Gold's Gym Manila, Philippines: Review

Manila's Gold's Gym is one of the 7 existing Gold's Gym physical fitness franchises in Asia. With an expansion target of over 90 Gold's by the year 2010, the gym is spreading the quality of its facilities to an internationally renowned level.

Gold's Gym is actually located in the Makati District of Manila (Glorietta Ayala Center Makati - 1200) about five miles from Metro-Manila. Although connected to the Glorietta Mall's third level, Gold's has a street level entrance. Haagen Daaz is next door (they would have had more business from me if I hadn't always been on my way to the office after the mid-morning workout), as is TGI Friday's. From the treadmills on the third level, Gold's looks out on the impressive Makati Shangrila (also known as the Makata Shang).

As a 2-month member of Gold's Gym in summer of 2007, I can speak for the quality that they seek to maintain in their facilities, even in developing countries such as the Philippines. Gold's Gym Makati hosts a three-level gym.

The top level is an entrance, towel exchange, locker room, cardio station with televisions, bike room and boxing arena. The locker rooms and showers are good enough, though it was important to pick a locker close to the fans because of the relatively warm temperatures inside the lockerroom. The second level is the main workout area. Every kind of free weights, benches, and machine is hosted here, with enough space to move around. The staff are very friendly and helpful if you need assistance. More treadmills look at over the Glorietta Plaza. The bottom floor is another entrance and check-in point. Exit left out of the front doors for Haagen Daaz and right out of the doors for A Venuto's Italian Eatery.

There was an explosion in the nearby Glorietta 2 section of the Glorietta shopping mall on October 19, 2007. The blast killed at least 8 and injured over 100. The Gym hasn't released membership or frequency numbers following the blast in the nearby Glorietta 2, but there can be no doubt that the close proximity of the explosion has caused some concern for its management, staff, and customers.