Fusion Gyms / Google
What is the biggest gym in the world? Should we trust square footage quotes? And does space even matter if much of it is empty or filled with basketball courts, yoga studios, etc.? Armed with videos, photos, and first-hand accounts, we sorted through the stats. We’re interested, foremost, in workout space used for weight-training and cardio. Space matters, but so does equipment. It wasn’t easy, but we narrowed it down to what we think are currently the 10 goliaths of global fitness. It’s interesting that seven of them opened in the past six years and the others expanded dramatically during that period. We’re currently experiencing a gym growth spurt. Is bigger better? That’s debatable, but bigger certainly provides a lot of exercise options. Here, in order, are the 10 largest gyms in the world.
1. GOLD’S GYM KHALDA
Amman, Jordan
140,000 square feet. Six stories. The world’s biggest gym opened in Amman, Jordan, in 2017. It houses four swimming pools, three floors dedicated to women only, two cycling studios, and an outdoor gym.
2. GOLD’S GYM ABDOUN
Amman, Jordan
80,000 square feet. Yes, the world’s second biggest gym (even taller than the first), which opened in 2019, is also in Amman, located across the city from #1. It’s no coincidence; they’re both owned by Adan Abu Rukbeh. He also owns a third Gold’s Gym in Amman, which is the largest women’s only gym in the world.
3. FUSION GYMS
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, USA
75,000 square feet. There are two, new, massive Fusion Gyms in the Philadelphia area, but this one is the newest (opened in 2023) and slightly more massive. Both are owned by the charismatic Tony Chowdhury, who also owns the Relentless strength equipment company. The gym has amenities like basketball courts (one inside, three outside), a barber shop, hair salon, and restaurant, but it’s built for hardcore training. How hardcore? There are 36 squat racks and deadlift platforms inside, and another eight outside. Chowdhury claims the leg machines alone are worth over $500,000, and there’s everything you could wish for and more: two each of belt squats, pendulum squats, Super V squats, and on and on and on. And that’s just for leg day.
4. MONSTER GYM
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
70,000 square feet. Located near the Montreal airport in Dorval, Monster Gym has grown from an 8000-square foot space in 1992 to the monster-sized gym it is today. Unlike some of the new gyms on this list, which can seem like luxury resorts, this one maintains an old-school, industrial vibe.
5. PRO GYM
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
60,000 square feet. Yes, another gargantuan gym in Montreal. This one moved to its new location in late 2021, taking up a whole, two-story strip mall. Like Monster Gym, Pro Gym may not have the latest and greatest amenities, but it houses everything you need (and more) for a great workout.
6. GOLD’S GYM VENICE
Venice, California, USA
47,000 square feet (31,500 square feet inside). Here it is, the original Gold’s Gym. Well, kind of. The Mecca of Bodybuilding has moved twice since the first, small Gold’s opened in 1965 a few blocks from this one; and this flagship location has expanded multiple times, most recently to include substantial outdoor training in Southern California’s mild weather. Gold’s Venice might lack the latest spa-like amenities, but it’s plenty huge, and as far a no-nonsense bodybuilding gyms go it’s hard to beat.
7. GYMNATION AL QUOZ
Al Quoz, United Arab Emirates
40,000 square feet, 500+ pieces of equipment, 10,000+ members. Quantity rules here where the business model is: Keep the rates low to keep the memberships high and have enough space, equipment, and classes for all those members. Launched in 2017 and located in a suburb of Dubai, this is the flagship GymNation gym. All of them are in the UAE, all are massive, and all are cheap to join.
8. GOLD’S GYM NORTHRIDGE
Northridge, California, USA
40,000 square feet. This is one of numerous Gold’s Gyms that have repurposed what were previously mall department stores. Giant gyms are the new “anchor stores,” helping to resuscitate dying malls. There are several others that are more than 30,000 square feet, but this one, which opened in 2022 and occupies one edge of the Northridge Fashion Center mall, is the largest—for now.
9. PURE MUSCLE + FITNESS
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
30,000+ square feet, 250+ machines, 500,000+ pounds of weight. The third Canadian goliath on our list. The self-proclaimed Mecca of the North, Pure Muscle + Fitness launched in 2019, and it’s 30K+ space is filled with weight-training equipment (no pools, no offices, no nonsense), including over 20 leg press machines.
10. ALPHALAND
Missouri City, Texas, USA
30,000+ square feet. This gym complex in suburban Houston is called “Disneyland for bodybuilders” by its fitness influencer owner, Christian Guzman. Opened in at the end of 2021, Alphaland is actually three different gyms (one with no air-conditioning and as hardcare as can be), plus outdoor workout spaces, two basketball courts, a football field, a restaurant, and much more located on an 18 1/2 acre property.
