When I landed in Hong Kong in 1991, the only fitness centres were grungy, small and equipped with ancient gear. Apparently, expats and locals in Hong Kong had not the time nor interest in physical fitness because they were too busy getting rich.
Everyone is still obsessed with making money in Hong Kong, but many thousands are equally focused on honing their bodies.
I recall purchasing a membership at ‘The Gym’ which opened in Melbourne Plaza in Central in the mid-90s’ and was the first modern fitness centre in the city.
The now defunct California Fitness was the first international fitness chain to challenge the people of Hong Kong to get out from behind their desks and get in shape. They grew rapidly establishing centres on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
It was not long before other entrepreneurs recognized the market potential and quickly established a range of full-on fitness centres, yoga studios and boutique personal training facilities.
The fitness scene has continued to evolve with a wider range of studios opening in Hong Kong that are dedicated to different training philosophies including high octane Cross Fit, Boot Camp, and HIIT, as well as MMA fighting clubs.
We’ve compiled a summary of the best large mainstream facilities along with some of Hong Kong’s less well-known boutique fitness options. For more detailed information on the training styles and opportunities at each of these clubs, please click through to their websites.
Most offer free trials so before making a commitment we recommend you take advantage of a guest pass.
This global chain is open 24/7 and specializes in one-to-one workouts involving personal trainers. Their multiple locations across Hong Kong offer a wide range of state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
Conveniently located on Possession Street in Sheung Wan, House of Fitness is a boutique facility that is focused on high-intensity workouts. If your goals include burning fat, increasing muscle mass and strength or simply toning your body, House of Fitness offers a range of workouts that mix in weights with cardio as well as boxing.
Located in North Point, on HK island, Coastal Fitness is a dedicated strength and conditioning fitness centre. Whether you just want to improve your physical appearance or are a high-octane performance athlete Coastal can help you achieve your fitness goals. This club offers both individualized training options as well as group classes to keep you motivated.
Located in the Central, XP has introduced its award-winning group exercise classes to Hong Kong with a team of exceptional instructors who are dedicated to helping members achieve the fitness goals. The XP studio, equipped with the latest gear, changing rooms and showers, strives to create an energetic, highly- motivating environment.
Located in Central, Crossfit 852 has been in the business of improving fitness levels of the people of Hong Kong since 2013. The 1200sf facility is fully equipped with a wide range of gear including Assault AirBikes, dumbbells, gymnastic rings, pull-up bars, barbells, kettlebells and more to ensure your workouts remain varied. In addition to the Open Gym, Bootcamp and Yoga classes are also scheduled throughout the week.
Conveniently located on the edge of Central in the Pemberton Building, Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Lights//Out Boxing club is operated by passionate people who are dedicated to the pursuit of fitness. Energizing music and lighting create a motivating environment in the boxing studio. Lights//Out caters to all levels so absolutely no experience is required.
Located in Sheung Wan, Def Boxing is Hong Kong’s premier boxing studio and home to Hong Kong’s most famous pro boxer, Rex “The Wonder Kid” Tso. Other top boxers who train at Def including Ghale Nibesh and Raymond Poon.
Getting no benefit from going through the motions at your fitness centre? If you are after results, then Defin8 and their fitness community located in Central can deliver with a wide range of exercise options that are dedicated to weight loss and toning your body. Group, Semi-Private and Private classes include Core, Abs, Barre, Fatburn, Pilates, TRX, and a wide range of dance classes.
Located in Quarry Bay on HK island, Fitness Academy focuses on promoting physical fitness as a lifestyle with programs that are enjoyable yet help you get fitter and stronger. New members are assigned a ‘Coach for Life’ to introduce you to the programmes; Fitness Academy caters to all ages and abilities, from children up to teens, adults and seniors.
Located in Wanchai on Hong Kong island, Amico inspires you to achieve your fitness and wellness goals through a wide range of yoga, Pilates and dance classes including Latin and Ballroom, and the ever-popular, high-intensity Zumba.
Fitness Bee, a woman only fitness centre, is conveniently located in the heart of Causeway Bay. This facility is dedicated to women who want to break their daily routines with high-intensity training sessions. Classes include yoga, circuit training, thump boxing, yoga, cardio combat, deep stretch, as well as HIIT sessions.
Located in the Sai Wan district of HK island, this 2,500-square foot cross-fit training centre focuses on metabolic conditioning and personal training. The facility is equipped with a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment, including GHD and Assault AirBikes
With multiple branches throughout Hong Kong, Fitness First, a global fitness chain, offers the convenience along with modern fitness equipment and expert staff.
Conveniently located in Central, The Studio by Jab helps you achieve your fitness targets by integrating the elements of MMA with help from some of Hong Kong’s most highly qualified instructors and trainers. Programs include Jiu Jitsu, dance, yoga and boxing. Check out Jab Kidz, dedicated to helping improve children’s athleticism.
Located in Aberdeen, Flex Studio helps you tone your and strengthen your body and increase your flexibility through Pilates and Barre training. Kids are welcome to Flex Studio’s children’s programs.
This Causeway Bay studio is renowned at Hong Kong’s leading pole dancing and aerial arts. The studio employs licensed expert international trainers who teach across multiple disciplines. Aerial Arts Academy provides advanced equipment for members to develop their skills across a range of disciplines including silk, flyoga, aerial hammock, and acrocircus.
Keep your workouts fresh by mixing up your routines employing the latest global fitness techniques and knowledgeable instructors at H-Core. H-Core, with studios in Quarry Bay and Central, offers 150+ group classes.
A wide range of group classes are on offer from The Studio including Zumba, TRX, Yoga, Pilates as well as regular Yamuna Body Rolling workshops. For those who have recently given birth, join one of the post-natal yoga classes to ease yourself back into top condition.
Achieve your fitness goals fast at this Central fitness facility dedicated to High Intensity Training. 45-minute classes combining weights and cardio will strengthen and tone your body and dramatically improve your fitness level in a matter of weeks.
Conveniently located in Central, Torq makes available a team of fitness professionals who can work with and advise you on improving your physical fitness. Elevate your game with Torq-Cycle, a spin class that varies its intensity levels. Torq-Switch is dedicated to calorie-burning. Members can finish off with a Torq-Release session, which stretches and relaxes your muscles.
This fitness centre located in Central is an excellent choice if you are interested in learning MMA styles. From Muay Thai to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Impakt provides disciplined training routine for its members under the guidance of professional trainers. Beginners are made to feel welcome so if MMA training intrigues, drop by.
If your pursuit of fitness involves indoor cycling, then XYZ in Central is where you need to be. Dedicated to helping members elevate their energy levels, reduce stress, burn calories, and improve their conditioning, XYZ is 100% focused on intense cycling group sessions. The music is thumping with motivation, and the instructors will push you to the limit every time.
This female-only fitness facility located in Lan Kwai Fong, is dedicated to helping members achieve weight-loss through fitness and health coaching. Classes are conducted in small groups and include boxing, spinning, strength training, sculpting, and stretching.
With locations throughout Hong Kong, Physical offers a wide range of classes that include yoga, aerobics, dance Tai-Chi, Stretch, and spinning. All Physical facilities also have gyms equipped with the latest equipment.
The author, Paul Luciw, is the Founder and Managing Director of AsiaXPAT.