Finding the right gym means looking in your own neighborhood

How many times have you resolved to get fit in the New Year only to find yourself making the same resolution the following year? City Weekend has done the hard work for you, searching out Beijing’s best gyms in four different neighborhoods.

CBD You won’t find better facilities than those at California Fitness-Beijing Yaoming Sport (400-810-0988, ¥6,800 for a one-year membership). Open 24-hours a day, California Fitness’ army of cardio and weight machines are the perfect way to combat the festive feasts of flab. Action sports enthusiast looking for an indoor climbing wall, Pilates, snowboarding or a Muay Thai boxing should head to [Club Hero] (http://www.hooway.org/) (8918-3290).

Sanlitun [Nirvana Fitness] (http://www.nirvana.com.cn/) (6597-2008) is the reigning choice among expats who appreciate its quality facilities and reasonable prices (¥5,000/year, but just ¥150 for each additional month). Nirvana also has gyms across Beijing which are open to all members. For top-rated facilities, a swimming pool and Beijing’s first authorized Bikram Yoga Studio, however, head to the nearby [Pacific Century Club] (http://pacificcenturyclub.googlepages.com/) (6539-3434), the choice for expats who want plush changing rooms. Best of all, three-month memberships are available for those who shy away from a long commitment.

Lido: Expats flock to the Richmond Park Leisure Fitness Center (8457-8359), which is one of the few Beijing gyms to offer day rates (¥100). With advanced exercise equipment, personal trainers, a snooker room, saunas, a natatorium and toddler’s pool, this 4,000 sq. meter facility is hard to beat. Verve Wellness Art (5130-7001), however, is a strong competitor with its innovative programs—everything from “gravity fitness” (a combination of Pilates and machine-based exercises) to “lovers yoga” classes. Jianguomen: For downtown professionals, CSI Bally Total Fitness (6518-1666) is the perfect lunchtime or after-work retreat. The gym offers classes in multilingual classes and features top-end Italian -made equipment. A one-year long Gold Card membership (¥5,000) grants access to all CSI Bally gyms in the city. Those looking for bargains should check out the city’s various Hosa Sports gyms. The Henderson Center location (6518-9995) offers access to its clean facilities, weights and classes for less than ¥2,000 per year.

Nikki Aaron