Forget sweaty, smelly changing rooms and long lines to use a treadmill. The Kyiv Post has found premium class Kyiv gyms, with higher prices for better service. These sport clubs offer the best equipment, fancy cafes, spacious pools and high-quality spa services.
5th Element
29A Elektrykiv St.
351-7730
5el.com.ua/en
Hr 28,800 for one year membership.
Hr 44,800 and Hr 62,300 for one-year premium and VIP memberships, respectively.
The 5th Element presents itself as “healthy pleasures club,” a place where people come for professional coaches as well as good equipment and comfort. The club offers an impressive set of swimming pools, including two adult pools, each 25 meters long, two pools for children and toddlers, and a summer pool in the patio. There are also seven tennis courts, a spa and a variety of group fitness classes, including latest trending activities, like piloxing, a combination of pilates, boxing and choreography. VIP members use separate changing room and parking lots and can have their cars washed for free at any time. The 5th Element claims its clientele to consist of show business people, business owners, top managers and their families. “The club is very well equipped, and the service is good. But there are a lot of things that can distract you from workout, like eateries,” warns Tatiana Didenko, a personal coach. Opened in 2005, the center won the Luxury Lifestyle Awards prize as the best fitness club in 2009 (the only year when the fitness club category was included).
Aquarium
45 Stalingrada Ave.
239-2222
www.aquarium.ua
From Hr 12,000 to Hr 18,000 for one year full membership
Aquarium opened in Obolon area in 2001. As one can understand from the title, the club specializes in water sports. It offers three indoor pools (25 meters the longest), as well as a 12-meters deep pool for diving. Water aerobic classes are held in a separate pool. Several halls for practicing martial arts are available for rent. Serhiy Kiseliov has been going to Aquarium for two years, and says it is significantly better than the cheaper gym nearby that he was visiting before. He was pleasantly surprised by the quality of air conditioning, free drinking water and services of a doctor. According to Kiseliov, opposition leader Arseniy Yatseniuk is often seen working out in Aquarium.
Sofiyskiy
5 Rylskiy Lane
206-7711
sofiyskiy.com.ua
Club refused to reveal the prices.
Located in a historical area near Sofiyvska Square, Sofiyskiy fitness center offers a lot to the eye. Rich decorations and wooden floors support club’s luxury image in every zone of the club, from bathhouse to the cafe. The center offers pools, group classes, gym, SPA salon with impressive list of services and a complex of baths. The center works around the clock and offers a range of activities for children of different ages.
Grand Prix
101 Volodymyrska St.
230-2000
en.grand-prix.kiev.ua
Hr 29,900 to Hr 50,500 for one year membership
Another high class fitness center in the heart of Kyiv, Grand Prix offers three types of membership cards. The best there is, the Royal card, includes gym, any group classes, laundry services and 50 percent discount for the bar. Two tennis courts can be used for a price that starts from Hr 230 per hour. Four courts for squash are available too. Grand Prix is rich in additional services, offering sportswear shop, hairdresser services, manicure, spa procedures, laundry and tanning beds. The website offers a video tour through the club.
In January 2014 Kyiv fitness scene will be complemented with yet another luxurious gym as Tsarsky, a resort complex that will include a fitness center, will open at 13B Staronavodnitskaya St. in Pechersk area. The center will include specials like bathhouse with panoramic windows, snow room and training complexes based on DNA tests.
Kyiv Post lifestyle editor Olga Rudenko can be reached at rudenko@kyivpost.com.
