Dubai has over 400 registered gyms and fitness centers. From budget chains to ultra-luxury clubs with gold-plated dumbbells (yes, really), the options are overwhelming. This guide cuts through the marketing and gives you honest comparisons based on price, facilities, classes, and what each gym is actually best for.
Quick Navigation:
- • Best Overall: Fitness First Platinum
- • Best Budget: Fitness First Standard
- • Best for Strength: Gold's Gym
- • Best HIIT: F45 Training
- • Best Luxury: Warehouse Gym
- • Best Classes: Barry's Bootcamp
Gym Comparison Summary Table
| Gym | Price/Month | Locations | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness First | AED 399-799 | 30+ locations | All-rounders | ⭐ 4.2/5 |
| Gold's Gym | AED 299-599 | 5 locations | Bodybuilders | ⭐ 4.4/5 |
| F45 Training | AED 850-1,200 | 20+ studios | HIIT lovers | ⭐ 4.6/5 |
| Barry's Bootcamp | AED 1,500-2,000 | 3 studios | Premium HIIT | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| Warehouse Gym | AED 1,000-1,500 | Al Quoz | Serious lifters | ⭐ 4.8/5 |
| Fitness 360 | AED 250-450 | 10+ locations | Budget-friendly | ⭐ 3.9/5 |
Detailed Gym Reviews
Fitness First
Best Overall Value
Pricing (2025)
- • Standard: AED 399/month (single club)
- • Premium: AED 599/month (multi-club)
- • Platinum: AED 799/month (all clubs + extras)
- • Annual: 15-20% discount
- • Corporate rates: Available
Key Locations
- • Dubai Marina Mall
- • Business Bay
- • Downtown Dubai (DIFC)
- • JBR The Walk
- • Festival City
- • + 25 more locations
Facilities
✅ What's Good:
- • Modern cardio equipment
- • Functional training zones
- • 100+ group classes weekly
- • Swimming pools (select clubs)
- • Sauna & steam rooms
- • Personal training available
❌ What's Missing:
- • Can get crowded (6-9 PM)
- • Limited heavy lifting plates
- • Aging equipment (some clubs)
- • No 24/7 access
🎯 Best For:
- • General fitness
- • Group class enthusiasts
- • Expats needing flexibility
- • Cardio + light weights
💡 Pro Tip:
Join in January or September when they offer 2-3 months free with annual memberships. Platinum membership gives you access to nice gyms in other countries too.
Gold's Gym
Best for Serious Lifters
Pricing (2025)
- • Single club: AED 299/month
- • All clubs: AED 599/month
- • Annual: AED 3,000-3,500
- • Day pass: AED 75
- • Often running 50% off promotions
Key Locations
- • Dubai Marina (largest)
- • Motor City
- • Bur Dubai
- • Deira
- • JLT (coming 2025)
What Makes It Special
✅ Strengths:
- • Huge free weight sections
- • Multiple squat racks & benches
- • Bodybuilding-focused culture
- • Knowledgeable staff
- • Chalk allowed (some locations)
- • Posing rooms
❌ Weaknesses:
- • Can feel intimidating
- • Limited group classes
- • Older equipment (some clubs)
- • Fewer amenities
- • Gets packed 6-8 PM
🎯 Perfect For:
- • Powerlifters
- • Bodybuilders
- • Strength athletes
- • Competitors
- • Serious lifters
💡 Pro Tip:
Marina location is the flagship – best equipment and less crowded mornings. Avoid 6-8 PM unless you like waiting for equipment.
F45 Training
Best for HIIT & Community
Pricing (2025)
- • Unlimited: AED 850-1,200/month
- • 3x weekly: AED 550-700/month
- • Drop-in: AED 100/class
- • Intro offer: 2 weeks for AED 99
- • Prices vary by location
Class Format
- • 45-minute workouts
- • Cardio days (M/W/F)
- • Strength days (T/Th)
- • Hybrid on weekends
- • Max 30 people per class
- • No class bookings needed
The F45 Experience
✅ Why People Love It:
- • Structured 45-min workouts
- • Strong community vibe
- • Every day is different
- • Heart rate tracking
- • No thinking required
- • Scalable for all levels
❌ Downsides:
- • Expensive for what you get
- • Can't customize workouts
- • Cult-like atmosphere
- • Gets repetitive after 6 months
- • Class times fill up fast
🎯 Best For:
- • HIIT lovers
- • Busy professionals
- • Social exercisers
- • Hate planning workouts
- • Want accountability
💡 Pro Tip:
JBR and Marina locations are best. Sign up during 8-week challenge for extra motivation + prizes. Pause membership if traveling (AED 50/month).