by Looking to get fit in Sydney this year? You’re in luck! The city is packed with amazing gyms for every fitness fan. From fancy health clubs to friendly neighborhood spots, Sydney’s got it all.
We’ve checked out tons of gyms to bring you this list of the top 10 for 2024. These places aren’t just about lifting weights or running on treadmills.
They offer everything from high-tech workouts to zen-like yoga studios. Some even have pools, saunas, and cool recovery areas.
Whether you’re a workout newbie or a fitness pro, there’s something here for you.
Want to build muscle? Lose weight? Or just feel healthier? These gyms can help. They’ve got great equipment, expert trainers, and fun classes to keep you motivated.
We’ll tell you what makes each gym special and who it’s best for. So whether you’re into CrossFit, or Pilates, or just want a place to hit the weights, we’ve got you covered.
Best Gyms in Sydney 2024
Ready to find your perfect fitness spot in Sydney? Let’s dive in and explore the best gyms the city has to offer in 2024!
Top 10 Best Gyms in Sydney 2024
1. One Playground Marrickville
Best For: People who want lots of options without spending too much
One Playground Marrickville is like a fitness playground for grown-ups. It’s got two main parts:
- Upstairs: This is where you’ll find the high-intensity stuff. There are lots of weights and cardio machines. They also have a cool “functional playground” with monkey bars. You can join group classes for strength training, HIIT (that’s High-Intensity Interval Training), and spin.
- Downstairs: This is called the “Wellness Playground”. It looks like a fancy spa you’d find on a Greek island. There are three special rooms:
- A reformer pilates studio (that’s a type of exercise that uses a special machine)
- A yoga studio with soft lighting
- A barre studio that feels like a nightclub
But that’s not all! They also have:
- A wellness lounge
- Infrared saunas
- A place to leave your kids while you work out
- Nice bathrooms (they say they’re like five-star hotel bathrooms!)
The best part? It’s not as expensive as you might think. When you join One Playground Marrickville, you can also use their other gyms in Newtown and Surry Hills. Plus, you get to choose from about 400 classes each week across all the clubs.
2. The Yard
Best For: People who want a balanced workout and a friendly vibe
The Yard says they offer “the world’s most balanced workout”. While we can’t say for sure if that’s true, we can tell you that you’ll feel great after working out here. Here’s what you can expect:
- On weekdays, you can choose between two types of workouts:
- “Turf”: This is all about cardio and getting your heart pumping
- “Rig”: This focuses on making you stronger, working different body parts each day
- On weekends, they have special sessions:
- “Game day”: A fun workout for your whole body
- “Pay day”: Another full-body workout that’ll make you feel like you’ve earned your weekend treat
What makes The Yard special is its community feel. The trainers are friendly, and the workouts are designed to help you make friends. They started in 2020 and have grown fast – now there are 24 locations just in Sydney!
The Yard looks cool too. The gyms are well-designed, and even their workout clothes (which they call “merch”) look good. If you’re not sure what kind of workout you like, but you want to try something new and maybe make some friends, The Yard could be perfect for you.
3. Flow Athletic
Best For: People in the Eastern Suburbs who want to join a fitness community led by social media fitness stars
Flow Athletic is a trendy gym in Paddington. It’s got a big following, kind of like a fitness cult (but in a good way!). Here’s what you need to know:
- It was started by Ben Lucas and Kate Kendall, who are famous on social media for their fitness posts
- They focus on a few main things:
- Group strength classes
- Yoga
- Cycling
- Personal training
- They also have a running club
What’s cool about Flow Athletic is that they mix different types of exercise. For example, they have a class called Bike-Asana. Here’s how it works:
- You do 30 minutes of hard cycling
- Then you do 30 minutes of yoga to build strength and flexibility
This shows how they try to balance different types of exercise. They also have lots of special events, which help create a strong community feeling.
If you like the idea of working out with a group of people who might become your friends, Flow Athletic could be a great choice.
4. SOMA Collection Health and Wellness Club
Best For: Office workers and celebrities who want top-notch training and recovery all in one place
SOMA is a fancy gym in the middle of Sydney. It’s so nice that even movie stars use it! Here’s why it’s special:
- The gym looks beautiful. It’s dark and stylish, like a high-end nightclub.
- They offer small group fitness classes. This means you get more attention from the trainer.
- They have their own physiotherapist (that’s a doctor who helps with muscle and joint problems).
- The personal trainers are experts in what they do.
- There’s a special Pilates studio with the latest equipment.
- They have a recovery center with:
- Four saunas
- A pool filled with magnesium (which is good for your muscles)
But the best thing about SOMA is how it feels when you’re there. The staff will greet you by name, and you’ll look forward to coming back.
It’s a bit like your favorite coffee shop, but instead of caffeine, you get natural energy from working out (or you might be exhausted, depending on how hard you train!).
5. The Bunker Gym
Best For: People who take their workouts seriously and want a gym that feels like an escape
The Bunker is a hidden gem in Sydney. From the street, you can’t even tell it’s there! Here’s what makes it cool:
- To get in, you go down an escalator into an underground space.
- The gym looks futuristic, with concrete walls and cool lighting.
- They have the latest workout equipment.
- The bathrooms are nice (like what you’d find in a fancy hotel).
The Bunker is so good that Men’s Health magazine named it the Best Gym in Sydney. But what sets it apart is the personal trainers:
- They’re very picky about who they hire to be a trainer.
- The trainers keep learning and improving their skills.
