Tel Avivians are about as obsessed with fitness as they are with coffee; and who can blame them when bathing suits are more practical than winter jackets? Whether you’re a spin fanatic, a yogi, or just like to get in a healthy 10,000 steps a day, you’ll find a plethora of spots to get your sweat on in Israel’s trendiest city. Run with the locals along the beautiful Mediterranean promenade in between food tours of the Carmel Market and Tel Aviv’s “White City” Bauhaus buildings. Opportunities for fitness and workouts in Tel Aviv are as bounteous in the city as hummus joints, and a lot of them don’t even involve a price tag. Whether you’re hunkered down in the city for a few days or a few weeks, you’ll find enough options to get fit and healthy during your stay.
Free Workouts in Tel Aviv
With over 300 days of sun per year and stunning kilometers of beaches and coast, you can get fit for free and with an inspiring view. Get those endorphins pumping with a 6 kilometer run from the ancient Jaffa Port up to the Tel Aviv Port. Stop on the way to pump some iron at an outdoor workout station equipped with benches to work on that six-pack, pull up bars, and other machines that use your body weight.
The promenade is teeming with fitness junkies, running from morning to night, baring sculpted and chiseled physiques. That Mediterranean sun does get hot, and there’s no better way to end a run than with a dip in the sea.
Running not your thing? Grab a friend and walk it out. You’ll find many people walking along the coast and there is a myriad of benches along the way, making for a perfect break for some people watching.
Another popular running spot is the Yarkon Park. The “Central Park” of Tel Aviv, the green oasis offers kilometers of paths to run, bike, or walk. The park also has several outdoor workout stations scattered throughout. It’s the perfect retreat from the sometimes overwhelming city life.
Wanting to practice yoga but also stay loyal to your tight budget? The popular U.S-based initiative Yoga to the People has a presence in Tel Aviv, offering yoga classes on a donation basis. Pay what you feel comfortable paying and are able to afford. Right now, during this time of restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19, they’re even live-streaming classes on Facebook until studios are able to open again.
Studios/Gyms
You will find several studios and gyms in every neighborhood of Tel Aviv. Many of them offer drop-in classes, with some even offering weekly or monthly passes. Here are some of the most popular places to find workouts in Tel Aviv.
Locker Room
If you have separation anxiety from your workout studio at home, Locker Room might be able to ease the emotional pain. The popular studio has a few locations around central Tel Aviv, offering classes ranging from HIIT classes to yoga, reformer pilates, and TRX. They offer a drop-in price for non-members.
Studio Naim
Studio Naim is one of the most popular gyms in the city, particularly for their studio classes. Their gym is pretty decent and includes all your standard machines and equipment. They have locations all over the city from Florentin to the Old North. The studio offers a wide range of classes including dance, yoga, and pilates to more unique offerings like Gaga and African drumming. Best of all, there is a drop-in price for visitors! Check their website for updated prices.
Gordon Pool and Gym
With a location that can’t be beat, between Ben Gurion and the Hilton Beach, the Gordon Pool and Gym is one of the best places to work out in the city. They have a 50-meter saltwater pool, comfortably heated at 24 degrees celsius, and their gym boasts quality equipment and fitness classes. They also have a small pool for the young ones. Picture swimming laps under the warm Mediterranean sun with the view of the ocean right before your eyes. That’s about as inspirational as it gets.
Holmes Place
This branch of Holmes Place, on of Israel’s top fitness clubs, is conveniently located on the bottom floor of Dizengoff Center. The newly renovated gym is popular among locals and local celebrities. The gym has great cardio machines and weights, along with a sauna and studio classes.
Space
Space Gym is a low-cost gym that has many locations around the city. It has all your basic gym amenities and various types of classes. It also offers a friendly drop-in price for visitors. During this time of gyms being closed due to COVID-19, Space is live-streaming workouts with their amazing fitness instructors on their Facebook channels so you can workout at home with just a mat or some weights.
CrossFit Tel Aviv
For those avid CrossFit devotees out there, going on a trip doesn’t have to mean losing your strength! There are several CrossFit studios in Tel Aviv, one in Florentin and one in the center. The gym offers drop-ins, which makes it a perfect option for visitors.
