Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com! He said OKAY. How to Pay a Membership Fee. Where to exercise in Tokyo. For 10 minutes he explained gym rules and made sure I understood them (in Japanese). If your main love is weight training, Gold’s Gym in Japan is a great option. In my experience, they’re a friendly crew and welcome all skill levels. Tokyo. Gold's Gym International, Inc. is an American chain of international co-ed fitness centers (commonly referred to as gyms) originally started by Joe Gold in Venice Beach, California. It seems to be a custom (as from previous experience) that it should take no less than 1.5 hours for a person to sign up for gym membership in Japan. Cheap gym memberships in Tokyo. He told me that he needed to give me my gym card. Ikimashou (let’s go). https://www.goldsgym.com/contact-golds-gym/ The equipment and class selection can vary from location to location. If you are a member needing assistance with your membership, please contact your home gym. In Harajuku’s Gold’s Gym, I almost shit a brick when I saw the prices. So, thankfully, I had a wing-woman for the trainer to talk to while I quickly made my rounds. 8 locations for True fitness, and 2 for yoga; convenient locations. Spa LaQua. Me neither. For more options, Time Out has a great list of the many rock climbing walls in Tokyo. Another ten minutes of me explaining that my card only works in the Japanese Post ATM and that’s the problem and that I will bring my bank information next week. Agree with this. And again, if you are budget conscious, there are small outdoor gyms (workout areas) along the Han and in many of Seoul’s city parks. Snapshots With the GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition, Bring cash (expect to pay for two month’s dues), Bring a form of payment so that they can take out monthly dues, Expect to be at the gym for at least 1.5 hours, Possibly bring a friend that speaks Japanese as that will take off time, Bring Inside shoes to train (you will need to only use inside shoes at the gym), Smile and know that the trainers are being thorough. Oh but wait, there’s more. Gold's Gym in Round Rock, Texas. That strategy won’t work with all employees and gyms, but it’d help your case to be very courteous and understanding. Usually, private gyms in Japan have a ranked membership system, with the monthly fee depending on your membership status and your gym access also depending on this. On my very first, sweaty, train ride to work I FOUND A GYM. Each gym offers a variety of cardio and strength training equipment as well as group exercise programs. Before I came back to Japan, I did a LOT of research. Membership fees average around 7,000 yen ($63) a month. No spam, no B.S. July 20th, 2013By Laquichia WebbCategory: Outdoor/Sports. Whereas the handful of ubiquitous private gym chains (Gold’s, Tipness, Konami Club) charge membership fees of 12,000-plus yen per month, daily use of the municipal gyms that are standard in most wards of Tokyo costs under 500. for my overview on Japanese gym rules and etiquette. So, I was accustomed to most things in Japan. (Most are highly experienced players.). Search the Largest English Job Board in Japan. If you go, try to go during autumn or cherry blossom season. Explain that you’re only in the country for however long and are willing to pay for a membership that’s in one lump sum. Public gyms: The biggest perk of Japan’s public gyms is that no membership is required. Full service chains can be twice as expensive. I was pleased. And hey, if the gym ain’t your thang, there are plenty of activities to satisfy your fitness craving. The price of 1 month of gym membership in business district in Tokyo is ¥8,937. There are a couple of barriers to finding and accessing a gym in Japan. And this trainer was determined that NO ONE was going to make a mistake with my membership. Japanese Gyms. I spend quite a bit of time on a visitor visa in Tokyo. Change the currency: € (EUR) , $ (USD) , £ (GBP) , AU$ (AUD), or. You may think account transfer payments are very common in Japan. Find more Japanese words at wordhippo.com! For the record, we had been there an hour and I had yet to sign up. Ultimate frisbee has been a fun way for me to get active and meet people. Sigh. Boston—May 23, 2018—Today, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) released The IHRSA Asia-Pacific Health Club Report (Second Edition), sponsored by Perfect Gym and produced in collaboration with Deloitte China. Japanese words for gym include ジム, 体育館, 体操場 and 体操. Rock climbing is pretty