GMM Grammy Group is a market leader in the Thai music business. It offers a variety of quality music such as mainstream, pop, rock, alternative music, Thai country (Luk Thung) etc., now all conveniently available in digital formats. The offices of GMM Grammy Group are located at GMM Grammy Place, one of the more imposing buildings on Asoke Road (recently renamed to Asoke Montri Road).
In our search for fitness clubs we accidently stumbled upon GMM Fitness Club, which is located on the AA floor (actually the 13th floor) of GMM Grammy Place. The fitness club opened at the beginning of 2006. We revisited the fitness club at the beginning of 2008.
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GMM Fitness Club is located at GMM Grammy Place, one of the more imposing buildings on Asoke Montri Road. |
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While the exercise facilities occupy most of the floor, the size of GMM Fitness Club is only moderately large when compared to California Fitness or Fitness First.
There is a general exercise area which includes stationary bicycles, treadmills and elliptical cross trainers. We estimate a total of about 20 units. The number of exercise bikes seems to be rather limited. There is ample supply of strength training equipment.
There are two additional smaller rooms. One room is used of aerobic classes and yoga/pilated classes. Classes do not really seem to be available during the daytime, and are conducted between 6.30 PM and 9.30 PM. There is also a GMM Spinning Room, but very few classes are organized.
The changing room is spot clean, the showers are spacious and separate (no water from other people streaming over your feet, as in some of the 'made for the masses' fitness clubs in Bangkok). There is a steam room and a sauna.
You can use all the services mentioned above when becoming a member. There are no separate fees for yoga or pilates. The exercise environment does not suffer from techno-disco noise as at California Fitness outlets. GMM Fitness Club also has a comfortable sitting room, where soft drinks are available at nominal prices.
During an initial visit, around the end of 2006, membership fees for one year where between 28,000 and 35,000 baht, which was a bit steep. When we visited in Januari 2008, membership fees had been greatly reduced. Full-time membership fee for one year now is 23,000 baht, for half a year 13,000 baht. When we renewed our membership fee in September 2008, we paid 16,000 baht for 1 year (and 2 months extra), and where quoted 9,000 baht for half a year (with one extra month). New members are asked to pay 13,000 baht for half a year, and 19,000 baht for a full year.
When choosing a fitness club, location is a very important consideration. A club may have it all, but if you need to drive your car through the traffic, use public transport, or need to walk a long time to get there, your initial enthusiasm will not last.
Considering the facilities and pricing, GMM Fitness is a a first choice if you live in the vicinity.
Its disadvantages : no classes during the daytime, possibly its location.
Advantages : Not crowded ; clean environment ; not noisy ; (pricing) ; lots of yoga and pilates classes (in the evening hours) ; sitting area (Bangkok Post available as well as cheap cold drinks, but no airconditioning). Prices for new members are quite competitive, and when you extend your membership later on, it looks like you can get further discounts.[This may however be somewhat related to economic and tourism conditions in mid 2008].
GMM Fitness is valuable alternative to California Fitness, True Fitness and Fitness First (all located on closeby Sukhumvit Road).
More exercise clubs at California Wow and Fitness First | Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit | True Fitness | GMM Fitness Club
Send comments. You know any other really great facility, let us know, we might check it out.
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