By Dr. Sarah Bennett, NMD / June 28, 2019
Everyone knows that staying active and committing to a regular workout routine at least three times a week can do wonders for the mind and body. If you’ve been feeling stressed lately, there’s a good chance that moving and sweating can help you get out of your funk.
Thanks to quarantine, at-home workouts have become all the rage lately. And, don’t get us wrong; at-home workouts are an excellent alternative to the gym. However, nothing quite beats the motivation, experience, and community of an actual gym setting.
But before you sign up for a new gym membership, take a step back and weigh your options. There are plenty of gyms in Chandler, and they all have their pros and cons. We’ve decided to help you out by narrowing the playing field. We’ve curated some of the best gyms in Chandler based on a number of factors (i.e., intensity, accessibility, value, etc.).
Hopefully, this list helps you pick the best gym suited for your needs and lifestyle.
Religious gym-goers probably give you a lot of (unwarranted) advice regarding fitness and getting into shape. Don’t feel too compelled to listen to them. They’re on their own fitness journey. Don’t feel too pressured or intimidated, either. These buff, slender, and/or super-toned gym rats all started from somewhere.
That’s where you’ll be starting, too.
As a beginner, your workout routine should be something that inspires you to commit to it and just keep going. This means that your regular workout routine should be something that you can see yourself doing every day (or every other day) without much reminding or bargaining. Biking, swimming, running, lifting, walking … any body workout that interests you is ideal. This way, it’s much easier for you to stay consistent and build a long-term fitness mindset.
LA Fitness is one of the largest and most popular American gym chains that cater to both beginners and workout junkies. The upside to this is a pretty extensive community, lots of equipment and machines, and overall high accessibility.
The downside is that it can get quite busy or crowded at times (especially during peak workout hours).
Nevertheless, it’s still a gym worth trying!
LA Fitness is like the stomping ground for people who are still giving the gym life a test run. At least half of the people you’ll see in there have just started their fitness journey. So the atmosphere, to accommodate all these newbies, and the vibe of the overall gym isn’t too intimidating.
Bonding over a fresh fitness start is also a great way to make friends.
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Marketed as “the smartest workout for more results,” Orangetheory’s approach to fitness involves a total-body group workout that combines science, coaching, and technology to “guarantee maximum results from the inside and out.” They’re basically designed to keep your systems running (and, therefore, fat burning) long after you’re done with class.
These workout classes are also customizable for different fitness levels. Say you’re on the treadmill portion of the workout. You’re free to choose from three levels of intensity: basic, push, and all out.
And because Orangetheory is a large gym chain, you’re pretty much guaranteed that every trainer, coach, and staff member there has undergone certification and training. So aside from cutting-edge equipment and workout machines, you’ve also got experienced, educated instructors to help you out.
If you’re still in doubt, you can always sign up for a free class to try before you buy!
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This gym gives a whole new meaning to “happy hour.” Rather than knocking back a couple bottles of beer after work, why not spend some time with your fitness fam burning a couple hundred calories instead?
Happy Hour Fitness is an excellent local gym and workout studio for people who don’t really enjoy strenuous, intense, hardcore exercises. We all have preferences, after all, and some of us are more likely to stick to fun, lighthearted routines that don’t kill us ten minutes in. It’s all about what works for you!
And if what works for you is an inclusive workout environment that follows a sassy, party-like exercise flow, then Happy Hour Fitness might be the perfect gym for you!
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As one of the largest gyms in Chandler, VASA has plenty of space, amenities, and equipment to go around. This makes them a great choice for people who prefer lots of space and freedom when working out (and who may also hate waiting on machines to free up).
From the expansive cardio deck (which has just rows upon rows of treadmills, ellipticals, and step masters) to the fully-stocked free weights area, there is truly something for everyone here.
The extra space and clear division between different areas also minimizes the risk of injuries due to interruptions. If you’re taking a group fitness class, there’s no way you’ll accidentally hit anyone doing their functional workouts. If you’re receiving personal, 1-on-1 training, you won’t have to worry about being seen by all the competitive lifters in the free weights or performance lifting area. There’s a space for everybody!
VASA also has a unique Kidcare Program that offers plenty of safe, comfortable amenities for kids. This gives parents the ability to bring their child to the gym and workout as much as they want without worrying about their kid.
