When I was preparing to move to Vietnam, I didn't have many concerns about fitness. I had researched Da Nang in advance and knew that there were plenty of fitness clubs here. In this regard, my expectations were met there are indeed no problems with gym workouts here.
However, having a lot of gyms doesn't mean you can just walk into the first one you see and immediately buy a membership. Everyone has their own workout routines, equipment needs, and comfort levels, so I would first focus on those aspects.
In [the previous article], I talked about how I ended up in Vietnam and why I ultimately decided to stay in Da Nang. Now I want to specifically discuss the sports aspect of life here, starting with the very basics
how to choose a gym.
🎯 First, understand why you need a gym
I choose a gym based on three factors: my goals, location, and how comfortable I feel working out inside.
Gyms in Da Nang are very diverse. Some are cramped, while others may simply lack the equipment you need for your specific program. Therefore, for me, the number of machines or a beautiful interior alone doesn't determine my choice.
If you work out regularly, it's better to first understand what you really need before looking at specific options near your home.
There's one more point that is especially important for me in Da Nang.
❄️ In the summer, I always check for air conditioning
Da Nang is hot, and you can feel it directly during workouts in the summer. Therefore, having air conditioning is one of my main criteria when choosing a gym.
Especially if the workout is intense.
Even before moving, I understood that the heat would affect my usual workout load. In practice, it turned out that training in a hot climate really feels different, and running and outdoor workouts are much harder.
But I want to discuss this topic separately because it's not just about choosing a gym; it's about how to adapt your workouts to the heat after moving.
👉 [How workouts change in the heat after moving to Da Nang]
🎟 Before getting a membership, I would take a one-day pass
The simplest thing you can do before buying a membership is to come for a full trial workout.
In many gyms, you can get a one-day pass. In my opinion, this is much more beneficial than immediately purchasing a long-term membership.
In one workout, you can already understand if you have enough of the necessary equipment, how comfortable it is to be in the space, and whether this gym meets your needs.
💸 I didn't notice a significant price difference compared to Russia
In my experience, memberships in Da Nang cost about the same as the gyms I'm used to in Russia.
At the same time, I found a more flexible attendance system here, so you don't have to commit to one option for a long time right away.
Prices, of course, depend on the specific gym and can vary, so it doesn't make sense to set a single price for all gyms. Before purchasing, I would just check the current conditions at the chosen place.
🌴 And if you want to work out outdoors
The situation with outdoor workouts is a bit different.
There are pull-up bars in Da Nang, but the ones I've used are somewhat worn down, and it's not always comfortable to hold onto them. This wasn't a big problem for me, but if outdoor workouts are the foundation of your training, you should consider the condition of the specific area.
The weather has a much greater impact on outdoor workouts. In the heat, the usual load feels heavier, especially when it comes to running or intense workouts.
Therefore, I will separately discuss how my workouts changed after moving, what I noticed in the first few months, and why your body needs time to adapt to the new climate.
👉 [Next article: workouts and adaptation to the heat in Da Nang]
Body and mind coach.
