|
Important Notice :
Prices quoted below were valid at the time we visited the fitness clubs described. From e-mails we received we understand prices are higher now. It is not possible to get information about pricing by visiting the websites of the health clubs, or sending them e-mails. Unfortunately you will have to physically go there, 'take the tour' of the premises, and make a bargain. There are no published transparent data on pricing for California Wow Experience or Fitness First in Bangkok.
|
It is often said you can have the best of both world in cities like Bangkok. All the amenities of the 'first world' are there (for a price), and at the same time one can enjoy generally affordable living, since most daily necessities are lower priced than in the Western world.
It was always possible in Bangkok to go and exercise to one of the first class hotels. Monthly or yearly memberships are available at most, which give access to moderately well equipped gyms and the swimming pool. However, monthly subscriptions tend to be high, and if you prefer group exercises, you will not always find them there.
The last few years has seen the appearance of some leading health clubs around Bangkok. Two 'chains' are particularly active and expanding rapidly, namely Fitness First, and California Wow Xperience. Fitness First has member clubs across Asia, Australia, Continental Europe and the U.K., while California Wow has branches in Thailand and Korea.
On Sukhumvit Road, Fitness First is located on the 4th floor of the Landmark Hotel, and offers a quite large exercise environment. California Wow has opened in December 2004 in Jasmine City, at the entrance to soi 23, Sukhumvit Road. While Fitness First is large, California Wow could be called 'industrial'.
 |
| Entrance to CaliforniaWow, next to Sukhumvit Soi 23 |
|
While both establishments can be recommended, there are some important differences between the two.
Both Fitness First and California Wow seem to have 'promotions' at all times. Membership fees at Fitness First are around 1700-2000 baht per month, at California Wow you can become a member for about 1000 baht per month (at least if you advance pay for a longer period). However, the price at Fitness First is all inclusive (except for personal trainer sessions), while at California Wow you will have to pay separately for yoga and pilates.
If you really are intent upon practicing basic yoga or pilates, you may be better off at Fitness First. The policy of having to pay for yoga separately does not seem very appropriate to us, and it is certainly not cheap (many hundreds of baht per yoga session). Admittedly, yoga practicioners are 'imported' from India, and different variants of yoga are offered (or will be offered) at California Wow. From personal experience, we think yoga is very beneficial, and it is a pity that basic yoga is not offered and included in the general fee. Personal trainers are available at both places. We noticed the rate for a personal trainer per session at California Wow is ONLY 1,299 baht. Not clear how this is possible at all. People who pay this rate have either no idea of the value of money, or do not have to work themselves to gather substantial income. Pilates session are at 800 baht per session. You may get a better deal for Pilates here : www.pilatesbangkok.com . Last time we checked you get 16 classes at The Pilate Studio Bangkok for 6,000 baht.(located Phloenchit Road, Mahatun Plaza, right at the BTS station)
Both health clubs offer the following (while maintaining that Fitness First is big, and California Wow Xperience is industrial) :
Stationary aerobic exercise equipment like treadmills, stationary bicycles, the very popular 'elliptical fitness crosstrainers' (we had to look up the name of this equipment, which basically seems to mimic snowwalking, and possibly could be called the 'wobble' machine). There is a lot of muscle building equipment, and a lot of group exercises of the jump, kick and dance variety. There are also popular group cycling exercises.
The treadmills, bicycles and crosstrainers may be more up to date at California Wow (at least on Sukhumvit Road). We had the impression that the heart rate monitoring is more reliable at California Wow, possibly better sensors, since the equipment is newer. Muscle building machines are possibly a little bit sturdier at Fitness First.
Both exercise health clubs are lacking in one thing. At Fitness First there is only one rowing machine available (and well hidden), while at California Wow there is none to be seen (despite the hundreds of other exercise machines). Not quite clear what this all about, since we think it is well established that rowing is a very adequate and calorie burning activity.
 |
Colorful billboard on Asoke Road, advertising California Wow |
|
Both establishment have saunas and steam rooms, although the ones at California Wow are well hidden, and you better ask around where you can find them. The locker rooms are much more fancy at Fitness First (wood), while at California Wow everything is made out of metal, and one needs a padlock (which century are we in exactly?) to close the lockers. Showers and locker rooms could have better slip resistant flooring at both establishments. Showers at California Wow are a little bit basic, with water and soap from other users flowing around your feet. A safety hazard at California Wow, is that the shower water is much too hot at certain settings.
Since California Wow does not have that many farang customers and since the locker room does not have ample walking space, one is mostly spared one of Western civilization highlights : the parading in the nude of all kinds of misshaped elderly males. At Fitness First this phenomenon can be viewed daily, clearly demonstrating the cultural insensitivities of most foreign visitors (that is, not taking into consideration the Thais' tendency for modesty, and assuming that walking naked is some cultural achievement)
'Music' is rather obnoxious at California Wow. You can get a sample by just walking past the entrance. You will hear they only only play the 'techno' variety, which can be a bit taxing when you need to hear it over and over at loud volume throughout your workout.
We forgot to mention that California Wow is located on three floors. Entrance is at the ground floor. Most stationary exercise equipment on the second floor (one has to climb a rather inadequate stairway to get upstairs, made of glass and steel, accidents just waiting to happen). Most muscle building equipment, the locker rooms, the showers, and the group cycling room, are located in the 'basement'.
Fitness First has a nice sitting area, where one can enjoy free coffee, and camp down after exercise for a while, read a newspaper or a book. California Wow has many sitting areas (metal chairs), none really enticing to sit down.
Overall, Fitness First is higher class, for a higher monthly subscription rate. Both health clubs are well priced though for what they offer (and cheaper than in Europe for sure). Both are also well located, Fitness First at the Nana skytrain station, California Wow close to the Asoke skytrain station (though one has to cross Asoke intersection)
The hotels on Sukhumvit Road also have exercise rooms (and you can use the swimming pool).
Websites : California Wow, Fitness First
P.S. : You can consider not giving your telephone number when registering. At least, we read reports that California Wow has a habit of calling you regularly about your memberships (getting upgrades, doing yoga etc.)
Other exercise facilities :
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit | True Fitness | GMM Fitness Club
Send comments
|