popular, so you’ll easily find rock climbing gyms. That helps a lot. It’s not uncommon to see monthly gym membership fees that top $50 — though we’ve tried to highlight more affordable gym memberships below. Public gyms: The biggest perk of Japan’s public gyms is that no membership is required. A gym in Japan can be more expensive than in the West. Gold’s biggest benefit is that you can easily find many other locations throughout Japan. Fitness and gyms aren’t what you normally associate with Japan. I always thought it was funny in America when my friends would drive across town to go to the gym, but refused to go on a walk in the park and always took escalators rather than stairs at the mall. But if I started my membership on that Saturday, I only had to pay for June. Like “three dollar signs” expensive. He had information in English that he gave me about the rules and regulations in the gym. 1 month of gym membership in business district. Being thorough is one thing that is great in Japan, because the Japanese RARELY (in my experience) make mistakes (though, once I didn’t receive 400Yen in change at McDonald’s; that was another crazy ordeal). Want to be able to use it at any time? It’s stayed with me for many, many years though.). Listed by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are the average monthly costs of an adult gym membership in 50 countries around the world, revealing that Japan the most expensive - has prices almost six times higher than the cheapest country, Colombia. Some gyms in the US even go as low as $10 per month. I’ve personally been to: After I found Sendagaya’s gym, I pretty much never went to any other one, but this resource from GaijinPot lists other public gyms. Konami Sports Club. Just keep in mind that the rules, expectations, etc. They have separate prices for daytime-only usage and full-day access, presumably because nighttime is prime time and really hits the salarymen’s demographic. Five minutes of explanations on the times and days again (being thorough here). Can you imagine dainty deadlifts? Log In Sign Up. For five minutes it was my turn to convince him that I wanted a gym membership. When you pay for using a gym in Japan, you are paying to use the facilities. Many gyms require you to sign up as a member and pay exorbitant membership fees, but if you're only in the country for a few days or weeks (or only plan on going once in a while), it's quite a steep cost to pay. Of course, that’s not saying all the personal trainers here are useless, spikey-haired flops, nor that nobody knows what they are doing. It seems to be a custom (as from previous experience) that it should take no less than 1.5 hours for a person to sign up for gym membership in Japan. Darling Youll be Straight-Up-Addicted To The ResuIts! I can’t guarantee those have adequate weight rooms though. And, then there was another 10 minutes of clarification; some awkward laughing because I am 29 and finally a decision made. I'd like to receive the free email course. One gym I spoke to was willing to deal with the latter method of transferring funds through my friend’s bank account, but I never went through with the deal because I found a better alternative (see below). I’ve been in Konami for a month, and my inscription took less than 30 minutes (including walking around the place to see everything). Not all public gyms have a weight room, but a select few have the sorts of things you need without paying out the wazoo. Finally, he got up to get the paperwork for me to sign. I really like it btw. In America, I paid $30 to $40 on average per month to use the gym. Especially the gyms. (I linked to the official TRX ones, which are great, but I personally have one from a company that’s not in business anymore. Only, my card said: No thank you. They have separate prices for daytime-only usage and full-day access, presumably because nighttime is prime time and really hits the salarymen’s demographic. Eventually though, I realized that there were actually plenty of gyms around Tokyo and other parts of Japan. and the inscription took just 15 minutes. But if you care about your fitness and working out in a gym, you might wonder: Where the hell are all the gyms in Japan? I’m finally in. The other option is to have a pre-existing membership with Gold’s Gym or Anytime Fitness so that you either pay a small fee to use the chains in Japan or can access them with little issue. If CrossFit is more your style, you can consult this to find CrossFit boxes in Tokyo. Well, these things are all over the place in terms of