10 Best Gyms in Austin, Texas

Austin is the capital of Texas, and it’s known for its music, arts, and uniqueness. The city‘s slogan is “Keep Austin Weird” to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally. Whether you‘re just passing through the city or you call it home, you may be looking for a place to work off all those tacos.

The city might be known for its eccentricity, but it‘s also full of some of the best gyms in the state. 

Austin gyms offer different types of options for fitness classes, personal training, powerlifting, bodybuilding, martial arts, yoga, rock climbing, and more.

Best Gym and Recovery Lounge - Athletic Outcomes

2301-A E Riverside Dr #50, Austin, TX 78741

Group fitness has become increasingly popular due to the communal environment, competitive atmosphere, and guidance from a coach. Working with a knowledgeable and experienced personal trainer can help you stay accountable in your fitness goals, but it can also remind you that recovery is just as important.

Athletic Outcomes in Austin helps to give you the best of both worlds. This gym offers three main types of group classes: AO Fit, AO Strength, and AO Power.

The Classes

AO Fit doesn't focus on just one aspect of fitness but multiple types of training from power and strength to agility and balance. 

AO Strength is a type of strength training class that incorporates functional fitness to help you build muscle, strength, and a better quality of life. 

AO Power is high-intensity and combines heavy lifting with interval speed training.

A unique type of training they offer is specifically designed for pre and post natal women. You can choose to be one-on-one with a trainer, or you can hop into one of the classes with other expecting mothers.

The different training options available help put this gym at the top of the list, but it‘s also the other amenities they offer that make it worthwhile. In the gym is a recovery lounge that is available to members during business hours.

You can sit in the 50 degree Cold Tub to help reduce inflammation and prevent muscle soreness, or you can relax in the Recovery Pump Compression Boots to help circulation and accelerate recovery time.

Athletic Outcomes also provides Nutrition Coaching through a six-week program to help with weight loss, pre and post workout nutrition, and sustainability.

What’s it Cost?

Because of the added benefits of a personal trainer and recovery lounge, Athletic Outcomes is going to be more expensive than a conventional fitness center. 

You can expect to pay $180 a month or $1,800 annually, which makes it about $30 cheaper per month.

Best Group Classes Gym - TruFusion

4211 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Fitness junkies know the true pain of racking up gym memberships for different types of training. You might love your bootcamp classes during the week but do cycling classes on the weekend. When you need a recovery day, you might hop into a yoga class a couple times a week. All this can be expensive unless it’s under one roof.

TruFusion fuses various training into one gym, so you can have the option to ride, stretch, box, lift, and more.

If that wasn’t enough to convince you why it’s on the best list, baseball legend, Alex Rodriguez visited one with his then girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, and soon became part owner of the brand and license studios in South Florida.

The Classes

Located in South Austin, TruFusion offers basically anything you can think of: bootcamp, pilates, biking, kettlebell classes, TRX classes, boxing, barre, and yoga.

Many of these classes are heated as they explain that it can help increase flexibility and enhance your immune system, but you can choose to take a non-heated class as well. Classes are led by experienced instructors so whether you‘re an experienced athlete or a beginner, you can fit in.

Unlike other gyms, they don‘t refer to their members as members or clients, rather a tribe. The environment is supportive and positive and helps you not only achieve a healthier body but a healthier mind.

What’s it Cost?

Just looking at the locker rooms alone with lots of space, complimentary toiletries, secured lockers, and vanity area, you can tell this is a boutique fitness studio, so you can expect to pay more for it.

For an unlimited membership, you can expect to pay $189 per month, but if you want to go less, you may pay as low as $99 per month.

Best Rowing Gym - Ro Fitness

74 Trinity St. Austin, TX 78701

You might be prone to hop on cardio equipment like the treadmill, but the rowing machine is a full-body workout that incorporates strength and cardio into the workout. 

Ro Fitness focuses solely on the rowing machine and the benefits of it.

Founded in 2013 by collegiate rowers, Chelsea Moore and Zach Richardson, Ro Fitness offers a low impact way to burn a ton of calories and help build strength and muscle all over.

The Classes

There are different class styles depending on your fitness level and what you’re looking for. The signature class is Cardio Ro that is a high-intensity four week program to help you gain strength and stamina on the rower.

