The gyms on this list might not necessarily consider themselves gay gyms. But no matter where we are in the world, we know one when we see one.
Patrons in short-shorts. Spotting that’s a little too intimate. A dance music soundtrack. You hear, “Hey girl, what’s the tea!” More mingling than a pub. Decor akin to a nightclub. Members who spend as much time in the showers and the sauna as they do on the equipment. Bodies that look like works of art.
Here are some of the most notable “gay gyms” around the globe. Make sure you pack your jockstrap before dropping by one. We’ve double-checked to make sure all of our picks have drop-in and/or short-term membership options.
Toronto, Canada
GoodLife Fitness–Bloor and Park (8 Park Rd., Toronto). If a city has a gay village of any size, look for the gym that’s in it or closest to it—it’s highly likely to be the gay gym. There are several LGBTQ2S+-friendly GoodLifes close to Toronto’s Church and Wellesley district, but this one has a long-standing reputation for being, by appearances, a gay majority.
Butcher-queer option: Sully’s Boxing Gym (1554 Dundas St. W., lower level, Toronto).
New York City, New York
Crunch Fitness Chelsea (Chelsea, Manhattan, 220 W. 19th St., New York). In Manhattan, aren’t all the gyms gay gyms? Probably. But many don’t offer day passes, and the fees can be steep—and the New York attitude is too intense. This U.S. chain, with more than 430 locations around the country, offers free three-day passes. Their #nojudgments philosophy focuses on positivity, inclusivity and fun. With the Chelsea location being in a super gay neighbourhood, it has a real nightclub vibe. Take care— a couple of years ago, management asked members to stop having sex in the men’s locker room.
Queerer option: Mark Fisher Fitness (411 W. 39th St., New York).
Los Angeles, California
24 Hour Fitness (6380 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles). Like New York, there is no shortage of flirty-cruisy gyms in Los Angeles County. Now that the West Hollywood edition of this chain has closed, the Hollywood outlet has the best location—and hours that appeal to night owls who want a workout before or after the clubs.
Queerer option: EVERYBODY (1845 N. San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles).
Barcelona, Spain
Wellness Club 33 @ Axel Hotel Barcelona (Carrer d’Aribau, 33, L’Eixample, Barcelona). The gym at the world’s best known “hetero-friendly” hotel chain is free with a guest card and 15€ for non-guests. Though light on equipment compared to most non-hotel gyms, it’s a great place to meet other gay visitors to this sexy city. The spa, which offers massage and other treatments, is also available to non-guests for an additional fee.
Meet-more-locals option: Metropolitan Las Arenas (Centro Comercial Arenas de Barcelona, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373–385, 3ª planta).
Berlin, Germany
McFIT Kurfürstendamm (Tauentzienstraße 8, Berlin). Officially called McFIT Charlottenburg, this branch of Germany’s biggest fitness-studio chain is walking distance to the bars of Schöneberg. Some of the gym gear worn here would be suitable for a lederlust party. Monthly flexible memberships, depending on the promotion, can be as cheap as €9.90.
Paris, France
easyGym Paris Palais Royal (147 bis Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris). When the word “infamous” attaches itself to a gym, you know it’s going to be pretty friendly. This flirty spot is not only close to the very gay Marais district but also close to Musée du Louvre—have a workout after gorging on art.
More fashionable option: KLAY (4 bis rue Saint Sauveur, Paris).
Sydney, Australia
City Gym (107 Crown St., Darlinghurst. Sydney). Founded in 1978, the same year Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras slathered on its first coat of glitter, this inclusive fitness centre has been a self-declared gay gym pretty much out of the gate; they’ve had a float in the Mardi Gras parade since the early 1980s. Despite its maturity, there’s no sag here after an AU$1.5-million renovation in 2019. They offer a free trial pass and monthly membership options as low as AU$24.95.
Intense-five-week-program option: Pride Fitness (various locations, many outdoors, in Inner West Sydney).
