If you’re wondering what the best gym in Poznan is, I have some great news for you. When I changed jobs in July 2022, I knew right away that the Multisport card would be a benefit I would want to use as soon as possible. In my mind, I had an incredibly exciting vision of visiting all the participating gyms in the city. At the same time, I came up with the idea of reviewing them to find out for myself, but also to inform anyone interested in the subject about what the best gym in Poznan is.
This post is, of course, only my opinions based mainly on first impressions (visits), which I gradually enriched with further ones to get the most complete picture of the situation.
It is worth noting here that finishing and publishing this post took me much longer than I anticipated. First, because my head was consumed by some other things in the meantime, and second, because I revisited many of the described Poznan gyms in the meantime, which I believe will raise the final quality of their ratings and thus provide a better picture to the reader.
Content structure
Initially, I planned to visit all available gyms in Poznań before publishing the article. However, during my tour, I came to the conclusion that this is not the best idea. Ultimately, I can say that I started with the better ones, and for some of them, I immediately wanted to come back instead of going to some unknown gym that I hadn’t heard of before.
In the end, I will try to visit them all, even out of curiosity and perhaps tired of visits to favorites, but at the time of publication, the list will not be 100% complete. I admit, therefore, that there is a chance that the best gym in Poznań will remain undiscovered for me, but this is highly unlikely. Any potential edits to the original publication will be clearly marked.
Moving on, I decided that besides the overall rating, I will also scrutinize a few other significant aspects of the gyms, creating a fuller picture and allowing you to make a better-informed choice as well.
As for the final rating, I decided to break it down a bit and not limit it to rounded numbers to be able to convey subtle differences between individual places. Additionally, I compare my rating with Google results, which I purposely didn’t check earlier to avoid their influence.
That’s it. Let’s find out now what the best gym in Poznań is.
Fabryka Formy
Fabryka Formy was not my first gym, but so far I have spent the most time in its various branches (I wonder if and when it will be surpassed). A big plus of having a FF membership, which I used before Multisport, is the ability to access all clubs and use the sauna or pool. Despite being a chain, FF gyms are located in quite diverse locations, at least in Poznań, which also makes their vibe different.
Posnania Mall
Changing room
The changing room is quite small with a clearly separated shower area. The lockers are spacious and although when I started writing this post they were locked with a code, currently, as everywhere else, a padlock is required. Unfortunately, the direct proximity of the pool significantly increases the humidity of the air, which can be quite unpleasant in the summer. One of the advantages is the high level of cleanliness, the ladies who take care of it can be regularly met in the locker room without prior notice. 😀
Size and layout
The gym in Posnania is quite large and spacious, with a relatively regular layout. In the middle, there is a large open space for various non-standard activities. A significant advantage of this place are large windows that show the skyline of Poznań.
Equipment
Perhaps the biggest downside of this gym is the lacking equipment, and what is available is very basic. The same goes for free weights. Two flat benches present are the bare minimum. Of course, you can train here, but you won’t find anything particularly exciting.
Mirrors and lighting
Due to the mentioned windows, but also the slightly hidden area, it’s a good mix of natural and artificial light. However, the most anabolic seems to be the one near the sinks in the shower area. Try a little flex there… 😤
Overall
The place itself is cool, but the equipment is lacking a bit. If you’re not looking for excitement in training based on constantly changing machines or just want to pump up quickly, stop by, if only for the view of the city. One of the advantages for me is that it’s close by. Oh, and you come out of the elevator straight to the food court, so if you’re bulking, go for it.
My rating 4.1/5 | Google Maps rating 4.5/5 (712 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Green Point
Changing room
Spacious with a simple but efficient layout of lockers and benches. It’s also clean here. I like the separate area with a sauna, which reminds me a bit of bathhouses or pool rooms, accessible directly from the changing room.
Size and layout
Quite spacious, but as is often the case, mainly due to the cardio and functional training area. I would say there are three sections here, with the middle one accessible directly from the changing room. On the left, you have the stationary bikes and a large open space, and on the right, the free weights and more machines.