There are classes for rowing newbies, and classes that incorporate free weights, and even classes on the balcony. 

The classes are led by experienced rowers that can help with your form and technique.

What’s it Cost?

Depending on how many days a week you wanted to attend class, the prices vary from $70 per month to $155 per month. 

You can also purchase punch cards or starter packs if you’re unsure if a membership is best for you.

Best Personal Training Gym - Austin Simply Fit

1621 S Lamar Blvd Austin, Texas 78704

If you’re a beginner or just need some extra guidance, working with a knowledgeable personal trainer can be beneficial. However, at big box gyms, it can be hard to find a good and experienced trainer for you.

Austin Simply Fit is a personal training studio that provides you with your own personal trainer and completely unique training program depending on your fitness goals, abilities, and past injuries. 

It also offers Functional Nutritional Therapy to help you live a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.

The Training Session

Austin Simply Fit offers in-person one-on-one personal training, but it also offers online coaching. If you‘re traveling for work or on vacation, you can still fit your workout in as you can access a live video session from anywhere.

You may prefer to workout with family or friends, so there‘s an option for semi-private small group training as well.

Each training session is typically 30 minutes long and focuses on high-intensity resistance training.

What’s it Cost?

Although there‘s no pricing listed on their website, you can schedule a free consultation to go over your fitness goals and more package information.

Best Weightlifting Gym - Hyde Park Gym

4125 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX, 78751

Some people prefer the boutique style of gym with state of the art equipment, and others prefer the old fashioned barbells, squat racks, and metal weight plates. 

Hyde Park Gym might look like a typical warehouse gym, but it‘s air conditioned and caters to all fitness levels, backgrounds, and ages.

It‘s known for its family atmosphere and for “The Arm '', its famous bicep statue attached to the building that casts a shadow along the street. Run by Mike Graham, iron game legend, in the 80s and 90s, Hyde Park Gym has been helping lifters get bigger and stronger for decades.

The Equipment

Hyde Park Gym does offer personal training, but if you prefer to work on your own, there is a huge amount of equipment to choose from. 

Cardio equipment, free weights, machines, jump ropes, medicine balls, deadlift platforms, and anything else you can think of.

There are also resources like benches and squat racks for powerlifting, Uesaka competition bars and jerk blocks for Olympic weightlifting, logs, sleds, and yokes for Strongman competitors, and plenty of different bars and barbells.

What’s it Cost?

For a standard gym membership, you can choose to pay between three months to one year in advance. 

The prices range from $179 for three months to $529 annually. You can also buy drop-ins for each session or try a free 7-day pass.

Best CrossFit Gym - CrossFit Central

410 Pressler St, Austin, TX 78703

CrossFit focuses on functional movements that can help you lift better and move better in daily life. You can find this type of gym almost anywhere as it has become increasingly popular over the years, but CrossFit Central in the heart of downtown Austin is one of the best.

It has two locations in Austin that are known for its community, social events, and competitions. 

Co-founders, Jeremy Thiel and Carey Kepler, opened their first location in 2006, and it became one of the first 50 CrossFit Affiliates in the world.

The Training

CrossFit Central offers CrossFit classes in a small group environment, 45 minute HIIT, barbell classes, personal training, sauna and ice experiences, and nutrition programs. A certified coach leads the classes, so you can have extra guidance and accountability.

If you can‘t make it to the gym, they also offer Liftoff at Home, which are at-home workouts you can do in 30 minutes or less. You can use weights if you have them or modify the exercises for bodyweight.

What’s it Cost?

Depending on your fitness level or program, you can choose the best plan for you. 

Choose the unlimited for $64 per week for any class option or two times a week with limited class options for $44 per week.

Best Rock Climbing Gym - Austin Bouldering Project

979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702

There are different types of training outside of traditional cardio and weightlifting, and one of those is rock climbing. You can‘t hop onto a rock wall and expect to be a pro as it requires full-body strength, a strong grip, and flexibility.

Austin Bouldering Project is most known for its creative rock climbing walls, and its dedication to creating an inclusive space for the sport in a socially and environmentally friendly way, but they also have a gym and classes built into the membership.

