Joining a Beijing gym is one of the easiest and most convenient ways for expats to keep fit!
There is a wide choice of gyms in Beijing including the traditional big box gym complete with free weights, lifting machines, swimming pool, and group fitness classes.
Recently, many mini-gyms and 24-hour access gyms have opened. So, expats on lower budgets, or those who want to work out at strange hours can now also find a suitable Beijing gym.
There are also a small number of CrossFit and functional training gyms in Beijing.
Membership prices for a Beijing gym can vary widely from as low as no membership fee to as much as RMB 25,000 (US$ 3,650) per year.
Below, we look at the key issues to consider when joining a Beijing gym. At the end of the article we have a Beijing gym list including a selection of the best gyms located near to expat dense neighborhoods. We include their contact details, WeChat official account, and membership fees.
If you are looking for other activities to help you get in shape check out our Beijing fitness guide for expats.
For expats moving to Shanghai, please find information on Shanghai fitness centers.
Big Box Beijing Gym
Membership fees for a big box gym in Beijing are more expensive than those in many other cities.
Gyms located in the expat dense districts of Sanlitun, Liangmaqiao, and GuoMao (China International Trade center) are especially expensive. These gyms, however, offer large work-out areas with numerous weight machines and lots of free weights in very comfortable settings.
Big box gyms, unlike mini gyms, also have large changing rooms and shower facilities.
Most of these gyms have group fitness classes for everything from yoga to zumba to boxing. Some of the gyms also have swimming pools, spinning rooms and more.
Some gyms are part of fitness chains with several branches around Beijing and even in other cities around China.
The more expensive big box chains have famous international brand equipment such as Life Fitness. Some open early in the morning and a few allow 24-hour access.
The cheaper big box gyms use less-known equipment brands and do not open their doors until 10am. So be sure to ask the gyms operating hours to make sure they match your schedule.
Some of the top gyms in Beijing have installed air filtration systems or portable air purifiers to kill viruses and reduce air pollution.
Membership Fees at a Beijing Gym
You definitely need to use your bargaining skills when shopping for a membership at a big box Beijing gym. After a tour of the facilities the sales person will first show you the public price list. Then the haggling for a better price will begin.
First, ask if they have any special offers recently. Also ask what discounts are available for longer-term memberships. Be sure to let the sales person know you will be visiting other gyms in Beijing to compare facilities and prices. They are sure to call you back after your visit and sometimes offer even better deals.
The discount prices listed below were offered during initial visits to Beijing gyms, so there could be even more room for bargaining. The high-end exclusive gyms we mention below, however, are less likely to bargain.
Some mini-gyms do not charge membership fees and instead only charge for fitness classes you attend. Others charge small fees not usually open to bargaining. However, even these gyms offer discounts during special occasions or when purchasing longer-term memberships. So sign up for their WeChat accounts where you can hear about special promotions.
Nevertheless, don’t waste too much time trying to save a few RMB. Most important is to find a gym with a convenient location, suitable operating hours and the equipment that meets your needs.
Beijing Gym Memberships
Some Beijing gyms offer drop-in rates or monthly memberships. But full-year and multi-year memberships come at much better rates.
Multi-year memberships, however, can be risky. From time to time you hear about Beijing gyms closing down and leaving their members in a lurch.
Most will offer refunds, but some transfer you to another location which might not be as convenient. And even some gyms just disappear without their members receiving any compensation. It’s good, therefore, to find out the history and ownership of the gym before deciding whether or not to buy a longer term membership.
Multi-site fitness chains offer memberships for a single location as well as for city-wide and even China-wide access to their gyms. These memberships cost more, but could come in handy if you move or travel a lot. Likewise, however, be sure to consider the reliability of the fitness chain before purchasing such a membership.
Many gyms will offer a free trial visit, which can be a good idea to take advantage of before making your final decision.
Personal Trainers at a Beijing Gym
You can hire a personal trainer at most Beijing gyms. This could be a good idea if you are a novice or lack discipline. In fact, most gyms aggressively push this service as it is a key part of their income.
The list price for personal training in Beijing usually varies between RMB 250 and 550/hour, but some can charge as much as RMB 1,000/hour for highly qualified trainers.
