Thread: Gyms in central Brisbane

Hi all,

Just wondering if I could grab some advice on gyms in (preferably) central Brisbane. I live in the Roma St Parkland area and am looking for something close by that has the neccessities like squat rack, bench press, deadlift area etc and so far am a little lost for where to go!

Being from NZ (been in Bris a year now) I'm used to a lot of good gyms close to home, but things seem a little different here.......my 24hr gym back home had everything, was kinda old but was good, had easy-going people and heavy weights. Here I find 24hour gyms don't have any decent free weights (health and safety perhaps?) and the other gyms seem to have very limited opening hours or are hideously expensive!

Was looking at Thors but see that has closed down, my next option is healthworks opposite Mater hospital - they are only 12.50/wk no contract and have a freeweight squat/bench deadlift capability.

Any ideas, please let me know!

Cheers
PS Sorry if this has come up already, I found a thread regarding it but it was old so thought I'd try for the latest info.

Hi mate

I train at Goodlife at 103 Edward St.
Positives - they are pretty accepting of the way I train - I deadlift, do heavy farmers walks, stair runs and they even turn a blind eye to me using chalk (I do clean up after myself though). Also being goodlife you can use their other gyms
Negatives - its pretty small, they only have a half squat rack, not a cage.

Tim

University of Queensland gym might be a little out the way, but its fine on price and content, the UQ powerlifting club use it.

There's a couple of Fitness Firsts in the city. I have been to the one on Anne St (I think), and its on 2 levels, but the weight area is relatively small and its a super busy place through the week. I was going to make a crack about not having room to swing a cat, but then figured you maybe better off taking the cat down to Roma St Parklands and swinging the little guy there. Maybe some good exercise for shoulder development or depending on technique, lateral obliques ; ) On a serious note, there is space and equipment for DL/squats etc at that gym, maybe check out a few mate and let us know how you go.

Originally Posted by Bricktop

University of Queensland gym might be a little out the way, but its fine on price and content, the UQ powerlifting club use it.

UQ Powerlifting use the Scout Hall at Acacia Park - also another option if you wanted to head out that way.

Thanks guys,

Guess it will be fairly limited in the central city......will take a look at goodlife in Edwards st Tim, do they have free parking there or is it impossible to get? With the half squat rack you can still take the pins/bars out and kinda use it like a cage though? I've noticed looking at a few gyms further out that half racks seem to be the norm here

They don't have parking, but there is a little bit of on street parking out the front - don't forget it is in the middle of the CBD though.

Goodlife in the Valley has free parking though, and is a much bigger gym. I don't like it though as they aren't real keen on people who lift heavy.

Tim

Originally Posted by Big Tim

Goodlife in the Valley has free parking though, and is a much bigger gym. I don't like it though as they aren't real keen on people who lift heavy.

I train at goodlife in the Valley and have no problems with lifting heavy - they just have rules about deadlifting in the power-racks because there are too many dickheads mincing around treating the place like a pick up joint. I've found that people just keep out of your way when you're lifting heavy and NOBODY asks you how many sets you have left...

Originally Posted by CMinOZ

I train at goodlife in the Valley and have no problems with lifting heavy - they just have rules about deadlifting in the power-racks because there are too many dickheads mincing around treating the place like a pick up joint. I've found that people just keep out of your way when you're lifting heavy and NOBODY asks you how many sets you have left...

Each time I have trained there I have run afoul of an over-zealous PT for something. Plus they refuse to allow me to bring any of my strongman implements in.

I did a complimentary session at a goodlife in gracefiled and encountered the same problem with PT's. If only there was an old school gym around here!!!!

Does anyone have any experience with the PCYC that's located in Suncorpm stadium? It's pretty much next door to me and also has boxing fitness classes some nights. Just not sure if they have a decent selection of free weights or if they are a machine-only joint.

Cheers guys for your input!

what about Club BJ in MacGregor - might still have some issues with Tim taking in his atlas stones though...

Is MacGregor a long way out from Brisbane cbd? My preferred training time is 5.30am so traffic will hopefully not be too big of an issue but the closer the better.
I see there is also a 24hr boxing gym in the Albion (roughly) area - has anyone ever been there?

Good thread! Heading to brissy very soon too! Was thinkn just FF on Adelaide st?

Originally Posted by CMinOZ

what about Club BJ in MacGregor - might still have some issues with Tim taking in his atlas stones though...

Not too many places welcome stones - however Fitnance at East Brisbane have welcomed a group of us with open arms. We train events there every Saturday - Stones, Farmers, Yoke, Logs.

Hi guys,

First, I'm biased as I own a gym myself in Brisbane West End.

Second, we are different than the commercial gyms around brisbane, we only do group formats or one on one, a very encouraging environment where learning, form and technique is a priority. We are based on the rooftop of a large old factory above Absoe on Boundary Street and Mollison Street.We encourage groaing and screaming while working out, a bit of chalk doesn't bother us either. Our website is www.thetoughspot.com.au at the moment we have Kettlebell classes, TRX (body weight work), Ropes, Rings, Cardio, Machines, Squat Rack, Olympic bars, Bench press (incline/decline), heavy tyres, sandbags etc. Am looking to put some basic power lifting classes and circuits on.

Let's not forget the 6 flights of stairs we have that people can run up and down with jerrycans.