Gyms in Mallorca

With the excesses of the festive season only just behind us, there’s probably more than just the cold weather weighing you down.

We all know the health benefits of a good diet and regular exercise, but here in Mallorca, there’s an added incentive: the long hot summer months mean skimpier clothes and days spent baring almost all on the beach. So unless you’re blessed with lithe limbs and a naturally flat stomach or you’re fifteen years old the trauma of the fast-approaching swimwear season can bring with it an uncomfortable choice: tone up or cover up. The lazier among us may have idly considered shedding surplus flab at the hands of a plastic surgeon, but the pain and expense make this drastic shortcut a definite last resort.

The ideal solution is to find a sport that you love and then practise it regularly, as, obviously, if you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick at it. But if team sports bring back painful memories of school P.E. lessons, then joining a gym could be the answer. Convenient and flexible, it’s easy to fit gym visits in to your daily routine.

Over the past few years, numerous new fitness centres have opened on the island, dispelling the dated image of gyms as places populated by sweaty bodybuilders grunting over dumb bells. Topquality facilities with state-of-the art equipment and a wealth of classes from step to pilates means that exercise can be as varied as you like. The pick and mix approach also helps to keep the boredom factor at a minimum, as you can try different classes until you find one that you really enjoy. Hate weights but love dancing? Find a gym with hip-hop, funky or Sevillanas. Two left feet but love to go for the burn? Try spinning or body pump. Feeling stressed? Take up yoga or punch your way to tranquility in a boxing class!

Choosing a gym is a highly individual process and there are many factors to take into consideration. The first is probably your budget, namely how much you’re prepared to spend each month. Secondly, proximity to your home or place of work we all know if it’s easy to get to the gym, we’re more likely to go! Finally, think about your personal requirements: do you want somewhere with a swimming pool or squash courts? Do they offer a variety of classes? Is there an option for one-to-one sessions with a trainer?

When you’ve made your shortlist, it’s time to visit the contenders.

Town councils across the island run a number of gyms, usually housed in local sports centres. Facilities vary from centre to centre, but if you’re looking for a no-frills option, these could be your best bet. Expect basic equipment and some classes, although larger centres tend to have more machines and there’s often an indoor swimming pool.

If you’re a resident with a certificado de empadronamiento from your local town hall, membership can cost as little as 50 € a year, again depending on the centre and the facilities available.

Privately-owned gyms usually offer those added extras that can make the whole experience a little more bearable for the reluctant gym-goer, such as satellite television (normally in English and German as well as Spanish) to keep you entertained on the cardio machines. The changing rooms are also more luxurious, often with sunbeds available for hire as well as steam rooms or saunas to help you unwind after a strenuous workout. Plus the facilities tend to be more sophisticated, with more and newer machines and a greater variety of classes on offer.

You’ll usually be expected to pay a joining fee of between 50 and 150€ and also sign a contract which ties you into membership for a fixed period of time. Monthly fees vary from gym to gym, but it’s always worth asking if there are any special deals as with increasing competition, centres are always keen to entice new customers.

When you’ve found a gym that meets your criteria, ask to “try before you buy” with a couple of trial sessions. Check out the atmosphere: you’ll need to feel comfortable getting sweaty in a room full of strangers. Make sure you visit at the time you’re likely to be able to go: most gyms are very busy between 6 and 8pm and you may have to queue for equipment at these peak times. You’ll need a session with a instructor to show you how to use the machines effectively, so remember to book a one-to-one appointment. Finally, before committing to a one-year-membership, ask if you can join for three months. It may be slightly more expensive, but it’s worth it to ensure that you really have found the perfect gym for you.

Andratx:

Lorenzo Suaso Simo, Av. Luis Alemany, 2 971 235 264

Artesport, Biscaia, 48 971 137 666

Arta:

Antonio Nicolau Massanet, Músic Antoni Lliteres, 11 971 835 190

Alcudia:

Fitness Generation, Andorra, S/N Tel.: 971 893 331 Fax: 971 893 331

Calvia:

Beyond Fitness S.L., Còrdova, 4 PALMANOVA 971 681 630

Fitness Playa Club S.L., Ctra. Andraitx, S/N COSTA D´EN BLANES 971 676 243

Gimsa, G.V. Puis de Massanella, 2 SANTA PONÇA 971 691 002

Via Vitale S.L., Gavines, 5 PEGUERA 971 686 951

Viva Sport, Ctra. Palma-Andratx, KM 11,0 PALMANOVA Tel.: 971 682 573

Fax: 971 682 573

Can Picarort:

Tao Sport Club, Pizarro, 104 SANTA MARGALIDA 971 851 954

Capdepera:

Maximo Finnet Av. Amèrica, 7, CALA RAJADA 971 566 531 E-Mail: maximun@teleline.es

Colonia de Sant Jordi:

Colonia Fitness, Avda. Marqués del Palmer, 18 971 656 229

Consell:

Es Gimnas, Alcúdia, 48 971 622 000

Felanitx:

Gimnas Sport Energy, Pelat, 60971 827 161 E-Mail: env00000@telelain.es Web: www.fitnesspain.org

Inca:

Gimnasio Rommar, C/ Can Rayó, 6 971 880 502

Illes Centres de Fitness, Vicent Ensenyat, 43 971 501 511

Llucmajor:

Gimnas a Punt, Grup Escolar, 68 971 121 081

Dinamic Center, Maria Antònia Salvà, S/N S´ARENAL 971 441 596

Sitt – Tennis & Sport S.L., Pegàs, S/N BAHIA AZUL 971 748 321

Manacor:

Gimnas Sport C.B., El Llevant, 9 PORTOCRISTO 971 820 642

Sa Torre Centre d’Esport S.L., Simó Tort, 6 971 844 575

Club Gimnas Manacor, Via Portugal, 36 971 552 903

Marratxi:

Illes Centres de Fitness, C/ Acacia, 18-20 (Nova Cabana) 902 076 655

Muro:

Muro, Gimnas Fisic Santa Anna, 136 971 860 127

Palma:

Fitness First, Avda Gabriel Roca,54 971 707 990

Profitness, Ocimax Centre 971 757 586

Megasport, Poligono Son Valenti 971 763 434

S’Aigua Blava, Avda Picasso,42 971 452 010

Santa Ponsa:

Santa Ponsa Country Club, Avenida del Golf, 35 Santa Ponsa 971 693 634

Pollenca:

Nord Sport Centro de Fitness, Cecili Metel, 6 971 531 145

Porreres:

Martin Antich Nicolau, Nou, 28 971 647 809

Sant Augustin:

Elite, Joan Miró, 334 (en el edificio de Supermercados) Tel.: 971 402 080, www.eliteclubfitness.com

Sa Pobla:

Dinamic, Miquel Verdera, 59 971 541 652

Sineu:

Sineu Sports, Tramuntana, 28 971 520 406

Son Servera:

Exercici i Movimen S.L., Canonge Sanxo, 4 971 568 699

Soller:

Gymnapolis, Sa Mar, 63, 971 634 151

Jaime Frontera Raja, Sa Mar, 180 971 634 951

Villafranca de Bonany:

Gimnasio Huguet, Santa Bàrbara, 12 971 560 546

Text by: Rachel McIntyre