Once again, bargaining is critical when discussing hiring a personal trainer. They will certainly give you a cheaper price if you purchase many hours at once. The lower you go, however, the more likely they will assign you one of their novice trainers. So ask for a trial lesson before you purchase.
Beijing Gym List
Our Beijing gym list includes a selection of Big Box gyms, Crossfit gyms, high-end exclusive gyms and boutique mini-gyms. Some operate 24-hours, which we list below.
Big Box Gyms
Here is a selection of the Big Box gyms in Beijing.
Will’s Fitness
One of largest fitness chains in China with over 100 branches in Shanghai alone. Will’s are now making a big push in Beijing. Will’s was taken over by Catterton in 2019, the owner of the luxury LV brand (LVMH).
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: Willsgym
Website: https://www.willsfitness.net/index
Locations: Wangfujing Oriental Plaza, Chaoyang, Fengtai, Haidian
Membership Price:
– RMB 9,888 for one year at one location
– RMB 13,888 for 3 years at one location
Special Offers:
– In August 2019, I was offered a national membership with a second year included for free for the same price as the yearly single location membership; RMB 9,888.
Bao Li Hao Powerhouse Gym
Well established in Beijing, the Powerhouse gym franchise is now expanding to other cities around China. They have several branches located near expat dense communities in Beijing such as Jianwai Soho. They have quite a good number of exercise machines from high quality brands such as Life Fitness and Star Trac. They also offer many group fitness classes included with the membership. Very few of their centers, however, have swimming pools.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: PHGservice
Locations:
IFC bldg (in front of Jianwai Soho)
LG bldg. (in front of Jianwai Soho)
Wangfujing
Chaoyang North (Beiyuan)
Olympic park
Membership Price:
– RMB 7,688 for one year at one location
– RMB 9,888 for three years at one location
– RMB 13,888 for five years for all locations
Special Offers – In October 2019 I was offered (without much bargaining):
– RMB 5,988 one location for one year,
– RMB 7,688 all Beijing locations for one year
– RMB 8,888 all Beijing locations for 3 years,
The salesman also told me that when I was ready to start he will ask his manager to make me a better offer.
Tera Wellness Fitness
Originally a branch of a long established American brand that entered China in 2001. Most Tera Wellness gyms are very large including a swimming pool and group fitness classrooms.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: wellness1012
Website: http://www.1012china.com/web/index.html
Locations: Several around Beijing including in Liangmaqiao Grand Summit, Jianwai Soho, Swiss apartments (old one), Embassy area, Wangjing Huacai, Xidan, Shunyi
Addresses: http://www.1012china.com/web/fitness_club.html
Membership Price:
– RMB 9,600 for one location for one year
– RMB 17,800 for one location for three years
Special Offers:
– RMB 7,500 for one year for Grand Summit location
Pre-sale for a new location opening in JianWai Soho in early 2020:
– RMB 4,300 for 1 year
– RMB 5,500 for 2 years
– RMB 7,500 for 3 years
PaiLiSi Fitness (Palace Fitness)
Palace fitness has five locations in Beijing including the former YMCA Nolita Gym in the XingFu JiaYuan residential compound, Guangqumen area. This newly renovated gym includes a full olympic size swimming pool.
Palace fitness offers very good membership rates for a big box gym. Apart from the large swimming pool, it includes lots of weight machines, free weights and running machines. It also has personal trainers and many group fitness classes. Unfortunately, most of their locations are not convenient for expats.
Contact Info:
No website or WeChat
Locations: (See picture for addresses)
– Dongcheng district Guangqumen area XingFu JiaYuan residential compound third phase.,
– Haidian district Zhongguancun,
– Xizhimen,
– North Chaoyang district Xingbahe,
– Tongzhou
Membership Price:
– RMB 4,998 for one location for one year
– Personal Trainers: 360/hour.
Special Offers:
– RMB 3,888 for one location for 3 years
(At the Xingfu JiaYuan location)
– Discounts for personal trainers when buying more hours
Alexander Health Club
The Alexander gym in Central Park recently closed, but they still have about 10 locations around Beijing including Haidian district, Chaoyang District South. A high-end brand owned by Sinofit, which also has cheaper gyms under the ZhongJian brand. The individual membership prices at this gym don’t seem very attractive, at least those offered during an initial visit, but apparently they focus on selling corporate memberships and have good offers for such.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: alexanderclub
Sinofit WeChat ID: SINOFIT001
Website: http://www.alexander.cn
Sinofit Website: http://sinofit.cn/
Membership Price:
– RMB 2,000/month
– RMB 11,800 for one year for all Beijing locations.