The Classes

You can climb or hit the gym on your own, or you can jump into one of the fitness or yoga classes led by instructors. To become a better rock climber, building strength and flexibility is essential, so having these at your disposal without having to pay for an extra gym membership makes it worthwhile.

You can find circuit training, core, or different types of yoga onto the schedule.

What’s it Cost?

If you find yourself climbing a lot, getting a membership is likely the cheapest option. 

You can get unlimited access for up to $75 per month or pay annually to save some money. There are also family memberships, single-month memberships, and day passes.

Best Kickboxing Gym - Knockout Austin

1211 W 6th St Suite 100, Austin, TX 78703

Kickboxing can be a great way to burn calories while building strength and coordination, but walking into an MMA or fight gym can be intimidating, especially as a beginner. 

Knockout Austin provides a welcoming and fun way to punch some heavy bags and get fit doing it.

The lights are low and the music is bumping, making the whole experience seem less like a workout and more like a night out.

The Classes

Knockout offers kickboxing and boxing classes in a 45 minute high-intensity format. If you’ve never used a punching bag before, the instructors will explain the proper technique and fundamentals to help set you up for success.

They operate with a healthy mind and healthy body approach where the punching body can not only improve your physical health, but help you feel empowered and give you more confidence.

What’s it Cost?

You can buy an unlimited membership for $185 per month, or you can stick with class packs that can range from $25 for one class to $900 for 50 classes. 

Best Yoga Studio - Black Swan Yoga

1417 W Anderson Ln Austin, TX 78757

Your health and wellness can be improved through regular cardio and resistance training, but making time to stretch and be more flexible is just as important for mobility and injury prevention. 

Black Swan Yoga has five locations in Austin and is popular for its accessible, affordable, and effective classes.

The community environment helps make the yoga class more inclusive and welcoming to people of all levels and backgrounds.

The Classes

Black Swan Yoga offers a variety of yoga classes from Candlelight Slow Flow to Power Flow. They also have a class designed for beginners, and benefit classes where all of the proceeds are donated to a non-profit organization.

Get ready to move or relax through a meditation class led by an instructor. Wherever your love for yoga lies, Black Swan has it.

What’s it Cost?

One of the beautiful parts of Black Swan Yoga is their pricing is donation based. 

There‘s a $10 minimum to reserve a spot in class, or an open donation to show up without pre-registering. You may also purchase a monthly membership for $44 per month or an annual membership to save money throughout the year.

Best Gym Overall - Castle Hill Fitness

1112 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

After a strenuous workout, a trip to the spa may be just what you need, but after getting in the car, you‘re probably just ready to go home. 

At Castle Hill Fitness, there‘s a spa built into the gym, and as a member, you get a discounted rate.

Their mission is to educate clients that health is not just about your fitness routine or what you weigh, but it‘s also about community, recovery, and challenging your body and mind.

The Classes

Castle Hill Fitness offers a variety of classes and training for different types of people with different kinds of goals. You can work with a personal trainer during a strength training session, hop into a boxing and martial arts class, or stretch out in a pilates or yoga class.

Unlike other fitness facilities, Castle Hill also provides personal training for cancer and chronic disease patients, pre and post natal women, rehabilitative exercise, and physical therapy. 

Each of these services are carried out by knowledgeable and experienced professionals, trained to help their clients become stronger or recover in the safest way possible.

At the spa, you have access to services that can aid in recovery, and other services that help enhance your beauty regimen. 

You can find infrared saunas, massage therapists, chiropractors, brow and lash services, skin care specialists, and more.

If you can‘t make it to the gym, you can sign up for their online classes and workout in your living room via Zoom.

What’s it Cost?

For all the amenities you get with the membership, it’s not as expensive as you may think. 

You won’t pay more than $199 per month for all access to the gym equipment, group classes, and online classes. For more of a basic membership with access to the gym equipment without the classes, you’ll pay $109 per month.

Take a Trip to Austin

If you‘re heading to Austin for vacation or already happen to live there, you can continue on your fitness journey at any of these 10 best gyms in Austin. The city is known for its uniqueness, and that‘s proven by the great gyms with community and inclusivity in the area.