GUIDE: Gym and Fitness Facility Memberships in Metro Manila

(SPOT.ph) Going to the gym is a commitment—something you may or may not have realized after stepping foot inside one for the first time, or more likely, the first time you paid for a membership. Whether you inquired and applied after a 3 a.m. eureka moment or you've been planning with your friends, you’re here now. Regardless of the reason, you have to make the most out of it. It's for the start of a healthier, stronger, and happier you, after all.

These days, everyone is more or less making steps toward an active life. If you're one of them, good for you. If not, well, it's never too late. We lay down below what you need to know about making the most of your gym membership, as well as details on the ones available in the Metro. Get ready to join the Gen Zs as they say, "Okay, fitness queen!" 

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What to expect inside gyms, fitness facilities

Gyms and fitness centers should have a good amount of equipment and facilities for a great workout and training experience. They may include cardio machines, weightlifting equipment as well as dedicated spaces for functional training and group exercise in their services and facilities. Well-maintained locker rooms and showers for their members are also a must. Who wouldn't want to freshen up after a good workout? 

How to maximize your gym membership

Gym memberships are so much more than getting you access to the gym and all its equipment and facilities—most of which you don’t readily have at home.

Having a gym membership can also open doors to advice and guidance from professionals, as well as allow you to connect to community members (which may be beneficial not just for physical and mental health, but also for your heart, not being cheesy here). Gym buddies, anyone?

Gyms offer trial days to get you going, and once you truly and willingly want to invest, a membership is being offered to you. Rates may vary per branch. Heck, you can even sign up with (or force) your family and friends and achieve your fitness goals together. If no one else wants, invest in a personal trainer.

It’ll be much more convenient if the gym is within walking distance. You don’t want the journey to the gym more intense than the exercise itself (although it is also a good workout). 

Most gyms also have their perks that you can utilize like personalized plans or access to more gym locations, among others. Try all the classes when you can. You can talk to trainers and gym members when they’re free and exchange routines and fitness tips. You also don't need to dive in head first. It's best to take things slow. What's important is you show up for yourself.

Here are some of the best gym-slash-fitness facilities in the Metro

Anytime Fitness

True to its name, you can have 24/7 access to Anytime Fitness gyms—and that’s in 5,100 locations worldwide. Anytime Fitness has about 153 gyms in the Philippines, and the services may vary depending on the location. This is very convenient for people who work from the morning to the afternoon (they can go later in the day) or vice versa, or have changing shifts. You work out at your own pace, but that may also mean having more discipline. 

They have equipment like barbells, dumbbells, functional training, and medicine balls, to lifestyle services like training and coaching, fitness assessment, and small group training among others. You also have private restrooms and showers.

You can get a 1-day free trial to familiarize yourselves with Anytime Fitness. You can sign up through their website.

UFC Gym

UFC Gym Philippines is a premium, mixed-use MMA (mixed martial arts) Center and fitness facility. Not only do you have unlimited access to their strength and cardio equipment and group classes, but also to Ultimate/MMA classes. Where else would you learn MMA from than the ultimate fighting championship organization? Their classes include wrestling, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, among others. 

You can check out more details at their website.

Kinetix Lab

Whether it's improving your overall fitness, doing specialized training, or anywhere in between, Kinetix Lab and its fitness training facilities will help you achieve your goal. They cater to all types of fitness needs: general fitness, weight loss, muscle building, sport-specific training, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and strongman as well as have a wide range of equipment and accredited coaches—which is already an amazing combination, TBH—as well as a variety of classes you could participate in with a group. You can even assess your strength before you dive in head first through their Strength Meter Assessment.

You can check out more details at their website.

Fitness First

There's nothing more motivating than surrounding yourself with people who have the same goals as you. Fitness First has a wide variety of group exercises (over 2,300 fitness classes every month) to choose from: strength and conditioning, HIIT, cardio, cycling—you name it. You can suffer, err, exercise with a group. You also have complete gym equipment to use and spacious workout areas. There's even a member's lounge with unlimited coffee and tea in their member's lounge. Let off steam inside their steam room. 

Their Home Club Plan starts from as low as P2,650/month. Their Platinum Plan, on the other hand, starts at P3,300/month and gives you access to all areas. They also have a FitPass Prepaid Access Package, which is their commitment-free package with no monthly fees, contract duration, and longer validity period. 

You can sign a three-day trial when you sign up on their website.

Slimmers World

Working out is already self-care, but if you mean also pampering yourself through body treatments—you can find both in Slimmers World. They have personalized programs in slimming, health, fitness, and beauty. Slimmers offers personal training, power boxing, core fit, as well as a variety of aerobics classes that come free for every member. They also have body treatments for after workouts, like massages and aromatherapy, among other procedures.

You can check out more details at their website.

Kerry Sports Manila

Kerry Sports Manila combines all the ways to let off steam under one roof. Located in Bonifacio Global City, this indoor lifestyle and leisure club boasts an expanse of 8,000 square meters of space, with dedicated spots for fitness and exercise. They have over 90 units of professional equipment, training and recovery facilities for cardio and weight training, and a vitality pool where you can get your laps in, as well as a studio for yoga, pilates, spinning, and dance classes.

They also have an NBA-grade indoor basketball court, and tennis courts, among others. There's also a spa on the sixth floor. You can check out more details on their website.

Kerry Sports Manila is located on Levels 5 and 6, Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Surge Fitness

When they say work hard, play hard, they might have been looking at the combination of fitness and leisure activities Surge Fitness has. With nine branches in the Metro, Surge offers services that cater to personal and group fitness through their gym equipment, advanced training programs, and group sessions. They also have ride studios and signature classes.

If you're working remotely, they also have co-working spaces that let you continue working in between working out. You can get a one-day experience pass for P1,000. 

You can check out more details on their website.

Also read: SPOT.ph Picks: Best Workout Studios in Metro Manila