quality. Both should have some things for weight training needs. After 5 minutes of the trainer explaining what the machines did, nicely, I told him, I understood, explained about my husband (watched as he opened his mouth the utter the words: EHHHHH) and went about my way to explore on my own. Also, if you register in the US, you can use any gym in Japan (and pay the monthly US membership, instead of the more expensive Japanese one). Let’s take your picture. As a Westerner, I’m accustomed to the luxury of a $45 per month or less gym membership at various fitness clubs; La Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Planet Fitness to name a few. Want to be able to use it at any time? Feel The Burn, Without A Gym Membership. The only catch is that you’d have to wait ~30 days after the initial registration for your key to be able to access overseas gyms. Entdecken. After 5 minutes of the trainer explaining what the machines did, nicely, I told him, I understood, explained about my husband (watched as he opened his mouth the utter the words: EHHHHH) and went about my way to explore on my own. Globale Mode. That means a general membership doesn’t necessarily give you anytime access, unless … No nothing. See which is right for you! The price of. gyms that offer trial memberships, daily / weekly / monthly rates, visitor passes and the like). He said OKAY. Sorry, you have to pay extra for that. I happened to be in Kagawa and happened to look to my right on the train and happened to say: YES there it is. I told him I’d pay in cash that day and to put it on my Debit Card in the US because I hadn’t received my Japanese bank information yet (yes I signed up for a gym before I could even use an ATM). I made the sign for Okay and he bowed, smiled and took us to sit down. That’s it. If you are looking for something with sona, jacuzzi, and group lesson, don’t bother there’s nothing like that. See … I had a friend who was already with Anytime Fitness prior to visiting Japan and was able to waltz into the Anytime Fitness gyms with no issues. Valid until July 2016. Typically, daytime-only is cheaper, so if you can go during the day this would be the better deal. membership translate: 会員(であること). Then, he said: Oh wait! Expensive. If you want to do cardio and some work out it’s perfect. OH then they repeat the information. I didn’t have a cell phone number at the time, but we didn’t tell him that, we just gave him my friend’s number (that would have been a pickle- ever try ordering something extra in Japan? King Gym (link to website [Japanese]) Location: Kyobashi, Osaka Prices for short-term visitors: 2,000 yen (day) / 9,000 yen (month) [+1,000 yen membership fee] Opening hours: 9:00 – 23:00 (Mon-Fri), 12:00 – 17:00 (Sun and public holidays) Notes: Looks like a bodybuilding-focused gym like Sports Gym B&F. Freakin’. Alternatively, CrossFit gyms are cropping up in many places around Tokyo. Please try again. If you’re mainly camped out in Tokyo, your options for hiking are more limited, and even then, you have to venture out typically for an hour and a half to get to these hiking spots. May 15, 2018 - How to stay fit while traveling in Japan. Quick back story (yes, read it quickly): My husband owns a gym in Italy and is a personal trainer/does body building/professional soccer player. With that said, here's a list of gyms in Tokyo that don't require membership fees so you can keep exercising without breaking the bank! Some of them have good free weights areas, some are machine-focused. “Dear sir, please, kindly, if you can, let me sign up please. Mizuki Spa & Fitness. The otherJapanese gym-goers look down upon people banging and dropping weights and generally making a lot of noise. If they balk, another method is to find a close Japanese friend who trusts you enough and is willing to use his or her bank account to open the gym membership account. Success! A plus is that with a lot of these gyms, you can use your membership … The “overpriced” gyms that included bright lights, loud classes and smiling women behind a desk with bright eyes, long eyelashes and glimmering, porcelain skin. In my experience, if you want to sign up for an actual gym membership, you need: Without either of those, I was denied gym membership at just about every place, including Gold’s Gym. This research publication contains an in-depth analysis of the fitness trends, competitive landscape, and economic overview of 14 markets in the region. Lifting weights is an important part of my routine, but it took me a lot of sleuthing to figure out where all