Looking for a kick-ass gym? Sheena Liang puts the big boys to the test.

California Fitness

1 Wellington St., Central, 2522-5229,  www.californiafitness.com, and other locations.

Credited with bringing fitness to the masses, California Fitness is notorious for the hard sell. But with more than 55,000 members in Hong Kong, it clearly works. A real “meet market,” there are six branches around town, from Wan Chai to Mongkok. Market domination is obviously the name of the game with new gyms cropping up almost as frequently as Starbucks outlets.
 
The workout: Tons of machines, tons of classes and tons of people. It gets hectic at lunchtimes, when weight benches are precious commodities. But many a good workout has been had here. There’s not much in the way of extra assistance, but personal training is not pricey and is worth your while. Also outfitted with a multipurpose room and a spinning studio.

We like: Kickfit and the Jackie Chan-choreographed JC Boxercise classes for shedding winter fat.

We don’t like: The machines are too close, the music variable and the TVs are few and far between – not that this matters much because they rarely show anything you want to watch.

Locker rooms: Basic. It’s a bit of a trek to the fifth floor for the ladies, and there’s usually a battle for the showers during rush hours.

Extras: MIX juice bar in the lobby. The gym in Tsim Sha Tsui sells JC apparel and accessories.

Price: About $300 a month, depending on promotions.

Fitness First

G/F-3/F, Cosco Tower, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181-183 Queen’s Rd., Sheung Wan, 3106-3000, www.fitnessfirst.com.hk, and three other locations. Fitness First Plus in three locations.
 
“Fitness with fun”? Well, the atmosphere is certainly lively. Gym-goers are mainly young execs in their mid-30s – and plenty of models. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself working out next to Rosemary Vandenbroucke.
 
The Workout: There’s no shortage of cardio machines, but they are pretty stacked up. On the plus side, the gym is spread over three and a half floors, with a separate half floor for the hardcore lifters. The classes are high energy and there’s a good variety on offer, from spinning to body combat. Personal trainers are on hand to offer help when you need it.

We like: Despite having 3,000 members, it is surprisingly quiet during lunch hours.

We don’t like: The music is annoyingly techno and the wall of TV screens turns into a blinding blur after a few miles on the treadmill. Bring your iPod or work out in the quiet room.

Locker rooms: Labyrinthine and without a lot of elbowroom. Towels and toiletries - including deodorant - are provided, and there are also sauna and steam rooms.

Extras: Quench your thirst at the MIX juice bar. Check your emails at the lounge. Borrow VCDs to take home for no extra charge. Fitness First Plus gyms have a tennis court and pool facilities.

Price: Fitness First, $500-$700 a month; Fitness First Plus, $600-$900, depending on type of membership and level of commitment.

Pure Fitness

1-3/F, Kinwick Center, 32 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2970-3366,  www.pure-fit.com, and at Two IFC.
 
If you’re young, attractive and affluent, then Pure is for you. It is now THE gym for the upscale gym-goer. With a mere 200 members passing through the doors daily, the Kinwick Center gym has an invitingly comfortable, quiet vibe. Situated next to the Mid-Levels escalator, it’s the gym in which to see and be seen.

The workout: By far the best equipped gym in Hong Kong, the state-of-the-art fitness equipment is spread out over three floors. Cardio equipment is fitted with flatscreen TVs and DVD players allowing the customer to choose from an extensive range of releases. On the third floor is a spinning studio, multi-function room and a boxing ring, which hold nearly a 100 classes each week, including Bodypump, spinning, yoga and Latino Aerobics.

We like: The fitness instructors, who go out of their way to be friendly and really know their stuff.

We don’t like: The price - but you get what you pay for.

Locker rooms: Five stars. As well as a solarium and steam room, Pure provides workout clothes, towels, toiletries and fruit-infused water to rehydrate post-workout.

Extras: The juice bar in the lounge has internet access and abundant reading material, and there’s an in-house spa and nail salon. The IFC gym has an indoor climbing wall, hypoxic chamber and a boxing ring. Members also get discounts at Red in Two IFC.

Price: Joining fee $1,999, monthly fee $1,199.

Seasons Fitness

3/F, Citibank Tower, Citibank Plaza, 3 Garden Rd., 2521-4541,  www.seasonsfitness.com.
 
Where else in Hong Kong can you work out with a panoramic view of a city park? Redeveloped in 2004, Seasons Fitness prides itself on offering value for money, given the convenience and caliber of its facilities. With most gym-goers in their late 30s and early 40s, this gym has a more relaxed atmosphere than most. Spread over three floors in Citibank Plaza, it has the added bonus of a huge range of eateries in the lobby.
 
The workout: At 10,000 square feet, this gym claims to have the biggest fitness floor in the city. There’s no shortage of CV machines although the resistance machines are packed in pretty tight. The idea of circuit training in the park, climate permitting, is appealing, and so is the 20m heated indoor pool.
We like: The separate ladies’ room, where women can keep their wobbly bits to themselves.

We don’t like: The school gym-style showers, and extra charge for towels.

Locker rooms: Bright and clean, with a steam room and sauna, but in need of a refit.

Extras: A day spa, and a soon-to-be-renovated kitschy coffee shop that sells the obligatory protein bars and nutritional supplements.

Price: $550 a month for free access to the gym, $450 a month for access during non-peak hours.

Phillip Wain

2/F, Cityplaza 4, Tai Koo Shing, 2513-1333, www.phillipwain.com, and three other locations.
 
Women-only gym Phillip Wain has carved a niche among the 30-something tai-tai set, with a few young professionals thrown in the mix. A visit to the Tai Koo Shing branch on a Saturday morning showed it has a real following. It puts a lot of emphasis on beauty and weight loss, while encouraging clients to exercise and eat properly.
 
The workout: A relatively modest setup with 30 machines, much of which are from a generation past. There are about 50 classes a week - including belly dancing, AeroLatino, jazz and funk, and hip-hop - which are so well received that you’re obliged to book ahead. 

We like: The one-off Huber balance-training machine.

We don’t like: The tacky ads.

Locker room: The “wet” area has a sauna and a steam room. Towels, robes, slippers and shampoo are provided.

Extras: The Juice Bar provides nutritionist-approved meals as well as the usual drinks and juices. A sports boutique and the beauty parlor keep clients in tiptop shape.

Price: $688 for the first month and an annual fee of $10,800

Island Shangri-La gym

8/F, Island Shangri- La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, 2820-8583,
www.shangri-la.com.

Exclusive and high class, this gym oozes sophistication. Located on the eighth floor, next to the hotel pool, the gym overlooks Hong Kong Park and the city skyline.
 
The workout: A sizeable gym as far as hotel facilities goes, it has a high ceiling, lush carpets and well-placed machines. The half-dozen treadmills are all equipped with flatscreen TVs, and clients can borrow an iPod. The outdoor pool is appealing, weather permitting, although there’s always the temptation of sunbathing with a cocktail...

We like: This is the only 24-hour gym in town.

We don’t like: There are no exercise classes, although personal training can be arranged.

Locker room: Luxurious, Shangri-la standard changing rooms. Newly renovated, with an Asian vibe to it. Towels and toiletries provided.

Extras: Massage and salon services are available, and members get discounts at the hotel’s food and beverage outlets. Valet parking for those too lazy to walk from their car to the gym.

Price: A whopping $11,500 for three months and $32,900 for 12 months.