The North East's Best Independent Gyms
Whether you're looking for the coolest classes or private personal training, these gyms have it all
Hii Club
Gosforth’s newest gym, Hii Club, is a modern health club that values socialising just as much as exercising. They focus on group training to ensure no one trains alone, and offer a range of classes including their HiiRUN indoor treadmill class, HiiJACKED strength training class and their signature workout, the HiiHERO cardio and strength building class.
Our highlight: Their on-site coffee shop which serves up brunch, açai bowls, protein shakes and juices, and is the perfect place to fuel up before a session or unwind with friends afterwards.
Grand Stand Garage, Kenton Road, Gosforth NE3 4NB
hiiclub.co.uk
JG Fitness
With 15 years of experience, having helped more than 1,000 clients, JG Fitness get results. Their transformation programme is made up of a series of group classes focused on either upper or lower body, with a mix of cardio and strength and resistance training. If you prefer more personal training, one-to-one or semi-private sessions are available with their team of PTs. Everyone is added to a WhatsApp group, so it’s easy to make friends, and there’s a real sense of community. They also recently opened a new branch in Heaton.
Our highlight: Weekly weigh-ins and measurements from the PTs, plus before and after pictures to track your progress.
Arch 3, Hymers Court, Gateshead Quays NE8 2BA
jamesgarrity.uk.com
No Limits Gym
This Hexham gym has both an open gym space to train yourself, as well as a selection of classes that are sure to suit everyone (from cycling to circuit training). They also run workshops on nutrition and mental fitness to support all aspects of your health journey.
Our highlight: The sauna, perfect for soothing sore muscles after a tough session.
35–37 Fore Street, Hexham NE46 1LU
nolimitsgym.co.uk
Apex Fitness
Amble’s Apex Fitness has a range of equipment for cardio and resistance training, plus an upstairs area dedicated to functional fitness which mimics natural movement and readies you for everyday tasks. They also offer private and group training.
Our highlight: You get 24-hour access via a digital key, so there’s no time restriction and training fits fully around any lifestyle.
Unit F, Coquet Enterprise Park, Amble NE65 0PE
apex-fitness.co.uk
Coast Fit
Coast Fit describe themselves as a gym for people who don’t like gyms. With an open area for solo training, ‘fitcamps’ to train with others and one-to-one personal training sessions with founder Sam, it’s easy to see why. They even have their own climbing wall!
Our highlight: Their body MOT service, a 90-minute assessment session which addresses holistic health, breathing mechanics, muscle health and core strength to allow the PTs to develop a bespoke programme for you.
68 Church Way, North Shields NE29 0AE
coastfit.co.uk
New Level Gym
Opened in 2017, New Level Gym focuses on fostering a sense of community among their members, where they can push themselves to the limits. The strength training and powerlifting equipment here is second-to-none, and their group workouts are a challenge tailored to suit all.
Our highlight: Strongman training, including heavy-duty equipment such as weighted stones and a car deadlift.
Unit 35B, Centralway, Pallion Industrial Estate, Sunderland SR4 6SN
new-level-gym.com
Result Fitness
The clue is in the name with Result; with freemotion resistance kit from America, every cardio machine you can think of and a huge astro turf functional fitness space, you’ll be totally toned in no time.
Our highlight: The Glute Lab, Durham’s only glute-specific training facility, which has a range of state-of-the-art equipment.
Unit 46, The Riverwalk, Durham DH1 4SL
resultfitnessdurham.co.uk
Gym 22
With fake foliage on the walls and purple strip lights overhead, this gym is seriously aesthetic. They aim to stop beginners feeling anxious about equipment and are there to advise on any questions members may have. They even have their own range of merch and gymwear, emblazoned with their logo.
Our highlight: Their status as Teesside’s first boutique gym, focused on building mental confidence and strength first and having the body follow.
3 George Stevenson Court, Preston Farm, Stockton on Tees TS18 3TG
fitness22gym.com
Forge Fitness
With six week programmes for both men and women, Forge are there to guide you every step of the way, offering two coached sessions per week to transform your body without the need for excess restriction or workout burnout.
Our highlight: Their free eight-week Mental Health First Aider and Suicide Prevention course, which allows people to gain an important qualification whilst getting fit.
Borough Road Industrial Estate, Darlington DL1 1TG
@forge_fitness_darlington
BodyZone
BodyZone have been open in the heart of Newcastle city centre since 1986, so they know their stuff. With equipment supplied by Life Fitness and a spacious building flooded with natural light, the gym is a positive and uplifting place to exercise. They offer a range of exciting classes, including body combat, awesome abs and Zumba.
Our highlight: They are a ladies only gym, providing a safe space for women to work out without judgement.
9–11 Carliol Square, Newcastle NE1 6UF
body-zone.org.uk
Bodyguards
Established in 1993, Bodyguards was Newcastle’s first personal training facility. Here, you’re assigned your own experienced personal trainer suited to your goals to keep you on track with health, fitness and rehabilitation post injury. Although you train with them on a one-to-one basis, you can use the private gym as much as you like between sessions at no extra cost.
Our highlight: Therapy, sports massage and holistic lifestyle planning is available on site, alongside physical training.
Jesmond House, Clayton Road, Jesmond NE2 1UJ
bodyguardsapt.com
Sculpt
Sculpt, founded by reality TV star Adam Collard, first opened in Newcastle before opening up a second gym in Northumberland. Alongside open gym sessions every morning, they have a different class every day at a range of times, so as to fit around even the busiest of schedules.
Our highlight: There’s no contract, so you aren’t locked into any future payments or time span if you decide to leave.
Unit 4c Whitehouse Road Industrial Estate NE15 6LN
Unit 5 Hedley Way, North Seaton Industrial Estate, Ashington NE63 0YA
sculptfitnessgym.com
Mas Body Gym
The equipment at Mas has been carefully handpicked and sourced from around the world to ensure members get the most up-to-date workout. Aside from the machines you know and love, they also have a range of boxing equipment and an outdoor undercover functional area to train in the fresh air, rain or shine.
Our highlight: A state-of-the-art virtual studio on the second floor, which allows you to work out alongside an online class.
Metcalfe Road, Skipperslane, Middlesbrough TS6 6PT
masbodygym.co.uk
Urban Fitness
Urban Fitness is Alnwick’s newest gym. Owners Jonny and Joanna have 25 years of experience between them and aim to accommodate everyone, regardless of their fitness goals. They currently offer an open gym alongside personal training sessions, are in the process of refurbishing their class area, and are introducing more state-of-the-art equipment for the latest in exercise technology.
Our highlight: Their brand-new equipment from Origin.
Unit 3, Sawmill Industrial Estate, Alnwick NE66 2QW
urbanfitnessalnwick.co.uk
