Dragging myself to the gym is hard enough without the additional scrutiny you find in some of the…read morebigger fitness centres in the city. Situated close to the new Channel 7/Pacific Magazines building, and a 10 minute walk from both Redfern and Erskineville stations, we find a cosy little alternative where you don't have to feel self-conscious. Opened just over two years ago, it has experienced tremendous growth due to its comfortable vibe and professional and supportive personal trainers, who ensure you get the most out of your hour and encourage you to set and reach individual goals, but never push. Whether you're a beginner or a gym junkie, there's fitness training to suit your needs. I like their distinctive small-group boxing and general fitness classes-you can let out some steam (and burn those kilojoules!) outdoors, in the nearby Australian Technology Park, so you're not confined to the fitness studio. Your peers keep you motivated, you split the cost, and you might even make a friend or two. Other services include one-on-one sessions as well as pre and post natal classes. Their opening hours accommodate for morning, lunch, and evening, as well as weekend work-outs. It's up to you how you want to work out, when you want to work out, and whom with. It really is YOUR gym.

From the owner: We like training in small groups because it's more fun and more competitive than training alone, so…read moreyou'll work harder.

Hiscoes is probably the daggiest gym in Sydney. And this is why I love it…read more At Hiscoes it's highly unlikely that you will come across any young, beefed up, oiled and muscley men doing bicep curls in front of a mirror, throwing you side glances to see if you're watching. It's also highly unlikely that you will feel the need to update your work-out clothes every month in order to maintain the trendy look of the gym. And whilst Hiscoes does have a committed community of regulars, it's highly unlikely that you will be running beside rippling 'Biggest Loser' trainers or beautifully toned film stars that make you want to close your eyes whilst running on the treadmill (not advisable). The gym is small and family based with a distinctly local scene. The downside of this is that if you prefer to be anonymous when you're working out, it's hard to go by unnoticed here. The staff know you by face and name, which means that they also know when it's been a while since your last visit. Also, don't think that just because Hiscoes' team of regulars fall within the 45 - 60 bracket that they're not intimidating too - it's tough standing beside any person that can run for hours without breaking into a sweat or bench-press more than three times what I can, let alone if they're twice or three times my age. Hiscoes has everything you need to try to get fit, including Spin, Boxing, Pilates and Yoga classes. Plus added motivation comes in the form of that cheesy, crusty pizza aroma that wafts across the road from Crust. And trust me, there's nothing like the smell of pizza to make you work harder.

Hiscoes is a great gym except for some of the staff. The blonde male personal trainer has all of…read morethe arrogance you would expect of someone who trains their clients but doesn't notice how they interrupt other peoples training. Also,the Sunday closure between 1 and 4pm might save wages but is a big negative. Otherwise it is a good gym very overpriced compared to others for the facilities but that is what you pay to keep a family gym going.

I love this place! Im sad I moved away to another country and I can't find the same thing here in…read moreCalifornia. I refer all my friends in Sydney here, its really that awesome! Brand new location (410 Botany Rd.) and shiny new gym. Super nice staff and trainers. FANTASTIC deals on personal training. Small intimate location is great to go workout or train, and it has plenty of equipment. Its like having my own private gym! Highly recommended, my trainer Andrew is awesome and all of the trainers seem great. You really want to try this place, and they make it affordable! Ignore the wrong address on here. Yelp Australia is lagging a bit and it is really at 410 Botany in Alexandria.

From the owner: Bodyzone studios is a community based 24hour gym, we excel in indoor bootcamp groups and personal…read moretraining. Bodyzone trainers are highly qualified to delivering clients results and motivating our clients to achieving their goals. Check out our new branch at 8 norton street leichhardt, bodyzone introduces fit body bootcamp direct from the USA - check out our group sessions including boxing, check out our personal trainers and unbeatable fortnightly and yearly membership rates.

This is my gym, and I completely friggin' love it. I'm not university staff, or a student - I'm…read morejust a community member, but I wouldn't dream of switching to another gym no matter the incentives. The facilities here are terrific and (unless you happen along during a peak time, when like in any gym it gets kinda competitive gear-wise) you can't fail to have a good workout. I had personal training sessions here last year and it taught me a lot - I highly recommend those to anyone unsure of how to achieve their fitness goals, or who is maybe a bit intimidated by all the equipment and/or the gym atmosphere. If I'm unsure of anything or want some advice or even a critique of my form I always ask the trainers on duty, who are unfailingly friendly and helpful. But the thing that first hooked me are the classes. SUSF run the Les Mills program, and I am a big RPM devotee (who dabbles in Attack and sometimes Pump). The instructors here are top-notch; no kidding. (For comparison's sake I did a spin class in New York and it was nonsense. Absolute nonsense.) They are also super encouraging, and you'll probably find that your once-a-week RPM class explodes into you somehow being at the gym seven days a week just to take advantage of all the awesome instructors available to you. Plus there's a pool! Parking is kind of a drag, but there's a bike rack out front, a busy bus stop (370, 422, 423, 426, 428) up on City Road, and it's a short walk from Redfern train station (past some pretty great cafes).

