Keeping Fit in Bangkok

People in Bangkok have long recognised that keeping a physical and mental balance is the essence of overall wellness in today's busy urban lifestyle, especially in a hectic setting like the capital. So when it comes to exercise and fitness, Bangkok has it all! From green parks, to high-tech gyms, to dance and yoga studios, to extreme and competitive sports facilities; it's all available in Bangkok. \

At any given time, Bangkok's residents are rigorously exercising somewhere. If you go to Lumpini Park in the early morning hours, you'll see groups of people practicing the ancient arts of T'ai Chi, throughout the day plentiful gyms and fitness centres around town welcome adrenalin-craved members and visitors to workout at their facilities, while public open-air aerobics is very popular among Thais and foreigners alike.

Bangkok Fitness Center

Bangkok's multitude of recreational amenities offers a wide range of fun indoor and outdoor activities. Most five-star hotels and luxury serviced apartment residences have fitness facilities, but if you're not staying in one, there are plenty of hip and fashionable fitness clubs with state-of-the-art equipment available around the city. While clubs generally operate on a membership basis, most of them offer special promotions or short-term packages for non-residents.

California Wow Experience
With four big branches on Silom, Sukhumvit 23, Pinklao and the latest addition at Siam Paragon (and more on the way) this international fitness corporation, which also has clubs in Hong Kong and South Korea, is one of Bangkok's most vibrant and exciting workout places. Centres offer excellent equipment and machines, fun group aerobics, combat and dance classes, and personal training programs in a nightclub-like atmosphere. Expect heaps of happy people working out to loud music!

Fitness First
The worldwide health club operator with clubs spread across Asia, Australia, Europe and the UK has various locations around Bangkok offers comfortable workout surroundings, personal trainers, modern equipment and an extensive exercise program. Members can benefit from the reciprocal use of all clubs worldwide through a 'Passport membership'.

True Fitness
Located right in the Asoke junction and on the 7-11 levels of Zen Department Store, this multi-storey gym complex offers everything from the usual work out facilities to various dance and hot yoga classes. Live DJ plays your favourite tunes as you're burning off those unwanted calories. In-house spa and cosmetic clinic are also available.

Clark Hatch Fitness Center
Another worldwide fitness club brand with several branches in Bangkok. Locations are separately owned and independently operated by licensees of Clark Hatch International. Individual clubs offer different facilities, but all of them generally feature gyms equipped with newest equipment, aerobics and step classes, personalized fitness programs, swimming pools, steam room and sauna.
Some locations also offer squash and tennis courts, acquacise classes, table tennis and massage services. All clubs provide complimentary towels, and shoes and clothing are available at some.

Capitol Club

Does a busy urban lifestyle keep you unhealthy and lethargic? Been wanting to get fit but don't know where to start? Surpassing any ordinary fitness centre, Capitol Club, a luxury health club under the wing of President Park Executive Serviced Apartments, is an all-in-one venue with full-fledged facilities catering to those wanting to get healthy or merely just to have fun. Located in Sukhumvit Soi 24, this five-storey club boasts a distinctive Fitness Dome on the top floor, where guests can shed some sweat under a fiberglass-domed roof.

Venturing to new heights
In addition to burning unwanted calories and shaping muscles at an extensive range of fitness equipment, gravity-defying devotees can also get their adrenalin fix at the Capitol Club's eight-metre tall Rock Climbing Wall, one of Bangkok's few indoor rock climbing facilities. Closely supervised by well-trained staff, a climber can choose to safely conquer the path that best fits their ability.

The gym is spacious with free weights, machines and cardio areas properly sectioned. Certified personal trainers are readily at hand (private sessions are also available). Cardio machines can be found on the mezzanine floor, where great views will keep you on the treadmill longer. Alternatively, enjoy a wide range of health-beneficial activities encompassing everything from yoga, tai chi, Pilates to hip-hop dancing in an aerobics studio with sprung floor and mirrored glass wall.

Superior sport facilities
Sport enthusiasts will love Capitol Club's well-maintained facilities. Put your racket skills to test at the club's tennis and squash courts. Courses and training offered by experienced coaches can also be had. Cool down or swim a few laps at the three outdoor swimming pools - a perfect total body workout for a hot day.

In addition to world-class fitness equipment, housed under the same roof is Ananda Spa (read review here), where guests can take advantages of its amazing array of services and treatments. A large spa locker room and fitness locker room are separated and equipped with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

As for post-workout refreshments and nourishment, Capitol Club offers a great selection of eateries. Treat yourself with tasty pastries, cakes, sandwiches, smoothies, protein shakes or cocktails at the Dome Cafe, choose to chill at Oasis Poolside, Skylight Bar or enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at De Meglio on the lobby floor.

It's more than a health club, it's the god life

Truly living up to its slogan, Capitol Club offers what the ubiquitous franchised fitness centres don't - a sport complex combined with a fully-functional health club. An absolute answer to today's hectic lifestyle with its superb location surrounded by shopping malls, parks, entertainment options and the city's efficient Skytrain (Asoke Station) and MRT (Sukhumvit Station), this all-in-one venue is an ideal place to be, be it to work out, get healthy, socialise or simply unwind the mind and re-energise the body.

Reviewed by Chanun Poomsawai

by: http://www.bangkok.com