‘So insane’: Gymgoer shocked by little-known $7.80 Aussie gym

A little-known gym, complete with a nutrition bar and Reformer pilates machines, is going viral for it’s ultra affordable price-tag.

For many Aussies, gym memberships can be a serious investment, especially if you want access to top-notch equipment, a variety of classes, and little luxuries like saunas or Reformer pilates machines.

But one American expat has gone viral after stumbling across a Melbourne gym that offers all of this and more at an extremely budget-friendly price.

The viral $7.80/week gym

Sarah, an American gym lover who posts under the handle @lifewith_sg, recently shared a clip where she takes her followers around a gym called Derrimut in Port Melbourne, which to her surprise, costs around $7.80 AUD a week.

“I don’t know if this is normal,” she begins. “Let me show you guys what $5 USD a week can get you for a gym here in Australia. I have actually never seen a gym that offers so much. This in LA would easily be $300”.

She then walks inside, pointing out that it’s open 24/7 – something she says is almost unheard of for gyms with this level of luxury in the States.

She then picks up a few of the healthy pre-packaged meals available at the on-site cafe, both fresh and frozen.

An American gymgoer discovered an ultra-boujee gym in Melbourne. Picture: TikTok/@lifewith_sg

She was shocked to find out it only costs $7.80 a week. Picture: TikTok/@lifewith_sg

The bathrooms, which she says remind her of the high-end American chain Equinox, are spotless and luxury-appointed, featuring lockers, showers, and even a sauna, all included in the membership price.

As she continues her walk-through, Sarah notes, “I don’t think I’ve personally ever seen a gym with so much equipment, and I’ve been to a lot of gyms”.

“They have squat racks for days, you will never have to wait for a treadmill or a Stairmaster, and for some reason they also have a boxing ring,” she continues, adding that there’s even a mini basketball court.

She’s also amazed at the courteousness of other gym-goers and the fact that everyone cleans up after themselves.

Derrimut, in Port Melbourne, has a nutrition bar where members can pick up fresh and frozen meals. Picture: TikTok/@lifewith_sg

It also has a huge gym floor with countless machines. Picture: TikTok/@lifewith_sg

The surprises keep coming as she walks upstairs, where she finds an all-women’s gym floor, a dedicated posing room for bodybuilding competitions, and an entire room filled with Reformer machines and a TV playing pilates classes you can follow along with.

She wraps up her review by showing the gym’s recovery centre, which offers Cryotherapy, red light therapy, a hyperbaric chamber, and lymphatic drainage.

The luxury appointed bathrooms rival those in Equinox. Picture: TikTok/@lifewith_sg

The expat said she never had to wait to use a machine, as there were so many. Picture: TikTok/@lifewith_sg

Australia’s best-kept fitness secret

Derrimut 24:7 has quietly become one of Australia’s most budget-friendly gym chains since launching in 2010, with locations across Victoria and South Australia.

Sarah’s video was quickly flooded with comments from fellow gym fans, who had no idea it even existed, or that it was so nice.

One viewer admitted, “Oh, why did I think Derrimut gym was gross?” while others were simply shocked by the price, writing, “I’m sorry, $7.80? I’m Australian, never knew this”.

Many also couldn’t believe it, with one person exclaiming, “No gym, even the horrible ones, are that cheap in Australia,” and another adding, “The reformer machines?! FOR FREE?”

“I was gatekeeping Port Melbourne for a minute now,” said another, while others simply praised, “But yeah, best gym and we love it”.

“The way my mouth dropped at how big that gym is,” revealed another.

Is there a catch?

While the value for money is an obvious drawcard, regulars point out that its popularity means it can get busy, especially during peak hours.

Some users mention that “gym-bros” have “ruined” their local Derrimut, while others noted that this is likely a new gym that could quickly get “dirty and disorganised”.

This particular location is indeed new, and opened in November last year.