WHAT MAKES A good gym? Everyone is likely to have a different answer. Some value high-tech equipment above all else. Others look for perks, like access to extra amenities, services or merch. Some say it’s all about the staff, as an encouraging personal trainer can be the most important factor of all. A sizable demographic also prefer a more barebones approach, with nothing more than basic equipment and an open space to pump iron.
You can take your pick of what you prefer, but ultimately what constitutes the perfect gym is probably subjective. But, for the most part, what we all want is somewhere we can lock in on our goals without too many distractions. And in a city as active and image-conscious as Sydney, there are plenty of options.
From boutique Bondi studios with ocean views to ultra-luxe iron paradises in the heart of the CBD, Sydney’s gym scene caters to every kind of athlete. But there isn’t a single gym that will be perfect for everyone. So, to help you find the right gym for you, we’ve sweated our way through the city to bring you the very best gyms Sydney has to offer.
What are the best gyms in Sydney?
Lockeroom
38-42 Bridge St, CBD or 4/6 Bligh St, CBD
Lockeroom, with a pair of CBD locations on Bridge street and Bligh street, has the kind of spare-no-expense equipment and luxe finishes you’d expect to find in a Manhattan-style health club. The upscale perks include a daily laundry and towel service, Aesop bathroom products and canned water by Calm & Stormy. Just to make it in the door you need to be vetted and pass a two-stage referral process. That exclusivity is what creates the allure.
Weekly membership cost: Available upon request
Acero
Level 1/89 Anzac Parade, Kensington
Led by celebrity trainer and former Men’s Health cover star Jono Castano, Acero boasts an all-black interior that features heavily on the ‘grams of your favourite celebrities and sports stars. With some of the world’s top trainers inhouse and state-of-the-art equipment, Acero offers a packed schedule of specialised classes for cardio, upper body, lower body and more. You can also get comprehensive support with a 12 or six-week transformation package if you’re looking to hit your fitness goals with the help of world-class trainer.
Weekly membership cost: $99 for unlimited class membership or $6,000 for 12-week transformation
Ultimate Performance
50 Pitt St, CBD
Ultimate Performance specialises in transformations, led by a team of world-class personal trainers. The gym utilises a results-driven approach. As they say, “we live and die by our results”. To talk such a big game would usually be setting a gym up for failure, but to see those results, you need only to take a look at some of the transformation stories we’ve published here, which were accomplished through Ultimate Performance.
Weekly membership cost: Available upon request
Soma
Chifley Tower 2, Chifley Square Ground floor, Sydney
Soma is to gyms what business class is to air travel. It’s potentially the most luxurious gym in all of Australia, with body composition screenings, state-of-the-art equipment and elite personal training. It’s priced on the higher end of the membership spectrum, but the high costs get you access to reformer Pilates, HIIT and stretch/mobility classes, as well as a customised training program. On-site nutritionists, physios and health professionals are located within SOMA’s Health Hub, and recovery options are comprehensive with traditional and infrared saunas and a mineral cold plunge pool. Perhaps the biggest selling point for those who value privacy above all else is that membership is capped at only 500 clients.
Weekly membership cost: $96 for access to all classes and recovery facilities, plus complimentary towels and laundry service.
World Gym Moore Park
2205a/122 Lang Rd, Moore Park
You might’ve seen the giant mural of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the wall of World Gym Moore Park on Instagram, but assuredly, there’s more to the gym than aesthetics. Open 24/7, this spacious facility boasts top-tier equipment from brands like Panatta, Life Fitness and Hammer Strength. The gym offers a dedicated zone for powerlifting – and a posing room – but there’s plenty of space for everyone. If group fitness is more your speed, you can try classes ranging from yoga and indoor cycling to kickboxing. There’s even an on-site café and a pro shop for supplements and gear.
Weekly membership cost: Available upon request
One Playground Newtown
Level 1/672 King St, Newtown
Pioneering the concept of the ‘super-boutique’, One Playground blends high-performance training, wellness and luxury into an affordable membership package. With multiple locations across the city – including an expansive new flagship in Haymarket – each gym offers a unique atmosphere while maintaining a consistent standard of excellence. It’s the Newtown spot, however, that’s our favourite. Members get access to over 600 classes weekly, ranging from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength circuits to yoga, Pilates and dance.
Weekly membership cost: Multi-club access from $30
98 Gym Darlinghurst
98 Riley St, Darlinghurst
98 Gym has locations all over the country, but it’s the Riley street precinct in Darlinghurst that holds our attention. With two group training areas, an expansive open-plan gym space and the latest range of Concept2 Ski Ergs rowers and bike ergs, 98 Gym Darlinghurst caters to every kind of fitness enthusiast. Thanks to its smartphone entry system, access is made easy. And for those particularly invested in the quality of their equipment, you’ll find a wide range available here.
Weekly membership cost: All access from $95
City Gym
107 Crown St, Darlinghurst
City Gym markets itself as “Australia’s most iconic and inclusive gym”. That’s because since opening its doors in 1978, the gym has been a cornerstone for the LGBTQ+ community, coming to be affectionately known as Sydney’s ‘gay gym’. Following a recent renovation, City Gym has revitalised its facilities while preserving its inclusive ethos. Members can enjoy a diverse range of classes, from HIIT and boxing to yoga and Reformer Pilates, all led by expert instructors. The gym’s three-level layout includes dedicated spaces for strength training, cardio and group classes, complemented by amenities like a physiotherapy clinic and an on-site eatery.
Weekly membership cost: From $28
Sporting Club of Sydney
40/44 Driver Ave, Moore Park
Tucked away behind Allianz Stadium, the Sporting Club of Sydney offers a luxurious fusion of fitness and leisure. Spanning over 3,000 square metres, the facility boasts a comprehensive range of amenities. Members have access to cutting-edge gyms equipped for weights, cardio and functional training, alongside group training rooms hosting classes for yoga, Pilates, cycling and HIIT sessions. Aquatic facilities include a 25-metre indoor heated pool and a 50-metre outdoor pool, complete with bookable cabanas. Additional offerings encompass squash and tennis courts, a virtual golf studio and a day spa featuring treatment rooms, an infrared sauna, traditional saunas, steam rooms, hot spas and a cold plunge pool.
Weekly membership cost: Available upon request
The Bunker
69-81 Foveaux St, Surry Hills
Descend beneath the city to enter a futuristic world of raw concrete, neon lights and brushed metal. The Bunker is a hidden boutique studio, the brainchild of Justin Ashley and Serra Burmin, founders of the innovative One Playground gyms we’ve already mentioned. The Bunker is unique among the franchise’s offerings though, due to its set up. The equipment is appropriately advanced, with encouraging trainers and a community-minded atmosphere that will keep you coming back.
Weekly membership cost: $30 through One Playground multi-club access membership
