From Shanghai to Singapore, 5 cross-Asia gyms that keep you fit all year long
Make a note of these gyms in Asia so that you don’t miss your endorphins while travelling across the region
For gym bunnies, there’s little worse than finding yourself out of town and out of your regular workout routine. While we believe in finding our tribe to motivate us through each and every workout (think Shanghai’s FitFam which has found its way to Hong Kong, or Singapore’s Broc-n-Bells, the social wellness app designed like a dating app but for the sole purpose of matching you with a sweat buddy), what really makes us feel right at home for a workout is the gym itself.
... what really makes us feel right at home for a workout is the gym itself
These five gyms have a presence across Asia – ensuring there is no need to fear that you’ll miss your go-to dose of endorphins while on a short haul trip.
Pure Fitness & Pure Yoga
It should come as no surprise that this yoga-fitness chain, a household name in Southeast Asia among the fitness community, will top this list. What makes Pure stand out for a frequent traveller is the pure convenience of it all. In Hong Kong alone, there are 10 gyms and 12 yoga studios to pick from. Shanghai boasts two gyms and three yoga studios, while Singapore is home to three gyms and four yoga studios. Beijing also has one yoga studio. While each teacher will have their own style, you can guarantee you will be treated to the same spa-like environment in the changing rooms and the same level of expertise across Asia.
FitFam
While not strictly a physical gym, FitFam is worth a mention. Founded in Shanghai, the group highlights community spirit and believes fitness is a fundamental right that should be free for everyone. It has brought together like-minded people in cities in mainland China, and expanded to Hong Kong last year, as well as Taipei, California and Toronto.
From certified yogis within the community to experienced boxers showing the family the ropes, there are over 100 community leaders organising and leading classes across cities in Asia. Focusing on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, its Hong Kong division has attracted over 1,000 members.
What makes the community stand out is that it is truly about finding your tribe and finding the group that holds you accountable for turning up to that gruelling morning and night session, doing that one extra burpee or running that one extra mile. The community transcends cultures and crosses oceans, ensuring that no matter where you are, your FitFam will be working out right alongside you.