Hi there, this is Andrew, MDC’s tech guy. Starting today I’ll be doing a series of blog posts on the best places to do stuff in Davao City. Be it eating, having fun, taking pictures or hanging out with friends, I’m gonna give you the best that Davao has to offer.
I’m kicking off this series with one of my favorite pastimes — working out. Yeah I work out a lot. I’ve tried several gyms already, but only a few stand out. Here they are:
3. Smashville – You may find Smashville’s location quite odd. When you enter the building, a flurry of Chinese immigrants are busy selling their wares to bargain hunters. The gym is fortunately on the second floor, where it’s more quiet and conducive to exercising. You’ll find out why it’s called Smashville upon seeing the eight badminton courts near the lobby. The courts are usually full on Wednesdays and the weekends. The cardio area is quite spacious, replete of treadmills of different sorts and sizes, even a mini-theater that helps you burn calories without minding the time. The workout machines are on a higher floor. Going up the stairs itself is an exercise. Once you’re up, you can’t help but notice how big the place is. There’s ample space for doing stretches, abdominal exercises and aerobics. It isn’t crammed like other gyms in the city. The instructor named Eric is very helpful and courteous. The downside to Smashville is its location. It’s on Magsaysay Avenue, not the most accessible address there is. Parking is a chore. Sometimes I’d have to do 3-4 rounds before I can park my car. A few occasions I’m forced to go to another gym out of frustration. But if you take public transportation, that wouldn’t be a problem.
Pros: Ridiculously spacious. Free Internet access. Friendly staff. Cheap at about P500/month.
Cons: Little to no parking space. Televisions in cardio area have no earphone jacks and takes a while before you find the one and only remote to switch channels. You can hear what the other 15 people people are watching. Some equipments are noticeably old. Locker rooms are so-so. Monthly fees are cheap but not for credit card holders. I found it annoying to hear about promos but never availed coz they apply only to cash. Isn’t that against the law?
Smashville is located at AGL Building, R. Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City. Call 082-305-5999. Visit their Facebook profile.
2. MetroLifestyle – I’ve heard of “Metro” from friends who’ve been bugging me to try the gym because, they say, it’s where all the attractive, “sosyal” people work out. Ok. So I tried it last week. I first noticed how big the gym had become after expanding to the new annex building. It’s nice, it even has a second floor lounge area that doubles as a running track. My only complaint is the gym equipment aren’t as nice as that of Holiday’s where I work out. Holiday uses those sexy Lifestyle Fitness machines, Metro uses Cybex Eagle, which I find kind of clunky. Their free weights are kind of rusty too. But I guess that’s alright for Metro’s regular gym goers. And admittedly I haven’t gone to that gym long enough to appreciate it. Monthly fee is relatively high at P1,200, but no membership fee required.
Pros: New expansive cardio and workout areas plus running track. Several nice establishments to hangout after exercising. There’s enough parking for everyone. Has lots of potential for improvement.
Cons: Cardio has only three televisions with no earphone jacks. Free weights are old and rusty. Locker rooms are shared with spa clients.
MetroLifestyle is located at F. Torres Street, Davao City. Call 082-228-6180 to 82. Visit their Facebook page.
1. Holiday Spa and Fitness Center – Holiday Spa is tops for me because I don’t have to worry about where to park and don’t have to climb two flights of stairs to do what I want. Holiday upgraded all their machines last year which makes the whole experience a pleasure. They’ve got a nice 225-meter running track, a pool, a boxing ring and badminton courts. Payments are not as flexible as the other two. It costs P1,500 for a month’s membership, but that goes down if you pay 2, 3 or 6 months in advance. I got a lifetime membership, which is great because I only have to pay P900 a month and don’t have to pay anything else. Not all gym instructors are as helpful as you’d want them to be. You have to call them to give you the attention you need. Nevertheless, Holiday easily stands out as the best place to work out in Davao City.
Pros: Ample parking. New, clean machines that are well-maintained. Outdoor running track is a big, big plus. Full day schedule for yoga, aerobics, pilates and dance sessions available for members at no extra cost. No preference for cash or card payments!
Cons: Workout, cardio, boxing areas are crammed in one mid-sized gym. Too many staff that sit around. Little to no space to do ab exercises. No stretching machines.
Holiday Spa and Fitness Center is located at F. Torres Street, Davao City. Call 082-222-3041. Visit their Facebook profile.
UPDATE: Here are more fitness centers in Davao City:
Planet Infinity – The new gym on the block. Boasts sleek, modern equipment plus a health bar. Located in East West Centrum, J1 Jomat Bldg, Km 6 Lanang, Davao City. It’s quite hard to find at first but it’s right after Damosa IT Park. Call 082-233-0770 or visit their Facebook page.
Marco Polo Fitness Center – One word: Expensive. Located in Marco Polo Hotel, CM Recto Street, Davao City. Call 082-221-0888.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:03 am
you might want to try out this resto i found.
It’s really cheap but the food tastes great.
Something for budget concious people in this times of crisis.
Yurushi restaurant in Davao
October 16th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I like Smashville but you are right about the parking space. I like Smashville because of its very spacious cardio and weight rooms (not to mention they have very nice and varied weight equipment).
Before, you can view the gulf from the treadmill area. Now, the cardio is dark because of mall expansions that block the once “majestic” view.
My only negatives for Smashville are parking space and locker rooms.