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With Triplex Training, you’re taught to prepare your body for “real life activities” by training how to move with intent and control. Their workouts are designed to help condition your body for moving in real-world settings—like taking a hike, going on a run, or simply just walking to and from an area multiple times.
There’s a heavy focus on posture, endurance, and stamina improvement. The programs are meant to challenge clients and ultimately improve their strength, core, balance, and stability. So if these are all things you’ve struggled with (say, all those times you couldn’t climb a few flights of stairs), Triplex Training might be worth checking out!
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Once you’ve finally developed that fitness mindset and managed to maintain a consistent workout schedule, it’s time to take it up a notch. You might find yourself wanting to add something more to your routine: more reps, more weights, more movement, more resistance. Or you might find yourself looking for a new challenge. To go from just toning to bulking, perhaps. Or to learn weightlifting after focusing solely on cardio.
If the next step in your fitness journey means pushing yourself just a little bit further, you might want to try these intermediate, medium-difficulty gyms in Chandler.
We’re certain you’ve heard a lot about yoga and all its benefits. Instagram influencers have done an especially good job of making it look beautiful and appealing. If a couple group classes at the gym aren’t enough to satisfy you, it might be time to look for a yoga-focused fitness studio to really get in your flow!
That’s where gyms like FLO Yoga & Cycle come in; Arizona’s self-proclaimed home to the bike-loving yoga-obsessed squad. (They also market themselves a “sweat spot,” “occasional night spot,” and “community hangout” for endorphin junkies addicted to positivity).
As the name suggests, their primary programs are yoga and cycling classes. They also have a third program called FLEX, which uses small movements and lighter weights to help tone muscles and sculpt the body.
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BodySmith Fitness is all about personal training. They believe that customized fitness plans are the best way to lose weight, get in shape, and just generally kick-start a sustainably healthy lifestyle. They do more than just help you work out. BodySmith Fitness aims to make you fitter, faster, stronger, better, and more confident in your body—not just what it looks like, but what it can do.
They want you to maintain a long-term active lifestyle. Thus, many of their programs typically combine anaerobic and aerobic exercises for a holistic, total-body workout. They also structure these programs to help clients achieve their individual fitness goals.
It’s not just about the routine, for them; it’s about the lifestyle change.
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StaFit is the perfect Chandler gym for busy professionals.
If you’re too busy to visit the gym during the day, why not get it done at night? This 24-hour gym and fitness club offers spaces for cardio, impact, free weights, and strength training to all clients at all times.
Day, night, after work, after midnight … whatever schedule you may be keeping, rest assured StaFit’s keeping up with you.
It offers 18,000 square feet of state-of-the-art equipment, well-kept machines, and plenty of space to cycle through your whole routine. If you’ve already got a system or exercise plan that you’re happy with, but time has always been an issue, StaFit’s probably the best choice for you. They even offer personal training, studio classes, and a free consultation!
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Looking for a unique, fun, one-of-a-kind workout program that’s pretty much proven to get your butt back in shape? Then 9Round Kickbox Fitness is the center for you. It’s 30 minutes of basic kickboxing coupled with intense cardio and full-body resistance training, guaranteed to get you in the best shape of your life.
You’ll get incredibly familiar with their heavy boxing bags, kick bags, core conditioning, and (pretty tough) core drills.
Also, 9Round eliminates the need to wait for classes to start. All you need to do is get in there and get started with your pre-planned workout developed by one of the gym’s certified coaches and/or instructors.
9Round is also one of those large gym chains that have several branches across the United States and the rest of the world. So even if you are on a holiday or business trip to another country, you won’t have to miss a day at the gym.
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FAST stands for Foothills Acceleration & Sports Training, and it is Arizona’s premier personal training and performance improvement center.
As leaders in functional training, FAST is dedicated to teaching their clients how to live a healthier lifestyle. Their goals will always be sustainable fitness; no fad diets, no restrictive eating, and no get-fit-quick schemes. All their training is hands-on and catered to fit seamlessly with the client’s goals.
Apart from their rehabilitation and sports program, they also offer personal and semi-private training. And because they have an all-inclusive policy regarding age, kids can even take part in their training! If you’ve got kids who are interested in what you do to get fit, they can definitely tag along.
