Today, getting fit isn’t just about fitness—it’s about health. Going to the gym or fitness center isn’t just about getting ripped or flaunting that beach body; it’s about keeping your body in tip-top condition.
Lifting weights and indulging in intense workouts get your blood pumping and encourage your body to develop new cells that refresh and revitalize your body organs, elongating your youth.
Nairobi residents are waking up to the fitness culture, and over the last few months I have been visiting – I’ve witnessed tons of residents jogging, cycling, and dangling their gym bags to their favorite fitness spots.
Since I’m a workout freak, too, I signed up for a couple of fitness centers in Nairobi (daily and weekly memberships) and compiled the following list. These are the top-rated gyms in Nairobi.
Great Body Gym
Great Body Gym is a renowned fitness center with one of the best facilities in Nairobi, Kenya. Located in the Central Business District, this fitness center’s centralized location mostly caters to the business and corporate classes in Nairobi.
Great Body Gym’s management believes no two clients are the same, so they take a personalized training approach. Their professional team customizes each client’s routine to serve their individual goals.
If you are looking to tone down, gain muscle, or attain that perfect beach body, they’ll develop an action plan that includes nutrition and a workout plan with a realistic timeline.
Some of their programs include regular weight-lifing, nutrition, counseling, aerobics, and zumba.
Great Body Gym is open Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m., and Saturday and Public Holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: 3rd Floor, Interfina House, Tomboya Street (opposite KTDA Plaza).
Contact: (+254) 700 084 870.
Premier Fitness
Premier Fitness ranks among the best gyms in Nairobi thanks to its world-class training equipment, professional and friendly staff, and a multitude of programs to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Premier Fitness believes in a client-focused approach to training where each participant keenly accesses their realistic fitness goal, and a personalized schedule is developed for them.
Other than just lifting weights and burning fats during cardio, the establishment at Premier Fitness helps its members learn new skills to boost their functional and cognitive health.
Premier Fitness wouldn’t be world-class if it didn’t have state-of-the-art equipment, from quality weights, cycling machines, hot showers, steam baths, and a modern Sauna.
Premier Fitness is open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: 2nd Floor, Finance House, Koinange Street, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 20 224 0806.
FirstPower Fitness
FirstPower Fitness is one of the finer gyms in Nairobi that spreads a ‘training with a jovial mood vibe.’ This establishment believes life is hard already – therefore, chasing your fitness goals doesn’t need to be brutal. Instead, it needs to be fun.
But we all know what happens when you lie on the bench, and you have to lift more than 80 kg (176 lbs) on a triple set. Things can get a little limey. Still, FirstPower Fitness emphasizes togetherness, teachability, tenacity, and transformation for better fitness.
What this establishment means is – they’ll be with you through your workout journey, and therefore, you don’t need to work about the little pain at the beginning but look forward to the joy at the end.
There’s everything here for whatever workout routine you might be looking for, including CrossFit, powerfit, open gym, specialty classes, personal training, and nutrition. They’ve also got state-of-the-art equipment to ensure you do your training right.
FirstPower Fitness is a well-defined gym with a schedule that’s open Monday through Sunday from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Open gyms have designated timestamps per day; the rest of the sessions are booked for specific workouts. Therefore, random walking is discouraged.
FirstPower Fitness’s pricing is flexible, from the cheapest KES 2,500 for a private class (per session) to a platinum membership that includes Crossfit classes, an open gym, and all specialty classes. The open gym (Silver) costs 9,500 (minus membership fees).
Location: Galleria Mall, Langata, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 798 336 432. Email: info@firstpowerfitness.com.
Crossfit Kwetu Gym
Crossfit Kwetu Gym is an urban cross-fitness gym in Nairobi that motivates its members to challenge themselves. The establishment heavily relies on cross-fitness and believes this form of fitness is safe, effective, and the best way to achieve any health or fitness goal with precision.
Crossfit Kwetu Gym was founded in 2015 by a local health and fitness duo in Nairobi who wanted to change the landscape of health fitness in Nairobi with a new recipe. We can conclude that the vision heavily paid off.
Crossfit Kwetu Gym offers several fitness programs to suit your goals, including group fitness sessions, personal training, and membership options. They also offer consultations where they provide nutrition advice.
The pricing at Crossfit Kwetu Gym ranges from KES 9,000 to 17,000 per month. It is categorized into three main plans: 1Month Unlimited Crossfit (KES 15,950), Kwetu Express 30-minute and 45-minute classes (KES 9,950), and Getting Started (KES 16,500). Other packages and discounts are available on the website.
Crossfit Kwetu Gym is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Gigiri Lane, Gigiri Neighborhood, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 740 969 669. Email: info@crossfitkwetu.com.
Alpha Fit
Alpha Fit is undeniably one of the best gyms in Nairobi and Kenya. Their mantra, “Beauty is measured in pride and joy,” says a lot about their focus and track record of success in the industry.