The following feedback is specific to the Sydney University Swim School. Please read on as I hope…read morethis review will inform future students of the swim school to consider. I am a current student in their swim school. I go for evening lessons once a week after work. Unfortunately on Tuesday 21 March 2017, there was extreme thunderstorms that striked Sydney. Commuters heading home in the rush hour were all affected. Trees uprooted, road accidents, flash floods, train stations shut - the roads were chaos. Google it and you will see numerous articles and videos of taht evening. A journey to the school that would normally take me 30 min took me 1h 15 min. I made multiple calls to the school throughout my journey to tell them I was stuck on the road literally in gridlock and they told me to email to reschedule. I took their instruction and emailed the school. Unfortunately the reponses I have received from them is very upsetting. They wrote back saying that they can only reschedule if I gave 72 hours notice or provide a med certificate. Otherwise I have to pay to reschedule. I replied saying that there is absolutely no way to foresee or predict that the extreme weather is going to cause widespread havoc that evening. I can't anticipate the train stations shutting down, flooding on streets and numerous car accidents. What I asked for was decency in considering that the abovementioned was out of my control. I did everything possible to call the school and even got my friend who was already in the school to let them know. They further responded saying that i didn't give them "enough warning" and without the 72hr notice, they couldn't offer my place to someone else who needs a makeup lesson (aka they lose $19.50). 72hr notice for the effects of weather that I can't predict?! Seriously, if I can, I'll be rich. What baffles me is that the policy accepts medical certificates if someone fall sick that day, but not other unforeseen uncontrollable act's of God. Makes me wonder if we'll be treated similarly should a student met other unforeseen circumstances or last minute emergencies. I must emphasise, the issue here is not about the $5 rescheduling fee but the principle behind it. I am disappointed as this swim school is part of (and representative of) the prestigious and world renowned Education institution, University of Sydney, that endeavours to produce successful students and NOT intimidate them to succumb to the centre's "Profit&Loss" driven goals. Shame.

A great place in Sydney to train traditional Muay Thai. I have trained here for 5 years and in this…read moretime it has grown significantly. Headed by Head Trainer and professional fighter Luis Regis, and other staff, SRG teaches the skills of traditional muay thai. Each class has similarities but also differences. We start with skipping, then warm up exercises, then shadow boxing. You then find a partner and do partner drills that the teacher shows you how to do. Trainers are all really helpful and excellent at what they do. SRG also has trainers from Thailand that come out and teach. They are all so nice and helpful, no big egos and everyone in SRG is treated like part of a family. They have kids classes, beginner, all levels and advanced classes. You can also purchase membership, ten pass sessions or pay for private classes. They hold events and we go and watch fighters compete. There's seminars and Bbqs and I've made heaps of friends. They sell gear by yakkao. Feel comfortable to come at any level, get fit, learn something new and enjoy!

I really enjoy the classes here, a wide range from weightlifting to Pilates and calisthenics. I…read morewish they had more classes on the weekends and more advanced yoga classes

Friendly staff, variety of equipment and training areas and good overall atmosphere…read more I've been going to this Gym since it opened and it has made me a healthier person Thanks guys!

I'd been to Barre Body in Melbourne and Perth, so I knew what to expect at this Sydney studio…read more I used my ClassPass membership to take Megan's barre tone class. Though the website says otherwise, socks were not required (I prefer barre in bare feet when it's done on wood floor as it is here). Barre Body bills this class as "...strong and dynamic." I'd say I found that to be true. If you've done Dailey Method, Pure Barre or Bar Method, you'll feel right at home. And if you've never done barre before but have done yoga and/or pilates, you'll do fine too. This is a small studio with no lobby so you probably don't want to rock up more than 10 minutes prior to class.

I'm a fan of Barre Body in Melbourne and attend classes at least a couple of times a week. I was…read morereally happy to know that during a recent visit to Sydney I was able to use my membership to attend a class at the Surry Hills studio, and could book the exact same way as I do at home via my Barre Body app. This studio is clean and minimalist. It's a serene environment to work out and it's nicely located to public transport for easy access. The classes themselves are varied, with different styles and intensities available depending on your ability and mood. Like my experiences in Melbourne, the teacher at my Surry Hills class was absolutely delightful and had a terrific way of leading the class and encouraging everyone.