- They’re careful to match each client with the right trainer.
If you want a gym that feels like your own private workout space, with top-notch equipment and trainers, The Bunker might be perfect for you.
6. Code 5
Best For: People on the Northern Beaches who want friendly, high-energy workouts
Code 5 was started by two friends, Jack and Connor, in 2014. They wanted to help 100,000 people get healthier through exercise, good food, and lifestyle changes. Here’s what you should know about Code 5:
- They have three locations: Brookvale, Balgowlah, and Warriewood.
- They aim to be “the world’s friendliest gym” (and people who’ve worked out there say they succeed!).
- The workouts are full-body, which means you exercise all your muscles.
- The trainers learn your name after just one class.
Code 5 isn’t just about getting fit. They also do good things for the community:
- They’ve raised over $100,000 for Lifeline Australia (a charity that helps people in crisis).
- Each year, they give away 20 free memberships to people who are struggling with money or emotions.
The name “Code 5” comes from their five core values:
- Community
- Accountability
- Gratitude
- Teamwork
- Celebrate success
If you want a gym that helps you get stronger while also making you feel good about yourself, Code 5 could be a great choice.
7. One Playground Newtown
Best For: People who care about how their gym looks and want a cool vibe
One Playground Newtown used to be a small local gym. But after spending millions on upgrades, it’s now one of the fanciest fitness places in the world. Here’s what makes it special:
- The colors: It’s all green-blue and white, which makes you feel like you’re working out in the sky.
- The equipment: Even the workout machines are white!
- The lighting: There’s a huge grid of lights that can change color and pulse with the music.
- The music: They have a DJ booth above the gym floor.
Downstairs, there’s a super fancy Pilates studio:
- It has 20 of the latest reformer beds (special machines for Pilates).
The best part? Even though it looks expensive, joining isn’t as pricey as you might think. When you become a member, you can use:
- One Playground Newtown
- One Playground Surry Hills
- One Playground Marrickville
Plus, you get to join any of the 400 classes they offer across all their clubs each week. If you want a gym that looks as good as it makes you feel, One Playground Newtown might be your perfect match.
8. Virgin Active
Best For: People who want a bit of everything and are willing to pay for it
Virgin Active is for people who can’t make up their minds (in a good way!). It’s got pretty much everything you could want in a gym. Here’s what you’ll find at their Pitt Street location:
- About 100 classes every week
- A big 25-meter pool
- A spa
- A sauna
- A large area with workout machines
- A 10-meter indoor climbing wall
But wait, there’s more! They even have sleep pods. These are special little rooms where you can take a quick nap during the day.
Virgin Active was started by Sir Richard Branson, the guy who also started Virgin Airlines. He understands that some people want lots of choices. So if you’re the kind of person who likes to switch up your workout routine often, or if you want a gym that feels more like a health club, Virgin Active could be perfect for you.
Just keep in mind that all these options come with a price tag. Virgin Active is one of the more expensive gyms on this list. But for many people, the variety and quality of what they offer make it worth the cost.
9. BFT – Town Hall
Best For: People who trust science and technology to help them get fit
BFT stands for Body Fit Training. It was started by Cameron Falloon, who used to train professional athletes. Here’s what makes BFT special:
- Workouts are 50 minutes long
- They’re designed to burn fat and build lean muscle
- The program changes every 8 weeks to help you keep improving
But the cool thing about BFT is how they use technology:
- They have their special heart rate monitors
- These help you work out in the right “heart rate zone”
- This means you’re working hard enough to get results, but not so hard that you might hurt yourself
The workouts at BFT are based on science. They use what researchers have learned about how our bodies respond to exercise. So if you like the idea of a gym that uses data to help you get fit, BFT could be a great choice.
They have several locations around Sydney, but the Town Hall one is particularly popular. It’s right in the middle of the city, which makes it easy to pop in for a workout before or after work.
10. FoxFit Redfern
Best For: Women who want to get super fit in a supportive environment
FoxFit is different from the other gyms on this list because it’s just for women. Here’s what you need to know:
- It started in Melbourne in 2019
- They just opened their first Sydney gym in Redfern
- The gym is in a big warehouse space that looks like a New York loft
Here’s what a typical day at FoxFit looks like:
- On weekdays, they have about 8 classes each day
- On weekends, there are 2 or 3 classes each day
The classes at FoxFit are designed to help women get strong and fit. But what’s special is the vibe:
- There’s no “macho” energy like you might find in some gyms
- The workouts are tough, but the environment is supportive
FoxFit uses something called “full body integration methods”. This means:
- The exercises work lots of different muscles at once
- Your heart rate stays high during the whole workout
- Your muscles will feel it the next day!
If you’re a woman who wants to get seriously fit, and you like the idea of working out in a women-only space, FoxFit could be perfect for you.
Conclusion:
So there you have it – the top 10 best gyms in Sydney for 2024! Whether you’re into high-tech workouts, luxurious surroundings, or friendly community vibes, there’s something here for everyone.
Remember, the best gym for you is the one you’ll go to. So think about what’s important to you:
- Do you want lots of classes to choose from?
- Is location the most important thing?
- Do you prefer working out alone or in a group?
- How much can you afford to spend each month?
Once you’ve thought about these things, why not try out a few of the gyms on this list? Most offer free trials or day passes, so you can get a feel for the place before you commit.
Getting fit isn’t always easy, but finding the right gym can make it a lot more fun. So go on, pick a gym, and start your fitness journey. Your future, healthier self will thank you!
