Getting fit in Shanghai can seem pretty daunting because of, well, everything. For those of you whose get-fit new year's resolutions haven't kicked the bucket just yet, we've got 5 of our favourite gyms to help you get up, get fit and get feeling good.
Mr and Mrs Fitness
With excellent equipment, spa-esque locker rooms, and general mod cons, this was one of the poshest gyms we tried out, although if you’re going to fork out 16,000RMB per annum for a membership, you’d expect it to be – you probably wouldn’t be able to afford to go anywhere else if things go awry.
How much? 16,000RMB a year. Steep.
Where? There are gyms all over the city - we tried: Third Floor, 9 Jinan Lu, near Taicang Lu, Huangpu district. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Tera Wellness
Tera Wellness gyms are ten-a-penny around Shanghai; this is one of the most frequently chosen gym options here in Shanghai due to branches being so close to home/work/your favourite bar. We visit the Zhangyang Lu edition of the Terra Wellness chain given its proximity to the Time Out office.
It’s small, basic and largely unremarkable – except for the price of its annual membership which earns its inclusion in our round-up, an extremely reasonable 2,700RMB. It’s also clean, in good condition, and generally does the job for its clientele, most of whom work nearby. A good value option.
How much? 2,700RMB a year for single-club membership; 3,000RMB for multi-club in selected in Pudong gyms.
Where? Tons of locations. We tried: Eighth Floor, Times Square, 501 Zhangyang Lu, near Pudong Nan Lu, Pudong district. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Curves
This US-brand, women-only boutique gym has had a slightly bumpy journey in Shanghai, shuttering all their gyms bar one during the last few years, but its fortunes seem to be on the rise again with a new centre opening in Xuhui a few months ago.
If you have a short attention span, welcome quick workouts and would like to track your progress in a very targeted way (oh, and are a woman), then this is for you. Stop by the Fuxing Lu branch while everything is still shiny and new.
How much? One year’s membership is 4,776RMB; six months is 3,108RMB. No joining fee, but no negotiation on price either.
Where? Unit 310, Mingyuan Plaza, 1199 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Jiashan Lu, Xuhui district. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Hilton Shanghai
If you ever wished your gym could be a little more like a luxurious hotel, then it might make sense to go to a gym inside a luxurious hotel. Everything in the Hilton’s on-site fitness centre is to an uber high standard, with a work out area and spa taking over the Huashan Lu hotel’s fourth floor, together with a large swimming pool, relaxing chill out areas (with excellent tea) and huge changing rooms.
It’s almost worth joining this gym for the changing rooms alone; each locker comes equipped with drinking water, towels, slippers and white fluffy robe, and there are huge, steaming baths plus a sauna and fabulous waterfall showers. Luckily, the gym lives up to these high standards too.
How much? 4,600RMB for one month; 17,600RMB for one year’s membership.
Where? Fourth Floor, 250 Huashan Lu, near Changshu Lu, Jingan district. Open 6am-11pm daily.
Kerry Sports
Kerry Sports has consistently been one of our favourite places in town to go for a workout. It’s a gym of vast proportions, including a long row of treadmills and cardio equipment that faces out over Century Park, plus weights space and fitness studios.
It’s also extremely well-equipped, and open 24 hours. In addition, members can take advantage of basketball and tennis courts, a running track, indoor swimming pool and table tennis facilities, plus a sauna, jacuzzi and steam room in calming changing rooms, which are packed with bath robes, towels, and beauty products. It’s simply a delight to be here.
How much? 15,250RMB for one person for six months, 22,000RMB for a year; 39,760RMB for a family for one year.
Where? Fourth Floor, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu, Pudong. Open 24 hours.
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