Revealed: Melbourne’s top five spots to get in a serious sweat session
There are plenty of gyms across Melbourne, but only the best attract the type of ripped rigs that will catch your eye. See if your gym makes the list.
Melbourne City
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Sometimes the best part about going to the gym is telling people you’ve gone to the gym.
These places are some of the most popular gyms in the city, according to their healthy social media following, and are packed to the rafters with meatheads and gym rats.
Check out our list of Melbourne’s top five gyms to go for a sweat session, where you’re likely to spot well-known faces — and bodies.
Doherty’s Gym, Melbourne City
This place is one of Melbourne’s most unique gym locations as it sits in vaults under a train station right in the heart of the CBD.
It offers people group exercise classes such a boxing, as well as state-of-the-art equipment while trains rumble up ahead.
This no frills, hardcore lifting gym is spread out over four bunkers — one has a reception, men and women’s changing rooms and a cardio section, another has a boxing room and the last two are where you’ll find the free weights and equipment.
Murals fill the walls with quotes from bodybuilding greats like Ronnie Coleman and Kai Greene as well as a personally signed one from Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.
Tucked away at 367 Flinders St, it’s easy to miss but once inside you won’t forget it anytime soon.
If you’re looking for a place to lift some serious weights, look no further than Doherty’s.
Muscle City, Bentleigh East and Mt Waverley
Muscle City is more than just a gym, it’s a community of like-minded people.
The two 24/7 locations have a range of areas including group class rooms, a boxing zone, functional zones, free weight areas, plate loaded areas and loads of machines.
The Mt Waverley location has an additional an aerial yoga studio, posing studio, reformer pilates and a spin room.
Both sites offer personal training and a guaranteed price beat promise on all supplements — plus they even help you with your nutrition with their pre-prepared meals.
It is easy to get lost in these gyms so if you prefer to workout in solitude and without the sound of grunting men soundtracking your session, a ladies only airconed room is available at Mt Waverley.
The Mt Waverley gym is right off the Monash Freeway on Ferntree Gully Rd and the Bentleigh East is on the corner of Warrigal and Centre Rd.
Powerhouse Gym, Bayswater North
Spread out over 24,000 square feet, there’s plenty of space to get in a solid workout at Powerhouse Gym.
Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran there’s everything you’ll need — 12 tonnes of weighted plates, a cardio zone, a functional training area, a power pit (for powerlifters) and a boxing area.
On top of that you can chat food at the meal area and wash off in the bathroom and shower facilities.
The 24/7 gym is located at 193 Canterbury Rd.
Spartans Gym and Fitness, Kilsyth
Born from a body builder’s dream of having a world class gym in Australia, Spartans Gym promises its clients they’ll get real results at an affordable price.
The place has a range of areas and equipment and even has an indoor running track as well as a steam and sauna room.
It’s been open since 1991 but it’s getting a makeover which will see the gym double in size at a new location in 2023.
The renovations will see a three level exercise area, full time child care and a rock climbing wall and has been described as the Bunnings of gyms.
Nitro Gym, Hallam
Last but not least is Nitro Gym in Hallam.
It’s has been hailed as one of the best old school weightlifting gyms in Melbourne — no classes and no fuss, just a tin shed full of iron.
Sprawled over two levels, this massive warehouse is the place to visit if you’re looking for a sweat sesh surrounded by other meatheads looking to get a pump for a sweet mirror selfie.
You can even get a homemade protein shake after your session.