t also Honesty time: We’ve just spent our lunchtime Googling ‘running shoes’ while lying in bed eating a huge sandwich. Wanting to get fit isn’t the same as being active and getting fit, unfortunately. You’re going to need to get down the gym and start moving. But, having clicked here looking for the best gyms in Bristol, you’re halfway there already.
Whether you’ve never stepped foot in a gym, or you’re new to the city and are desperate to keep up the gains. Don’t sweat it (or maybe do) because we’ve got you covered with everything from swimming pools to boxing rings, free weights and cardio machines. These are the very best gyms in Bristol you can start working out at right away.
1. L.A. Gym
L.A. Gym was established in 1986 and it’s one of Bristol’s oldest gyms. If you’re after somewhere that focuses on bodybuilding and physique, this should be your starting point – with nearly 40 years of experience, it describes itself as “Bristol’s Bodybuilding Mecca”. Welcoming all, this community-first and independently-run gym is home to over 100 pieces of new and retro bodybuilding equipment across two floors. Plus, it offers many personal trainers to help you smash your goals.
L.A. Gym, 20 Easton Rd, Bristol BS5 0BY
2. PureGym
If you fancy more of an accessible, all-rounder workout spot, look no further than PureGym. With gyms across the city, including at Cabot Circus and Harbourside, all are open 24 hours a day too – meaning you can work out on your schedule. PureGym memberships in Bristol start at £15.99 making them among the cheapest gyms available.
But what do you get with PureGym? Inside, you’ll find a huge variety of equipment, from free weights to fixed resistance machines, as well as access to weekly free fitness classes. This could be anything from Zumba to spin classes, strength conditioning or squat training. You can also sign up for one-to-one sessions with experienced PTs. If you’ve never been a gym rat, this is where to start.
PureGym, 10 Union Gate, Union Street BS1 2DU
Explore Lane BS1 5TY
Eastgate Road, Eastville BS5 6XX
Unit 2C, Brislington Retail Park BS4 5NG
Unit 2b, Abbey Wood Retail Park BS34 7JW
3. Bristol Co-operative Gym
A gym like this could only exist in Bristol. Opened in 2016, Bristol Co-operative Gym is the UK’s first co-operative gym, which means it’s run by its own members. Based in St Annes, it offers a range of strength and weightlifting classes, with a sliding scale of membership prices (depending on what you can afford). If you want a voice in how your gym is run, then there’s no better option in Bristol or beyond.
Bristol Co-operative Gym, St. Anne’s House, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4AB
4. Village Gym
Those looking for gyms in north Bristol (between Little Stoke, Filton and Patchway), should pay special notice to Village Gym. Sure, this 24-hour gym offers all the state-of-the-art cardio machines and free weights you can imagine. But what makes it extra special is that it also boasts a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and whirlpool.
High-quality classes also make it a noteworthy gym. Be it Zumba dancing, wind-downing with pilates and yoga, or a heart-racing HIIT workout, Village Gym has the class for you. It’s even got its own bar and restaurant for a post-workout treat. Just water and a salad, yeah?
Village Gym, Bullfinch Cl, Filton, Bristol BS34 6FG
5. Sweat Box Gym
Heading down to south Bristol, Sweat Box Gym is the ideal spot for those looking to train in martial arts. But you don’t have to be a kung-fu fighter to sign up. A variety of classes are designed to engage everyone, from those looking to learn self-defence to those just trying to get fit. There are calisthenics classes, Olympic weightlifting, MMA training and a women-only “fight club”. Check out its CrossFit classes too, which take place in a specially-designed semi-outdoor space for year-round open-air training – the only training space of its kind in the UK.
Sweat Box Gym, Units 2-3, Princess St, Bristol BS3 4AG
6. Workout Bristol
You’ve got twoWorkout Bristol gyms in the city to choose from. The Harbourside location, along the cobbled street of Welsh Back, dates back to 1982 – making it the longest-established independent gym in Bristol. It’s also one of the largest in the city centre, with a cardio fitness room, a machine weights gym, two free weight rooms, a dedicated yoga/pilates studio, four squash courts, a spin studio, a café showing live sports, and so much more.
Overlooking the beautiful Harbourside, it’s got unbeatable views. But if you live south of the river and can’t make it in, you might want to check out the location on North Street. Just a stone’s throw away from Ashton Gate Stadium, this 16,000 sq ft gym uniquely also features a dedicated women-only weights room and an on-site healthcare clinic. Ioffers a range of classes at both sites too.
Workout Harbourside, Floating Harbour, Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB
Workout Ashton, The Old Brewery, North Street, Ashton, Bristol, BS3 1JS
7. Valesco Fitness Collective
The aim of this women-owned gym (who are all from the LGBT+ community) is to make everyone feel welcome and “build an inclusive, healthy, fitness loving community.” It also offers a range of classes based around functional movements performed at high intensity (‘functional fitness’ they call it). This ranges from Olympic weightlifting to gymnastics, running, rowing and skipping, with goal-orientated classes scaleable to suit all abilities. It’s not just about the classes at Valesco Fitness Collective, however, as an open gym is also available for all members anytime.
Valesco Fitness Collective, 40-46 Albert Road, St Phillips, Bristol BS2 0XA
Unit 10 Ashley Hill Trading Estate, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9XS
8. Ministry of Fitness
Split into four unique training areas Ministry of Fitness calls itself “Bristol’s biggest independent gym.” We haven’t got the measuring tape out yet, but there’s a lot here whether it is or not. Downstairs, you’ll find a free weights area filled with squat racks, dumbbells, Texas bars and so much more for building muscle. Head to the second floor for a wide selection of cardio machines and a dedicated glute area. Fully equipped for HIIT training, membership also comes with lots of weekly free classes from indoor cycling to women-only weight training.
Ministry of Fitness, Unit 1, 15 Douglas Rd, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8NH
There are a seemingly endless number of gyms in Bristol, we can only hope we’ve given you all enough to get started. So get off the computer and start your fitness journey now. Because the pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow!