The 10 Best Gyms in Melbourne: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide
By: Ashish Sankhyan | Last Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Welcome to Melbourne, a city as passionate about its flat whites as it is about its fitness. With a thriving health and wellness scene, finding a gym isn’t hard—but finding the right one can feel like a workout in itself. From sprawling multi-level clubs to specialized boutique studios, the perfect facility is out there waiting for you.
At GymS Informer, we’ve done the heavy lifting. We’ve scouted, researched, and compiled the definitive list of the 10 best gyms in Melbourne, categorised to match your unique fitness goals, budget, and lifestyle.
How We Picked the Best
To create this list, we focused on key criteria that matter most:
- Facilities & Equipment: Quality, variety, and cleanliness.
- Community & Vibe: The overall atmosphere and member support.
- Classes & Timetable: Variety, quality of instructors, and frequency.
- Value for Money: What you get for your membership fee.
- Location & Accessibility: Convenience and multiple locations.
1. Best Overall Gym: Fitness First
Best for: The all-rounder who wants variety, premium facilities, and multiple locations.
Fitness First is a powerhouse for a reason. Their Melbourne locations, especially the premium “Titanium” clubs, offer an unbeatable mix of state-of-the-art equipment, a massive range of group fitness classes (Les Mills, yoga, cycle), and excellent amenities like steam rooms and member lounges.
Why We Chose It: They strike the perfect balance between quality, variety, and accessibility. Their multi-club access is a huge perk for anyone who moves around the city.
Key Features: Extensive free weights, huge group fitness timetables, swimming pools and saunas (select clubs).
Locations: Multiple across Melbourne CBD, Richmond, South Yarra, and more.
2. Best Luxury Gym: Virgin Active
Best for: Those seeking a premium, resort-style fitness experience.
Virgin Active is more than a gym; it’s a wellness destination. Walking into their Bourke Street or Collins Street clubs feels like checking into a 5-star hotel. They offer everything you’d expect, plus incredible extras like rock climbing walls and sleep pods.
Why We Chose It: The amenities are simply unmatched. It’s the perfect choice for those who want their gym to be a sanctuary for both body and mind.
Key Features: Swimming pool, spa, sauna, climbing wall (Bourke St), over 200 classes per week, on-site cafés.
Locations: Bourke St, Collins St.
3. Best 24/7 Gym: Anytime Fitness
Best for: Shift workers, early birds, and night owls who need ultimate flexibility.
With hundreds of locations, you’re never far from an Anytime Fitness. Their 24/7 access model is a game-changer for those with unpredictable schedules. They provide a solid foundation of quality equipment in a secure and convenient environment.
Why We Chose It: The convenience is unbeatable. A single key fob grants you access to over 5,000 gyms worldwide, 24/7.
Key Features: 24-hour security, quality cardio and strength equipment, private bathrooms, global membership access.
Locations: Ubiquitous across Melbourne and its suburbs.
4. Best for Powerlifting & Bodybuilding: Doherty's Gym
Best for: Serious lifters who want a no-nonsense, iron paradise.
Doherty’s Gym is a Melbourne institution. This is not a place for fancy amenities; it’s a place to lift heavy. The atmosphere is raw, motivating, and packed with some of the strongest people in the country. If the clang of iron is your favourite sound, this is your home.
Why We Chose It: The sheer volume and quality of lifting equipment are unparalleled. It’s a gym built by lifters, for lifters.
Key Features: Dumbbells up to 200lbs, competition-grade equipment, inspiring hardcore atmosphere, 24/7 access (select locations).
Locations: Brunswick, Melbourne CBD, Dandenong.
5. Best Boutique HIIT Studio: F45 Training
Best for: Anyone who loves high-energy, efficient, team-based workouts.
F45 has taken Melbourne by storm. The concept is simple but effective: 45-minute sessions of functional high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in a team environment. The workouts change daily, so you’ll never get bored.
Why We Chose It: F45 excels at creating a motivating and supportive community vibe. The 45-minute format is perfect for busy people who want maximum results in minimum time.
Key Features: Daily unique workouts, integrated heart-rate technology, strong community focus, excellent for all fitness levels.
Locations: Dozens of studios across Melbourne.
6. Best for CrossFit & Functional Fitness: CrossFit Collingwood
Best for: Those looking for high-intensity workouts and a tight-knit community.
CrossFit Collingwood stands out for its expert coaching and welcoming, yet challenging, environment. They focus on mastering technique to build strength and conditioning safely, making them a great choice for both beginners and seasoned CrossFitters.
