Fitness clubs in Cyprus

Recently, more and more fitness clubs and sports centres have been opening in Cyprus. This is due to the growing popularity of sport and a healthy lifestyle, not only amongst foreigners living permanently on the island, but also amongst local residents. Until relatively recently, going to the gym was not one of the most popular activities amongst Cypriots. Cyprus’s fitness centres can be broadly divided into three main categories:

• sports centres attached to hotels;
• large sports clubs with swimming pools and modern exercise equipment;
• small gyms.

Hotel fitness

Hotel fitness centres were the first to appear, driven by demand from tourists visiting the island, as well as the need to meet the standards of 4- and 5-star hotels. In this case, you shouldn’t expect any state-of-the-art programmes: hotels are primarily geared towards short-term stays. Therefore, their programmes sometimes include Pilates, yoga and similar classes, but you shouldn’t expect to find serious training programmes here.

However, if you need to work out on the gym equipment or go for a swim in the pool on your own (this is particularly relevant during the winter months, as a number of 5* hotels have indoor or outdoor heated pools), and also wish to receive a certain standard of service, you might want to give this option a go.

For hotel guests, use of the gym, sauna and swimming pools is free of charge; spa treatments are usually charged separately. Everyone else will need to purchase a membership, the cost of which starts at 50 euros per person per month (4* standard) and increases depending on the hotel’s star rating and the range of facilities available. Substantial discounts are available when purchasing an annual membership.

Professional fitness centres

New complexes offer island residents a range of group classes, access to a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, and a swimming pool. Many fitness centres feature a small beauty salon, a children’s playroom where you can leave your child whilst you train, and a fitness bar.

The main group classes at most sports centres in Cyprus are aerobics (aqua aerobics is also included if there is a swimming pool), Pilates, step aerobics and yoga (for both beginners and advanced levels). The so-called ‘soft fitness’ programme is quite popular. It is ideal for those who are unable to exercise vigorously but wish to take proper care of their health. The programmes help to improve flexibility and joint mobility and are specifically designed for those for whom high-intensity exercise is not recommended (people over 45, pregnant women, those who are overweight, those undergoing rehabilitation, those suffering from high blood pressure, etc.).

As a rule, all group programmes offered at fitness centres in Cyprus are designed to last 45–55 minutes. Most fitness centres are open from 6.30 am to 10.00 pm on weekdays, and from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm on Saturdays. Some are open on Sundays.

The cost of gym memberships depends on the range of services and the number of people using the gym. Most centres offer ‘family memberships’, which work out slightly cheaper per family member.

The average cost of using a gym in Cyprus is:

• a membership for group classes, the gym and the sauna – €60–75 per person per month or €550–640 per year;
• a membership for access to the swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi – €75–85 per person per month or €650–790 per year;
• a membership covering all the fitness centre’s facilities (group classes, several free trial sessions with an instructor, the gym, sauna, swimming pool, all additional programmes, excluding access to the beauty salon and fitness bar) – €80–95 per person per month.

Clubs with swimming pools usually offer separate swimming lessons. Lessons cost between 40 and 70 euros a month. The programmes are designed for both children and adults.

Gyms

Small gyms with modern equipment have recently sprung up in almost every district of the city. As a rule, the cost of visiting these centres covers only the use of the gym facilities. Sometimes this may include various group dance classes (Latin, belly dancing, disco and other popular styles), but these are charged separately.

A single session at a small fitness centre costs around 10 euros. You can also buy a monthly membership for between 30 and 40 euros.

Everything is relative

Of course, it’s difficult to find the same variety of fitness centres in Cyprus as in Moscow or St Petersburg. But the island’s very nature helps to improve health and boost vitality – which is, after all, exactly what we hope to gain from going to the gym. Furthermore, in recent years, the fitness centre industry in Cyprus has been gaining momentum, with more and more new gyms opening, equipped with the very latest machinery. And there’s one more thing. In Russia’s major cities, due to traffic jams, it takes a great deal of time to get to the gym. In Cyprus, however, thanks to the relatively small size of the towns and the lack of traffic, a visit to a fitness club is an entirely positive experience. So feel free to head to the gyms, where, under the guidance of experienced instructors – who have usually been trained in the UK or other European countries – you’re sure to find a programme that’s just right for you.