Visiting Malaysia is a great idea, but how can you stay fit while you’re in town?
KL is famous for its great food, beautiful skyline, diverse culture and there are certainly plenty of things to do while in the city.
If you’re anything like me, finding a decent gym to workout in is a top priority when planning where to stay and what you’re going to to.
For most tourists, hotel gyms just don’t cut it. In fact, most of the gyms in hotels are not well equipped enough to even be considered a gym.
Sure, if you just want to walk on a treadmill and do some stretching they are good enough, but I’m sure you’re here reading this because you want to find an actual good gym to exercise and get your sweat on.
What makes things a bit tricky is that most of the well-known gyms in Malaysia run by a monthly subscription-based package, as is also the case in most parts of the world.
Since you’re only going to be here for a short time it doesn’t make sense to sign up for a monthly membership at a local gym.
However, all hope is not lost.
Based on my thorough research I’ve manged to find gyms in Kuala Lumpur that offer a pay per entry option.
Without further ado, let me introduce…
Best gym in Kuala Lumpur for tourists
Blitz Gym
Blitz gym is popular amongst the students staying or studying around the Subang area. It might be one of the very few pay-per entry gyms in Subang Jaya.
Besides paying per entry, Blitz also offers various subscription passes depending on your fitness needs. You can even get the multi-day pass which you can use within one year.
Blitz gym also offers personal training services by certified personal trainers as well, but that’s going to cost you extra.
Entrance Fee: RM 9 per entry / RM 12 during peak hours
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8.30 a.m – 11.30 p.m
Sunday: 9.30 a.m – 9.30 p.m
The Outlaw
The Outlaw was previously a warehouse that has been turned into a gym space filled with all sorts of fitness equipment and free weights.
It’s extremely popular amongst cross-fitters and powerlifters alike because of the large space for strength training and powerlifting.
The Outlaw also offers weekend classes for those interested in weightlifting and powerlifting.
Entrance fee: RM 11 per entry / RM5 on Fridays / RM120 per month
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m- 12 a.m
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m- 10 p.m
Iron Bull
The Iron Bull, previously known as “War3house” is a factory turned gymnasium.
It’s located in Subang Jaya Industrial park and is one of the few gyms in KL that’s open 24 hours a day.
The Iron Bull aims to provide users with a complete fitness experience and has a wide selection of fitness equipment to choose from.
Fee: RM 15 per entry
Monthly package: RM 120 (normal) / RM 90 (senior)
3-month membership: RM 330 (normal) / RM 255 (senior)
6-month membership: RM 600 (normal)/ RM 480 (senior)
1 year membership: RM 1080 (normal) / RM 840 (senior)
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: open 24 hrs
Sunday: 2 a.m- 2 p.m
Babel Fit
Babel fit is the luxurious new kid in town and has made some waves in the local fitness industry.
They have tons of fitness services from personal training to fitness classes for all your fitness goals.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 6.00 a.m – 11.00 p.m
Saturday & Sunday: 7.00 a.m – 9.00 p.m
Public holidays: 9.00 a.m – 8.00 p.m
Entrance fee: There don’t do walk-ins, but they do offer monthly passes.
Monthly: RM 600 (RM 250 per month + RM 350 joining fee)
6-Month: RM 1,600 (RM 1,500 for 6 month + RM 100 joining fee)
12-Months: RM 3,100 (RM 3,000 for 12 Months + RM 100 joining fee)
Pro tip: joining fees are almost ALWAYS negotiable or able to be waived completely
Ministry of Burn (MOB)
The Ministry of Burn is one of the most popular fitness clubs in Kuala Lumpur.
The gym features a nightclub-like ambiance which is sure to amaze anyone that steps foot in it. The Ministry of Burn offers a variety of services ranging from personal training to fitness classes depending on what your goals are.
It’s definitely one of the must-visit gyms in Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: 6.00 a.m – 10.00 p.m daily
Entrance fee: They don’t do walk-ins, but they offer various class packages.
Class Packages:
Monthly package: RM 30 per class (valid for 1 month)
5-class package: RM 52 per class (valid for 2 months)
10-class package: RM 49 per class (valid for 4 months)
15-class package: RM 45 per class (valid for 6 months)
40-class package: RM 35 per class (valid for 9 months)
60-class package: RM 32.50 per class (valid for 12 months)
KOA Fitness
This gym is perfect for ladies who want to workout without feeling self-conscious.
