Gyms and fitness in Shanghai — where expats train

The four tiers of gyms

What things cost

• Budget: LeFit memberships from ~¥30-100/month (monthly plans, scan-to-enter, no sales pressure).
• Mid-range: ¥300-800/month on 12-24 month contracts; single-month rates are much higher — negotiate.
• Premium: Pure Fitness ¥1,500-2,500+/month; annual memberships get the best rate.
• Classes: Super Monkey single classes ¥50-120; yoga/spin studios ¥100-300 per class or monthly packs (¥1,000-2,500).
• Personal training: ¥300-800/session with a good bilingual trainer; packages of 10-30 sessions common.

Contracts: the fine print that bites

• Prefer monthly plans — LeFit and similar let you go month-to-month with zero lock-in. Many expats choose this and never look back.
• Read the transfer/pause terms: if you leave Shanghai mid-contract, can you transfer the membership (转卡) or pause it (停卡)? Annual contracts often charge transfer fees or block pausing.
• Beware the upsell: large local clubs push multi-year contracts and prepaid personal training hard. If you sign, negotiate: free months, a lower rate, or shorter term.
• Check the fine print on closures: some branches close for renovation or close entirely — get a club with multiple branches so you're never stranded.
• Pay by card/app, keep receipts — and get everything (term, price, transfer rules) in writing (WeChat text counts in practice).

English-speaking trainers and classes

• Pure Fitness is the most expat-friendly: English-speaking staff and trainers, international clientele, locations in Jing'an and the IFC/Pudong.
• Personal training studios catering to expats operate in Jing'an and Xuhui — search "personal trainer Shanghai English" and read reviews.
• Group classes need little language: Super Monkey (超级猩猩) classes are follow-the-instructor — HIIT, spin, yoga — with no language barrier at all.
• Yoga: international-style studios (Y+ Yoga, PURE Yoga) run English classes with a schedule in English.

Community fitness: CrossFit, running, yoga

• CrossFit: an active scene — boxes in Jing'an, Xuhui and Pudong with English-friendly coaching and a strong expat community.
• Running: see the parks guide — the riverside greenways are the runner's paradise; running clubs meet at the Bund and Century Park.
• Swimming: hotel pools (day passes), public pools (¥20-50), and premium gym pools; Pure and high-end clubs have serious pools.
• Climbing & more: bouldering gyms (攀岩) are growing fast — search 攀岩馆 in Amap; bilingual staff at the newer venues.
• WeChat groups: expat sports groups organize everything from Sunday runs to badminton (a national passion) — the easiest way to find your crew.