The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Gym’s in Cairo tend to cater for basic fitness needs, and little else. However, with the rapidly expanding health and fitness scene, the competition is steadily growing. Known for its consistently high standards, Gold’s Gym have an abundance of branches all over the city. Arguably one of their nicest, their Heliopolis branch is situated on the quiet Salah El Deen Street.

With a landscaped front garden, entirely glass front and impressive Grecian pillars, the entrance is a neat mixture between classic and contemporary, giving off a welcoming vibe.

Customers are greeted by professional, uniformed receptionists at the front desk whilst a team of burly personal trainers can be easily spotted; using their bodies as business cards, they meander around the gym floor, offering advice and technique correction when needed.

Spread over three floors, the gym is bright, spacious and airy, with air conditioning allowing for a more comfortable workout. The open plan ground floor carries an array of weight machines for the entire body; with specialised machines for arms, legs and the torso.

The large basement boasts floor to ceiling mirrors and rubber flooring, a vast number of high-quality free weights and workout benches, as well as a frosted glass aerobics room for their group fitness programmes.

The top floor is reserved for cardio workouts, sporting a decent number of overhead TV screens for the treadmills, cross trainers and exercise bikes which overlook the floor below. Here, there’s also a separate spinning room for spinning classes, a small crèche for child-care convenience and a well-stocked supplement counter.

Both the men’s and women’s locker rooms are well-kept, and clean towels are readily available. The women’s changing area has just one private changing cubicle but a large number of rain head showers, complete with pump-able shampoo and shower gel. There’s also a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam, along with a small but adequate women’s only work out area.

As with most gyms, memberships are short or long term and are combined with various free sessions. One month memberships are no longer available, but range from 3 months (2400LE), six months (2400LE) and one year (5300LE). The annual membership affords the customer a nutrition assessment, three free personal training sessions, two months freezing, 10 days worth of guest passes, and access to all Gold’s branches in Cairo, excluding the Elite branch in Katameya.

After the complimentary training sessions expire, a set of 28 personal training sessions is priced at 2700LE. Discounts are also available when joining with a spouse.

Once again, Gold’s Gym Heliopolis stays true to Gold’s impressive – but expensive – reputation. The roomy gym space is well equipped with top of the range facilities, and friendly, professional staff to help you reach those seemingly impossible fitness goals.