Top 5 Most Unique Gyms in Cape Town and Joburg!
Let’s face it; gyms can be boring. They all look the same and most of them are filled with people who just want to get in and get out without having to interact with anyone else for too long. But exercising doesn’t have to be boring and mundane! It should be fun and exhilarating and the space you work out in should be inviting and make you want to visit as much as possible. So, if you’re looking for a unique space to hit the weights, fire up the treadmill or put on the gloves, then we’ve got you covered with this list of most unique gyms in Cape Town and Joburg!
1. Switch Playground – Gardens, Cape Town
This unique workout space launched in Cape Town in 2014, and is the brainchild of SWEAT 1000 founder, Steve Uria. SWITCH offers those who are looking for something different an incredible new fitness programme that combines carefully selected aspects of cardiovascular training, functional training, boxing, plyometric training, core stability and power-flow yoga to create a perfectly balanced playground for the body and soul. The gym uses cutting edge equipment, facilities, lighting and sound, to offer you the ultimate power hour workout. Each session is different (so there’s no chance of getting bored) and is uniquely designed to challenge the body and stimulate the mind. ‘Switchers’ switching between workout stations throughout the hour. So you might start off with some calming yoga, before switching to two-minute intervals of cardiovascular training, functional training, boxing, plyometric training, core stability and power flow. Classes take place Monday to Sunday between 05:45 and 17:30.
Price: A 10 class package will cost you R1300 and a 20 class package R2400.
Find them at 186 Bree Street, Cape Town. more information visit the Switch Playground website.
2. VIVA Gym – Various locations, Johannesburg
If you’re all about being flexible with your workouts then VIVA Gym might be the place for you. With state of the art training facilities and equipment, free WiFi and parking, excellent service, and no membership commitments, VIVA is for those thrive on being flexible. VIVA Gym recognises that not everyone likes to stick to the same thing month-in-and-month-out. This month you may be into boxing, or next month into yoga, that’s why VIVA offers customers the freedom of choice when it comes to memberships, allowing a month-by-month joining structure with no strings attached and no long-term commitment that you can’t get out of. Of course, the VIVA gyms are so cool that you will probably want to commit. The decor and design of the gyms is funky and fresh and they have awesome customised features that you will love, love love. Our favourite is the customised music system – VIVA has linked up with SoundCloud to provide you with your very own customised playlist while you workout and, because they offer free WFi, you can stream all the latest tracks through your phone from the comfort of your treadmill or Spinning bike. Too cool.
Price: A month-to-month membership at VIVA will set you back R269 per month while a 12-month membership costs R239 per month (this 12-month commitment, then rolls into a monthly membership with no strings.
VIVA Gym has 5 branches in Gauteng including Hillfox, Fourways, Rosebank. Montana, and Oakdene. For more information, visit the VIVA Gym website.
3. Roark Gym – Cape Town and Johannesburg
The workout at Roark changes every day, and they use a variety of machines, weights and movements to produce the best possible results for clients. Once you attend one of their hour-long morning or evening classes you will be hooked for life. The workouts are made up of a warm up, strength programme and high-intensity interval and cardiovascular work. Each session is led by a highly-trained coach and members get the feeling they are being trained by a personal trainer that is monitoring both your form and performance during the session. Another awesome feature of Roark Gyms is the harder and longer you train, the less you pay. They offer a variety of gym membership fees and pricing plans ranging from limited sessions on short term plans to unlimited access long term plans.
Price: Cape Town – 3 sessions per week starting at R 790 per month for a 3-month membership | Unlimited sessions starting from R 890 per month for a 3-month membership. Johannesburg: 3 sessions per week starting from R 950 per month for a 3-month membership | Unlimited sessions starting from R 1050 per month for a 3-month membership.
Roark Gyms Cape Town can be found at 1st Floor Buying Services Building, 47 De Villiers Street, Zonnebloem | Roark Gyms Johannesburg can be found at 1st Floor Parkmore Mews Shopping Centre, Olympia Ave, Sandton. For more information visit the Roark Gyms website.
4. Stature – Cape Town
This unique workout space has a strong sense of family and an even stronger sense of achievement. With a heavy emphasis on technique, the ‘group-based’ style of training at Stature steers clear of the masses, adding a very personal touch to each session. Focusing heavily on form correction and constantly encouraging you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, Stature is perfect for beginners and those who need a little extra attention. Each session is different and clients are encouraged to set goals with the trainers and take full advantage of the trainers’ advice and guidance. Their pre-planned 6-week cycles are created to stimulate muscle activation and keep your body guessing each time around. Classes take place Monday to Friday between 06:00 and 18:30.
Price: Enquire via email at dasch@stature.fit.
Find them at 183 Bree Street, Gardens, Cape Town. For more information visit the Stature website.
5. The Armoury Boxing Club – Cape Town
Forget sterile faceless gyms, The Armoury is a good old-fashioned boxing club, which means great workouts, progressive learning and hard-earned reward in a friendly motivating environment. With white faced walls, retro pugilistic artwork, bags swinging from black steel trusses and a large ring set centre-stage, The Armoury is the kind of place you will love to visit. Join the gym and take part in daily classes including Boxing Fitness, Physical Training, PT Foundations, Skills and Sparing, and Armoury Foundations. Classes take place daily between 06:00 and 18:30 and are open to both men and women.
Price: All membership options are very competitively priced and offer amazing value. There are no joining fees or hidden administrative charges and they don’t lock you in and hope that you don’t come. Contact them via info@armouryboxing.com for fee information.
Find them at 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town. For more information visit The Armoury Boxing Club website.