It is the start of a New Year and just like New Year last year it’s time to finally resolve to be more active, less lazy and finally start making a positive lifestyle change! This time you’ll totally stick to it.
Although Malaysians know there are many health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, many of us shudder at the mere thought of exercise. The benefits of regular exercise are plentiful and goes well beyond your physical health. It also promotes better mental health and boosts your overall feelings of wellbeing.
Whether you want to get lean, shed fat, build muscle, or just be all-round awesome, joining a gym is a great way to get started – the question is, where should you go and how much would it cost you?
If you don’t know where to get started, fret not. We’ve done the legwork for you so you can spend more of that extra energy on the treadmill instead.
Check out our top 11 picks for the best value for money and exclusive gyms around for the year 2016.
*The rates below exclude joining fees and other miscellaneous fees, which could range anywhere from RM100 to RM300.
1. Chi Fitness
Image from: Chi Fitness.
Chi Fitness is one of the more popular chains in Malaysia and features some of the latest equipment in the market.
They also provide personal training services, and place a huge emphasis on group classes. They include variations of yoga, Fitball, RPM, TRX, Bodypump, Muay Thai and belly dance.
They are currently available in 16 locations in the Klang Valley.
They include Bangsar Shopping Centre, PJ Trade Centre, The Scott Garden, Atria Shopping Gallery, Ikon Connaught and Encorp Strand Mall.
Exercise enthusiasts who enjoy group fitness classes.
Membership Fees:
RM265 for a monthly pass, and RM149 onwards if you sign up for 12 months.
2. Fitness First
Image from: Fitness First Malaysia.
Fitness First is one of the largest fitness brands in the world and have long been the go-to centres for urban dwellers who want to get fit in a quality gym.
It is currently available in 12 locations across the Klang Valley including The Curve, The Gardens (Mid Valley), Paradigm Mall, Avenue K and Empire Subang.
It is one of the pricier options around, but members who take up their passport membership will be able to utilise any of their 370 clubs around the world.
Fitness First offers personal training, group exercises, freestyle training, cardio exercises, and weight training.
Those who are willing to splurge a little more on facilities and perks that include complimentary tea and coffee. Fitness first platinum clubs also offer an extended range of toiletries, upgraded members lounge with internet stations and full executive towel service.
Membership Fees:
Home club membership starts from RM165, depending on the club.
Passport memberships start from RM195.
3. True Fitness
Image from: True Fitness Malaysia.
True Fitness focuses on a wide range of fitness classes and programmes. They include aerobic classes, group fitness exercises, and various yoga workouts to suit all levels of fitness.
They also offer personal trainer programmes to help the fitness novice get started on their workouts.
It is currently available in five different locations in the Klang Valley, including Desa Sri Hartamas, Sunway Giza, Jaya 33 and USJ Subang Jaya.
Yoga enthusiasts. True fitness features a variety of yoga classes, including Ananda yoga, Asana Pranayama, Ashtanga yoga, Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, Hatha yoga and Hot yoga.
Membership Fees:
Home club membership starts from RM159, depending on the club.
Passport memberships start from RM180.
4. Celebrity Fitness
Image from: rebeccasaw.com
Celebrity Fitness boosts an extensive number of outlets in the Klang Valley. To date, they have 16 locations in Malaysia, including outlets in Bangsar Village 2, Cheras Sentral, Kepong Village Mall, Lot 10, Mid Valley, and Wangsa Walk.
The fitness chain offers group fitness classes like yoga, cycling and aerobics. Some outlets have the luxuries of a swimming pool as well.
The usual array of cardio and weight training machines, as well as personal training services are also available at its premises.
Dance lovers. The chain is pretty well known for its instructors and wide selection of dance classes, which include hip hop, salsa and burlesque styles.
Membership Fees:
Home club membership starts from RM159, depending on the club.
Passport memberships start from RM189.
5. Jatomi Fitness
Image from: Jatomi Fitness Malaysia.
Jatomi Fitness is one of the largest fitness chains in Eastern Europe and has only recently started making its way into the South East Asian market.
It’s a good place to start for beginners as their fees are generally lower than the other chains. It is currently available at The Weld in Kuala Lumpur and Tropicana City Mall.
Their outlets are equipped with modern equipment and functional training areas. They also feature the latest workout trends in group fitness, including Les Mills programmes like Bodypump, bodycombat, RPM, functional training with PureMotion cages and fitness classes like Pilates, Zumba and Yoga.
The outlet in Tropicana City Mall is not as spacious as the one in The Weld but it is sufficient for those who are just starting out in their fitness journey.
Fitness beginners who are looking for diversity and versatility in the workout programmes.
Membership Fees:
Home club membership starts from RM99 per month.
Passport memberships start from RM150.
6. Pushmore Fitness Centre
Image from: Pushmore Fitness Centre.
Ready to incorporate a new style of workout in the New Year? Why not try CrossFit – the notoriously gruelling workout programme that has taken the world by storm.
Pushmore Fitness Centre is one of the more well-known CrossFit boxes in the Klang Valley.