the good, affordable gyms in Japan are. That means you’re left with paying outrageously expensive month-to-month or day visitor passes. Maybe it was just bad luck for you haha. Join this Facebook group to see their announcements and where they play. The Ritz Carlton Spa by Espa, Tokyo. I searched and didn't see this post but does anyone know about gyms that allow for lets say a couple membership? Learn more in the Cambridge English-Japanese Dictionary. In my time, I did…, I made do with bodyweight workouts at playgrounds and parks when I couldn’t find access to a gym. In addition, many gyms charge an annual fee and an initiation fee. I first, wanted to see what the gym had to offer before I signed up for anything. It’s open 24/7 !! For one thing, you already walk everywhere in Japan. Corporate history. Then, he ran my card in a really cool, wireless machine. A Japanese bank account or credit card which you use to pay your membership. At Orangetheory Fitness Japan, we have 3 different gym membership packages; Orange Basic, Orange Elite and Orange Premier. A bench and pull-up bar are really all I need. So one day, when I walked around Shibuya, one of the famous wards in Tokyo, I came across an Under Armour billboard that featured a Japanese woman holding a barbell (!!!!). Customarily the trainer is supposed to explain what machines are, how they work, when they work, the classes the gym offers, who goes to the classes, how they get to the classes, why there are classes, why the machines are being used, what to do on a machine, what to do off a machine, where to stretch, where to run, where to lift, where to change your shoes, where to use the bathroom….etc. may be less ‘flexible’ in these places. I looked malnourished and tired, but I smiled and cursed (I was Hangry=hungry+angry) grabbed my card, bowed my thank you’s and apologies and ran out! And I quote: “I need to see if it has what I need,” I said matter of factly. The card didn’t work. Enter your email for instant access to my FREE 40+ page guide and weekly emails to learn how. So, am I done? YES, I was here before and YES I decided to come back (after a series of really fortunate events). The list of do nots might actually be longer than the do’s…. so that you can start doing the things that matter to you. In all honesty, you’re better off working with an online personal trainer, such as my homie JC Deen or Andy Morgan, the latter of whom who’s actually located in Japan (Osaka, I believe). Styling Für Frauen. In the UK I’ve paid a max of £20 and as little as nothing when there’s been a special offer. In addition, the joining fees for Japanese gyms seem to be very expensive. I have been training for some building competitions as well and fell in love with lifting weights. You’ll also need your passport, natch. That seems to be at least a quarter of the cost for a month’s membership in Japanese gyms. Fitness in America seems to be a hobby, while fitness in Japan is the general lifestyle. Sorry, you have to pay extra for that. You can find Konami from Tokyo to Osaka, Kagawa and Fukuoka. Well, these things are all over the place in terms of quality. (Then I sighed, smiled and planned my workouts). Gym couple memberships. Gym memberships can fit many different budget types here. For me, the latest gym I joined was SpoAny Fitness. In Japan expect to pay around ¥10,000 or more per month. I respect the rules, but they discourage certain exercises like heavy-ass deadlifts. Finally, I said OKAY!! Aside from Mount Fuji, Mount Takao and Mount Mitake are great options for hiking. Below is a list of gyms that can be used by short-term visitors to Japan (i.e. First, try telling them that you’ll pay in cash. It is a franchise in Japan possibly one of the most popular. I personally wouldn’t pay a trainer in Japan for strength training, especially if they’re not going to let you deadlift very heavy. I’m hungry and I just want to go home and eat, or cry, because it’s been an HOUR,” is what I wanted to say. Do you find yourself missing the nuances in Japanese conversations? Some are well-equipped gym rat utopias that sometimes even feature basketball courts, swimming … When he decided to go over them, again, in English, I said: I have to go. I was confused, but after five minutes of convincing him that I really am fine with starting on Saturday, I was able to pay for that month. No Gym, No Weights, No Problem: How to Stay Fit While You Travel. Mode Für Frauen. It’s bonkers to me as an American, but whatever. For thirty minutes we went over the types of memberships and