arches and centuries-old Victorian crescents. Alongside creating some seriously cool shoe collabs with the former, they’ve been on somewhat of a meteoric rise since their founding in 2018, gaining so many followers they’ve since expanded to the twenty arrondissements that make up Paris.
The club’s ethos is captured in their Instagram slogan: ‘Reluctantly running’. “We don’t want people that are like into running already, know that they’re good at it, know that their only goal is to just get a much faster and better time. It’s more about the people that are like really reluctant to do it,” explains Lewis, the club’s leader.
"There's physios, yoga teachers, strength and conditioning guys, and then there are other people who just want to show up each week, chat to their friends about the food that they ate or the person that they saw last night."
Chatting about the club’s vibe, Lewis recounts the story of Jeffrey Yam, a member who initially refused to join: “He was like, absolutely no way. There’s never a chance of me running. Don’t ask me again.” Now, Jeffrey not only runs marathons but is on Lewis’ back about getting a spot in an ultra marathon.
“We like to keep things personal with just our friends and family,” Lewis explains. This carefully curated approach allows them to nurture both serious athletes and casual runners: “There are people that do things for their profession. There’s a physio, there’s a yoga teacher, there are strength and conditioning guys, and then there are other people who just want to show up each week, chat to their friends about the food that they ate or the person that they saw last night.”
Want to get physical? Flex some creative muscles? Check out our art’beat events and try your hand at something new while you stay. You’ll always find something tempting going on, from the first light of morning to the last minute before bed.