Special Offer:
– RMB 10,800/year for all Beijing locations
Park Avenue Fitness
The fitness center of the Park Avenue residential compound where many expats live in Beijing. Good quantity of high-end fitness machines and an indoor swimming pool with natural lighting. Group classes for Hatha Yoga, pilates, High-intensity interval training (HIIT), Zumba and more.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: gh_82bbd9d06cf7
Tel: 65306647
Add: Single Location: Building 4, #6 Chaoyang Park South Rd.
Membership price:
– RMB 9,600 annual fee
– Personal trainers – RMB 500/hour and up
Special Offer:
– 15% off for residents of Park Avenue
Central Park Fitness Club
Although the Alexander Health Club in Central Park has closed, expats still have this decent sized upscale gym in the compound. The gym includes a well lit swimming pool in addition to the work-out area. Definitely less crowded than the local big box gyms. They also offer swimming lessons for kids.
Contact Info:
Website: http://www.centralparkfitnessclub.com
Tel: 65979566
Add: Tower 26 Central Park, No.6 Chaoyangmenwai street (also near to ChaoWai Soho)
Membership Fee:
– RMB 15,000 per year.
– Personal trainers are available for 600/hour.
Special Offer:
– Special rates for couples and families.
– Some residents in Central Park compound have the gym membership included with their rent.
HiTie Fitness Club
HiTie is a large gym located in the basement of an office building in the Yansha area. They have many group classes and a huge spinning room with a DJ to lead classes some nights.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: HITIECLUB
Add: Basement, No. 3 Xinyuan Nan Rd., JiaYi Yansha bridge West near Liangmaqiao.
Membership price:
– RMB 1,888/month
– RMB 7,888 for one year
Special Offer:
– RMB 6,000/year, possibly lower with more bargaining.
My Fitness
High end gym with 3 locations in Beijing. Top brand equipment, large swimming pool and many classes including certified Les Mills classes; BodyJam, BodyPump etc. Their operating hours are quite good for a Beijing gym.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: MyfitnessPremium
About: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Di-Yja5bp0CNr3dwcGEUQw
Locations:
– China Central Place Apartments (Hua Mao Zhong Xin), No. 89 Jianguo Rd., Bldg. 19
– Jinbao Place, Dongcheng District
– 16 Chaowai Street, China Life Bldg.
Operation Hours: 6:30am to 10:30pm
Membership Price
– RMB 11,800/year
– Personal Trainers: RMB 500-800
Special Offer:
– RMB 9,900/year, possibly lower
Gym Essence (Green Essence)
This high end gym is not large, but has high-end equipment and is not crowded. It also has a Crossfit room for group and personal training classes.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: gh_f34fdaf44c5a
Website: http://www.gymessence.cn
Locations:
Sanlitun – Inter Continental Hotel, 5th floor, No. 1 South Sanlitun Rd.
Yansha – 1st Floor,The Genesis Western Tower, No.8 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District
Wangjing – Rongxin Technology Center
Dongcheng – 101,China Minmetals Plaza, No.3 Chao Yang Men North Street
Membership Fee:
– RMB 12,600 for one year
Really Fitness (Rui JianShen)
Mid to low-end gyms with over 20 locations around Beijing. Most locations have small-sized swimming pools.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: RLFETJ
Addresses: http://www.dianping.com/brands/b123765795
Membership Fee:
– RMB 4,800 per year plus RMB 500 initial registration fee
Special Offer:
– RMB 3,800 for 2 years and waive the RMB 500 registration fee
The One Fitness (Yi JianShen)
Mid to low-end gyms with over 70 locations around Beijing. Mostly for weight lifting.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: theonefitnessgroup
Website: http://www.yijianshen.vip
Membership Fee:
– RMB 4,000/year
Special Offer:
– RMB 3,000 for one year, possibly lower
Crossfit in Beijing
Many Crossfit gyms in Beijing have closed or changed to other fitness activities in the last couple of years. Fortunately there is still at least a couple good ones in Beijing and they have English speaking trainers.