Why We Chose It: The quality of coaching and the strength of the community are exceptional. This is the place to find your fitness family while pushing your limits.
Key Features: Daily WODs (Workout of the Day), specialty classes (weightlifting, gymnastics), beginner-friendly programs.
Location: Abbotsford.
7. Best Women's-Only Gym: Fernwood Fitness
Best for: Women seeking a supportive, empowering, and comfortable gym environment.
Fernwood Fitness has been a leader in women’s health for decades. They offer a full-service gym experience—weights, cardio, and a huge range of group classes—in a space designed exclusively for women. The vibe is famously friendly and non-intimidating.
Why We Chose It: They understand their members. From childcare services to wellness coaching and female-centric classes, every detail is tailored to create a positive experience.
Key Features: Women-only environment, extensive class timetable, personal training, child-minding services, wellness programs.
Locations: Multiple across Melbourne, including the CBD, Carlton, and Southland.
8. Best for Mind-Body & Pilates: CorePlus
Best for: Lovers of yoga, reformer Pilates, and contemporary, music-driven workouts.
CorePlus offers a modern twist on mind-body fitness. Their beautiful, heated studios host a dynamic range of classes, from athletic reformer Pilates to sweaty, beat-based yoga and mat classes. It’s where sweat meets soul.
Why We Chose It: It perfectly captures the modern wellness trend. The classes are challenging, the instructors are top-notch, and the studio aesthetic is incredibly calming and motivating.
Key Features: Heated and non-heated studios, reformer and mat Pilates, various styles of yoga, athletic-focused classes.
Locations: Studios in Port Melbourne, Prahran, Hawthorn, and more.
9. Best for Boxing & Combat Sports: Melbourne Fight Club
Best for: Aspiring boxers, Muay Thai practitioners, or anyone wanting an authentic and challenging combat sports workout.
Located in the heart of the CBD, Melbourne Fight Club is the real deal. It’s a gritty, technique-focused gym that welcomes everyone from absolute beginners to professional fighters. You won’t find fancy frills here, just world-class coaching and a passion for the sweet science.
Why We Chose It: Its authenticity and quality of instruction are second to none. It’s the best place in the city to learn proper technique while getting in incredible shape.
Key Features: Classes in boxing, Muay Thai, and BJJ; highly experienced coaches; caters to all skill levels; central location.
Location: Melbourne CBD.
10. Best Budget-Friendly Full-Service Gym: Goodlife Health Clubs
Best for: Those who want a full-service gym experience without the premium price tag.
Goodlife offers a fantastic middle-ground. It provides a more comprehensive experience than a basic 24/7 gym (more classes, better facilities) but at a more accessible price point than luxury clubs. Their “All Club Access” pass is excellent value.
Why We Chose It: It delivers the best value for money for a full-featured gym. The inclusion of “Ladies Only” areas and 24/7 access at many clubs makes it a versatile choice.
Key Features: Large equipment selection, Les Mills classes, 24/7 access (most locations), ladies-only sections, child-minding.
Locations: Multiple locations including Docklands, Prahran, and Armadale.
Melbourne Best Gyms Location Map
How to Choose the Right Melbourne Gym For You
Still undecided? Ask yourself these questions:
- What’s My Budget? Memberships can range from ~$15/week for budget options to $60+/week for specialized studios.
- Where Is It Located? Choose a gym close to home or work to stay consistent.
- What’s My Training Style? Do you love classes? Do you need heavy-duty squat racks? Do you want a pool? Match the gym’s specialty to your goals.
- What’s the Vibe? Always use a free trial pass! Test the equipment, take a class, and see if the atmosphere feels right.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a gym membership cost in Melbourne?
Expect to pay between $15 – $25 per week for budget and mid-range gyms (Anytime, Goodlife), and $30 – $65+ per week for premium and boutique studios (Virgin Active, F45, CorePlus).
What is the difference between CrossFit and F45?
While both are high-intensity functional workouts, CrossFit often incorporates heavy barbell lifting (like snatches and clean & jerks) and gymnastics skills. F45 focuses more on circuit-style, timed interval training with a wider variety of equipment but less emphasis on heavy, technical lifts.
Can I get a free gym trial in Melbourne?
Absolutely. Almost every gym on this list offers a free trial or an introductory offer. It’s the best way to try before you buy.
What are the best gyms in Melbourne CBD?
For the CBD, your top options are Virgin Active (Bourke & Collins), Fitness First (Flinders St, Collins St), Doherty’s Gym (for lifting), and Melbourne Fight Club (for boxing).
