Not all gyms are created equal, and most of them have the facilities, views, clientele and, yes, price tags to prove it. We’ve collated a dream list of gyms around the world that are so amazing, we hope one day our bank accounts would have enough weight to afford a visit.
1. Sasakwa Lodge
Located in: Serengeti Plains, Tanzania
Can you outrun a cheetah? Test your physical limits at Sasakwa Lodge’s gym, with an amazing view of the Grumeti reserve. The tastefully decorated gym also adds on to the elegant, rustic feel reminiscent of the old world.
2. Hard Candy Fitness
Located in: Berlin, Mexico City, Moscow, Rome, Santiago, St Petersburg, Sydney, Toronto
All Madonna fans on alert! Hard Candy Fitness is a collaboration between the iconic pop star, her manager, and the founder of 24 Hour Fitness.
Aiming to merge fitness with entertainment, Hard Candy Fitness boasts of traditional training methods such as Zumba, Cardio Kickboxing, and Latin Moves, and also innovative classes such as BarWorks, Sculpting, and Capoeria.
All classes – private or in groups – will be held in uniquely and lavishly-designed spaces, all designed with Madonna’s touch.
3. Nike Campus Gyms
Located in: Beaverton, Oregon (USA)
Named after Bo Jackson and Lance Armstrong, Nike’s Oregon headquarters not only hosts one but two gyms.
Apart from a full-sized basketball court (where Kobe Bryant was reportedly known to shoot hoops at), they also have an Olympic-sized pool complete with starting blocks and a timing clock, a 44-foot indoor climbing wall, an array of weights, cardio machines, and equipment for spinning, yoga, and pilates. Fancy a good muscle relaxant after an intense workout? Try their steam rooms, saunas or hot tubs!
The gyms, however, are extremely exclusive; only Nike’s employees are allowed to use them. A former employee was fired for bringing a friend and his son to shoot a few hoops at the basketball court!
4. Crunch Gym
Located in: Hollywood, Los Angeles (USA)
Crunch Gym has a star-studded clientele that includes Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Justin Timberlake, Robbie Williams, Ben Affleck, and more. We wonder if we would be able to concentrate on our workout surrounded by so much fame and glory.
Apart from the regular spinning, kick-boxing, pilates, weights and treadmills, Crunch also hosts other more unconventional classes like Kama Sutra Yoga.
5. Matakauri Lodge
Located in: Queensland (New Zealand)
Find your inspiration to work out while facing the mesmerising Remarkables Mountain Range and Cecil Peak at Matakauri Lodge in Queensland.
You could also do some water aerobics in Matakauri’s heated infinity pool right outside the gym, which faces Lake Wakatipu.
6. The Harbour Gym
Located in: London (United Kingdom)
Princess Diana and Kate Middleton have previously worked out in this gym. Yes, we are namedropping here.
As you might have expected, membership costs SGD20,000 per year. Y-eah.
7. The Lost Angeles Athletic Club
Located in: Los Angeles (USA)
The Lost Angeles Athletic Club is a prestigious, private club that opened its doors in 1880. It has kept much of its antique furnishings, but despite its heritage, this is of the most luxurious and well-equipped gyms in downtown LA.
Apart from two swimming pools including a 25-yard lap, it also has a full-sized basketball court, weight machines and dance lessons like “Dance with Demi: A Seductive Striptease” for the ladies. Hmmm…
8. University of Missouri Recreational Centre
Located in: Missouri (USA)
This gym makes our list because we cannot fathom how luxurious this gym is for a university! Students can actually enjoy an “indoor beach”, a pool that features a waterfall, and a lazy river after a cramp-inducing work out.
If that’s not enough, the gym even offers full service spas to help you relax even further. We can’t think of a better way to unwind after all the study stress.
9. Illoiha Omotesando Fitness Club
Located in: Tokyo (Japan)
This gym makes the list for its ingenuity and artistic value. Instead of the normal rock-shaped holding elements, the unusual climbing wall designed by Nendo at Illoiha Omotesando Fitness Club features a series of photo frames, wall mirrors, and decorative wall ornaments.
10. David Barton Gym
Located in: York, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Honolulu
The draw of David Barton Gym lies in its innovative interior design concept. Built upon the history of the neighborhoods each gym is located in, such as the punk and glam of the East Village, stepping into David Barton is a totally new sensory experience altogether.
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