Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.
Jim Rohn (American motivational speaker)
Finding the perfect gym is more than just a step toward achieving your fitness goals; it’s about discovering a space that motivates and supports your journey. In 2024, Australia’s fitness scene is booming, with an impressive variety of gyms catering to different preferences, whether you're into high-intensity workouts, luxurious wellness centres, or round-the-clock access.
In this article, we’ll explore the best gyms across Australia, reviewing their facilities, membership options, and unique offerings. We'll help you find the ideal place to elevate your fitness routine and achieve your health goals.
Snap Fitness
Arguably, the best gyms in Australia are franchise brands, by customer traffic and number of outlets. These initiatives succeed because they offer a formula that works - for clients and franchise owners.
Snap Fitness, with 339 locations across Australia, is a prime example of such. FranData Australia, a firm that specialises in franchise information, gives the US-based Snap brand five stars.
These facilities boast top-of-the-line equipment and knowledgeable staff, as other franchise brands do. However, Snap Fitness is on a mission of inclusivity; it targets gym clients of any body shape, type and ability. You might be reluctant to step into the gym after a long break from fitness. At Snap gyms, you needn't worry about judgment or being turned away; you're just who they want as members.
Plus Fitness
Like many gym chains Australia, Plus is a native brand; unlike many of them, it's gone international. Plus gyms' main selling point is low membership costs; it may be the cheapest gym franchise in the country.
For all that, Plus Fitness offers its members a lot for their money, including a long list of fitness equipment and services.
With nearly 200 Plus gyms in Australia, you may have one in your area. You might tour the facility to see their spin equipment, expansive weights area, and their functional fitness spaces. Talk with the fitness coaches about the yoga and Pilates classes they offer, and ask about their more intensive training classes.
Fernwood Fitness
Compared to other brands, this franchise is smaller, but that gives it room to focus on amenities and quality service. The Fernwood brand caters to a female clientele exclusively, and it plots its growth strategically.
To wit, rather than driving the Fernwood fitness formula across the country, those planners are exploring a premium fitness club development.
Fernwood Fitness offers a range of classes, from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to yoga. Their staff includes nutritional coaches and personal trainers, as well as child-minders. Fernwood facilities include a crèche and a full line of amenities, including infrared saunas and personal hygiene items.
Jetts Fitness
This native brand represents several gym chains Australia, Zap Fitness and Good Life Health Clubs among them. As of 2023, Jetts claimed 164 facilities across the country, most of which give members 24-hour access.
This brand stands out for representing various fitness concepts, rather than sticking to one formula.
Jetts tends to hug the coasts, so if you're in Perth, Adelaide or any other major city, you'll likely have Jetts access. Like many gyms in Australia, these facilities feature all the standard cardio and strength training equipment.
They also provide access to personal trainers and have an exercise physiologist on-site. This brand runs a lean operation, which typically translates to lower membership costs - starting at $14,95/week.
Anytime Fitness
The Anytime brand headlines the most popular gym chains Australia. With more than 500 clubs across the country - and more than a half a million members, they must be doing something right.
Anytime owns some of the biggest gyms in Australia, and some of the best stocked.
Arguably, the best gym in Canberra is its Anytime Fitness outlet. It's a vast complex with cavernous rooms full of cardio equipment, weights, and functional training areas.
However, Anytime has noted that it's reached peak market saturation, so it's moving into boutique fitness salons. This 'small-club' format will likely appear in smaller towns over the coming years.
F45 Fitness
This Australian franchise rivals Anytime in its number of outlets. At last count, this gym chain boasts nearly 550 facilities.
The F45 Fitness model revolves around intensity. These coaches lead HIIT and CrossFit classes, as well as circuit training modules. Of course, members can engage in 'milder' workouts, such as strength and functional training.
Over the past few years, this brand has suffered hits to its finances and reputation. It is currently undergoing restructuring, which led to some facility closures. Those issues didn't seem to impact the F45 gym in Gold Coast we reviewed.
Club Lime
The Lime brand isn't a franchise, like the gym chains Australia we've discussed so far. The brand owns all the facilities, which gives members a more standardised gym experience.
In many cities, Lime is the cheapest gym, and many contend they are the best gyms in Australia.
Lime offers all the standard classes and equipment other gyms in Australia offer. Some facilities feature swimming classes and aquatic fitness offerings. All of them promote a sense of wellness and community, and they all have personal trainers available.
LA Fit Studio
Pilates devotees know their favourite workout comes in many flavours. At LA Fit Studio, they may sample the most rigorous version of it.
Where regular Pilates - with or without reformers and Wunda chairs, is low-intensity, the Lagree Method kicks things up several notches.
This high-intensity workout focuses on building muscular endurance. Its specially designed machine has two sliding platforms to accommodate bigger moves. The rear platform offers greater resistance, making the moves more challenging. For its pioneering Pilates Plus workouts, LA Fit Studio is the best gym in Perth.
Studio360
n the 80s and early 90s, spin classes were all the rage. Even the cheapest gyms invested in stationary bikes and 'spin specialists' led enthusiastic groups to pedal ever faster.
Everyone wore neon-coloured Lycra leotards and headbands were THE fashion statement for men and women. Studio360 recaptures that vibe, minus the neon and headbands.
You'll be surprised to learn how much workout variety you could have riding a stationary bike. Technology enhances these workouts. As you pedal - working your legs, you'll break to work the dumbbells, your core and all other muscles. For its unique fitness program, Spin360 is the best gym in Adelaide.
Kaya Health Club
Cheap gyms, such as the franchises mentioned above, aren't the only gym experiences Australia has to offer. Our bigger cities feature plenty of luxury gyms, such as Kaya Health Club, in Melbourne.
Walking into this facility, you get the idea you're in a spa rather than someplace that encourages work and sweat.
First impressions can be deceiving, though. This club boasts a complete weight training area, as well as a space for cardio workouts. You'll find two Pilates studios, boxing equipment and everything you need for circuit training. However, the amenities - the luxe showers, free toiletries and more, that make Kaya one of the best gyms in Melbourne.
Lockeroom
By all accounts, Lockeroom heads the list of Australia's luxury gyms. These exclusive fitness centres (two in Sydney) bill themselves as private gyms for business executives.
The membership application form bears this out. It includes questions about your company and position, and whether you know a current member. Lockeroom is also Australia's most exclusive fitness centre, as it limits membership to 100.
Still, once you get past the membership hurdle, you'll discover top-of-the-line fitness equipment. The staff delivers the ultimate in fitness and services training. They limit personal training sessions to 50 minutes, so members will have time to reinforce their business connections.
This gym's strength and conditioning studio contains all the standard equipment, albeit of a higher grade. Members receive coaching in functional movement exercises and endurance training. Their workouts may include gymnastics, weightlifting, and even powerlifting and boxing. Three people per trainer is the limit during any session.
Lockeroom isn't just the best gym in Sydney, it's hailed as the best gym in Australia. One has to ask, though: what good is all that if it only benefits a tiny number of fitness enthusiasts?
Forme Fitness
This is a hotel gym unlike any you've experienced. It takes up a large part of Hotel Calile's first level, and it's so luxuriously appointed you might think you're in a world-class sports facility.
You will find all the gym equipment you need for a satisfying workout, from treadmills and weights to rowers and boxing bags.
There's no membership required but you must be a hotel guest to use these facilities. During business hours, you may avail yourself of the gym's personal trainers to guide your workout or help you plan your fitness journey. If you're planning a trip to Queensland, why not stay at this hotel? Then, you can work out in the best gym in Brisbane.
Summarise with AI:
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
