Best Gyms in Dublin: The Ultimate Guide to Fitness in Ireland’s Capital (2024)
Looking for the best gyms in Dublin? Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just starting your wellness journey, Dublin has a of gyms that cater to every level of fitness. This comprehensive guide will list the top gyms across Dublin, hopefully helping you find the ideal facility to match your fitness goals, budget, and preferred location.
Top-Rated Budget-Friendly Commercial Gyms
Commercial gyms offer the public access to fitness facilities with monthly or yearly membership contracts that are more affordable than private gyms. They are a great place to meet new people with a shared interest in fitness and usually offer facilities that cater to the majority of gym-goers.
Flyefit
Locations: Multiple locations
Membership: €35/month for access to one gym
€39/month for access to all gyms
FlyeFit is one of Ireland’s top gym franchises and offers affordable fitness facilities. The first Flyefit gym was opened in Ranelagh in 2011, boasting an impressive 12,000 square foot facility that offered a variety of classes and training options. It also housed Ireland’s first dedicated spin studio kitted out with Realryder bikes.
It was also the first Irish gym that offered an online self-service model, a feature that would revolutionize the fitness industry in Ireland. Since 2011, a number of other Flyefit gyms have opened throughout the city, including popular spots in George’s Street and Portobello.
Members are able to access any branch with their membership. The gyms feature modern and high-quality equipment, including free weights and machines , spacious training areas, helpful trainers, and an array of different group fitness classes that are included in the basic membership.
Flyefit also offers affordable membership contracts, ranging from €35-€39/month, and non-contract options, like day passes, for those that are visiting Ireland
Gym Plus
Locations: Multiple locations
Price Range: €59.99/month for all Gym Plus gyms
Gym Plus is another commercial option for gym goers that offers a straightforward gym experience with good equipment, affordable membership contracts, group fitness classes, supportive trainers, and a friendly atmosphere.
The gym is kitted out with all the essentials, like free weights, machines, and functional training areas, but it also boasts recovery focused facilities, like physiotherapy, massages, and wellness classes.
Their website has a number of fitness focused articles and blogs created by the Gym Plus team, such as healthy low calorie recipes, fitness hacks, and ways to stay motivated in the gym.
For those that are into aquatic sports (swimming or water polo), Gym Plus may be the best decision. In collaboration with Swim Ireland, Gym Plus offers swimming lessons for kids and adults in a warm pool. For serious swimmers, they have allocated lanes which allow you to perfect your technique and set new personal records.
BD Gyms
Locations: Multiple locations
Price Range: €36/month
BD Gyms is an Irish chain of gyms that was founded in 1997 with the opening of their first facility in Blanchardstown. Since then, the chain has gone on to open 4 other gyms in various locations.
They offer members an excellent value for money gym experience, well-equipped facilities with modern equipment, and experienced staff. The chain maintains high standards across all locations while keeping membership costs affordable for Dublin residents.
Members praise the modern fitness equipment, cleanliness of the facilities, and the helpful staff.
Boutique Fitness Studios
Boutique fitness studios are generally smaller gyms (800 – 3500 square feet) that focus on group exercise and usually specialize in one or two fitness areas. While the price tag is usually more hefty than commercial gyms, you normally see the same faces every session, allowing you to make new friends and get a sense of community.
F45 Training Dublin
Locations: Multiple
Price Range: €189/month
F45 is an exercise ethos that was launched in Paddington, Sydney, by Rob Deutsche, and Adam Gilchrist, who franchised the F45 business.
F45 refers to the 45-minute “functional” exercises that are a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with circuit training and functional training.
All F45 workouts are named, each one consisting of a number of different exercises that are variations on the HIIT format, and the participants usually move through a series of stations with different exercise equipment in every workout.
Since its founding, F45’s popularity has grown exponentially, with 2,000 studios in over 60 countries across Australia/Oceania, North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Africa, making it one of the fastest growing fitness franchises in the world.
Dublin has four F45 gyms, Smithfield, Charlestown Castleknock and Blackrock.
CrossFit Dublin – The Workshop CrossFit
Location: ‘Making it Work’ Building, Magennis Place, Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 FK76
Price Range: €220-€240/month
CrossFit was developed by Greg Glassman, a former gymnast and gymnastics coach, back in 2000. Since then, it has become an incredibly popular and globally recognised form of training, with over 13,000 affiliated gyms in 120 countries.
It’s a form of interval strength and conditioning training that is made up of functional movement performed at a high intensity level. The movements include both pulling, pushing, and squat movements using bodyweight or free weights
There is a standard “workout of the day” (WOD) that all members complete on the same day, and can be easily accessed on their website.
As one of the first CrossFit boxes in Ireland, CrossFit Dublin has built a reputation for excellence in coaching and community building. Their comprehensive approach to fitness includes strength training, conditioning, and mobility work.
There are a number of affiliated CrossFit gyms in Dublin, but the most highly rated is The Workshop CrossFit, located on Pearse St., Dublin 2. They have a perfect score of 5 stars on Google.
Their gym has been fitted by BLK Box and offers all of the essential CrossFit facilities. The group classes have created a strong sense of community among members.
They have group classes 6 times a day from Monday to Friday, limited to a maximum of 15 people. On Saturday morning, they have 2 larger groups (30 person). Their most popular Membership is their monthly unlimited membership that is €220.
Studio 41 – Personal Training and Rehabilitation Clinic
Location: 41 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2.
