Job Discussion Forums

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

So I was just curious of gyms/fitness clubs in Japan...
I saw in the faq that the price was listed as
Fitness club annual fee JPY 50,000.00 $444.37 �250.31 �368.87

Anyone around that happens to be a member of a club?
I was just wondering how they compared to ones in the US/Canada.
Also, as with NA ones, are you locked in for a full year or are you able to do it on a monthly basis?

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

I am a member of Central Sports.

It's a monthly contract, one can quit after the first month if desired. The facilities are nice. There are cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. There are also a fair number of studio classes - aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, spinning, etc... The locker room and pool are nice as well. I'd say it is comparable to the club I was in back home, LA Fitness.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Thanks ripslyme. If you don't mind me asking, what type of fee do you pay per month and what did you sign up for?

Also, in the Tokyo area, are clubs pretty commonplace?

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

What kind of equipment are you looking for? Most cities have a city or prefectural gym with free weights, exercise bikes, universal cable machines, basketball courts, rock climbing walls, etc. My local prefectural gym only cost 140 yen per use. No extra fees.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yes, they are very commonplace and there is quite a number of chains. (Tipness, XaX, Central Sports, Konami Sports, Megalos.) The suburban station I live near has a fitness club on each side of the station. In central Tokyo and near larger suburban stations you usually have plenty of choice.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

slodziak · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 143 Location: Tokyo

I think in Tokyo you will be looking at something around 10,000 a month for the most flexible deal i.e. all day everyday access, and from around 6000 for the restricted deals. Local community centres will provide cheaper options but the facilities probably more basic and location not as convenient.
10,000 isn't bad if you make the most of it (15 times a month = 667 yen!)

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

I'm a member of one called FxA Fitness in Nagano City. It has all the usual machines, free weights, studio with lots of classes and a swimming pool. The changing room has a small bath and a sauna. It recently got refitted (even though I thought it was new before!) and all the machines got upgraded. I'm pretty happy with it, though my friend bit ched that it didn't have any rowing machines (true) or a pull-up bar (false - it does).

I paid something like 20,000 signing on fee and 9200 or so each month for anytime. Its a little pricey but definitely worth it, especially as its less than 100m from my house!

Ia2day · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Kyoto

Avoid the konami sports centers if you are interested in any kind of decent weight room equipment. The one one in Kyoto has a couple of dumb bells lying around, but the rest is over the top cardio machines.

I would recomend a golds gym if you can find one. It might mean a bit of a commute, but it will have all the "western" gear.