Equipment
Rather standard. There are 2-3 more interesting machines. I really like the seated row machine here, where you pull a simple straight lever, without any fancy constructions. Apart from that, there’s not much to dwell on. As a curiosity, I once tore the cable doing tricep pushdowns and got hit in the head by it. I was fine in the end, but for a moment, I thought I split my scalp.
Mirrors and lighting
Both of these elements are solid. There is one particular place where there is a skylight right above your head, and there is good artificial lighting as well, which gives really good visual effects. The camera turns on by itself in that spot.
Overall
I started coming here originally because it was open during the pandemic, and I think I have some sentimentality towards this place because of that. Taking into account the combination of factors, it may be my favorite Fabryka Formy.
My rating 4.2/5 | Google Maps rating 4.4/5 (340 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Bałtyk Tower
Changing room
It’s clean and tidy here. The air conditioning can sometimes work so well that it’s too cold. The windows are as big as the room is high, but the blinds are almost always lowered even though there’s no one really peeping in. One sunny day, in the early afternoon, the blinds were only halfway lowered, which created really high-quality lighting for photos inside. Maybe I should tell the staff about it?
Size and layout
The gym in Bałtyk is spread over two floors and due to the specific shape of the building, it also has an irregular layout. Generally, the shape is probably its biggest drawback because there are spots where it’s quite cramped.
Equipment
Very basic, typical of Poznan’s Fabryka Formy gyms. A plus for someone might be the dedicated monkey bar area for street workout. There are no wrist wraps, which come in handy for heavier dumbbells or barbells, and are usually available at other gyms. I somehow felt like nitpicking about something, sorry.
Mirrors and lighting
Lots of natural light, as there are large windows on every side. It’s incomprehensible to me why they would also turn on the artificial lights during the day, both for economic and aesthetic reasons. There’s some great lighting potential here, but it seems to be untapped.
Overall
Cool building and great views. The gym itself doesn’t offer anything extraordinary, but I still like to come here. Maybe it’s because there’s good Lavazza cappuccino from a vending machine for 4.50 PLN down under the Kaponiera roundabout. 🤔
My rating 4/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.3/5 (701 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Serbska
Locker room
Pleasant and well laid out. Instead of the most common hard benches, the ones here are padded with soft foam. During the period when we had to pretend that pandemic sanitary breaks mattered, I happened to take a nap on them once or twice.
Size and layout
The whole gym is roughly square in plan. It’s quite spacious here, which shouldn’t be surprising since the space used to be a Tesco supermarket.
Equipment
Again, it’s standard, there’s nothing much to write about here. You can definitely do a full workout, but there’s nothing particularly exciting.
Mirrors and lighting
There are a few skylights located fairly high up, which don’t help much with the physique, and the only other source of natural light is the area around the reception – entrance. The mirrors are decent, but the artificial lighting is not the best. From what I remember, the studio for group classes is much better in this regard.
Overall
I have the impression that this Fabryka Formy is as basic as it gets. It’s hard to find something to criticize specifically, but at the same time, there’s nothing here that you would want to come back for.
My rating 3.8/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.7/5 (367 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom ✅
No way!
Kinepolis
Changing room
What surprised me here were separate changing cabins, like in clothing stores, perhaps for more shy gym-goers. I have absolutely nothing against it, I just haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else. I wouldn’t want anyone to feel embarrassed about changing in front of others and be discouraged from coming to the gym. The cloakroom is quite spacious and I think there are no mirrors. I also had some trouble fitting the lock to the locker, probably due to the specific lock design, but I don’t remember the details.
Size and layout
I would say that this Fabryka Formy is of medium size and has an elongated shape with a central “alley” leading to the main part.
Equipment
In this regard, it is slightly better than in other Fabryka Formy gyms, for example, due to the hack squat or the dedicated fighting area with an octagon. However, this branch has perhaps the worst (smallest and with “obstacles”) functional training area.
