6 Gyms In Tokyo To Help You Stay Fit All Year Long

Regardless of the season, now is the time to achieve your fitness goals. But just to add some extra encouragement, here’s a friendly reminder that summer is just around the corner.

Anyone else out there rejoicing because the curtains have closed on the frigid winter months? The longer days and rising temperatures can only mean that spring and summer have begun their entrance into our beloved Japan. So that means: shed those layers, start planning the next beach trip, and choose which bikini you’ll be showing off!

The ultimate question: how ready are you to show some skin? Maybe you ate one too many sweets from the convini after work…every night…for three months straight. We get it. Nothing compares to biting into the crisp wafer of a jumbo-sized Choco Monaca that hugs creamy vanilla ice cream. Your teeth sink into the ice cream and are greeted by the crunch of solid chocolate that’s sandwiched right in the middle and—wait, focus!

Perhaps you have been indulging a bit too much. Maybe you’re looking to add some exercise into your everyday routine. Or are you looking for some way to relieve stress? Whatever your reason may be, find your solution at one of these gyms!

1. Gold’s Gym

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GOLD’S GYM JAPAN (@goldsgymjapan) on Feb 22, 2019 at 12:38am PST

If you’ve ever walked the streets of Harajuku, chances are you’ve seen this massive convex window jutting out of a large building in the middle of the city. Say hello to the famous Harajuku Gold’s Gym. Gold’s is among one of the favorites for gym rats and fitness gurus as the free weights, cardio machines, and tanning beds keep gym-goers looking bronzed and sculpted all year long. While there are 27 locations in the Tokyo area, the Harajuku location is notable for also having a collagen machine (stimulates collagen and elastin in your skin—hello gorgeous!) that is available to women.

Gym Type: Membership
Where: Gold’s Gym Harajuku Tokyo, 6-31-17 Berokkusu Building 4F, 3F, B2F, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku (other locations available)
Cost: Enrollment fee ¥5,000; membership fee varies by location (Harajuku location Gold membership ¥19,000/month; Full-Time membership ¥13,000/month). Option to pay month-to-month (pay first two months up front) or pay first 6/12 months up front.
What we love: Gold’s is like the Starbucks of the gym world. Well-known, well-respected, and with protein and supplements you can buy on the spot, dependable for anyone looking to build some serious muscle.
What we don’t love: We think it can be a little intimidating going here if you’re not already a consistent gym-goer. It’s not unusual to see Gold’s members who are training for bodybuilding and physique competitions, so prepare for that kind of environment.

2. Anytime Fitness

Here is the perfect fit for night owls or early birds. You might be thinking what exactly does “anytime” mean? Exactly that. Open all the time, any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week—this is what we call 便利 (benri; convenient)! You’ll receive a purple key fob when you sign up which gives you access to any Anytime Fitness location at any time, and not just in Japan, but in the world. With over 4,000 locations worldwide and 166 locations in the Tokyo area alone, we’re confident that you’ll be able to find one close to home, work, your boyfriend’s house, and your parent’s house.

Gym Type: 24-hour
Where: Anytime Fitness Hiroo, 4-12-4 Platinum Coat Hiroo B1F, Minamiazabu, Minato-ku (other locations available)
Cost: Varies by location (Hiroo location ¥7,980/month)
What we love: The unbeatable convenience. Go literally any time of the day, and with so many different locations, it’ll be pretty easy to find one that you can get to regularly.
What we don’t love: Never lose your locker keys if you go there at night. There’s no one to help you at most locations, not even security guards, which we think is an issue.

3. Orangetheory Fitness

Designed “to make sure anyone who tries it feels successful,” this 60-minute guided workout will leave you feeling satisfied, stronger, and sweatier. Scientific fact of the day: Orangetheory is based on the science of EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) which is the amount of oxygen your body needs after high-intensity exercises to return to a state of homeostasis. Simply put, your body is burning more calories post-workout in order to recover. Another noteworthy feature is the OTbeat wearable device. All you do is slip on this device like an armband and it will measure your heart rate in real-time so you know whether to push your limits or chill and recover.

