What is the best CrossFit gym near Canary Wharf for beginners?

CrossFit 1864 in Poplar is the only CrossFit affiliate near Canary Wharf with classes capped at 10 people. The gym is 15 minutes walk from Canary Wharf, 5 minutes from Blackwall DLR, and runs a structured Beginners Programme: three personal training sessions, six group classes, and a goal-setting call. No experience required.

Is CrossFit safe in your 40s?

Yes, CrossFit is safe in your 40s when coached well and programmed for longevity. At CrossFit 1864, every movement is scalable and coaches prioritise technique over intensity from day one. Many members started in their 40s with no prior lifting experience and train consistently years later.

Can I do CrossFit at lunchtime near Canary Wharf?

Yes. CrossFit 1864 runs a 12:30pm class Monday to Friday. The session is 60 minutes and includes warm-up, strength or skill work, and a conditioning workout. The gym is 15 minutes from Canary Wharf, 5 minutes from Blackwall DLR, and showers are on site.

Am I too old to start CrossFit?

No. CrossFit 1864 has members who started in their 50s and 60s. The gym runs a dedicated programme called LIFE (Live Independently, Feel Energised) specifically for members aged 50 and above. Every workout is scalable and coaches programme for longevity rather than peak performance.

How often should I train?

If you are just starting, 2 to 3 sessions per week is the right place to begin. As your fitness builds, most members settle into 3 to 4 sessions per week. Your coach will guide you on this as part of the Beginners Programme.

What happens in a CrossFit class?

Each 60-minute class includes a warm-up, strength or skill work such as squats, deadlifts, and presses, and a Workout of the Day. Every session is coach-led, every movement is taught and corrected, and the workout is scaled to your level.

How small are the classes at CrossFit 1864?

Every group class at CrossFit 1864 is capped at 10 people. Most CrossFit affiliates in London run classes of 14 to 16. That cap means your coach knows your name, your goals, your scaling, and your weak points every session.

What is the Free Intro Chat?

It is a free 15-minute call with one of the coaches. Completely informal, no sales pitch. You talk about your goals, your training history, and any questions you have. At the end, the coach will recommend the right entry point for you. There is no obligation to join.

CrossFit vs a regular gym — which is better for busy professionals?

For busy professionals, CrossFit at a coach-led gym like CrossFit 1864 typically delivers more consistent results than a commercial gym. At CrossFit 1864, a coach programmes the workout, leads the session, and knows when you have been absent. The classes are 60 minutes, fully structured, and require zero planning on your part.

Will I embarrass myself if I am unfit or a complete beginner?

No. The culture at CrossFit 1864 has been built deliberately over 10 years to be anti-intimidation. Nobody is judging your fitness level. Classes are capped at 10 and the coach is there to support you, not benchmark you against anyone else.

Is CrossFit really as intense as it looks online?

The CrossFit you see in viral videos is elite-level competition. That is not what a CrossFit class looks like for most people. At CrossFit 1864, intensity is self-selected and the coaches scale every workout to every individual. First-timers are usually surprised by how manageable it is.

Where is CrossFit 1864 located?

CrossFit 1864 is at Unit B05, Poplar Business Park, 10 Preston's Road, London E14 9RL. It is 15 minutes walk from Canary Wharf, 5 minutes from Blackwall DLR, and 10 minutes from East India and All Saints stations. On-site parking is available.

Isle of Dogs · Mill Harbour

A coached gym near
the Isle of Dogs.

Live on the Isle of Dogs or in Mill Harbour? CrossFit 1864 is a short walk or cycle away in Poplar. Every class is fully coached and capped at 10 people, with classes from 6am.

Book a Free Intro Chat How to Get Here

Max 10 per class

Walk or cycle from the island

Classes from 6am

Since 2014

Members training at CrossFit 1864, a gym near the Isle of Dogs and Mill Harbour

Getting here

From the Isle of Dogs and Mill Harbour.

Most of our members from the island walk or cycle. If you would rather not, the DLR and the D8 bus both get you close.

🚶

Walk

The most popular way in. Head north towards Preston's Road and Poplar Business Park.

🚲

Cycle

A quick ride from Mill Harbour and the rest of the island.

🚈

DLR

From South Quay to Blackwall, then about a 5-minute walk to the gym.

🚌

D8 bus

Some members from the island take the D8 towards Poplar.

CrossFit 1864
Unit B05, Poplar Business Park, 10 Preston's Road, London E14 9RL

Full directions

Why train here

Not another gym floor.

The Isle of Dogs has no shortage of places to exercise. Many Mill Harbour developments have a residents' gym, and there are large health clubs and budget gyms around Canary Wharf. They are great if you already know what to do and turn up on your own.

Most people who come to us have tried that already. What they were missing was a coach, a plan and people who expect to see them. That is what CrossFit 1864 is built around. See how we compare in our honest guide to gyms in Canary Wharf.

👥

Capped at 10 people

Your coach knows your name, your goals and how to scale every workout for you.

🏋️

Strength and conditioning

Squat, deadlift and press taught technique first, plus conditioning for everyday life.

📋

Programming done for you

Turn up and train. Every session is planned by coaches and builds week on week.

🤝

A community that shows up

Same faces, same times, and people who notice when you miss a week.

Class times

Six classes a day.

Monday to Friday, plus Saturdays. Train before work, at lunch or in the evening.

Morning

6am · 7am

Lunchtime

12:30pm

Evening

5:30pm · 6:30pm · 7:30pm

See the full timetable

How to start

Pick your starting point.

Membership starts at £149 a month. See all prices.

£169

New to CrossFit

The Beginners Programme: 4 weeks of personal coaching plus group classes.

See the Beginners Programme

£39

Already train regularly

A 14-day trial, with the £39 credited back if you join before it ends.

Start your trial

Free

Not sure yet

A 15-minute intro chat with a coach to find the right route for you.

Book your intro chat

Questions

Isle of Dogs questions.

How do I get to CrossFit 1864 from the Isle of Dogs?

Most members walk or cycle. You can also take the DLR from South Quay to Blackwall, about 5 minutes' walk from the gym, or the D8 bus. See full directions.

Is there a coached gym near Mill Harbour?

Yes. CrossFit 1864 in Poplar is a short walk or cycle from Mill Harbour. Every class is coached and capped at 10 people.

I have a gym in my building. Why would I join?

A residents' gym gives you equipment. We give you a coach, a plan and a group that expects to see you. If you keep meaning to use your building's gym and do not, that is usually what is missing.

Can complete beginners join?

Yes. Most members started as beginners. The Beginners Programme teaches you the movements one to one before you join the group.

How much does it cost?

Membership is £149 a month for 9 classes, £169 for 13 or £199 for unlimited. See membership prices.

Train with your
neighbours.

Book a free 15-minute intro chat. We will talk through your goals and your week, and find the right way for you to start.

Book Your Free Intro Chat

Free · No commitment · Poplar, a short walk from the Isle of Dogs

A coached gym nearthe Isle of Dogs.