KOA Fitness is an exclusive all women’s gym and they cater to women from all walks of life who want to improve their fitness. KOA
Fitness offers a variety of fitness programs such as “Hot Mama” which caters to new mothers and brides to be. They even have classes such as “Lean ‘N Mean” and “Booty Pump”, which is a fun spin for a serious workout.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 7.00am – 9.00pm
Saturday & Public Holidays, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Closed on Sundays
KOA fitness pricing programs come in a set of classes depending on your needs:
Class Packages:
1-class package: RM 60 (valid for 1 month)
5-class package: RM 199 (valid for 3 months)
15-class package: RM 525 (valid for 6 months)
25-class package: RM 800 (valid for 9 months)
50-class package: RM 1350 (valid for 12 months)
KOA fitness also offers a first-time trial for RM 60 for 2 classes.
You can also choose to join the KOA class membership which is like a monthly subscription package for the classes:
4-classes: RM 150 per month
8-classes: RM 240 per month
12-classes: RM 300 per month
Unlimited classes: RM 450 per month
The Body Factory
If you’re looking for a gym that accommodates fitness enthusiasts 24/7, The Body Factory might be the gym for you.
It’s open 24 hours a day every day and the gym features three floors all fully equipped with training equipment for all sorts of workouts.
They also offer fitness classes that you can attend as well.
The best part of this gym is that they offer a pay-per-entry option which means you won’t have to worry about being tied down with a monthly subscription package.
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Entrance fee: RM 8 per entry
Membership charges:
1-month: RM 95 monthly (plus RM 100 registration fee)
6-months: RM 85 monthly (plus RM 50 registration fee)
12-months: RM 90 monthly
Flyproject
This is one heck of a gym.
Flyproject is immensely popular among fitness junkies in Kuala Lumpur.
They provide all sorts of balanced, full-body workout programs that are guaranteed to push you to your limits.
The way Flyproject works is that you’re required to purchase credits and use them to attend classes. One class will cost you one credit.
Opening Hours: Monday- Friday: 6.00 a.m – 10.00 p.m
Saturday & Sunday 8.00 a.m – 4.00 p.m
First time package: RM 90 (for 3 credits)
Package credits (shareable)
1 credit: RM 75
4 credits: RM 204
8 credits: RM 384
16 credits: RM 656
24 credits: RM 960
40 credits: RM 1,420
Promo Packages (not-shareable)
6 credits: RM 270 (limited to 1 package per customer)
10 credits: (monthly) RM 360
Playground Fitness
As the name suggests Playground fitness is indeed a playground for grown-ups to get toned and strong while having some fun.
Gone are the days where playgrounds are only meant for kids.
Playground fitness offers lots of different fitness classes for all fitness levels.
They also offer personal training sessions by certified personal coaches which are guaranteed to give you an extraordinary fitness experience for you to reach your fitness goals and get your dream body.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 7.00 a.m – 8.30 p.m
Saturday – Sunday: 8.00 a.m – 6.00 p.m
Walk-in rates:
40-minutes: RM 49
60-minutes: RM 69
Group Class Concessions
24 classes: RM 45 per class
12 classes:RM 50 per class
6 classes: RM 55 per class
First timers: RM 37 per class
Best gyms for travellers in KL summary
You don’t have to accept the hotel gym, there are some great places to exercise in KL that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
In addition to the above-listed options, you could also consider approaching any gym and letting you know that you’ve just relocated to Malaysia and you’re scouting some local gyms with a view to becoming a member.
Obliging sales staff will often handout a free week, or at the very least a free visit for the prospect of landing a fee-paying member.
Of course, that would have to be true to try that tactic.
Also, if you decide that getting to a decent gym is simply too hard, too expensive or too much hassle, why not just go for a long walk or jog and do a bunch of push-ups in your room? It’s not ideal, but if all else fails it’s better than nothing.
In summary, there are plenty of really great gyms in Kuala Lumpur and they will all be happy to take money from tourists looking for somewhere to train.
Which gym you choose is up to you.
Safe travels! ✌🏼