Gold's Gym Egypt

Lars Mourey

I have been a member since Oct 1997 which is 6 months prior to actual opening time. I have many great memories from this place first and foremost I met with my wife while working out there. I also met my best friend there and it was definitely a major reason why I liked Cairo so much. I still go 5 times weekly but now after marriage and kids my hours have changed. I go at 5.30 am before I go to the office which is great for me. It was the first "real" gym to open in Cairo and it quickly attracted many members and beside being a great gym it also became a social club where you see all your friends. The prices are not cheap mind you. I believe a yearly membership costs app LE 4,000 but you can negotiate so be sure to ask. The gym is located on the 8th floor in what I believe are 2 or 3 apartments joined together which means that the ceiling is not that high for a gym but it looks good. There is also a pool on the roof but I have personally never used it. If I want to go to a pool there are many other and better options in Cairo (for example JW Marriott on the ring road). The equipment is both free weights as well as machines and the cardio area is quite well equipped (that is if they work!). You can definitely get a full body workout regardless of your level of fitness. Dumbbells go up to 120lb. Many of the cardio machines now have a tv screen attached to them and you can plug in your headset and watch some tv while you are working out. It helps pass the time for me but the problem is that it is hit and miss. Sometimes the TV's don't work and sometimes the channels you normally watch are gone and sometimes.... You get the picture. Try out the cardio entertainment system before you get on because having to start your program 4 times just to find one machine that works can be quite a drag. 2 of the bikes also now have the iPod/iPhone plug so you can watch your program on the cardio screen. Fantastic. Problem again that one of the 2 has been broken for a while now and saying so to the staff does not seem to work. Most of the staff speak English but don't seem to pass on any concerns or complaints you may have because nothing really changes. The gym is open from 5 am till midnight so you should be able to find the time that suits you but beware that it can get pretty crowded in the late afternoon and early evening. One of the first high end gyms in Egypt and still one of the best but dont expect a level as gyms in UAE, Jordan, Europe and US.