Mirrors and lighting
The mirrors and lighting are decent. Due to the specific location, there is practically no natural light. Despite the presence of windows, they face a roofed corridor.
Overall
An interesting place for someone who wants to lift weights and do some martial arts on one training session. Apart from that, it is a fairly standard space in a shopping center. Unfortunately, the location does not encourage (me) to visit frequently.
My rating 4/5 | Google Maps rating 4.6/5 (331 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom ✅
No way!
Calypso Avenida
Changing room
Somewhat hidden in the depths of the club and marked with a strange logo. To get there, you have to walk practically the entire gym, and in addition, through the central aisle, which is not the best solution. Inside, it’s okay. The lockers are secured with a magnetic card, which you will receive at the reception if you don’t have one because you use Multisport, like me. Something I haven’t experienced in other gyms was the announcement informing that the cleaning service, which is staffed by women, will soon enter the men’s changing room.
Size and layout
This gym is of medium size, roughly in the shape of the worst Tetris block. I got the impression of some sort of indeterminate chaos here. The individual zones did not match each other stylistically, each one seemed to be from a slightly different story.
Equipment
Nothing particularly noteworthy here, except for the hack squat machine. The dumbbells, which are round in shape, have triangles with weight information stuck to the sides, which generates a slight mindfuck when viewed from a distance.
Mirrors and lighting
The mirrors are quite decent, and the lighting is varied. In some places, it was almost dark, while in others, it was just like in a living room. It’s not bad, but compared to many other places, there are shortcomings in this area.
Overall
A typical mid-range chain gym that I can probably best define as “fine if you live nearby, but not exciting.” There are clearly better options if you’re looking for quality.
My rating 3.9/5 | Google Maps rating: 3.9/5 (272 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom ✅
No way!
Organic Fitness Malta
Locker room
Perhaps the smallest one I’ve been to, matching the size of the gym itself. Lockers can be secured with a padlock and it seems like you can borrow one at the entrance if you forget yours, but I can’t be sure. There’s only one mirror in the corner above the sink and the flat white lighting doesn’t create the best conditions for admiring your post-workout pump. Oh well, not everyone needs that.
Size and layout
Compared to others, this gym in Poznań is tiny. You won’t be able to comfortably do walking lunges here, for example, but they’ve done a decent job of utilizing the space they have. A cool feature is the elevated area with a leg press, gate, and dumbbells, from which you can look over the rest of the gym.
Equipment
Due to the small size of the facility, there is not a lot of equipment. An interesting feature of the machines, something I haven’t seen elsewhere, are mini displays that count time and reps. A downside is that the dumbbells only go up to 40 kg. The leg press, which was mentioned earlier, is probably the heaviest one I’ve used. In other words, the same weight is noticeably more difficult to press than on other machines of this type.
Mirrors and lighting
For such a small gym, there are quite a few well-placed mirrors. The entire gym is bright because it is located in an office building, and its front, which you always see while inside (except in the changing room), is made of glass. The abundance of pleasant natural light is perhaps the biggest advantage of this gym. The artificial lighting is okay, but nothing special.
Overall
To enter this chain using Multisport, you need to create an account on their website, so I advise you to do this before your visit. Here we have a quiet, small gym for someone without big training ambitions who doesn’t need variety and just wants to do their thing, and that’s okay too. I have a feeling that this is a place for someone who wants to have “their own” small gym without doing any posing or Instagrammers. Unless you’re unlucky and run into a jerk like me. 🤭
My rating 3.8/5 | Google Maps rating 4.7/5 (90 ratings)
Czy wrócę?
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom ✅
No way!
Just GYM M1
Locker room
Considering the size of the gym and the user numbers I’ve encountered so far, the locker room seems quite small, arranged in an L-shape. At this point, I can probably say that small lockers are a standard. A curiosity here are the VIP lockers, which are about twice as large. There’s also a special cabin with good lighting in the shower area, where you can take a selfie. I’ve been wondering for a long time why more gyms don’t invest in this type of space.
