Attempts to cross a river of rainwater [Simon Lamrock]

WHEN gymgoers attend classes, they might be expected to do a bit of a warmup beforehand.

However people who use the exclusive Barry’s Bootcamp Gym in Euston Road are regularly having to vault a river that develops in one of the borough’s busiest roads whenever it rains. Sandbags have been seen outside the fitness centre, which has been attended by David Beckham, Harry Styles and Naomi Campbell, during downpours as staff battle to stop rainwater going into its reception. “

It’s been the case ever since we opened in 2013,” said Sandy MacAskill, who owns the gym.

“It’s something we had stopped really thinking about, and just do. It’s never caused any damage, but people coming to classes often have to vault the Euston ford before they come in. Camden or Transport for London did some roadworks about a year ago that we hoped would make it better, but instead it’s just made it worse. People do comment on it occasionally, but it’s just something I end up finding funny more than anything.”

Recent torrential rain has seen the defensive measures erected in recent weeks after long dry spells were broken with weeks’ worth of rain in a day – causing a problem for people trying to cross the road or access the gym. The road floods near one of the busiest crossings towards Euston Station.