The Next Step
Conveniently located in the central business district
The Landmark
5B Ton Duc Thang, Q1
Tel: 3822 2098
www.thelandmarkvietnam.com
This club offers the only other squash court among the health clubs we surveyed. Although the gym itself is small, it is well-equipped and also offers a rooftop pool with a spectacular view of Saigon River and beyond. The lockers are adequate and offer saunas. A one month membership costs VND2,800,000 and a one year membership is VND19,600,000. A squash-only membership is VND4,000,000 for three months and VND12,000,000 for the year. Discounts are also available for off peak hours and group memberships.
California Fitness
28-32 Le Lai, Q1
Tel: 6291 5999
www.cfyc.com.vn
This centre, also known as California Wow, has several locations throughout the city. The one on Le Lai near Ben Thanh Market is conveniently located in the centre of town. The facilities are spread over nine floors with the top floor acting as a juice bar with an internet café replete with a few cardio stations as well. Two floors house the lockers rooms which are basic, but serviceable. There is a floor for weight training and another for cardio. In both cases the equipment is up-to-date. There are two floors dedicated to studios for classes that include yoga, core work, step, and a variety of dance classes such as Zumba, belly and pole dancing. There is also a room dedicated to spinning. Membership fees cost VND27,300,000 per year, or VND3,339,000 per month. However, this price only covers membership at one location. If one desires to have the flexibility to use additional locations, membership fees exceed VND42,000,000 per year.
Lift in Luxury
For those who want to be pampered while running on the treadmill
Star Fitness Bitexco
The Manor, First Floor, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh
Tel: 3515 0254
www.starfitnessvn.com
This fitness club includes many of the amenities one would expect from a luxury facility. Although the cardio room, which provides monitors for every station, is separate from the rest of the gym, the quality isn’t diminished in the least. Populated by quality equipment from the likes of Cybex, Hammer and Life Fitness, your muscles are sure to get a workout. If lifting weights isn’t for you there are two studios with classes including yoga, step, dance and martial arts to work up a sweat. Afterwards members can cool down in the pool. Membership fees are VND1,470,000 per month or VND13,356,000 per year not including five percent VAT. There are lower rates for longer contracts or off-peak hours as well.
Crescent Wellness
Crescent Plaza, 105 Ton Dat Tien, Q7
Tel: 5412 1277
clubmgr@cswellness.vn
This facility is at the top-end of Ho Chi Minh City’s luxury health clubs. Spacious and tastefully designed, amenities include top of the line cardio and weight lifting equipment. The entire facility has Wi-Fi available throughout as well as TVs and iPod docks to pass the time away on the treadmills, elliptical machines or bikes. There are studios which hold over 61 classes per week including yoga, Pilates, dance, spinning and the new Kinesis machines of which Crescent Wellness has the only ones in Southeast Asia. In addition to a rooftop pool, CW sports one of the few squash courts available in town. Both are included in membership fees that cost VND18,690,000 for six months or VND33,180,000 per year, inclusive of VAT. Members are allowed to freeze their membership for up to three months, once for a six-month membership and twice for a year membership, to accommodate travel or a return home for a holiday.
Saigon River Club
Ruby Towers, Saigon Pearl, 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh
Tel: 3514 9009
www.saigonriverclub.com
This gym exemplifies the luxurious health club. The facilities are kept in immaculate condition, including the too-good-to-be-true locker rooms which sport saunas, steam rooms and wall-to-wall carpeting. Featuring modern amenities that include top of the line cardio machines each with a monitor to watch TV while you burn fat, there are two studios that host classes such as yoga and dance. Members may also use the pool and hot tub. Membership fees are VND2,247,000 per month or VND21,840,000 per year not including 10 percent VAT. Longer contracts or electing to use the facilities during off-peak hours will save members additional money. Towels and bottled water are provided at no additional charge.
In The Outer Districts
What the other districts have to offer for your fitness needs
GetFit
Level 3 H3 Building, 384 Hoang Dieu, Q4
Tel: 6261 6168
www.getfitvn.com
A clean, bright space, this gym offers modern equipment as well as two studios for classes including yoga, Pilates, aerobics, kickboxing and several types of dance including belly, sexy, Rumba and contemporary. The lockers have private showers, steam baths and saunas, and are clean and comfortable. They have a juice bar and provide Wi-Fi throughout. Membership is VND9,450,000 for one year and VND6,300,000 for off peak. Longer contracts provide additional savings. GetFit provides great value for the money and yet is still located close to the heart of the city.
Hollywood Fitness World
B12 Nguyen Huu Tho, Q7
Tel: 6262 4918
This health club can be found in a shopping plaza just south of LotteMart in District 7. The first floor is the cardio room and reception area where towels are provided. The second floor houses the weight room and lockers. The weight room is decently sized and has plenty of equipment to utilise. On the top floor is a tiled studio that offers yoga, spinning and step classes. While the club is more limited than others, the prices are in line with the services. Membership fees for one month are VND800,000 and VND6,000,000 for one year.
Rach Mieu Gym Club
1 Hoa Phuong, Phu Nhuan
This gym is set in a large complex boasting a wide array of physical activities. Within steps of the gym one can venture into a variety of dance classes, martial arts, an Olympic sized pool, billiards, tennis courts and basketball. Just outside the complex are many of the city’s best street food eateries making a fine reward for a hard workout, or rather a fuel stop right before hitting the machines. The gym itself is simple but clean and orderly. There are cardio machines, free weights and weight machines. A one month membership is VND600,000 and VND7,000,000 for one year. There are additional discounts for those willing to restrict their use to either morning or afternoon hours.
No Frills
It’s all about pumping muscles here, no dancing allowed
Mach’s Gym
1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Q1
Mach’s Gym screams ‘old school’ as you walk in the door. If you’ve ever been to a Gold’s Gym in the US you’ll feel right at home at Mach’s. It’s conventionally laid out on a single, ground floor with cardio at the entrance, followed by weight machines in the middle and the free weights at the end. The equipment is up-to-date and the facilities are kept clean. It’s adjacent to soccer fields for those who prefer to get their cardio on the pitch rather than the treadmill. A number of well-known celebrities also work out here. Daily membership is VND50,000, monthly is VND500,000 and yearly is VND4,800,000, all inclusive of VAT.