Size and layout
Just Gym in M1 is large and has a simple layout. It’s just a large, elongated space where you can move freely. The layout of the equipment is mixed, but it still makes sense. I think it might be the gym with the largest area and volume in Poznań.
Equipment
There’s a lot of equipment and it’s really nice. I haven’t seen four flat benches like here anywhere else. There are two cable pulley machines. There are plenty of benches for dumbbell exercises. Two different 45-degree leg presses (including my favorite in Poznań), two shoulder presses, two different leg extension machines, and a number of others that you’ll find in any gym. I miss the hack squat machine (which is at Bułgarska), but a friend who’s a trainer told me that there’s a chance it will be added. Overall, there’s plenty to do here. The downside is the dumbbells and weight plates with weight markings in black on black, which can be a bit inconvenient, especially on your first few visits.
Mirrors and lighting
There are a lot of mirrors and they are good, motivating you to keep pushing. I know that for some people this may seem vain, but I consider this element important for long-term success. Imagine working out hard, but never seeing the results of your efforts. I think this would be very demotivating, and at the same time, it works the other way around. If you’re pushing hard, go ahead, pat yourself on the back and strike a pose in front of the mirror.
Overall
The staff was helpful and hassle-free for someone like me, who was a first-time visitor, thank you. For me, this gym is a great combination of a chain gym and a place for (semi) professionals, which seems to be confirmed by the type of people I see here. Oh, and the music is pretty decent for a place where it’s definitely hard to please everyone, and it can be terrible indeed at some gyms.
My rating 4.6/5 | Google Maps rating 4.5/5 (463 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
CityFit Pestka
Locker room
The locker room is pleasant and tidy, but considering the numbers of people here, it’s too small. Sometimes it’s just too crowded. I started wondering if these ubiquitous small lockers are a way to fit potentially large numbers of trainees in a small space.
Size and layout
This gym located in Galeria Pestka is quite spacious. My first impression was a slightly chaotic layout, but at the same time, it didn’t seem to bother me because I discovered new areas on every step. Moreover, after 2-3 visits, I no longer had this feeling.
Equipment
There is a hack squat machine, which is a big plus. The seat for seated rows turned out to be a bit too high for me. The handles on some machines are not smooth, but contoured, which bothered me at first, but I quickly figured out how to grip them comfortably. The dumbbells have a large diameter, and although it may sound strange, I think such weight distribution is better. The cables run smoothly, which is important to me since I use them a lot. Interestingly, there is also a room for combat sports with mats and punching bags. Overall, the equipment is versatile and good.
Mirrors and lighting
There are plenty of mirrors, and the lighting is good. There is a large skylight above the functional area, but I didn’t notice its effect, maybe because it is quite high. Overall, this aspect of the gym is solid and encourages returning.
Overall
The gym is accessible 24 hours a day, and to access it, you need to download the CityFit app, regardless of whether you have a membership or Multisport pass. For the novice, the app offers diets and training, which can be a plus. The gym also offers free filtered water. The day after my first visit, I was already thinking of coming back, so it speaks for itself. After subsequent visits, not much has changed in this regard.
My rating 4.5/5 | Google Maps Rating 4.4/5 (722 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Just GYM Bułgarska / City Stadium
Locker room
Small, with small lockers and poor ventilation. Probably the biggest drawback of this gym. Especially in the summer, when I came here for the first time, there was a noticeable difference between the interior of the locker room and the air-conditioned gym itself.
Size and layout
Fairly spacious, with a roughly square plan and an additional elevated level (mezzanine). There seems to be a bit more chaos here than at M1, but maybe it’s because it’s more crowded, with less free space.
Equipment
Lots and of good quality. As I mentioned before, the gym is packed to the brim. There’s also a hack squat machine here, as well as two cable crossover machines. In the mezzanine, there are, among other things, exercise bikes, but also my favorite pec fly machine in the city, which I now realize may be my favorite machine overall.