Price Range: Enquire for pricing
Studio 41 is a private studio located in Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2. It is owned and operated by Nason Neill, a personal trainer and qualified physical therapist. They offer fitness plans, and nutritional advice to help clients reach their fitness and weightloss goals. If you have an injury, they provide physiotherapy that will help restore mobility and function.
This option is perfect for those that want more personalized and intimate guidance in the gym. If larger gyms seem intimidating to you, a small private gym, like Studio 41, could help you build up the confidence to train in bustling public gyms.
Studio 41 has near perfect reviews, 4.9 stars out of 5, from clients. For further details on pricing you can contact them on their website.
24/7 Gyms
Anytime Fitness
Locations: Multiple locations across Dublin
Price Range: €48/month
Anytime Fitness is a franchise from the US that was founded in 2002. Since then, it has opened gyms all over the globe, including Dublin, Ireland.
Anytime Fitness offers round-the-clock access to members with the quality of a premium commercial gym. Their locations are strategically placed throughout Dublin, making it easy to maintain your fitness routine regardless of your schedule.
While the price tag is a bit higher than other commercial gyms, the 24/7 access is an alluring feature that enables members to have flexible training times. This option is a must for those that have unconventional work hours.
There are 3 Anytime Fitness gyms in Dublin, Ireland. Clondalkin, Dunlaoghaire, Kilmainham.
Specialized Training Centers
Specialized gyms usually cater to a certain area of fitness. If you want to improve the aesthetic of your physique, you may want to consider a bodybuilding gym, or if building strength is your goal, you may want to consider a powerlifting gym.
Raw Gym – Powerlifting
Locations: Sandyford, 2 Burton Hall Rd, Dublin D18 W860
Donnybrook House, Dublin, D04 KP94
Price Range: First time registration cost is €48, then €65/month
For those that want to fine tune their strength by lifting heavy, Raw Gym has some of the best facilities available.
What sets Raw Gym apart is their highly rated Raw Strength classes that focus on heavy compound lifts (squat, deadlift, bench, and overhead press) that build strength and explosive power.
The gym itself is vibrant, well maintained, fully stocked with modern weight machines and free weights.
Their coaching staff are knowledgeable, knowing exactly how to help you improve your lifts to build a stronger and more healthy body. The gym caters to gym goers of all fitness levels, having trainers that can help advanced members to take their lifts to new levels, or newbies that are beginning their fitness journey.
While the membership is slightly higher than commercial gyms, the expertise of trainers and quality of equipment is definitely worth it. There are 2 Raw gyms in Dublin, one in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, and Sandyford, Dublin 18.
Hercules Club – Advanced Bodybuilding and Powerlifting
Locations: Lurgan St, Dublin 7
Price Range: €30/month
Hercules Club was established in 1935 on Ormond Quay, moving to its present location on Lurgan Street in 1985. Over the years, Hercules Club has helped build successful athletes in weightlifting, powerlifting, and bodybuilding.
The club is touted on the web as being the perfect gym for advanced lifters in Dublin that want to train with other advanced lifters. Just old school heavy metal with larger than life regulars. While this gym may be intimidating to newbies, many members report a welcoming and supportive community that wants to help you achieve your next personal best lift. Membership starts at €30/month
West Wood Club – Women Only Gyms and Racket sports
Locations: Multiple premium locations
Price Range: Ask for brochure
West Wood Club offers a more refined fitness experience with more comprehensive facilities and premium services. They have 6 premium health clubs that feature fitness amenities beyond standard gym equipment, like swimming pools and spas.
West Wood Club has 3 premium tennis clubs with 27 well maintained tennis courts, perfect for those that want to improve their tennis game. They have an outdoor lawn tennis court in Westmanstown, Dublin 15, an indoor court in Leopardstown, Dublin 18, and 7 state of the art indoor hard courts that are on par with the Australian Open’s standards.
They also offer women only gyms, offering a judgment free environment for women to exercise. Their ladies-only gyms understand the unique challenges many women might face when it comes to starting in a gym. With this in mind, they have created a welcoming and friendly fitness environment that caters specifically to your unique fitness goals.
There are currently 4 ladies only gyms owned by West Wood Club, Clontarf in Dublin 3, Sandymount in Dublin 4, Westmanstown in Dublin 15, Leopardstown in Dublin 18.
Tips for Choosing the Right Gym
Location and Vibe Matters
Ideally, you should choose a gym that’s convenient relative to your home or workplace. The best gym is one you’ll actually use and go back to. So choose a gym that is relatively close to you, and most importantly, find a gym that you feel comfortable in. If you like the vibe of a gym, there is a better chance that you will stay consistent.
Most gyms offer free trial periods or day passes. Use this to find the gym that you feel most comfortable in.
Class Schedules and Peak Times
If you plan on participating in group fitness, review the class timetables to ensure they align with your schedule and preferences.
If at all possible, try to avoid peak hours at the gym. If there are too many people in the gym, chances are that you are going to wait to use equipment. This can ruin your “flow”.
Visit the gym during your preferred workout time to assess the crowds and equipment availability.
While peak times may vary from gym to gym, generally they are 7am to 9am and again at 5pm to 7pm. If you are able to find a slot outside these hours, it may provide a little more freedom with regards to using equipment.
Conclusion
Dublin’s fitness scene offers something for everyone, from budget-friendly 24/7 facilities to premium health clubs. Consider your fitness goals, budget, and preferred location when choosing your ideal gym. Many facilities offer free trials, so take advantage of these opportunities to find the perfect fit for your fitness journey.
Remember to read the terms and conditions carefully before signing any contracts, and don’t hesitate to negotiate or ask about current promotions. With the right gym membership, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals in Dublin.
