I scaled London's highest glass climbing wall overlooking the city, and the breathtaking views inspired me to take my workouts to the next level

Rachel HosieMar 31, 2022, 17:42 IST

Rachel working out at BXR City.Rachel Hosie/Insider

BXR City is a new gym that just opened on the 25th floor of an upscale building in London
It has floor-to-ceiling windows and offers unparalleled views while working out.

BXR City is a brand new gym in London.

There's an area for stretching.Rachel Hosie/Insider

The gym is located on the 25th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, which bills itself as "Europe's first vertical village."

BXR City is on the 25th floor of 22 Bishopsgate.Rachel Hosie/Insider

After a long elevator journey (in which my ears popped), I emerged on the 25th floor and made my way to BXR's slick reception.

BXR's welcome desk.Rachel Hosie/Insider

There was a small lounge area where people can relax, work, or wait for their classes.

There's a small lounge area in the entrance.Rachel Hosie/Insider

The main gym floor features two walls of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and the view is breathtaking.

You can squat with views over the city.Rachel Hosie/Insider

You can see for miles across London, including landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral and the BT Tower.

You can see St Paul's Cathedral from the gym.Rachel Hosie/Insider

Being so high up and sandwiched between offices meant BXR City needed especially good sound-proofing

The gym floor is spacious.Rachel Hosie/Insider

One of the most unique parts of BXR is the clear glass climbing wall

The climbing wall has impressive views.Rachel Hosie/Insider

It's only 6.5 meters (21 feet) high but was a lot of fun

The climbing wall was a unique part of the gym.Rachel Hosie/Insider

It's only 6.5 meters (21 feet) high but was a lot of fun

The climbing wall was a unique part of the gym.Rachel Hosie/Insider

You actually need to look to the side to see the view though, as a new building has sprung up directly opposite the wall.

BXR has a small climbing wall.Rachel Hosie/Insider

For cardio fans, there's a decent selection of machines, all positioned so people can savor the view while getting a sweat on.

There are lots of cardio machines with a view.Rachel Hosie/Insider

Weight lifters also get prime spots though, with a couple of the four squat racks right at the window.

The view from the squat rack and lifting platform.Rachel Hosie/Insider

When I worked out in the gym, it was very cool to see the city.

Rachel doing one-leg Romanian deadlifts.Rachel Hosie/Insider

The gym has a selection of kettlebells as well as dumbbells up to 40 kg (88 lbs).

There's plenty of space.Rachel Hosie/Insider

I was impressed by how many machines there were too, including a hip-thrust machine, which is great for people who find barbell thrusting too painful on the hips.

BXR City has lots of resistance equipment including a hip-thrust machine.Rachel Hosie/Insider

There's a rig area in the middle with equipment including resistance bands, rings, and a tire.

The rig in the middle of the gym.Rachel Hosie/Insider

BXR specializes in strength and conditioning and also boxing, so there are bags available (with two more to come).

BXR specializes in boxing.Rachel Hosie/Insider

After a workout in the main gym area, I headed upstairs to check out the two studios and the changing room.

The whole gym is slick.Rachel Hosie/Insider

From the mezzanine area you can see both down on to the gym floor and of course out to the view.

The view from the upper floor at BXR City.Rachel Hosie/Insider

BXR City has one of the gym's renowned Versaclimber studios.

The Versaclimber studio at BXR City.Rachel Hosie/Insider

The second studio is for functional fitness classes, with assault bikes, ski ergs, and various free weights.

The second studio at BXR City.Rachel Hosie/Insider

It also has a window looking out to the view, which is a nice feature.

Second studioRachel Hosie/Insider

The ladies' changing room was beautiful, stylish, and luxurious.

The ladies' changing room.Rachel Hosie/Insider

There were a range of toiletries available, including micellar water and cotton pads, deodorant, and dry shampoo. No hair ties though.

There are a good selection of toiletries.Rachel Hosie/Insider

The marble and gold showers were lovely too, with products from luxury brand Malin and Goetz. There's also a sauna in the changing room.

ShowerRachel Hosie/Insider

All in all, I found the gym so beautiful and such a pleasant place to be that I didn't want to leave.

The changing rooms are luxurious.Rachel Hosie/Insider

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I scaled London's highest glass climbing wall overlooking the city, and the breathtaking views inspired me to take my workouts to the next level

BXR City is a brand new gym in London.

The gym is located on the 25th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, which bills itself as "Europe's first vertical village."

After a long elevator journey (in which my ears popped), I emerged on the 25th floor and made my way to BXR's slick reception.

There was a small lounge area where people can relax, work, or wait for their classes.

The main gym floor features two walls of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and the view is breathtaking.

You can see for miles across London, including landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral and the BT Tower.

Being so high up and sandwiched between offices meant BXR City needed especially good sound-proofing

One of the most unique parts of BXR is the clear glass climbing wall

It's only 6.5 meters (21 feet) high but was a lot of fun

It's only 6.5 meters (21 feet) high but was a lot of fun

You actually need to look to the side to see the view though, as a new building has sprung up directly opposite the wall.

For cardio fans, there's a decent selection of machines, all positioned so people can savor the view while getting a sweat on.

Weight lifters also get prime spots though, with a couple of the four squat racks right at the window.

When I worked out in the gym, it was very cool to see the city.

The gym has a selection of kettlebells as well as dumbbells up to 40 kg (88 lbs).

I was impressed by how many machines there were too, including a hip-thrust machine, which is great for people who find barbell thrusting too painful on the hips.

There's a rig area in the middle with equipment including resistance bands, rings, and a tire.

BXR specializes in strength and conditioning and also boxing, so there are bags available (with two more to come).

After a workout in the main gym area, I headed upstairs to check out the two studios and the changing room.

From the mezzanine area you can see both down on to the gym floor and of course out to the view.

BXR City has one of the gym's renowned Versaclimber studios.

The second studio is for functional fitness classes, with assault bikes, ski ergs, and various free weights.

It also has a window looking out to the view, which is a nice feature.

The ladies' changing room was beautiful, stylish, and luxurious.

There were a range of toiletries available, including micellar water and cotton pads, deodorant, and dry shampoo. No hair ties though.

The marble and gold showers were lovely too, with products from luxury brand Malin and Goetz. There's also a sauna in the changing room.

All in all, I found the gym so beautiful and such a pleasant place to be that I didn't want to leave.