Alpha Fit believes in having a passion for fitness, training with expertise, and using high-end equipment. These are not empty words plastered on their announcement boards or website—they become a reality once you set foot in their world-class establishment.
Alpha Fit also believes in community. According to the management, when more people work together towards a common goal, the chances of success are much greater. That’s why their workouts use a mix of intensity, weight training, cardio, and gymnastics to simultaneously use multiple groups of muscles.
Some of the programs offered at Alpha Fit include nutrition, Functional Fitness, Physiotherapy, Kickboxing, boot camp, HIIT, Yoga, Dance, Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Z6, a Health Bar, and a Kids section.
Alpha Fit is open Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Note: this establishment runs on schedule.
Location: Kenya Harlequins Rugby Club, Ngong Road, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 706 981 452, 0718 185 856, 0748 814 040 (Reception). Email: info@alphafit-ltd.com.
Smart Gyms
Smart Gyms is one of Nairobi’s best and most well-equipped fitness centers. Compared to other top-rated establishments, It is affordable and well-equipped. It has a huge variety of fitness equipment and also incorporates free fitness classes into its training.
If you are looking to join this family of fitness enthusiasts, you need to be ready to go through its four stages: defining your fitness goal, attaining a fitness plan, working hard with the established team, and finally enjoying the fruits of your hard work.
Smart Gyms has 70 coaches and 40 different training classes suited to individual needs.
Smart Gyms is open Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Location: Smart Gyms has Four locations: Junction Mall, Ngong Road, Diamond Plaza II, Parklands, Southfield Mall, Embakasi, and The Hub Karen, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 712 404 040. Email: info@smartgyms.co.ke.
Power House 254 Gym
Not many people in Nairobi trust neighborhood gyms—they’re presumed to be crowded, cheap, and undermaintained. Well, Power House 254 Gym is a different kind of neighborhood gym.
Set in Kariobangi South, Power House 254 Gym is a fully stocked gym with modern weightlifting and training equipment. The establishment’s management has hired a dedicated team of professionals to guide you through your workout sessions.
Some of the training programs at Power House 254 Gym include ab exercises, lower body workout plans, upper body regiments, cardio, Zumba, full-out glutes, and regular weightlifting sessions.
Power House 254 Gym is open Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Location: Kariobangi South Estate (opposite Daysprings Flats), Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 742 011 468. Email: powerhouseplus254@gmail.com.
AV Fitness Kenya
Since the fitness business is currently booming in Nairobi, every establishment is trying to outdo each other, developing a unique routine that will excite clients. AV Fitness Kenya in Nairobi offers such a menu, and I must admit they hit the nail on the head.
While the conventional gym has gym equipment and a space to perform bodyweight exercises, AV Fitness Kenya has incorporated a mini-soccer field in their gym. If you know Kenyans, you definitely understand their love for football.
Don’t get me wrong. The mini-soccer field isn’t for aesthetics; it’s part of their training drill, with workouts incorporated to emulate the high-intensity sport.
AV Fitness Kenya offers training classes such as boxer drills, spin, yoga, cardio, rhumba, and taebo.
Their prices range from KES 1,000 (day pass), KES 7,000 for a monthly membership, to KES 68,000 for an annual subscription pass.
AV Fitness Kenya is open Monday to Sunday from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Location: Mbaazi Avenue, Lavington Neighborhood, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 0715 416 323, 0707 764 711.
Racing Sport Gym
Racing Sport Gym has nothing to do with automobiles but everything to do with getting functionally fit. They are one of the most equipped gyms in Nairobi and are located around the Parklands neighborhood.
This establishment believes in no excuses when it comes to attaining your fitness goals. As a result, it has filled the facility with plenty of equipment and friendly staff to help you through your journey.
Racing Sport Gym has a complete cardio room essential for burning off calories, as well as treadmills, exercise bikes, and step machines. The establishment also has sessions for CrossFit, Zumba, aerobic, and pure stretch.
Racing Sport Gym is open Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Location: Woodvale Groove, Parklands, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 0700 464 646, 020 244 5584.
Fitness 360 South C
Fitness 360 South C is not just a gym but a fitness center located in the middle-class neighborhood of South C in KPA Estate. It’s a popular fitness center among residents living in Nairobi South and its environs.
Since it’s a neighborhood fitness center, it welcomes everyone in the community, including kids (on Saturday). This establishment mainly focuses on the holistic health of its clientele, offering several programs for both the young and the old.
Some of the programs at this facility include Anaerobic Total Body Sculpt, Group Fitness Sessions, Kids Challenges, HIIT, and a Family Fitness Boot Camp. They also offer individual training sessions for personalized fitness goals.
Fitness 360 South C is open Monday through Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: KPA Estate, South C, Nairobi.
Contact: (+254) 714 958 054.