Health

So You’re Going to be an Auxiliar de Conversación in Madrid: All About Gyms in Madrid

1 Comment
Gyms in Madrid

In the last 3 years here in Madrid, I have belonged to 2 different gyms, but have visited multiple gyms and have compared what various gyms have to offer.  I’ve been somewhat of a gym rat my whole life, so I knew that I wanted to find a gym here so I could keep up the habit.  I wanted to find gyms in Madrid that:

  • have no contract, or have an easily-breakable contract
  • offer a lot of great classes (Spin, Body Combat, BodyPump, etc.)
  • have enough cardio machines
  • have open spaces and weights
  • are affordable on the Auxiliar salary

Luckily, there are a lot of gyms in Madrid that fit this criteria.  In this post, I am going to to give you the DL on various gyms in Madrid and the pros and cons of each.  

Gyms in Madrid that are Good for Auxiliars

  • Vivagym (I belonged to the Lavapiés/ Embajadores location for 2 years)

PROS: very large; a lot of treadmills, elipticals, and bikes; many weight machines and two areas for independent weight lifting- one area for heavier weights with benches, and one area with lighter weights, kettlebells, floor mats; an abundance of classes (many of the Les Mills classes, as well as yoga, pilates, etc) and classes are offered all day; clean; big locker rooms with showers; very affordable (I paid 25€ a month with no contract) and it’s easy to freeze your account; open 7 days/week; you can register and cancel membership online; you can try it free one day; if you bring new friends, they pay less initiation fee and your monthly rate goes down; there is an option to may a little more each month and be able to bring a friend 2x/ month

CONS: No wifi in the gym; no swimming pool; not as many locations as other gyms in Madrid

PROS: affordable pricing (ranges from 19.99€ to 28€ per month based on whether you have a 1 year contract or perfer to pay month to month); easy to cancel your membership if you choose the month to month option; usually pretty well-equipped with cardio and weight machines, and they have open spaces for floor work; good selection of classes; you can go to ANY BAsic Fit in Europe with any of their membreships (there are over 500); lots of locations; you can register and cancel membership online; try it for free

CONS: you need to pay extra for classes (about 6€ per month); a little more expensive if you choose the flex plan (month-to-month); not sure about wifi; it appears that they have less classes available live, many of the classes are virtual, can get very crowded

PROS: affordable, with various plans available- join for a month (50€), 3 months (99€), 6 months (189€), a year (299€), etc; good selection of classes; classes are included in the monthly price; well-located; has a sauna, boxing ring, and multiple open areas for working out; you can register and cancel membership online

CONS: the machines are older than at other gyms and sometimes ‘bounce’; less classes offered during the day and on weekends; limited weekend hours; no wifi; unless it’s part of your plan, you can use other locations.

PROS: lots of available classes; open from early to late, even on holidays; some locations have swimming pools, cafeteria, and multiple exercise rooms

CONS: not many locations; pricing information and signing up not available online

  • McFit (I have never been)

PROS: 3 locations in Madrid (Nuevos Ministerios, Ciudad Lineal, Salamanca) and multiple locations throughout Spain; opens early and stays open til late; offers virtual and in-person classes; classes offered all day, even during lunch; affordable (starts at about 24€ per month); allows you to use your membership at more than 240 locations in Europe

CONS: no month to month offer, just 6 months (27€ per month) or 1 year (24€ per month)

PROS: lots of equipment and big workout spaces; many classes offered; ‘extra’ services offered

CONS: not many locations (I think there is only 1 in Madrid); a little pricier than other locations; their website is difficult to use- I can’t find the prices

PROS: try it for free; lots of locations in Madrid; opens early and closes late Mon-Sat and is open in the morning on Sunday; large range of classes offered; various rates offered based on monthly, multi-monthly and yearly plans; use all of there clubs without additional cost

CONS: it appears that you have to pay a fee every few months

There you have it- a round-up of great gyms in Madrid that are perfect for people looking to stay in shape.  If I were to choose any of these gyms, I would choose Vivagym, but I know it’s not accessible for everyone.

You may also like