Fitness First was founded in 1993 in the United Kingdom. It’s now one of the most recognizable names in the fitness world, especially in Southeast Asia.

One of the advantages of choosing Fitness First is that it has plenty of locations across the city. If you live in and near inner Bangkok, you’re bound to find a branch close to you.

Another thing we appreciate about this company is that its trainers follow the same standards, called the “5 Key Pillars of Fitness” — posture, mobility, core, strength, and cardio.

Its gym trainers are certified, and they’ve received the training necessary to ensure that they can guide you towards your fitness goals. They also know which safety precautions to take to avoid injury.

We also like that Fitness First has clean, hygienic, and well-equipped facilities. So no matter which branch you go to, you can trust that it will be clean and contain the most up-to-the-minute equipment.

Aside from the main gym, it also has a sauna room, steam room, and a swimming pool.

Fitness First is a good option if you’re looking for a wide array of classes. From yoga to biking to BODYJAM, you’ll be sure to find a type of workout that will fit your needs and interests.

However, we noticed a drawback: there is no standard membership pricing. Here, membership rates vary based on the package type most suited for your goals and needs.

So if you want to know how much your monthly fee will be, you’ll need to consult with one of the trainers first.

Next on our list is Fitness 24 Seven. Since its establishment in 2003 in Lund, Sweden, this gym has grown to over 200 branches in five countries. 

True to its name, Fitness 24 Seven is open 24/7, which we think is one of its major draws. It’s ideal for clients who work night shifts and have no time during the day to go to the gym to work out.

Another thing that sets it apart is that it has a women’s gym that only female clients can access. So if you’re uncomfortable with working out with the opposite sex, Fitness 24 Seven is an excellent option.

One of the best things about this gym is its all-inclusive membership. You’ll have access to its gym clubs worldwide as soon as you receive your membership card.

If you find yourself in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Colombia and need to maintain your fitness routine while on vacation, your membership card will serve you well.

The membership rates are surprisingly affordable, given the services and equipment available for members. The joining fee is usually ฿1,499, but the gym usually has promos, so you can even start with ฿899 per month if you’re lucky.

We think the affordable price is one of the brand’s core values — access to fitness facilities for those with a limited budget.

However, one disadvantage is that Fitness 24 Seven doesn’t have as many types of classes as its contemporaries. While other better-known gyms have a hundred classes, Fitness 24 Seven has less than 20.

Founded in 2013, The Lab is a boutique gym that specializes in strength, functional movement, and conditional training. It utilizes a small but well-trained team of trainers.

One of the things we love about this gym is that it’s results-driven. Of course, all gyms focus on visible and long-lasting results, but The Lab takes this ethos to another level.

Because its founder is passionate about wellness, clients can expect programs and coachings focused on health and strength. It’s also an excellent choice for physical rehabilitation, with your doctor’s approval and guidance.

We also appreciate that the gym is upfront about its packages from the get-go. It offers five boxes, ranging from weight loss to strength to personal training. 

The Lab also offers group training for clients who love working out with others. It also provides Nutrition Coaching services, which is another thing that distinguishes it from its contemporaries.

Its package rates are primarily affordable, save for one — the six-week weight loss program is three times more expensive than the other packages.

Furthermore, if you’re looking for a personalized program best suited to your needs and lifestyle, the trainers here will work with you to design a customized training routine.

Another thing to note is that the gym is committed to sustainability, and The Lab is for you if you’re a conscious consumer passionate about this. Notably, the gym personnel saves 2,500 single-use plastic bottles from ending up in our oceans monthly. 

However, one disadvantage is that because the brand is only less than ten years old, there are only two branches as of 2022. 

It also doesn’t offer classes like Zumba or yoga, so if you’re looking for specific workouts, you won’t necessarily find them here.

BASE Bangkok is an Adidas-sponsored fitness boutique founded in 2016. Its founder and CEO sought to fill a gap in the Thailand fitness market, which he believed to be the “poor standard of personal training.”

Currently, it has three locations across Bangkok, and clients can schedule appointments through the website or by calling.

BASE offers personal training and group classes and utilizes its trademarked technology called BASELINE®. It was developed to help the clients monitor their progress and to see how they rank on the leaderboards privately.

BASE also uses a signature mix of workout routines to burn fat, build muscles, and help you achieve your fitness goals.

The fitness coaches are well-trained, passionate, motivating, and friendly — ideal for clients who might feel insecure about setting up appointments.

More a fitness boutique than a gym, BASE offers personal training, group class training, and semi-private personal training, which is a class of up to four people.

One potential con is that it has a limited range of classes. This is because BASE uses its tech called BASELINE®, so its courses are designed around that technology.

Another disadvantage is that the packages are on the higher end. The most affordable package available is ฿7,900, and that’s only for one month. Some packages cost around ฿1,000 to ฿2,000, but that’s only for one session.

BASE is certainly marketed as a higher-end way to work out, especially since the coaches are well-trained and the brand focuses on top-quality training.

The fitness programs at Flash Fitness are a result of over 26 years of trial, error, and observation. The founder and his team have a different view of health and fitness, and they purport their programs to yield effective and long-lasting results.

It offers a money-back guarantee if there are no visible results after 90 days. So if you want to see perceptible and measurable effects after your sessions, Flash Fitness is worth the try.

One thing we appreciate greatly about this program is that the packages are clear from the onset. So if you want to know exactly what you’re getting, how many sessions, and how much it will cost, you’ll love consulting with its trainers.

Moreover, its rates are cheaper than the other gyms in the area. A drop-in workout will set you back ฿800. Seventy-two sessions cost ฿24,840, which amounts to ฿345 per session, so the more sessions you avail, the cheaper every session will be.

It also offers free trials, so if you glean a lot of benefits from that first trial, you can continue scheduling more sessions for the future.

One potential drawback, however, is that the consultation fee is on the higher end. 

At ฿3,000, the trainer assesses your current personal fitness, current, and past nutrition tendencies, metabolic health, training protocols, sleep, supplement regimes, and lifestyle habits. 

From there, the trainer will help create a plan for you to follow to begin your fitness journey.

However, while the initial consultation has a fee, the nutrition and habit recommendations are free, so that might be part of what you’re paying for when you avail of the initial consultation.

FitWhey Gym is a fitness center that prides itself on providing the best for its customers, offering a wide range of equipment, including the renowned Italian brand Panatta, as well as a cafe, classes, and a product shop.

We like that they offer a variety of unlimited class programs, providing members with options to diversify their workouts. Whether it’s engaging Zumba classes, energetic trampoline sessions, strength-building Iron classes, or relaxing yoga, there’s something for everyone’s fitness goals and preferences.

The presence of a cafe within the gym is a convenient perk. Members can enjoy hot and cold beverages, including coffee, along with protein brownies and clean food options. This allows for pre-or post-workout refueling and relaxation in a social setting.

While having a cafe on-site is convenient, the cost of food and beverages within the gym may be higher compared to external options. Members should be prepared for potentially higher prices for cafe items.

In conclusion, FitWhey Gym offers a comprehensive fitness experience with quality equipment, diverse class programs, on-site amenities like a cafe and product shop, and a motivating community.