Top Gyms in Cape Town

A selection of the best places to keep fit in Cape Town and surrounds

Cape Town is a city obsessed with fitness and healthy living, and there is no shortage of space in which you can hone those beautiful bodies. Whether you prefer to pump some iron at your local gym or attend an evening power box class, we have a round-up of the best places to get those heart rates going. You can train with a personal trainer, brave the metal-stacked weight areas, or even get a detailed summary of your general fitness from experts that work with top athletes. There is something to suit everyone when it comes to gyms and workouts in Cape Town.

Cape CrossFit
Cape CrossFit is a school of performance-based fitness; the gym encourages enthusiasts to work with body weight and free weights to enable large muscle groups to work together. The programmes make for gruelling workouts. The school attracts clients ranging from stay-at-home moms to top level athletes.
Top Floor | Roodehek House | 2 Roodehek Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 461 0243

Dragon Power
Think ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and slow motion Bruce Lee action shots, and you’ll arrive at Dragon Power. This rustic martial arts gym, founded by two-time Muay Thai World Champion Quentin Chong, boasts a fully equipped boxing gym, competition ring and standard workout facilities. Dragon Power teaches small classes the philosophy and practice of Muay Thai. If you want to be pushed hard, train in higher climates and learn an art form, then this is the gym for you. The membership is a steal; pay R390 per month or R2570 for six months up front. Students only pay R2180. Read our chat with a Muay Thai fighter.
8 Stirling Street | Corner of De Villiers Street | Zonnebloem | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 465 9888

Sports Science Institute
Some of Cape Town’s finest athletes are keeping themselves in tip top sporting condition here, which is testament to the standard you can expect. The gym caters for nutritional, mental health and sporting performance. Expect modern fitness equipment, highly-qualified instructors and additional services, such as radiology and massage therapy.
Boundary Road | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 659 5600

Virgin Active
Virgin Active has become somewhat of a household name in South Africa, and no matter which facility you access,  you’ll likely find a fully-equipped gym and extras including a pool, a sauna and a steam bath. Take advantage of the Healthzone, where you can receive regular assessments and feedback on your progress (this service is also accessible online). Virgin Active gyms in Cape Town: Claremont, Green Point, Gardens, Durbanville, Kenilworth, Table View, Somerset West and Tyger Valley.
21 Lower Long Street | Foreshore | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 421 5857

Zone Lifestyle for Women
Zone Lifestyle a fully-equipped gym for women only, and it’s packed with all the rewards that make working out worthwhile. Why not relax after a hard power box class in their spa or sensation showers? Members can opt to pay a month-to-month fee of R450 (plus a once-off  R50 card fee); alternatively, a one year contract is R300 per month; a two year contract is R200 per month, and a three year contract will set you back R149 per month.
2nd Floor | 50 Kloof Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 2909

Renaissance Body Science Institute
You’ll not only find an outside training area and a cardio room piled high with Techno Gym machines (including the new Cardio Wave, which focuses on core, thighs and glutes), but this gym also houses a number of other services, such as doctors’ rooms, a fashion consultant and even a cosmetic dentist. Check out their website for gym only and couples membership options. You will pay R480 per month for general access to the gym, without a trainer. If you prefer to train with a trainer, you will pay R330 per month, and pay your trainer separately (they charge around R250 for an hour session).
183 Bree Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 487 8840

Curves
Curves celebrates and elevates the beauty of curvaceous women, and is all about the feel good factor. Created specifically for women, the gym offers proven, 30-minute circuits, involving strength training, cardio and stretching, that can burn up to 500 calories per hour. This club also has its own online nutritional system, called Curves Complete.
Ground Floor | 80 on Strand | Strand Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 0674

Planet Fitness
Planet fitness boasts a technologically advanced cardio room, and instead of pounding the treadmill, enthusiasts can also make fitness fun by trying out a new fitness trend. Options include power boxing, aqua-thai-chi, or bosu (classes using a stability ball). Although Planet fitness is more popular in Johannesburg, the gym has set up camp in Cape Town in the following areas: Claremont, Durbanville, Kuilsrivier, Plattekloof and Parklands.
The Atrium Shopping Centre | Shop G15-16 | Main Road | Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 683 3121

Armoury Boxing
If you are motivated to achieve your ultimate level of fitness, then look no further than the Armoury Boxing Club. The coaches at the club are properly trained and qualified, and will whip you into shape in no time. The fee structure for the boxing and physical training classes: R550 for a monthly membership; R330 for off-peak monthly membership; R100 for daily memberships and R60 for kids’ classes.

For the boxing classes, you can expect to pay between R200 for a one-on-one coaching session and R1850 for 10 sessions. The physical training classes cost between R250 for a one-on-one training session and R2350 for 10 sessions. For all the other fee structures contact the Armoury direct.
Unit 104, Buchanan Square | Sir Lowry Road | Cape Town | +27 (0) 82 901 9246

Dynamix Gym
This gym is affordable fitness at its best: R99 per month for a two and a half year contract for men, and R79 per month for the two and a half year contract for women.  Dynamix offers free weights, strength training, super circuits, aerobics and group classes. The gym also designs gyms for corporate, hotels or home use.
2nd Floor | 120 Strand Street | City Centre | Cape Town (access via Rose Street) | +27 (0) 21 425 9950

If working out in the gym is not your thing, then take a look at our list of extreme sports to satisfy your adrenaline cravings.

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