Best Gyms in Canterbury
The best gyms in Canterbury, from 24/7 chains on the retail parks to coached CrossFit boxes and private training studios. This list covers big gyms, university, college and school sports centres that sell memberships, and smaller places where you book sessions with a coach. Places are ranked using their Google rating weighted by how many reviews they have. Student tip: first-year University of Kent undergraduates get free Kent Sport membership, so check that before you sign a contract anywhere else.
- 10 places, ranked by Google rating
- Open places only, checked every month
- Website and Google Maps for each
- 1
Exclusive Fitness
Exclusive Fitness is a luxury private training club on Simmonds Road for people who would rather not work out in front of a crowd. You book personal training, one to one or in a small group, with a team of trainers in premium facilities. If big commercial gyms put you off, this is the alternative.
- 2
Square One Training Club
Square One Training Club on Simmonds Road is an affiliated CrossFit and HYROX facility where every class is led by a coach. Small groups mean you actually get coached, and there is open gym, personal coaching, recovery facilities and physio on site. No experience needed, and you can book a free session to try it.
- 3
PureGym Wincheap
PureGym Canterbury Wincheap is a 24/7 gym at Riverside Park off Wincheap, so early and late sessions both work. Fitness classes are included and there is no contract. PureGym's own student membership page says you can get a student deal by verifying with UNiDAYS, though some gyms are excluded, so check at sign-up.
- 4
The King's School Sports Centre
The King's School Sports Centre on St Stephen's Road is a school facility that has been dual use since 1990, open to pupils and the wider community. Memberships can include swimming, the fitness room, cycle studio, sauna and steam rooms, racket courts and fitness classes. A good pick if you want a pool in your routine.
- 5
Christ Church Sport Centre
Christ Church Sport Centre on Pilgrims Way belongs to Canterbury Christ Church University, and it sells memberships to students, staff and the general public. Membership gives you unlimited gym access and fitness classes, with sports sessions and clubs on top. If you study at Christ Church, it is the obvious first stop.
- 6
The Canterbury Sport & Fitness Centre
The sports centre at EKC Canterbury College on New Dover Road is open to everyone, not just college students and staff. There is a modern gym with a dedicated free weights zone, a sports hall you can book for badminton, basketball or football, and a fitness studio. Day passes exist too, handy if you hate commitment.
- 7
PureGym Sturry Road
PureGym Canterbury Sturry Road is a 24/7 gym on the Marshwood Close retail park, with free parking and no contract. Plenty of fitness classes are included in membership. As with the Wincheap branch, PureGym's student page offers student memberships through UNiDAYS, so check this gym is included before you join.
- 8
Lifestyle Fitness
Lifestyle Fitness runs the refurbished gym at The Canterbury Academy, in partnership with the academy trust, and sells memberships to the public. Expect cardio and free weights zones, a private ladies-only gym area, a cycle studio and weekly fitness classes. Sports fans can also hire the 3G pitch, sports hall and tennis courts.
- 9
Kent Sport
Kent Sport is the University of Kent's sports centre on the Canterbury campus, with a gym full of new Technogym kit and lots of indoor and outdoor facilities. It sells memberships to students, staff and the public, and first-year Kent undergraduates get membership free. There are also over 50 student sports clubs to join.
- 10
Everlast Gyms
Everlast Gyms sits on Maybrook Retail Park off Vauxhall Road and goes big on facilities: a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, free weights, functional training and resistance kit. Coach-led group classes cover strength, cardio, HIIT, combat and holistic sessions, and there is personal training and car parking too.
Ranked by Google rating, weighted by the number of reviews so a place with a handful of five-star reviews does not jump the queue. We check the list every month and drop anywhere that has closed.
Need a Student House in Canterbury?
RoomSurfer lists private student houses with all bills included, close to everything on this list. Browse them all or call the letting agent.