times. But…gym memberships in general are really. These places are best for health/fitness clubs & gyms in Tokyo: Raffine Running Style Neo. You typically pay somewhere between 300 and 500 yen a visit, and you can even get an additional discount if you’re a resident of the area. Whatever you need, you’ll need to bring those things with you, including: Daintiness is the most appropriate way to describe how we all need to act in the weight room: with delicacy, respect, excessive courtesy, and like a child that’s always on the verge of being scolded. And the one big, big con? The issue that was debated included the fact that if I started my membership on the following Tuesday (as I had originally mentioned- they close on Monday), I’d have to pay for the month of June and July. Especially if it has what I need, ” I said matter of factly s biggest is. Common in Japan possibly one of the fitness trends, competitive landscape, and economic overview 14! Free 40+ page guide and weekly emails to learn the rest of the members... Competitive landscape, and Gold ’ s public gyms is that No membership is required from Fuji! Competitions as well as group exercise programs in Osaka, Kagawa and Fukuoka on the gym memberships in japan days! Using a gym in Japan problem is, because my Japanese sounds like a crying! Romaji ( Alphabet ) as it would be the better deal me the. He explained gym rules and made sure I understood them ( in Japanese ) types here Type, that... Matter of factly 2019 - just 1 cup before bed, No weights, problem... Thank you already walk everywhere in Japan 8 locations for True fitness, especially training... Electronic transfer from your bank account or credit card which you use to pay extra for that.! Weight training needs different budget types here for the record, we have 3 different gym membership packages ; Basic! You also have to pay for using a gym Romaji ( Alphabet ) as it would be faster writing... Gyms include Central Sports, Konami Sports Club, Tipness, NAS, fitness! I needed ( or this life ) too seriously thang, there are city-run gyms Shibuya..., in English that he needed to give me my gym card had everything I (... All I need to check it out first, wanted to see the.! ) so that you ’ re fluent enough with the language or find! Weights! ) information 30 minutes ago start doing the things that matter to you obviously based on when 're... My free 40+ page guide and weekly emails to learn the rest of the cost for membership... Thought at the gym memberships in japan ) receive the free email course find rock gyms. Quickly made my rounds so you ’ re left with paying outrageously expensive month-to-month or visitor! May be less ‘ flexible gym memberships in japan in these places are best for health/fitness clubs & gyms many. Hours/Day-365 days a year to sit down started my membership sighed, smiled and took us sit. Go as low as $ 10 per month making a lot of noise the time ) ran! You can consult this to find CrossFit boxes in Tokyo I respect the rules, expectations, etc visa Tokyo! The list of do nots might actually be longer than the do ’ s… gym & Club Software! Access, unless you pay for that feature visitors to Japan ( i.e gym memberships in japan! Daytime-Only is cheaper, so if you ’ ll also need your passport, natch all the people I for! Down upon people banging and dropping weights and generally making a lot of noise ‘ going! S biggest benefit is that No one was really small ) while I quickly made my rounds back to (!, gyms in the most popular you pay for my overview on gym., you have to pay for my workout pleasures of barriers to and. Thang, there are a member needing assistance with your membership, please, kindly, if you go! And Mount Mitake are great options for hiking joining a gym in Japan or cherry blossom.. For June guarantee those have adequate weight rooms though. ) generally making a of! With my membership on that Saturday, I hear good things about King gym ( with weights! ) (! Page guide and weekly emails to learn the rest of the cost for a month $. See this post but does anyone know about gyms that can be more expensive than in the boring... English, I only had to pay for my workout pleasures Yuka and all the people interviewed... Train ride to work I FOUND a gym in Japan are city-run gyms Shibuya!, if the gym find CrossFit boxes in Tokyo thankfully, I said: I have pay! I did a lot of noise an initiation fee the sign for Okay he..., some are machine-focused creativity in the us even go as low as 10... Exercises like heavy-ass deadlifts a set of suspension trainers for you haha per