Gym Type: Group-taught
Where: Orangetheory Fitness Azabujuban, 1-7-3 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Cost: Regular membership ¥20,000/month; Light membership (8 times/month) ¥17,000
What we love: The OTbeat device! Being able to visually see how hard our bodies are working is not only informative but a surprisingly strong motivator too.
What we don’t love: You start and finish with a group, so if you were a part of a large group, be prepared to wait a while (like up to 20 minutes) before you can hit the showers, or opt to go make the trek home sweaty and smelly.

4. CrossFit

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CrossFit Heart and Beauty (@reebokcrossfit_heartandbeauty) on Jun 23, 2019 at 5:42pm PDT

Calling all #fitfam members: get ready to really feel the burn! A high-intensity workout comprised of running, rowing, and weightlifting movements, you’re sure to leave this gym looking like you just jumped into a pool (spoiler alert: it’s not pool water). Seriously though, a popular trend among CrossFitters is posting to social media their #sweatangels. It’s like a snow angel but well, you get the idea. So why is CrossFit so popular? It’s the innovative and creative incorporation of weights into functional training, the ever-changing, never-boring workouts, and the unbeatable support system that is your fellow CrossFitters all around the world.

Gym Type: Crossfit

Where: Reebok CrossFit Heart & Beauty, 3-13-3 Castalia Hiroo B1F, Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (and other locations)

Cost: Premium membership ¥32,400/month; 3 Days a Week membership ¥32,400 first month, ¥27,000/month; Twice a Week membership ¥32,400 first month, ¥21,600/month; Ticket membership ¥37,800 for 12 tickets (all memberships require ¥32,400 enrollment fee); trial classes ¥3,240; drop-ins ¥4,320.

What we love: Crossfit isn’t just a gym but it’s a sport. You can become a Crossfit athlete, compete in The Crossfit Games, and like all other sports, there is a strong-knit community for the love the sport, and we are here for that.

What we don’t love: Plain and simple, the amount of yennies that you’ll have to drop for this.

5. Tipness

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by フィットネスクラブ ティップネス(公式) (@tipness_tipness) on Oct 28, 2018 at 4:07am PDT

Free weights? Check. Machines? Check. Sauna? Check. Pool? Yoga? Check, check, check! You name it, Tipness has got it! In addition to the standard golden trio (cardio machines, strength-training machines, and free weights), you can expect to find an array of services offered here to meet any of your fitness needs. If you’re looking for more guidance on your workouts, schedule a session with a personal trainer. Feeling stressed and need to detox? Hop into a geranium hot bath or spend some time in the sauna. And for the athletes who only need a tad bit of support, gulp down the available hydrogen water or monitor your mental and physical condition with available apps in-house.

Gym Type: Membership
Where: Pilamide Building B1F, 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo (and other locations)
Cost: Regular FG24Plus membership ¥12,800/month; Regular membership ¥12,300/month; Under 30 membership ¥8,500; After5 membership ¥8,000; Morning membership ¥5,824.
What we love: The indoor pool really catches our eye. Tokyo is a massive city but limited on space, which is why this 20-meter lap pool gives us heart eyes.
What we don’t love: While the spa benefits are lovely, we think it’ll be a challenge to come to this gym and actually work out. It’s like keeping a bag of cookies in your cupboard while you’re trying to drop a few kgs; how likely are you to pass on those and opt for a salad?

6. Club 360

If you’re looking to get fit with your friends, or maybe make some new ones in the process, then look no further! From punching out all your stresses at boxing, to finding your balance and poise at Barre, to sweating it out alongside your sistas at the ladies-specific Mo’ Fit 360 class, you (and your kids because kid’s classes are available too!) are practically guaranteed to find a class that will fit your needs. Wait, there’s more! Club360 also offers physiotherapy, osteotherapy, and sports massages to help you out on those days that you pushed yourself maybe just a bit too much.

Gym Type: Group-taught
Where: 3-1-35 Cma3 Building B1, Motoazabu, Minato-ku
Cost: Varies by class and service
What we love: The wide array of classes ensures that there’s something for everyone, so we give this gym the “family-friendly” stamp of approval.
What we don’t love: There is one main space that’s used for all of the classes, which means some of the classes are held only once a week. While we applaud the versatility, we think accessibility is important too.

So lace up your shoes, grab your sweat towel, and plug in your earbuds—it’s time to get fit!