Gymnasiums

Gymnasiums

There are more gyms and fitness centres in Andalucía than ever before. Whereas in the early 1980s you’d have been pushed to find the odd male-dominated weights room, there are now many centres. Following the Jane Fonda exercise revolution two decades ago, a few small gyms opened along the Costa del Sol, some of which have survived, while others have disappeared. The Studio 1 Gym, in Las Rampas (Fuengirola), was one of the first in the early 1980s. It was then and still is English owned. Going even further back, the pioneering Atlantis Gym in Torremolinos has been open since 1969 and is still going strong, it has adapted to keep up with changing demands.

Sports and fitness centres along the Costa del Sol will almost always have English speaking staff and instructors, since they are used to tourists and foreign residents. In smaller clubs and off the beaten track, you may come across Spanish-only staff, but aerobics and other classes have universal moves and formats and the gym machines are similar to those elsewhere.

Because the gym industry has had to grow up so quickly in Andalucía, the strict regulations that apply in the UK and other northern European countries are not in place here. Nor is there much good training and re-training of instructors, so it should be pointed out that the motivation and standards are not always the same as in other countries. Use your common sense whenever you train and just remember that if you feel pain when training, especially in your back, then stop and ask for professional advice. Also, never be shy to ask to see the instructor’s credentials: highly qualified instructors are always delighted to show well-earned certificates or trophies.

The majority of clubs in Andalucía are private businesses, unlike most fitness centres in Britain, which are almost all part of a successful chain such as Courtneys, Canons, Fitness First, etc. The larger, newer clubs are catching on to the high demands and expectations of the 21st century body conscious businessperson, but some of the smaller clubs fall behind.

Most gyms close at weekends and on public holidays. Not such a problem if you are on holiday, but those tied to business hours often complain that that the monthly membership is high if they are limited to using the facilities at the busy weekday peak times. If you are planning to live in Andalucía and are looking to join a local fitness centre, make sure the opening hours suit you.

Monthly membership fees range from as little as €24 to nearly €100, depending on the facilities and the area. Prices tend to be higher in the luxury Marbella bracket and also at some of the new purpose-built leisure centres where the amenities are excellent and worth the extra money.

Most clubs will have a sauna, Jacuzzi and sometimes a steam room too. After a tough work out, one of the nicest things is to relax and enjoy these luxurious facilities. This is also a great opportunity to meet like minded friends, especially if you are new to the area, or are on holiday and want to know the best places to go.

Gymnasiums

Gymnasiums listing guide.

Gymnasiums

There are more gyms and fitness centres in Andalucía than ever before. Whereas in the early 1980s you’d have been pushed to find the odd male-dominated weights room, there are now many centres.

Hotel Meliá Don Pepe Sporting Club

The Sporting Club at the Five Star Hotel Meliá Don Pepe is in a very beautiful setting close to the beach (and just five minutes by car to Puerto Banus shopping centre). The gym has a weights room, cardiovascular machines, heated indoor pool, sauna, steam baths and 2 Jacuzzis.

Plaza Gym

This is a bright modern gym, with weights and plenty of cardiovascular machines as well as a selection of classes, including aerobics and step. The atmosphere is friendly and the big windows (open in the warmer months) look onto superb views down onto the bay of Marbella or over at the mountains behind.

Oxigeno Gym

This is certainly one of the most progressive sport clubs in the area. They have around 60 classes a week to chose from, 50 strength-building machines and 40 cardiovascular. Apart from the numerous fitness activities and classes, including Spinning, Aerobics, Aero-boxing, Stretching, etc., they also have fantastic state-of-the-art cardio vascular machines.

O2 Wellness Centre

Inaugurated in 2005, this seriously large and luxurious gym / fitness and wellness centre boasts five areas under one roof. The pool and spa area has a magnificent indoor swimming pool with waterfalls, bubbling massage circuit and water-treatment zone, all with breathtaking sea views over the Mediterranean. The gym/fitness area has the latest state-of-the-art equipment and trained professionals to guide you around, with wonderful sea views as you train.

Los Monteros Fitness Studio

The Fitness Studio at the 5 star luxury Los Monteros Hotel, is by the side of the hotel and looks out onto one of the 11 tennis courts of what is one of the best tennis facilities in these parts. The Hotel is easy to find on the beach side of the N340 coastal road, heading west toward Marbella town and is right opposite the large landmark, Costa del Sol Hospital.

Hotel Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness Club

A beautiful setting for a gym in a light and open room, but with limited equipment compared to some of the larger gyms in the area. The Fitness Club is secondary to the 10 tennis and 4 paddle tennis courts, but still offers aerobics classes by qualified professionals. With membership comes use of the sauna and Turkish baths, and the opening hours are excellent at seven days a week.

El Fuerte Gym

This luxury gym, housed in the beautiful El Fuerte Hotel in the heart of Marbella, is a place of privilege for a work out. The installations reflect the high quality and standard expected of a five star establishment. The extremely well equipped Nautilus gym has well-maintained, up-to-date machines, including spin bikes for spinning classes.

Alhamar Gym

This modern gym has a large cardiovascular machine room, aerobic and yoga classes and sauna a Turkish baths. It also has a UVA Sun Tanning Cabin. Membership fees include use of Sauna and Turkish baths and all classes.

Atenas Gym

Gimnasio Atenas was one of the pioneering gyms on the Costa del Sol. It opened in 1985 and has been going from strengthto strength ever since. It is easy to find, at the entrance to Marbella from the Malaga opposite Marbella port, in Calle Pintor Pacheo. The gym has a large machines room, Spinning classes, several aerobic rooms for the different classes, Jacuzzi, sauna and an indoor heated swimming pool.

Malaga City Gyms and sports

Sports is Big Business in Spain, as we are all frequently reminded with a quick look at the news; it´s not just the likes of Nadal, and Casillas that like to keep in shape. Along with Football and Tennis; Basketball, Swimming, Cycling and Athletics are all equally popular in Andalucia as in the rest of the country.

Gimnasio Atlantis in Torremolinos

In the centre of this bustling tourist town is one of the longest standing gyms on the coast. It has been open since 1980 years, but has been refurbished a few times along the way! It has a free weights area and cardiovascular machines room, as well as many classes on offer, such as aerobics, step, body conditioning and dance.

Fuengirola Gymnasiums

Gyms in Fuengirola. A guide to some of the established and popular gyms in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.

Gimnasio Atenas, Benalmadena

This is a professional, state-of-the art gym with all the latest equipment and keen, highly qualified staff and instructors to help to get into shape and stay there. There is a free weights area as well as an excellent cardiovascular machines room.

 

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