Mirrors and lighting
Perhaps the biggest plus of this place, besides the equipment. Large, good quality mirrors and overhead lighting, not on the ceiling, but hung quite low. All of this definitely adds mass and boosts the ego.
Overall
Located in the city stadium building, probably the busiest of all the gyms I’ve been to, but maybe that’s because it’s the most sensible one in this part of the city. It definitely resembles the one in M1, but of course, the layout is different.
My rating 4.6/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.7/5 (252 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Fitness Point Galeria MM
Locker room
In a strange way, it didn’t remind me of a gym locker room. I felt like I was in some sort of workplace. The locker room is small, but not cramped, with small lockers, poor lighting, and only one poorly placed mirror. The worst aspect, however, was the persistent smell of sewage. That was the biggest downside of this place.
Size and layout
A very interesting aspect of this gym is that it consists of three separate rooms/spaces that are not directly connected but located in different parts of the floor of Galeria MM. Each of these rooms also has a different atmosphere. Generally, the gym is spacious and has an irregular layout.
Equipment
There is a lot of equipment and compared to other gyms, I would rate it as B class – worse than Just GYM, but better than Fabryka Formy. There are probably 3 or even 4 types of dumbbells (not great), as well as power bags of 20 and 25 kg (a plus) because such heavy ones are not always available. The bench presses for chest and overhead presses have “helpers” that allow you to safely bring the bar to the desired position before starting the actual movement.
Mirrors and lighting
Due to the specific location of this gym in an architecturally unique shopping center, the lighting is varied, but mostly good, as are the mirrors. There are a lot of both, which is a positive aspect of this gym.
Overall
Located in possibly the most boring shopping center in Poznań, in the very center of the city. At first, something didn’t appeal to me, but with each subsequent workout, I changed my mind and knew I would come back. A big plus for the Arnie and Larry Scott posters on the walls. A good mix of a hardcore gym and a commercial chain gym. There is some mess in here, but it doesn’t bother me that much.
My rating 4.4/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.2/5 (281 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Body Lab One Naramowicka
Szatnia
It feels like a school locker room or some low-quality recreational center. It’s stuffy and a bit neglected. The lockers are narrow and couldn’t fit my shoes across, which is not a problem I have in other places. It’s also dark, and the water from the tap comes out at high pressure and is very close to the sink, which makes it difficult to use.
Size and layout
At first glance, it may seem small, but in reality, it’s just narrow and long. Imagine a wide hallway with equipment on both sides. At the end, there is also a room for martial arts. I wonder what the building’s original purpose was because its current state is clearly an adaptation.
Equipment
There’s not much equipment, but it’s decent. There’s only one flat bench, and I had to look for 20 kg plates! I found a total of 5, and I needed 4 just for bench pressing. The grips on the pec fly are nice, but there’s not much weight because I took the entire stack and it felt like less than I usually use. There are a few types of dumbbells, one cable without height adjustment, only up or down.
Mirrors and lighting
Not much and not great. A few mirrors like in a bathroom above the sink. The long corridor I mentioned has windows on both sides, so I suspect there may be a time of day and weather in which the lighting could be interesting, but generally don’t count on taking cool photos here.
Overall
Poorly marked entrance and pallets lying in the storefront make the gym look like it’s closed. From my observations above, it should be clear that I wasn’t impressed, I just didn’t feel the vibe there. If you don’t have high expectations or training ambitions (which is ok), you’ll still get the job done, but personally, I don’t plan on coming back here. There are much better options. Right next door, literally a few meters from the windows, there’s a housing estate, so if you live there, you can get to the gym from your couch in 2-3 minutes. That’s a significant time savings, so it would be a plus.
My rating 2.8/5 | Google Maps rating 4.6/5 (198 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way! ✅
Step One Fitness Termy Maltańskie
Locker room
Probably one of the better ones, with two large rooms connected together and big benches in the middle, so even during busy times, there’s enough space for everyone. There are large mirrors, but the lighting could be better.
