Golds Gym is a popular fitness chain in India. Let’s take a look at their India story and what makes the chain so popular.
About Golds Gym
Gold’s Gym is one of the largest international gym chains in the world and provides the finest equipment and fitness knowledge to its members to help them achieve their individual potential.
It is basically an American chain of fitness centers originally started in California by Joe Gold. Gold’s Gym started its operations in Venice California in 1965. In 1975, Gold’s Gym received international attention when it was featured in the movie ‘Pumping Iron’, thus established itself as the ‘Mecca of Bodybuilding’.
Gold Gym’s India Story
Until a few years back, one had to go to one of the local gyms, with mediocre training facilities, to exercise. In fact, the fitness culture itself in India was not that great. But with the opening of the economy, things have changed, and you now have several international fitness chains here in India.
The Indian chapter of Gold’s Gym started about a decade ago (2002 to be precise), and since then it has become one of the most reputed fitness brands in India; its now the go-to gym for most fitness enthusiasts.
Today, Gold’s Gym has several fitness centres across India, each with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and qualified staff; and is a leading fitness chain in India.
Here’s a virtual tour of Gold’s Gym
- Competent and fitness certified trainers
- Fully equipped with the latest fitness equipment
- Variety of fitness training & exercises
- An energized environment where you’re motivated to push yourself
- Good hygiene & amenities
- Reasonably priced considering what it offers
You can also expect facilities such as shower, body massages, steam and sauna baths, which most prefer to have after their workout session. These may seem like little things, but they do make the overall experience better.
With knowledgeable & certified trainers and nutritional counselors, great ambiance, Gold’s Gym provides a comprehensive fitness solution to its members, in a fitness conducive environment.
Whether your goal is to burn fat, tone up your body or add muscles, build strength, increase flexibility or improve your cardiovascular health, Gold’s Gym has the atmosphere and expertise to help you meet your fitness objectives.
This man tells us why he invested in Gold’s Gym
After he hung up his boot, G Ramachandran, who has years of experience in Capital Markets, invested in several small companies, and one of those companies was Gold’s Gym. GR says besides being one of his most successful investments, it was also one of his most thrilling and challenging investments.
The thing about Gold’s is that abroad its a relatively unknown brand, but in India, it has managed to make itself an aspirational brand.
“We needed to give a bigger box to the country. For starters, gyms had a claustrophobic feel before Gold’s, but we brought in spacious 15,000 sqft facilities. And a typical box should yield revenues of at least Rs 3 crore, with a minimum of 20 percent profit margins,” says GR
- Bringing in innovation was the key to their journey as they introduced several novel workouts in India at that time – MMA, Krav Maga, Kick Boxing and the newest regimens like anti-gravity workouts, among scores of others.
- We made sure the décor and brand positioning of the gym were such that it became the Indian equivalent of Americans playing golf while hatching business deals.“I’ve seen so many love stories transpire–between actors and between professionals who come there to network and crack deals,” says GR.
- We made sure our franchise owners were comfortable and made them feel like they were part of a family through rewards programs, retreats, and conferences.
Read more about G Ramachandran here.
Facilities at the Gym
When it was first launched, Gold’s Gym in Bandra had emerged as a Fitness hub in this area and was frequented by local residents who were very passionate about health. It had become the home for many fitness enthusiasts in Bandra and even neighboring areas. A Landmark in itself, the gym has fond memories of playing host to several film and corporate events over the years, challenging people to test their fitness skills and strength, encouraging people to work out and adhere to their workouts by adding in variety and spice to their daily regime.
Greeting you with a plush reception and large spacious locker rooms and shower cubicles, you can now workout on all new Cardio equipment, a Large free weight area, a group studio with unlimited class options, and a spinning studio with several spin bikes.
- Gender: Unisex
- Gym Facilities: Locker Facility, Shower, Steam Bath, Sauna Bath
- Gym Equipment: Free Weights, Steppers, Treadmill, Cycling machines, Impact Climbers, Rowing Machines, Jogging Track
- Suitable for: General Fitness, Body Shaping, Cardio exercises, Flexibility Training, Body Building, Gaining
Muscles, Endurance Training, Strength Training, Weight Control/Loss - Other/Group Exercises: Yoga/Power Yoga, Kick boxing
- Services Offered: Fitness Tests, Workout recommendations/schedule, Diet Consultation, trainer for assistance, Personal training, weight loss programs
Good Things About Golds’ Gym
- Convenient location, easily accessible
- Spacious with high-ceilings, natural sunlight
- Well equipped gym with quality machines
- Spacious gyms, includes juice bar inside that serves protein drinks, eggs
- Energetic soundtracks to keep you motivated
- Buzzing with energy throughout the day
- Great energy and enthusiasm exhibited on floor (by trainers as well as regular members)
- Get to see models/actors, at times it looks like a celebrity hangout spot
Inconveniences
- Parking can be a challenge
- Occasionally it can be a challenge to find a vacant locker
- Some trainers may start avoiding you once they know you’re not going to hire them as personal trainers (This is a common grouse faced by patrons in almost all the gyms)
Closing Thoughts
At Gold’s Gym you get the latest equipment, certified trainers and an ambiance that motivates you to go there often. It also gives your social life a boost! So do check out the gym that is nearest to your place. Don’t forget to ask for a Gym Trial!
Website: goldsgym.in
Gym in Chembur is not very big (compared to the other branches and what you expect from this brand), it basically operates from a couple of empty flats. It gets really crowded during peak hours, you’ll keep bumping into members and machines. Music played is just about okay, not really motivating. You could be coaxed for the personal training or diet & nutrition program