A gym that makes maximum utilisation of space
By ALFRED THA HLA
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| Spinning Studio |
Fitness freaks living within a kilometre radius of the Asok-Montri area are sure to be familiar with the stately brown building called Exchange Tower, where True Fitness is housed.
True Fitness is spread out on 6,970m2 on four floors of Exchange Tower, located at the Asok-Montri intersection, easily accessed for those residing nearby the busy intersection.
Get off the BTS at Asok and an elevated walkway from the station is built directly into the second floor entrance of Exchange Tower, leading to the reception area on the right.
All I could squeeze (as in price information) out of marketing executive "Natty" was that True Fitness charges about 20,000 to 30,000 baht a year in annual dues pending promotions.
Fee data is vague so I'm taking the liberty of spreading 30,000 baht over the year, which works out to be about 2,500 baht a month, or on par to rival Fitness First Platinum centres; and is about twice as high as California Wow, which will be moving shop to Interchange Tower opposite Exchange Tower.
The second floor reception has friendly staff against a backdrop of US diner-styled red sofa seats and small table-chair sets for sales staff to do the membership routine.
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| Free Weight |
True Cafe |
True Spa |
There's a nursery for toddlers, which is thoughtful and personally, I've never seen one at a fitness club, yet.
The Ground floor has a True Cafe' offering pastas, sandwiches and salads with cocktails. Bloody Mary after a workout? Just kidding!
Up the escalator to the third floor is where the ladies get their towels as a DJ booth spins the latest tunes, with a small retail area next to the ladies locker room.
The cardio area has over 200 machines. Continue up the escalator to the fourth floor and you'll be greeted by a cycling studios and resistance with free weights area. The men's locker and shower room is here.
Over 25 types of yoga styles spread out over 150 classes per week and over 130 aerobics classes per week in four aerobics studios, one hot yoga studio, one yoga studio and a personal training studio.
State-of-the-art kinesis studio, separate steam room for men and women, over 70 showers for men and women, over 1,400 lockers for men and women and members' relaxation lounge.
You've got a state-of-the-art True spa with treatments from aromatherapy massage, facials and skin rejuvenation treatments. Phew! Sounded like a brochure for a moment.
I paid a customary three-visit routine to the gym on a regular workday afternoon (11am to 1pm), workday evening (7 to 10pm) and weekend afternoon (2 to 4pm) to check out traffic conditions.
A workday afternoon was quiet, while people started filling in from 6.30pm onwards, till about 9pm before thinning out. Saturday afternoon was also not as packed as expected.
I felt that space management was better utilised here than what you'd find at California Wow on soi 23 when comparing the busy hours.
At peak hours I saw that each apparatus at True Fitness was pretty much occupied but it didn't feel crowded like Chatuchak weekend market, get my drift?
A few showers lacked water pressure, but nothing that's not fixable.
The steam room is too small, but you don't need to stay for 20 minutes before breaking a sweat like California Wow.
Unless you're currently paying a 100 baht annual dues after a hefty lifetime membership fee elsewhere - True Fitness at Exchange Tower is recommended, but make sure you are comfortable with club fees first.
True Fitness at Exchange Tower, Asok intersection. Call 02-663-4999 or fax 02-663-4888. Visit http://www.truefitness.co.th/. Open Monday to Saturday from 6am to midnight, and on Sunday from 8am to 10pm.
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