Size and layout
It’s a spacious room with a fairly regular rectangular shape. Not too cramped, yet not too much empty space. I don’t think there’s much else I can say about it.
Equipment
It’s the same brand as at Fabryka Formy, so it’s not amazing, but it’s slightly better. There are a few machines that I haven’t seen at FF. A big plus is that most of the equipment is double, so you probably won’t have to wait for that idiot staring at himself in the mirror every set (that’s me, the idiot).
Mirrors and lighting
The large mirrors visually expand the gym space. There is plenty of natural light in some areas and none in others, which is always a welcome mix. However, I didn’t notice any particularly good visual effects here.
Overall
Quite pleasant, something between Just GYM and Fabryka Formy. Apart from the location, it’s hard for me to criticize anything in particular.
My rating 4.2/5 | Google Maps Rating 4.7/5 (673 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again ✅
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Organic Fitness Pasaż Rondo
Locker room
It feels more like a changing room in a workplace than a gym. However, it’s not necessarily a criticism. The shower area is somewhat fancy with nice mirror frames, compared to other places. There is also a sauna right next to the cabins.
Size and layout
This gym is quite small, especially compared to other places. It has two main areas (cardio and machines, like everywhere) plus a space for group classes behind the doors. Open space practically does not exist here.
Equipment
It’s entirely different from Baraniaka and slightly better. The gym is pretty packed because machines are even in the corridor leading from the reception to the main hall, but it’s more of a necessity than a sign of a huge selection. It’s a bit cramped, but it’s better than having too little equipment. The downside was the worst designed machine for chest flys (and it’s important to me) that I’ve ever had the chance to use.
Mirrors and lighting
The mirrors are quite good, but the lighting may be one of the best of all the places I’ve visited. The low-hanging, differently sized fixtures really accentuate the physique. I’ll have to come here when it’s already dark outside because there are also small windows with natural light coming in, which was okay, but I’m curious about the effect of just the artificial light.
Overall
Perhaps the closest gym to where I live that I’ve only discovered now. Similar to Fitness Point in Galeria MM, at first something didn’t quite fit, but the impression improved during the workout. A homely atmosphere, a chain, but not quite like a chain.
My rating 4.1/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.5/5 (102 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again ✅
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Przystań Posnania
Changing room
Quite small, but with a fairly ergonomic layout. It was stuffy in there, possibly due to the sauna being on (I visited at the end of August), and this issue may disappear during cooler times of the year. There is only one small, “useless” mirror. The vibe is a bit like being in an office building with changing rooms, and you don’t feel like you’re in a gym.
Size and layout
One of the smaller gyms I’ve been to. The layout is roughly square/rectangular. There is a separate space for rowing machines as it’s actually a rowing club. There is a large room for group classes. I also saw people doing crossfit-style workouts outside with dumbbells and tires. For some people, these proportions may be a plus.
Equipment
There is little of it and it’s old, but it shouldn’t be surprising because it’s not a typical gym, but rather an addition for rowers. There are no crowds, and I didn’t see any bulky guys, so there were no queues for the bench. Equipment is probably the biggest downside of this place. I find it hard to imagine training here exclusively for years. The routine would be too boring.
Mirrors and lighting
There’s a lot of natural light and decent mirrors. The windows are located on the west and north sides, and I was here during the golden hour, which created a pretty good atmosphere. I will come back someday to see how it looks before noon.
Overall
It’s nothing special. It’s a bit of a dungeon with a small amount of equipment, but pleasant natural light. The big downside is the lack of air conditioning. I can’t imagine working out here during a heatwave with temperatures of 33-35°C. If you’re close by, you can check it out, but it’s not worth coming from the other side of the city.
My rating 3.6/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.6/5 (555 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom ✅
No way!
UP fit Kolorowa
Changing room
Possibly the smallest I’ve been to, but tidy, pleasant, and had a certain stylishness about it.
