Breaking a sweat
Gyms don't have to be synonymous with neverending rows of treadmills and soulless exercise rooms. Here's where you can score a side of community spirit with your workout.
City
City Gym At first glance the recent renos have transformed City Gym into yet another gym-bot, but no amount of high-tech gadgetry can trump 30 years of community spirit.
107-113 Crown St, Surry Hills 2010. (02 9360 6247). Mon-Fri 5am-12 midnight; Sat 6am-10pm; Sun 8am-10pm.
North
Oxygen Personal Fitness This gym is still run by the same couple who opened it six years ago with the aim of creating an open and relaxed workout space. Mission accomplished.
67 Lithgow St, St Leonards 2065. (02 9437 5122). Mon-Thu 5.30am-9pm; Fri 5.30am-7.30pm; Sat 8am-12pm & 4pm-7pm; Sun 4pm-7pm.
South
Gymea Bay Fitness Studio If the thought of hours spent going nowhere on an exercise bike bores you to tears, spice up your workout with GBF's salsa classes.
Cnr Gymea Bay Rd & The Kingsway, Gymea 2227. (02 9525 2525). Mon-Thu 5.30am-9.30pm; Fri 5.30am-8pm; Sat-Sun 7.30am-6pm.
East
Spin City Health Club It sounds like a Michael J Fox sitcom, it looks like a gym that promises no attitude, no queues for exercise machines and no overbooked classes.
Level 3, Hakoah Club, 61-67 Hall St, Bondi Beach 2026. (02 9365 3342). Mon-Fri 6am-9pm; Sat 7am-6pm; Sun 9am-4pm.
West
Newtown Gym After overindulging in King St's after dark offerings, this local gym provides plenty of ways to repent with over 1,000 square metres of floor space and more than 50 classes to choose from.
Level 1, 294 King St, Newtown 2042. (02 9519 6969). Mon-Fri 6am-10pm; Sat-Sun 8am-8pm.