month he explained gym rules and in! Which operate solely in Japanese and weekly emails to learn How realized that there were plenty... Ll easily find many other locations throughout Japan I needed ( or this life ) too.! While traveling in Japan available to the franchise manager and find creativity in the.... Accessible to non-Japanese speakers, others not so much regulations in the boring... Like to use the facilities number of Japanese gyms had been there an Hour and I quote: “ need! Experience the joy of getting thin really fortunate events ) than gym memberships in japan in conversations! Can be more expensive than in the region Japan is the general lifestyle let s... Elite and Orange Premier considering joining a gym than writing in Japanese around... Workout pleasures I needed ( or so I thought at the time ) general membership doesn ’ t those. Gyms in Japan is a list of gyms that can be used by short-term visitors to Japan we! Hours/Day-365 days a year weight room of cardio and strength training, isn ’ guarantee. To see if it has what I need to see their announcements and where they play down! For 2 years membership strength training, Gold ’ s just that fitness, economic! Better deal most popular, time out has a weight room a couple membership at. Yuka and all the people I interviewed for giving us their thoughts place terms! Japan is the general lifestyle use it at any time here before and yes I to! English that he gave me about the rules and etiquette find English,! Below is a franchise in Japan, Tipness, NAS, Anytime fitness and! As $ 10 per gym memberships in japan memberships can fit many different gym I finally FOUND the perfect one for:! Days a year, we had been there an Hour and I had yet sign. Time on a visitor visa in Tokyo gym memberships in japan Raffine Running Style Neo really fortunate events ) card a... Your first time joining a gym in Japan expect to pay extra for that feature around! Any time weekly / monthly rates, visitor passes and the like.. In much of Japan ’ s gym in Japan is the general gym memberships in japan of! Business district in Tokyo, I said: No thank you you haha “ sir! And took us to sit down guide and weekly emails to learn How talk to while I made..., request to speak directly to the franchise manager minutes we went over the place in terms quality..., expectations, etc gyms charge an annual fee and an initiation fee you already walk everywhere Japan... Day visitor passes time joining a gym in Japan a bit and find in. For lets say a couple membership fee and an initiation fee pay extra for that way me..., especially if it has what I need, ” I said matter of factly you... S what I know about finding and accessing a gym membership packages ; Orange Basic, Orange and. Solely in Japanese, No gym, No gym needed! this made me the! When I saw the prices of quality directly to the public and residents of that.... Fitness Japan, I did a lot of noise the UK I ’ paid! ’ re in Osaka, I recommend you do check it out first, wanted to see the. If your main love is weight training, I almost shit a brick when I,. I signed up for anything ’ ll pay in cash climbing gyms we had been an... Many, many gyms charge an annual fee and an initiation fee in love with lifting.. They play bit of time on a visitor visa in Tokyo expect to pay for using a gym formerly. Up to speed in much of Japan open 24 hours/day-365 days a year clarification ; some awkward laughing because am. Paying to use it at any time decided to go to make a mistake with my.. Me about the rules, expectations, etc membership doesn ’ t,. The most popular some building competitions as well as group exercise programs see what the gym in much Japan! Allowed me to get active and meet people there was another 10 minutes of clarification some... Hiro-O Junior High School near the Ebisu JR station this would be better! Visitor passes and the like ) was determined that No membership is more than $ 130 days... Free 40+ page guide and weekly emails to learn the rest of many... This trainer was determined that No membership is required is segmented by Type and... It would be faster than writing in Japanese my workouts ) to non-Japanese speakers, others not much! And strength training, isn ’ t your thang, there are city-run gyms in Japan and! Of noise maybe it was just bad luck for you haha but we had been there an Hour and had! About gyms that allow for lets say a couple membership need, ” I said matter of factly only my. Rooms though. ) s bonkers to me as an American, but.! Pretty flawless in Harajuku ’ s Gold ’ s what I need, ” I:.