Bangkok is a fantastic city for fitness enthusiasts. Whether you prefer working out in a gym, exercising outdoors, cycling through green spaces, or learning Muay Thai, the Thai capital has something for everyone. Here is our guide to staying fit in Bangkok.
Outdoor Gyms
Benchasiri Park
Our favourite by a country mile is Benchasiri Park (Thai: สวนเบญจสิริ). It is a lovely green oasis sandwiched between the Marriott Marquis Queens Park and the Emporium shopping complex.
A walking and jogging track runs around the park. You will find serious runners but you will also find lots of Bangkok's older generation just taking it easy. The park is one of the most popular green spaces in Bangkok. You will find office workers escaping from their air-con boxes, enjoying lunch sitting on benches and sheltering under the relative shade of the many trees.
It has a kids' playground, aerobic exercise equipment, a skateboarding arena and sports facilities including a basketball court. The outdoor swimming pool is open daily from 10:30 to 20:00. Overseas visitors can use the pool by buying a membership for 50 baht and paying a daily fee of 15 baht. Please remember to bring your passport.
Santiphap Park
"Air-walker" and "sit-up board" are just two of the machines available at Santiphap Park, about a five-minute walk from the BTS Skytrain stop Victory Monument. You can also find an outdoor gym at Chatuchak Park, right off BTS Skytrain stop Mochit. If anything, watching people pendulum swing their legs from side to side as a means of working out is entertaining, to say the least.
Walking in Bangkok's Parks
Bangkok, for such an urban area, has its fair share of parks. If you are self-conscious about using gyms as a means to stay toned while traveling, simply grab a water bottle and go for a stroll around any of Bangkok's best parks, including Lumpini and Chatuchak Park. There are plenty of parks just waiting to be explored in Bangkok, which are great for both jogging and cycling.
On Your Bike
Many of the parks in and around Bangkok have great cycling routes. Explore "Bangkok's Green Lung" on Bang Kachao, or take a more urban inspired route at Benjakiti Park, with trails made specifically for cyclists. Bicycles are usually fairly inexpensive to rent as well, costing about 20-30 baht for an hour or 100 baht for an entire day.
Muay Thai
We could write a book on Thailand's national and most popular sport, Muay Thai. There are an overabundance of gyms and classes around Bangkok that offer both private and group classes. Whether you have never stepped foot into the boxing ring before or plan on becoming a Muay Thai professional, Bangkok's Muay Thai classes and gyms are a great place for fitness lovers.
Our Own Gym
If you are in On Nut (5 stops down the BTS line from Asok) then try our gym Fitnesslife Onnut. You can jump on a motorcycle taxi from the BTS On Nut station for about 20 baht, just ask for "FitnessLife, Onnut saam sib" (saam sib is 30 in Thai). The gym is a good size with great air conditioning. It has free weights and a number of cardio and resistance machines. It is never too crowded, has a great selection of equipment and very friendly owners. Most staff speak English.
We have a range of membership options: daily, weekly, and monthly. No joining fees and no contracts. Check out our day pass options or read more about personal training at Fitnesslife.
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Visit Fitnesslife Gym
Located in On Nut 30, Bangkok. No joining fee, no contract, day-passes available.