CrossFit Slash
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: CrossFitSlash
Tel: 8424 4001
Website: http://www.crossfitslash.com/en/index1.html
Location: Basement, North Building of Shimao Mall, 13 GongTi Bei Rd., Chaoyang District
Fees:
– RMB 1,799 per month
– RMB 15,988 per year
F45 Fitness
The fitness brand from Australia, with gyms in Shanghai and Beijing. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Circuit Training and Functional Training merged into one. The same owners have a Crossfit pard in another location in Beijing.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: F45TRAINING
About: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D5ktAsmPOG8aaE41jVQcWQ
Websites:
https://f45training.cn
https://f45training.com
Location: SOHO Shangdu, North Tower Building A, 3rd floor, Rm. 2326
Fees:
– RMB 1,600 per month
– RMB 4,500 for 3 months
– RMB 7,999 for 6 months
– RMB 9,999 per year
– RMB 100 per class when purchase a certain number of classes
Special Offer:
– Frequently offer discounts, check with the location manager
Exclusive Fitness Clubs in Beijing
Three of Beijing’s most exclusive fitness clubs are Kerry Sports, TrainYard, and St.Regis Athletic Club. These are all located inside luxury hotels. Although hotel guests can use them free of charge, they also sell memberships to the public.
TrainYard Gym
This huge 3,500-square-meter gym, takes up two floors of the Hotel Jen in Guomao (China World Trade Center). It is open 24-hours, seven days a week, so you can work out at your convenience. Great views of the CCTV tower and downtown CBD through the floor to ceiling windows. In addition to the swimming pool it has many dedicated rooms for boxing, mixed-martial arts, spinning, zumba, pilates, yoga, Les Mills and other fitness activities.
Contact:
Tel: 65052277
About: https://www.hoteljen.com/beijing/centraldistrict/press-room/press-releases/trainyard-gym-beijings-premier-health-club-experience-unveiled-at-hotel-jen-bei/
Add: Guo Mao, No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue inside the Hotel Jen Beijing
Membership Fee:
– RMB 11,888/year for low time, which is anything outside of 5pm-10pm daily
– RMB 14,888/year valid 24-hours/day, but not including the group classes
– RMB 17,888/year valid at all hours and including all group fitness classes
Kerry Sports Beijing
Apart from a large work-out area this fitness center also has tennis courts, basketball courts and a swimming pool. Many group classes are open to members daily. They have installed a top of the line certified air filtration system.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: kerrysportsbeijing
Tel: 8565 2466
About: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/robLvPOMjiCv93K1OB5bCw
Website: http://www.beijingkerrycentre.com/kerry_sports.html
Add: Inside the Kerry Center, 1 Guanghua Rd, Guomao, Chaoyang District
Membership Fee:
– RMB 20,000 per year
– discounts for couples and families
St. Regis Athletic Club
Includes a good selection of machines and free weights as well as a half-size swimming pool and squash courts all included with the membership fee.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: SRBJ110
Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/fitness-center/details/bjsxr-the-st-regis-beijing/5956746/
Location: St. Regis hotel, 21 Jianguomen Wai Dajie, near Ritan park
Membership fee:
– RMB 25,000 per year
– Discounts available for families
Boutique Gyms in Beijing
Boutique gyms are a new trend in China. Some are just smaller gyms with less equipment, but with much cheaper membership fees. Some are part of national chains and use a tech-based model with apps and WeChat mini programs allowing members to conveniently access the premises 24/7 so you can work-out anytime. Some have group classes which you can conveniently book and pay for with apps, up to just a few minutes before the start of class. Others only offer group fitness classes and personal training with no weight-lifting equipment for working out by yourself. These smaller gyms don’t have swimming pools and many don’t have shower facilities.