Size and layout
A small gym, roughly in the shape of the letter L, as it is located in the corner of an office building. What was immediately noticeable was the very “wavy” floor in the central part. I don’t know what could be the reason for this, especially since the complex of buildings hosting this gym is quite new.
Equipment
There isn’t much and it’s not impressive. There is a rarely seen rowing machine for narrow grip, in the decline standing position, but I found it strange to exercise on it, and I prefer a regular barbell put in the corner. Dumbbells only go up to 40 kg. Apart from that, the equipment is pretty standard and poor.
Mirrors and lighting
There is a lot of natural light, but it didn’t really do the trick for me. Perhaps there is too much of it because the vast majority of the walls are glass from floor to ceiling. It’s possible that I didn’t choose the right time of day. There are only two mirror spots, one at eye level and covering the entire width of the wall has motivational hashtags stuck to them, which is a bit of a fail. At least, the lighting in the bathroom is quite good.
Overall
I think UP fit has two branches in Poznań and they seem to be positioning themselves as boutique gyms, although I still don’t know exactly what that means. Overall, this place is definitely at the bottom of my list. If you live on the other side of the street or work in Business Garden and want to quickly do a workout before going home, and you’re not as vain as I am, then it’s okay. If you’re looking for something more, you may be disappointed.
My rating 3.5/5 | Google Maps rating 4.4/5 (263 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way! ✅
Body Lab One Eskulap
Locker room
Perhaps the only one that offers a dose of subdued daylight – one of the walls is covered with a special glass film. The lockers are of medium size and have a specific locking mechanism with a protruding bolt on the outside.
Size and layout
This gym is located in the place of a former and legendary concert club, which means that its main part is based on a rectangular plan that is almost a square. The space is not incredibly large, but there is also an upper part, which makes the whole place similar to just GYM Bułgarska. There is plenty of free space upstairs, while the bottom is quite packed but not uncomfortably.
Equipment
There isn’t an incredibly large amount of equipment, but what’s there is of good quality. There’s a well-placed gate with cables in front of the mirrors, a more vertical hack squat, and a tricep pushdown machine. On the downside, there’s a lack of a solid squat rack (there is one, but it’s not great) and no seated fly machine, which I really like. One of the flat benches (the one I happened to use) is slightly angled upwards, and I felt a bit uncomfortable pressing on it. Also, with each rep, I felt like I might hit the bar resting elements. On the bright side, there’s a cool and comfortable leg extension machine that I really liked.
Mirrors and lighting
In the lower part of the gym, mirrors are placed on both opposite walls (to the right and left of the entrance) along their entire widths. Together with decent lighting, they nicely accentuate the physique. On the wall opposite the entrance, near the ceiling, there are also narrow windows, which is a fairly unusual solution compared to other gyms, and I am curious about the effect they generate during the day when artificial light is off.
Overall
I ended up here by chance because I wanted to finish the post and temporarily not explore more gyms, but the one I was supposed to train on that day had a certain problem and I had to improvise. Overall, I don’t regret it because there is a pretty cool atmosphere here, but it may also be a matter of sentiment and the magic of memories from times when I drank vodka backstage during concerts until late hours.
My rating 4.3/5 | Google Maps rating 4.8/5 (171 reviews)
Will I be back?
Definitely ✅
I’ll visit again
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Organic Fitness Świt
Locker room
Considering the size of the gym, the locker room seems quite small. I don’t know about the crowd here, but I assume that sometimes it can get crowded. Besides that, there’s nothing special, just a place to change and step out.
Size and layout
This is one of those gyms that you discover during your visit. It is located on the ground floor of a new housing estate and probably due to that, it has a quite irregular shape. It is definitely the largest Organic gym out of the three I’ve been to and consists of a series of rooms that, if not for the gym, would probably be separate business / commercial units.
Equipment
Unfortunately, it doesn’t amaze, but at least there’s plenty of it. I didn’t notice anything special, but of course, you can do a solid workout for each body part. Referring to the previous paragraph, besides the main room with machines, bars, and free weights, there is also a smaller room with a barbell, a gate, a couple of dumbbells, and some exercise bikes, sort of a gym within a gym. It might be a good solution for people who, for various reasons, are a little shy to exercise more publicly.
