Health and fitness in Bangkok has come a long way in the past ten years. There was a time when belonging to a fitness club was only for local elites. With the opening of large fitness centres, membership has become accessible to practically everyone. The five below are my favourites:

Cascade Club

Take it from someone who has worked out in gyms all over the world. This is a candidate for the best fitness centre anywhere. The spacious weight area features state-of-the-art equipment and there are dedicated aerobics, spinning and Pilates rooms.

  6&7/F The Ascott Sathorn Bangkok

  187 South Sathorn Road

  Bangkok 10120

  Tel.: +66 2 676 6969

  www.cascadeclubandspa.com

  BTS Chong Nonsi

Studio by FIT

It can be easy to get lost in today’s huge fitness centres. If you want something more boutique, Studio by FIT is the centre for you. It is run by Fitness Innovations (Thailand), the place trainers go to get international certification from institutions like the American Council on Exercise (ACE), so you know they’re good.

  884, 886 Mahatun Plaza

  Phloenchit Road

  Lumpini, Pathumwan

  Bangkok 10330

  Tel.: +66 2 650 9242

  www.facebook.com/fitstudio.thailand?sk=info

  BTS Phloenchit, Exit 2

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Now’s Fitness

Looking for an inexpensive but comprehensive local gym? This is the place to go. The facilities are a bit smaller than what you’d get at a branch of the bigger chains, but the equipment is well-maintained and up-to-date. The location is convenient too: right at the foot of the BTS.

  1/F Now’s Fitness Building

  Phayathai Road

  Bangkok

  Tel.: +66 2 251 9557

  www.nowsfitness.com

  BTS Phayathai, Exit 2

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Royal Bangkok Sports Club

This is the grande dame of Bangkok sporting clubs, with exclusivity to match. There is not only a golf course, but also a horse racing track. Throw in two swimming pools, grass tennis courts, badminton courts, a fitness centre, hairdresser and spa and there’s nothing like it in any city centre the world over.

  1 Thanon Henri Dunant

  Pathum Wan, Pathumwan

  Bangkok 10330

  Tel.: +662 255 1420 9

  www.rbsc.org

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True Fitness

This is the only chain fitness centre that I would recommend. Five floors of equipment and exercise space makes the Exchange Square branch one of the biggest in Bangkok. The equipment is well-maintained and the personal training top-notch.

  LG-4/F Exchange Tower

  388 Sukhumvit Road

  Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110

  Tel.: +66 2 663 4999

  www.truefitness.co.th/index.htm

  BTS Asoke, MRT Sukhumvit