DF Gym, in Manunda, named best gym in Far North Queensland

A Manunda gym has won the title of Far North Queensland’s best gym. See how they did it.

Patrick Doherty's DF Gym and Fight Academy at Manunda has been crowned Far North Queensland's best gym, as voted by Cairns Post readers. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Post readers have declared DF Gym to be the best in the Far North with owner Patrick Doherty crediting its supportive family culture and dedicated staff for the win.

The Manunda based Muay Thai and CrossFit gym, which opened 14 years ago, is known for its group fitness classes for kids and adults and its professional Muay Thai coaching.

“There’s a real community right from the young ones all the way through to the professional fighters,” Mr Doherty said.

“The fighters help the kids, the kids go to the shows to support the fighters and then we’ve got a big crew of people just doing it for fun and fitness in between all of that.”

DF Gym and Fight Academy at Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

Last year, DF Gym relocated to a custom designed training ground on English Street, just outside Cairns City.

“We were originally half the size, in a dirty old shed,” Mr Doherty said.

“When we opened the new place, it went bananas, our members doubled.

“It’s a nice clean Muay Thai gym with beautiful bathrooms, a sauna and ice bath and things that women want to come to just as much as the men.”

Mr Doherty said he felt his gym was a place for people to socialise and stay fit.

“This is that little place, whether it’s an hour before work or hour after work, to come and wind down from all of those stresses – no one cares where you come from or your story – it’s just a chance for you to relax, be you, then go home.”

The gym was named as Cairns’ best in a recent readers poll.

Originally published as DF Gym, in Manunda, named best gym in Far North Queensland