We recently heard about a gym that has opened in Gladstone Park, hidden away in a converted WWII bunker, recently restyled and run by PT Dusty Hall. We sent Amy from HLL to check it out!
The Bunker Gym
Ok first, yes it literally is a bunker! Access is from in the park, near the rugby pitch – you’ll see a large building with a big ‘gym’ sign… follow the arrow! As you head down the steps you may ask yourself what you have signed up for – so let me tell you! The Bunker Gym is run by Dusty Hall who will probably greet you as you appear on the stairs and the first thing you will notice is that there is a very strong friendly community vibe here – everyone smiles and chats to each other. This is not a fash-pack gym filled with sideways glances or pretension. Come here if you want to workout, sweat and laugh.
The Bunker Burnout sessions are the signature class taken by Dusty, Monday to Friday evenings – they are 90 minutes long (except Wednesday it is 60 mins and on Saturday it is a 12pm 120 minute Bootcamp class!) You can expect a whole mixture of body weight circuit work, sometimes some plates and weights may get included and always a good bit of boxing as well. Each session is different but guaranteed to make you sweat. There is also a yoga class on Wednesday’s at 6.30pm which I haven’t been to yet and Dusty also offers junior boxing on Tuesday and Thursday’s at 5.30pm. Once the evenings get lighter too classes may be held outside in the park (weather permitting) so you will be able to appreciate the longer summer evenings and still get your workout in!
The Workout
I attended the Saturday bootcamp class which is a full 120 minutes full body workout, but honestly did not have a moment to think about the time or how long I had been working out for, as the class was well put together and slick, always doing different movements with lots of variation and the time just flew. We did a lot of body weight exercises after warming up and then we worked in pairs on core work. Just when you feel like you have completed a very decent workout Dusty laid out the boxing circuit which we went through twice to finish. I love boxing so I had a total renewed rush of energy for the first round of this circuit (the second I was def flagging!) but I loved it – each station you will either be punching a bag, doing pads with Dusty or even sitting on a bag and punching and elbowing it on the floor (this is so so fun I love it!) Throughout the music is blasting which always keeps me going! The energy of the class was high throughout, which I thought was really impressive for a 120 minute bootcamp and the atmosphere is very much we are all in it together, you won’t feel ashamed as your sweat drips on the floor as everyone else here works hard too.
Final Thoughts
I love the Bunker and will return without a shadow of a doubt. Dusty’s enthusiasm is totally infectious and you can’t help but feel like part of the Bunker family once you have worked out there even once! It is reasonably priced and a fantastic way to work on your fitness without breaking the bank. Also their membership gives you access to their weights gym as well as unlimited classes which is defintely a bonus! Last but not least, ladies – a lot of the local Kilburn rugby team train here too…. 😉 #justsayin
Who’s It For? Anyone that is not afraid to get sweaty and looking for a friendly place to workout.
How Much? First class is free and then each class is £7. Membership is £40 per month for unlimited classes and access to weights rooms.
Where is it? 162 Anson Road, NW2 6BH. Nearest tubes are Willesden Green and Dollis Hill
More Information: www.thebunkergym.co.uk
Hey,
I’m interested in joining a class. Are the classes running at the moment? Do I need to bring anything?
Rochelle 🙂