Thailand’s fitness industry has surged in the last decade or so, especially in the bigger cities, such as Bangkok. A study conducted by Asia City Media Group found that 40.3% of surveyed Bangkok residents attend a gym 2-3 times per week, while 37.2% go 4-6 times per week. In this article, we’ll explore where to buy weight lifting equipment and where to lift weights in Thailand.
Where to Buy Weight Lifting Equipment in Thailand
Finding the right weight lifting equipment for your needs in Thailand is straightforward, thanks to a variety of options online. E-commerce giants like Lazada and Shopee offer a wide range of equipment, from basic barbells to more advanced setups.
Lazada
When buying things online, I usually go with Lazada, as it resembles some of the options we have back home, like Amazon.
As you can see, prices are cheap. It looks like you can buy a barbell for as little as 300 or so baht (10 USD = 366 THB), and you can get a barbell with a set of weights for around 2,700 baht (~$74). Needless to say, weight-lifting equipment is much cheaper than in many Western countries.
Don’t be afraid of the Thai in the product descriptions and images. There is generally enough English to make a good decision about purchasing, and you can try highlighting parts you don’t understand, and then right-clicking to reach the option to translate it.
Shopee
Shopee is another great option to shop for weights in Thailand, though I admittedly do not use it very often.
You’ll need an account to see the results, but as you can see, they look very similar to Lazada. Both Lazada and Shopee are very high-quality businesses here in Thailand, and you can generally trust them to make your purchases.
Facebook Marketplace
Another option is of course, Facebook Marketplace.
Facebook Marketplace is sort of like an online garage sale, and most of the people selling here are not businesses.
I’ve had a few great experiences here, and a few not so great ones.
There was one instance where I never received an item (a dumbbell set, in fact), but just make sure you buy from sellers with high ratings.
Decathlon
If you want to buy weights in Thailand, visiting the Decathlon store is a lot of fun. They have physical locations in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The prices here are cheap. (If you want to buy running shoes in Thailand, but you can’t find anywhere that sells your size, Decathalon is one of the few places that can help you out. I have found running shoes as big as 13 or 14 in US sizes.)
If you’re in a remote area of Thailand, you can also order equipment online.
Gyms for Weight Lifting in Thailand
Luckily, if you’re in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Pattaya, there are gyms with weights all over the place. And to be honest, even if you’re somewhere more remote, there’s bound to be a gym somewhere. I’ve been in places as remote as Chiang Dao, and I could still find a solid gym.
There are a few different types of places to lift at in Thailand. Let’s start with the most obvious places, the chains:
Fitness Chains
In Thailand and especially Bangkok, there are loads of chains to choose from. In fact, there are way too many to name. Fitness First, Jett’s Fitness, and Virgin Active are a few that come to mind.
What distinguishes these gyms from the others available in Thailand is that they have air conditioning, and they are usually catered towards a working middle/upper class crowd. Fitness First will cost you around 2,000 baht per month (~$54 USD), depending on the plan. Jett’s Fitness is about the same, though my membership is around 1,700 baht per month (~$46 USD).
These gyms are great if you’re looking to load up, though, as the equipment is high quality, and there are enough plates for the average lifter. (Unless you’re Ronnie Coleman or something, then I would recommend Muscle Factory in Bangkok.)
Mom-and-Pop Gyms
By far, the cheapest option to get a lift in is the many mom-and-pop gyms scattered all around Thailand. You can find these just about anywhere. They are usually without air conditioning, and the equipment is much older, and often somewhat broken and rusty. However, it’s usually about 100 to 200 baht (~$2-$6 USD) for a day pass.
If you’re on Google Maps and typing in “gym near me,” you might want to use the word fitness instead. So, “fitness near me.” Fitness is what Thai people call the gym, so by entering that instead of “gym,” you may return more results.
Outdoor Gyms
And my personal favorite on this list, outdoor gyms. There are a couple in Lumpini Park in Bangkok, and there’s also another one at Nong Buak Haad Public Park in Chiang Mai.
Some of the equipment here is legit, though very old and rusty. There are often makeshift barbells and dumbbells, some made of pipe and cement. If the season permits it, I recommend these gyms in the daytime. It’s a great way to get vitamin D and a lift in at the same time, and I always feel much better after a session here.
The Bottom Line
Thailand offers a variety of options for weight lifting, from buying equipment online to finding gyms in both urban and rural areas. Whether you prefer high-end fitness chains, local gyms, or outdoor facilities, you can easily continue your strength training.