B Active Fitness Beijing
B Active has several gyms conveniently located near expat communities, such as in the Soho compounds. 24-hour access with their mobile app. They offer short term memberships at decent prices. Although small, they also have some group classes such as HIIT and offer personal training.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: BActive24h
Tel: 6586 6696, 5900 4748
Website: http://www.bactive24h.com
Locations:
Chaowai SOHO (Unit 0161A)
Sanlitun SOHO (Unit 6216)
Dongzhimen
Wudaokou
Membership Fee:
– RMB 540 for one month
– RMB 2,600 for 6 months
– RMB 3,980 for one year
Special Offer:
– Cheaper rates for off peak hours 11pm to 3pm
LeFit Fitness
The fastest growing mini-gym chain in China. Over 60 locations in Beijing and more than 400 in China. Only a small amount of equipment in each location, but you can access 24 hours. Most locations have one or two rooms for group fitness classes such as Les Mills, HIIT, Zumba etc. , which you can book through the mobile app. You can also hire one of their personal trainers at decent prices. They primarily sell monthly memberships so you don’t need to make a long term commitment.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: Leoao-Fitness
WeChat ID: lefitplus
Tel: 400-150-1866
Website: https://www.lefit.com
Membership Fee:
– Monthly memberships from RMB 129 to RMB 299 depending on type and location.
– Group fitness classes for RMB 9 with a membership and RMB 39 without a membership.
SunPig Fitness
A mini gym with over 30 locations around Beijing. A small amount of running machines and weight lifting equipment at each location for you to work out by yourself.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: sunpig1111
Website: http://www.sunpig.cn
Membership Fee:
– RMB 199-499/month depending on gym size and location
– RMB 1,699-2,699/year
– Discounts available through their app and at their gyms
Muscle Dog Gym
Two locations in Beijing with a good amount of weight lifting machines and free weights.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: MuscleDogGym
Locations:
1) Basement B2, Gongxiao International Bldg., #28 Guandongdian, Chaoyang District, (near DongDa Qiao Rd. and Soho Shangdu)
– Just for weight lifting with plenty of free weights, machines and Les Mills equipment.
2) XiaoYun Rd. branch: 17/F, Towercrest Plaza, No.3 Maizidian West Road, Chaoyang District
– some group classes offered at this location in addition to weight lifting.
Membership Price:
– RMB 1,980 per month
– RMB 6,180 per year
Special Offer: (During special sales events such as Double 11):
– RMB 618 per month
– RMB 4,944 per year
SuperMonkey Fitness
No membership fee. Pay as you go per class. About 20 locations around Beijing and rapidly increasing. Some locations have some weights, but most locations just offer group fitness classes including Yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, TRX, Kids Fitness, Cycling, Lesmills, Boxing, etc.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: Supermonkey-Fitness
About: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/TLObl0VN-jm4Z6odYzOyVw
How to Sign-up: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Z4ayeSjnWyA54HG5XjyVJw
Website: https://www.supermonkey.com.cn
Beijing Locations: Solana, Raffles, Xidan, Worker’s stadium, Wangjing, Chaowai Soho, Guomao China World Trade Center, Joy City.
Fees:
– Group classes such as Yoga are RMB 69 to 89 per session
– Some classes up to RMB 159 per session such as boxing.
– Self-service work-out is RMB 50 per session for locations where available.
– Discounts available when you store money in the pre-paid account
Colberg Fitness
Boutique gym established by a German expat and former international bodybuilding champion. Offering personal training classes.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.colbergfitness.com
WeChat ID: gh_76ce02ab0e6e
Tel: 13683580963 (Constantin)
Location: Soho Shangdu Room 1310
Fees:
– Local trainers RMB 550/hour
– Senior expat trainer (international champion) RMB 1,000/hour
Prime Fitness
Boutique fitness gym with locations in Shanghai and Beijing. Mainly offering personal training and small group HIIT classes.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: PrimeBeYourBest
Tel: 8565-2466
Website: https://primefitness.cn
Location: Beijing Kerry Sports Center 2F, 1 Guanghua Rd.
Fees:
– No membership fee, but minimum RMB 3,000 deposit in pre-paid card required.
– The higher your deposit the more bonus classes included
– RMB 150 per 45 minute HIIT group class
– RMB 350-500 per 30 minute Personal training class
Shape Fitness Beijing
Only group classes or personal training for cardio, circuit-training, zumba, rope, pilates, boxing, aerobics etc. Book classes through their WeChat official account or app up to 15 minutes in advance for a single session and access facilities through scanning your phone.
Contact Info:
WeChat ID: ShapeVIP
Locations: Sanlitun Soho, Chaowai Soho, Wangjing Soho, SanYuan bridge Phoenix city, GuoMao Yintai
Fees:
– No membership fee.
– RMB 79 for the one hour group class
– Discounts when you first sign up
– Personal trainers for 350-500/hour