I wouldn't consider myself a gym bunny. These days I get to the gym once a week…read more Over the last 20 years I've belonged to quite a few different gyms both in Auckland and in London. Ranging from the community hall gym to the exclusive gyms of London. The kind of gym where the ladies get they faces and they nails did to walk on a treadmill in they new season gym gear. The biggest selling point for me about Counties Fitness is the 24hour access to its freeweights and machines. People at the gym mostly get on with their workouts. And you occasionally get the groaner who drops their weight from highest point of their reps. But all in all I really like this gym. It's clean, the equipment is in good order as well as being functional. And it's 24/7/365. All I need in a gym really. Well, I would prefer that the groaner who dropped the weights just didn't bother coming in. But that just adds to the experience.

This isn't my local gym but I have been traveling 20kms out of my way for the last six months to…read morework out here. That's got to tell you something. What initially attracted me to this gym was the crèche they offer; as a solo mum this has made my ability to work out so much easier and at $2 per session it is easy to fit into the budget and the cheapest "me time" I was going to get. The staff here are really friendly - I was apprehensive about booking a fitness assessment with a personal trainer but I was put totally at ease. Despite sharing with other shops, car parking is never difficult to find. The gym is continually expanding and offering new fitness opportunities (the latest being the ninja wall and boxing ring) and it's a great community feel. TL; DR? Great for everyone but especially mums.

Great gym facilities like pool and a variety of equipment…read more Just joint looking forward

If I loved gyms, I might take a serious look at Club Physical…read more Why wouldn't I because the sign on the main road says "first month free, no joining fee". How good is that! If I loved gyms there is so much to take advantage of at this Club Physical. I'd be assessed by a personal trainer on day 1, weighed (eek) and taken through the gym routine. They've got a circuit of machines, separate weight room for the ladies (great) and loads of classes to take advantage of. If I loved any of these classes I could really take advantage of things like step classes, flex weight class, boxing, spin, pilates, yoga, abs (exhausting just looking at the list, I feel the kilos sliding off me already). But what can I do, I love tennis! I'd still recommend this gym because they offer so much for the membership.

Gym choices in the Warkworth/Matakana region were rather slim until recently, particularly if…read moreyou're after group fitness. But then along came the Circuit Room, a brand new facility at Matakana Country Park. It is just one room, but it's large and airy. The floors are wooden and windows open right out to let that fresh country air in! The focus is on group exercise with a brilliant timetable of Les Mills classes. The trainers are awesome; friendly and relaxed but they still kick your ass! 'Pump' is my choice of punishment, and having been to pump classes all over the world I can honestly say the guys at the Circuit room are some of the best. The equipment is all shiny and new and there's plenty to go around (no fighting over mats!). There is also an equipment circuit that can be used at any time, and they do children's dance classes. Perhaps the only down side is the cost; $15 per class (casual rate) but there are concessions and memberships available. It's definitely worth a look though; we're lucky to have such an impressive facility in little Matakana

I have reached the stage in my life where in order to push myself to the limit physically I need to…read morebe watched like a rebellious teenager. That is why Les Mills is so great. Not only do they have super knowledgeable P.Ts, but for those on a budget, their group fitness classes and instructors are brilliant. From Body Balance (tai chi, pilates and yoga) to Body Jam (dance workout), they literally have something for everyone. On the topic of classes, new and noteworthy is their GRIT Series, a 30 minute workout that is based on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The series is made up of three different workouts: strength, plyo and cardio. What is it like? Well, a friend recently described GRIT as 'Body Pump on steroids' and I would have to agree. You will not find a more effective way to work out and get in shape in 30 minutes. Doooo it! On top of their world-renowned group fitness classes, Les Mills Takapuna has a large weights area, a cardio room and bathroom and shower facilities. Hot tip: when you sign up to one location you can use any of the four Auckland locations at no additional charge. What are you waiting for? In short, I love Les Mills and the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is that they don't provide sweat towels for members. Oh, and they don't have an app. Heck, they don't even have a mobile browser!

Oh how I love Les Mills. That might sound weird, but it is true, and I am sure there are plenty of…read moreworse things to be addicted to than a bit of cross-training. Let me clarify, I am not an excersize addict. I do not wake up, wherever I am in the world, and decide I need to go for a run. In fact while living overseas for four years, I struggled to make it to the gym at all. But Les Mills gyms, and particularly the Takapuna branch, must put something in the air conditioning as from the moment I walk in I'm amped for a workout. It's probably just some simple psychology; the brightly coloured walls, upbeat music, machines all lined up to a movie screen in the cardio theatre or the view of Rangitoto from the RPM room. Whatever it is I'm hooked!

This is the coolest Auckland gym in my opinion. It is a stylish hangout for gym junkies and they…read morehave the best showers rooms at 8 Nugent. BodyTech is all about personalized one-on-one training. When you sign up here you can rest assured that you'll get lots of attention and motivation from the team of personal trainers who you come to know as friends. Monique is the co-owner and she listens to what you've got to say, the good and the constructive. They have lots of classes as well and things you can take advantage of like a Fat2Muscle programme if you are interested in losing weight while you work out. Loads of people take advantage of this, for one Wendyl Nissen who talks about it in her newsletters and blogs.

Very clean and professional gym. Really appreciate that the locker rooms have shampoo and soap…read moreprovided in the showers as well as hair dryers and electronic lockers. Really nice to not have to deal with providing your own lock. The real unique point of Bodytech is the well-staffed floor and the supervised circuit workout. This is part of membership and is like getting free mini-personal training sessions. When you factor in those features it is reasonably priced and good value for money. I have been a member for 6 years, I think that says it all, right?

This gym is a mixed bag. I have received very good training here and traditionally it has largely…read morebeen staffed by Thais who have that cultural connection to kickboxing and warm, friendly manner and technical know-how, which results in a fun yet gruelling workout or sparring session. The gym seems to have changed and most of the Thais have moved on. There isn't as much attention paid to each individual (a few participants - usually women- might get some advice) anymore, most classes feel very formulaic and repetitive, and trainers will often spend time on their phone, on the bag or chatting. I think they need more focus on attention to clients, building technique and diversifying the classes.

From the owner: We are professional Thai Boxing and fighters teaching real Muay Thai for fitness and competition in…read moreAuckland and Wellington. Whether you'd like to learn a martial art, get fit, learn to protect yourself or just have fun, we have something for you!