Common Bond Abruptly Shuts Barrecore, Boom Cycle, and Kobox Studios

Common Bond, the fitness company behind boutique brands Barrecore, Boom Cycle, and Kobox, has abruptly shut all of its studios, telling customers the locations are closed "until further notice."

The company, which describes itself as a wellness collective and also runs Reformcore and Triyoga, sent the notice by email. All of its current studios are in London, according to the message seen by the BBC.

The closure marks a sudden halt for a group that had positioned itself in the premium end of the fitness market. Common Bond charges £2,400 for 12 months of unlimited classes and said in August last year that it had ten sites. Its website is no longer publicly accessible. The BBC has contacted Common Bond for comment.

Customers told studios are closed

In the email sent Wednesday, the company said: "We're sorry to let you know that all Common Bond studios are closed until further notice."

"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause. We understand this is frustrating, and we appreciate your patience while we work through this."

It is not clear how many customers or instructors have been affected by the decision.

Instructors say pay was delayed

Instructors told the BBC they learned of the studio closures only from the Wednesday email. They said they had been told the week before that they would not be paid on time.

One instructor said she and colleagues were informed their pay would be delayed on August 14, the day it was due. "In good faith, I continued to teach my classes without any news on when or if payment would be made," she said. "I have heard absolutely nothing since."

The uncertainty has left staff and members facing unanswered questions about refunds, memberships, and future classes, though the company has not yet outlined next steps.

Company filings show recent changes

Companies House filings for Common Bond show the company was incorporated in June last year and has not yet published accounts. The most recent filings show that a director, Ben Allen, left the role last month.

Gaspar Lipszyc, listed as a Belgian national living in Spain, is the only currently shown director of the company.

What Barrecore does

Barrecore specializes in barre, a fitness discipline that combines Pilates, ballet, and yoga. The low-impact workout has grown in popularity in recent years, with famous names including Pippa Middleton praising its benefits.

The closures add to a difficult period for London’s boutique fitness sector, where operators have grappled with high rents, rising staffing costs, and consumers who are more cautious about discretionary spending. For now, members and instructors are waiting for clarity from Common Bond as the company’s online presence remains offline.