Given that this training facility is a division of Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy, you are guaranteed that every workout and training program they offer is data-backed and well-researched.
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Found the perfect frequency and volume for your workout routine? Already pretty comfortable with what you’ve got going on? Ready to raise the bar … again?
If so, check out these awesome gyms in Chandler that allow for more intense, more advanced workouts. We’re talking CrossFit, Fitness Bootcamps, F45 Training, and more.
It’s fitness taken to the next level, but done so in a smart, healthy, and careful way.
Remember; always listen to your body. We’re often told to “push ourselves” when it comes to working out, but certified trainers and coaches also value rest and recovery.
First on the list is CrossFit Infernal, a pretty popular fitness center for a pretty popular workout program. CrossFit gained recognition – and a massive following – around a decade or so ago, and it’s been thriving ever since.
The thing about CrossFit, though, is that it’s not very beginner-friendly. It’s all explosive bursts, high-intensity interval workouts, and lots of equipment. Even people who are used to working out find CrossFit difficult to do. And it doesn’t help that veteran CrossFitters generally come off as intimidating.
Thankfully, CrossFit Infernal markets itself as the “friendliest CrossFit gym in Chandler.” This is a gym that’s very open and welcoming to people who just want to give it a try. The certified CrossFit Infernal coaches can also help you achieve optimal health by recommending the best diet and nutrition plan for you.
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If you want to feel welcomed, encouraged, and accomplished every time you go to the gym, then CrossFit Majestic is the perfect place for you. According to their programs, their main approach to fitness is to use metabolic conditioning, weightlifting, and gymnastics in different workout routines to achieve holistic, total-body toning and conditioning. These different exercises are done in “constantly varied, functional movements” performed at high intensity.
They do this to improve all 10 physical skills that are, apparently, associated with “elite levels” of fitness: cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, coordination, balance, and accuracy.
As with any gyms these days, they also offer several CrossFit programs that are suited for different ages and different skill/experience levels. On their website, they even have several CrossFit resources that interested clients can access if need be.
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If you are looking for a gym that specifically offers weight loss programs, then Fit Body Boot Camp is the perfect place for you.
Going beyond the traditional fitness class, they instead provide result-driven sessions centered on weight loss and body toning.
Their signature 30-minute fat loss fitness boot camp would help you trim down those fats and achieve that head-turning body you have been yearning for.
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The F in their name stands for functional training and the 45 is the amount of time for your sweat-dripping, heart-pumping fun workout.
F45 is one of the go-to gyms for weight management because, alongside your membership package, you would also get a free nutrition program that would help you track and plan your daily meals.
On top of that, they also provide community support so that you would always feel motivated and driven to stick to your regular workout routine.
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Lastly, another CrossFit gym to finish off this list.
As we have mentioned before, CrossFit programs are popular these days because they have been proven to get you in the best and optimal shape.
With that, this gym is a great place to check out and try the hype on CrossFit for yourself.
They offer several training programs online, for groups, and even personal one-on-one training.
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Choosing the perfect gym should not be that hard.
Despite the difficulty ratings that we have cited above, most gyms are quite flexible. Coaches or instructors from these gyms would ease you in and gradually introduce you to several workout routines until you find the best one.
The most important thing is to start somewhere and get your foot in the door.
To briefly recap, we cover a few gyms in Chandler and classify them based on their difficulty level:
We hope you find the perfect gym that would fit your needs and lifestyle.
Otherwise, you can always book a consultation with our health experts and hear some of their recommended diets and workouts to help you get started.
Hello, my name is Dr. Sarah Bennett, NMD!
I am a naturopathic physician licensed in the state of Arizona currently practicing at my office in Scottsdale, AZ. I received my degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, did a year residency at Keystone Natural Family medicine, and received additional training for aesthetics & anti-aging at National Laser Institute.
My passion and fascination for natural medicine began during my undergraduate studies at Indiana University where I got a dual degree in neuroscience & psychology.
I saw how a preventative approach could help you live a long and youthful life. Since then I have dedicated my life to serving others to understand the latest medical trends.
I spend my spare time running, hiking, rock climbing, camping, testing out new diets, and reading books on latest medical trends / listening to podcasts to find the latest nuggets of knowledge to improve the quality of life for my patients. I look forward to serving you!
