Feel the Istanburn: Gyms in Istanbul

Choosing a gym is much like choosing a life partner: sure, you have to like the look of them at first, but where will you be when the initial attraction fades and you start resenting them? Not all gyms are born equal, and finding the right one can be daunting. Here are a few of the gyms in Istanbul that the Yabangee staff have tried and recommends.

Lotus, United Clubs, Ulus

One of two United Clubs in Istanbul and a relatively new one at that, Lotus has a wealth of resources. Not only is there a plethora of almost brand new weight machines, but there is also a large selection of cardio equipment, all of which are outfitted with televisions and wireless internet. Spread over four floors, the gym also houses a small basketball court, squash court and studios that host a number of classes, from yoga to spinning. The real luxury, though, is the large pool complex that includes, in addition to the sizable pool, a jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath facilities – not to mention the entire floor dedicated solely to a spa. However, such a wealth of options does come at a price. Lotus does not advertise their fees, but an individual joining for one year should expect to pay roughly 2000 TL; furthermore, certain add-ons, such as spa treatments and personal training sessions, are not included in the price. It should be noted that the gym does intermittently put on promotions and, likewise, offers financial incentives if you join for two years or as a couple. There is no way to put a positive spin on such a high sticker price, but the facilities are outstanding – so much so that if you are a regular gym-goer who wants access to a wide variety of activities, signing up with Lotus is completely worth it.

Mac Sport, Kanyon, Levent

This is the supermodel of Istanbul gyms. Beautiful, kitted out, but out of most mortals’ budget range. They have indoor basketball courts, all the equipment a muscle man needs and enough cross trainers to keep a legion of dodgy-kneed sportspeople rolling. The members are utterly stunning, which I think is bad for form. You should be watching yourself, not the blond in spandex who just walked by. The price: Nervous laughter…was that in lira? No? Dollars. Ah.

Hillside, Istinye Park, Istinye

A bit cheaper, this gym feels really open and light. There are plenty of classes and again, plenty of machines. This place is run very much like a country club, complete with fancy restaurants. Big Plate, the famous brasserie, has been scooping up prizes for a while now. Situated in the Istinye Park Mall, it occupies a couple of levels and has an indoor pool. The prices vary according to the packages, and for those who are the equivalent of mutton dressed as lamb gym-wise, you can get a pretty cheap deal of say around $1000 per year if you arrive after 8pm, don’t have access to the pool and agree not to look full members directly in the eyes. Parking is in the mall park downstairs, but Istinye is not particularly well serviced by public transport. You will have to get off the metro at Istanbul Technical University and then hop the minibus for the next leg. Overall, this is a great gym facility-wise.

Jatomi VIP, Astoria, Mecidiyeköy

This is a paradise in the big city. The spa section is like something out of a James Bond film, before he has to strangle an enemy with the belt from his minirobe. The place where you should be hanging out though, you lollygagger, is the fitness bit, which is clean and new but slightly devoid of the extra contraptions that a true muscleman requires. For those looking to get svelte and be sexy, this is an excellent choice. These guys are very willing to do you a deal, though Yabangee staff suspect that there is a “face” factor involved and they may be cynically trying to gain attractive members.

Essporto, Metrocity, Levent

This is very competitively priced if a little worn around the edges compared with the snottier neighbours. The entrance is rather unassuming, being a small door in one of the halls of Metrocity. Once inside, things open up to a light and airy gym where you tower over the people of Levent. They have everything, including pools, a decent spa, heaps of cardio devices, tennis courts and even an outdoor running track. The weights room is comparatively small and gets packed out during the peak times of day. Expect to pay less than $1000 per year, and they will cut a deal for partners who join at the same time.

Life Gym, Darüşşafaka 

This gym is excellent value for money, mainly on account of its distance from town. It claims to be the biggest gym in Europe, though I believe that is mostly on account of the extremely high ceiling rather than the floor space. The size truly is mammoth, and they have all the machines any serious gym lover needs. It opens at 6:15 am, which is an hour before its rivals, and thus gives you the option of morning work outs. The membership fee, which can be wrangled to less than $1000 per year, covers everything pretty much. The pools are almost worth the membership alone, and you will be thankful come summer for a dip in the giant outdoor one. A very good choice.

Sporium, Akatlar

This is another of the “lifestyle” gyms, where people with money go to make themselves beautiful. The pricing varies but two years will cost around $3000. Personal trainers abound and will spend time with you directly proportionate to your attractiveness and gender. The weights room is smaller than one would hope for in this gourmet gym, but it makes up for this one small failing by having the best range of classes in the city. To our knowledge, it is the only gym in town that has aqua-aerobics, and all the pump lessons are free. Martial art training will cost you, but you will make that money back when you are fighting off the robbers who would once have stolen your Rolex. You will never have to wait for a bike or treadmill, and there are restaurants, a hairdresser, a jeweler and a dry cleaner on the premises. The tennis facilities are extensive and the pool is huge. This is a good choice if you can stump up the cash.

There are plenty of other gyms out there, so go, join, and watch yourself sweat in a mirror. And let me know your gym of choice in the comments.

Parts of this article appeared on The Istanbulletin. 

Timothy Mottram is a contributor to Yabangee and blogs at http://theistanbulletin.com/