Mirrors and lighting
The cycling area has floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of a busy street. The weightlifting zone, on the other hand, has only artificial light and a lot of mirrors. Overall, this aspect of the gym is quite solid.
Overall
If only the equipment here was a little better, the gym would be pretty cool, but it’s probably the best Organic gym I’ve been to anyway. It’s probably the best gym in this part of the city, and living in the building somewhere above would be a big advantage for any fitness freak.
My rating 4.3/5 | Google Maps rating 4.8/5 (171 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again ✅
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
Gym World
Changing room
On a plan of a long rectangle with well-used space. Inside it’s clean and neat. A really nice feature is that there are both entrance doors and separate doors leading directly to the main gym area. There is a large, cool mirror on one of the walls, but the lighting could be more cinematic.
Size and layout
I would say that this gym is of a medium size. It confirms my belief that the best ones are those located in (former) commercial spaces – in some kind of a hall. Having plenty of room with a regular shape, like here, you can create a free space for stretching, machines, and for bikes/steppers.
Equipment
Hammer Strength is a brand you can trust. The machines are well designed with properly placed weights and just work well. Here, I noticed a greater attention paid to the grouping of machines than in other places. The only slight downside is the movable benches, which seemed too short for me. I did bicep curls using a bent bench to isolate the muscles, and it was less comfortable than in other places. Oh, and there could always be more machines, but that’s just a detail.
Mirrors and lighting
Both are solid and, like the entire gym, aimed at people who care about these things. This is probably the best summary of this aspect, nothing more needs to be added.
Overall
A cool place with a professional atmosphere. In addition to the large Hammer Strength logos on the walls, I would also add nicely framed posters of some OGs, and it would be great. I only regret that the location is not very convenient for me.
My rating 4.4/5 | Google Maps rating: 4.6/5 (234 ratings)
Will I be back?
Definitely
I’ll visit again ✅
Maybe out of boredom
No way!
The best gym in Poznań – my verdict
So, what is the best gym in Poznan?
To be honest, I’m glad I didn’t rush to publish this post and instead revisited many of the places mentioned here multiple times. This allowed me to get a clearer picture.
The decision is not easy, but if I had a gun to my head and had to choose the best gym in Poznan, the one I would go to if it were the only one available to me, it would be just GYM M1 on Szwajcarska Street.
That said, this place and the one on Bułgarska are both A1 and A2 (don’t shoot!). Second place goes to City Fit. I would probably put Fitness Point in third place. Places like Gym World, Body Lab One Marcelińska, or Step One Fitness, however, are not far from the podium at all. The further you go, the more the quality begins to even out in my opinion.
Actually, it’s difficult to create a clear classification because the differences between many of the places are insignificant, and ultimately it may be a matter of individual preferences or location. My final ranking is the result of various factors, but I tried to make the detailed ratings above as objective as possible and not to skew them with personal preferences, even if I mention them.
Did I learn something while looking for the best gym in Poznań? Yes.
Machines are not made equal. The design, layout, and type of weight are important.
Even different shapes of dumbbells provide a different feeling.
Ultimately, you can train anywhere, so as I keep saying, you either have excuses or results.
Efficient air conditioning is important.
You can meet a cross-section of society everywhere, and I’m happy that people are training. Fitness seems to be booming.
The aesthetic aspect of training is still important to me, but I’ve started to appreciate performance more as well.
The routine of training, its automation, is something that you need to work on by yourself, but the variety of places that Multisport allows for is a great way to spice things up.
Finally, I started to think about what gym I would rate 5/5.
Interesting, cohesive interior, equipment that is not found anywhere else, lots of mirrors and anabolic lighting all over the place, and it should be close to me. I see places like this on Insta, so it’s not impossible. Maybe a new player will enter the market and open an undisputedly best gym in Poznań…
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