Founded in 2008, the 3,000 square feet facility in Merchant Square, Petaling Jaya may seem sparse at first, but has all the training essentials you require to get fitter, faster and stronger.
Fitness enthusiasts who enjoy a grueling workout challenge.
Membership fees:
RM195 per month for 12 months.
7. Anytime Fitness
Image from: The Star.
This popular global fitness chain operates in over 2,700 locations in 19 countries. The best part? The facilities are open 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year – perfect for people who are only able to work out at odd hours.
It is currently available in 10 locations in the Klang Valley, including Oasis Damansara, Solaris Mont Kiara, Wisma BU8, The Cube and Kota Kemuning.
It doesn’t provide fancy dance classes, but comes complete with all the essential cardio and weights machines you need to get a good workout and get out.
Those who have time to work out late at night or early in the morning. Also great for fitness junkies who need to work out all the time.
Membership fees:
RM149 per month for 12 months.
One-time payment of RM179 for access-key.
8. Fitology
Image from: Fitology Malaysia.
Fitology isn’t really what you’d call a regular gym. Instead, this unique fitness centre in Bangsar focuses on personal training and exercise packages.
These packages include half an hour of personalised fitness training, followed by another half an hour of far infrared therapy sauna, nourishment, and finished with an one-hour massage.
They also have side packages that focus on full memberships or individual select fitness routines such as the physiotherapy, sports massages, or far infrared therapy packages.
The highlights? You get exclusive training programmes that are tailored specifically for your individual needs and goals. However, it will cost significantly more than your regular hit-and-run gym.
Folks who are willing to spend extra for specific training programmes with a nice pampering session afterwards.
Membership Fees:
One month: 3 Fitology Express Sessions per month – RM 350 per month.
Six months: 3 Fitology Express Sessions per month – RM310 per month.
12 months: 3 Fitology Express Sessions per month – RM280 per month.
9. Camp5 Indoor Climbing Gym
Image from: Camp5 Indoor Climbing Gym.
Want to try something out of the box? Check out Camp5, a state-of-the-art indoor rock climbing facility housed in a 24m high, fully air-conditioned environment.
Located in 1Utama Shopping Complex, the facility was designed and constructed in accordance with applied UIAA International Standards.
Built as a showcase of BLOCX climbing wall technology, Camp5 offers the latest innovations in artificial wall technology partnered with the luxury and comfort of a modern fitness gym.
However, it comes with one notable difference – there are no repetitive exercise machines so you will never get bored in your pursuit of getting fitter and stronger.
Individuals looking to get fit outside of the typical gym environment.
Fees:
Taster Session: Fee: RM55/pax
Duration: 1 hour
Basic Wall Course: Fee: RM120/pax excluding entrance fees
Duration: 4 hour
* Advance booking is required & deposit may be requested to secure a booking time.
10. MuayFit
Image from: Muayfit.
If your aim is to lose weight and regain fitness while learning some cool self-defense moves, why not try martial art fitness?
An hour of Muay Thai can help you burn up to 1,500 calories – according to MuayFit’s website.
If you want to look like the Incredible Hulk, a martial arts gym probably wouldn’t be suitable for your goals. However, if you’re looking to improve your agility, and to look and feel better in general, then martial arts fitness could be for you.
Not to mention that you’ll also be able to interact with folks who share the same fitness goals.
Individuals looking for a different and enjoyable way to lose weight, as well as to learn self-defence moves on the side.
Membership fees:
From RM88 per month.
11. KFit
Image from: KFIT
If you’re just getting started and you’re not sure which type of sport or fitness activity you enjoy doing yet, experimenting with different fitness programme and workout styles can help you discover what works best for you!
KFit, the popular fitness sharing platform that has taken South East Asia by storm, grants Malaysian users to over 500 studios and fitness facilities across the Klang Valley and beyond.
This means you will get your pick of a variety of fitness programmes, including Yoga, CrossFit, Pilates, cycling, Zumba, kickboxing, bodybuilding, pole dancing or whatever tickles their fancy all at a monthly subscription fee of RM99.
There are no contracts and you are free to cancel your subscription online anytime, making it an ideal solution for fitness newbies who just want to discover what works for them without expensive commitments.
Individuals who enjoy variety and gym newbies who want to experiment with different fitness programmes.
Membership fees:
RM99 per month
We are now offering a special KFit promotion just for our readers, so you can try it out for even less – at a cool 50% DISCOUNT for the first month, so you pay just RM49 instead of RM99! To enjoy the cool discount, just enter this code: IMONEY when you’re signing up!
Choosing a gym is not as simple as just comparing the monthly membership fee. There are other things to consider as well, such as the equipment, facilities, classes, locations and other amenities (i.e. parking fees, and availability, public transportation).
Paying a little more to access more gyms around town can be worth your money if you are constantly on the go. However, if you are not sure what you want or need, KFit is a good place to start.
Now that you know where the most popular gyms at Kuala Lumpur are at, what are you waiting for?
Go out and make 2016 your fittest year yet!
Want to look good while getting fit? Save a few bucks when you bag some new gym gear with a credit card that gives you discounts and privileges while you shop!