October 18th, 2008 at 3:26 am
can u post the rates now.. thanks
October 18th, 2008 at 6:47 am
although i agree that holiday is still the best place to work out, you are so right about their personnel. the gym staff at holiday are not always very helpful. most are unapproachable. the gym is in the service industry so you’d think they would train their personnel to give quality personal service but most of the staff look pretty intimidating because they loaf around like they own the place. that’s a minus for holiday gym.
October 31st, 2008 at 1:34 am
hmmm… I used to go to Metro Lifestyle and I loved it. The staff are helpful and friendly. The equipments where at its best (before Holiday upgraded their old equips) during those times.
I enrolled as a silver member which is only 2, 200 for 3 months with free use of their spa facilities. 
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi Andrew! I might as well try Smashville or Metrolifestyle. Hope to see you soon….
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
Like Joan, I found the staff at Holiday to be not as friendly as one would expect. I moved to Metro Lifestyle a few months ago and never looked back since. Everyone there is very helpful and accommodating from the receptionists, to the gym instructors, and even the attendants.
January 15th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Hi there, Andrew. I could only hope that I get the drive to go to the gym, but I’m just one of those who are pretty contented with their lives without working out (and yet are frustrated with their bodies!).
Anyway, I wrote to pull you into a blog game called “Six Weird Things About Me”. I hope you can find time to participate. Read about my share here: http://www.davaobase.com/index.php/2009/01/six-weird-things-about-me/
By the way, say hi to Ria for me!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:09 am
HI..have u tried the promo of smashville wherein you can have an early work out(5:30am but only up to 2:00pm)for only 699 a month…i wonder at wat tym or day usually smashville has a lot of gym goer because i want to avoid that.
i want to have a gym mate Buddy??… I’m planning to go to the gym, probably early next month..
……
——– *** ——-
can i suggest a topic..
HOw about try the best SPA here in DAVAO?….
May 4th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Hey there. I’ve been checking out metro ever since the thought of going back to the gym crossed my mind. isn’t 1,200 pesos expensive enough? A friend of mine told me they have student priviliges or if not just something of that sort which goes as low as 800 per month. I don’t really know if this one’s true.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:53 am
hi. im here in davao for few days.is there any decent that accommodate per-day-basis clients? ty
June 4th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
@jumer: Most gyms have student privileges. You might want to ask each one about their student discounts. At Holiday the rate goes down to P900/month. I’m not sure about the others.
@jc: All gyms accept walk-ins. At Holiday it is P150/day.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:43 am
hi Andrew,
I am more interested in the weight training aspect of fitness..machines as well as free weights. Which gym would be best suited for me in the Davao area?
thanks
June 24th, 2009 at 9:06 am
@Rob: Hi Rob. I recommend Holiday and Metro Lifestyle. Holiday’s machines are newer but the space is a little cramped for me lately. You may want to try Metro too. Their machines might have been upgraded since my last visit.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I agree.. it is so hard to park in Smashville. Yes they have a morning rate promo (5:30-2 pm), i think it is now 799. They are also promoting their group rate, group of 3 then you can pay 850 (anytime), so cheap but BEWARE.. when your group wanted to renew the next month, they will require you to GET 2 NEW members, meaning– if your are planning to renew each month for the whole year and avail of the group rate..you will look for 2 new members each month! 12×2=24! Lol! means you have to market for them.. so our group ended up looking for another gym, nearer to our location.
September 29th, 2009 at 8:25 am
is there a gym in nccc mall – matina now?
October 30th, 2009 at 12:53 am
have you heard about planet infinity inn lanang?
November 25th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Holiday Spa and Gym is so crowded, expensive, unfriendly staff and unconventional space. You need to wait the other person to finish its course. It’s good they have a 200m jog area which i could spend most of my time. Its easier to park but you can’t breath inside the gym. The good thing about them is their pool and wall climbing.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
My husband and I went to Planet Infinity last night just to inquire about their rates. They seem to have pretty expensive rates just like those in Manila but they have new and state of the art equipments. And the best part about it is that they have the InBody Machine(I dunno if I have the term correct)in which you could figure out how much body fats you have and how many kgs you have to lose according to your preference. They have a year package for P16,500 and 5,500 for a 3-month package.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I have to agree with the unfriendly staffs of Holiday Gym and Spa. I enrolled there for one month and stopped after a week of working out because the people aren’t helping me how to use the equipments. Another thing is, the gym is so crowded, you don’t want to work out anymore because people usually stares.
I’m planning on working out again. And I’m looking for a gym with only a few people but with good equipments. I’ve seen Smashville last night and i really find it good. But I’m still torn between Holiday and Smashville. Most of my friends are in Holiday.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
oh. i just noticed. the entry is quite old. you should update this entry. that is, if you don’t mind
January 6th, 2010 at 9:47 am
@ Kyle: you might want to try planet infinity in lanang. i just enrolled there last month and there’s no any regret. they have the latest and state of the art equipments, most of it, the 1st of its kind in the Philippines. and the staff are very friendly and accomodating as well. its located inside eastwest center (or centrum i think), that’s infront of central warehouse.
January 8th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
hi im richard dutch foreigner im about to move to davao from luzon like the smashville gym is that hardcore bodybuilding or is there a hardcore gym like that in davao?
i am out of the circuit for over a year now but always worked out hardcore like 15 years so actually looking for a gym to get back into it were also is room to load some plates on to the bar later on!!!not that if you load over 200 pounds bench no more plates,thanks for the info anyway …about to move from here next week…
regards to u guys,
richard….
January 8th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
ah forgot it i’m gonna be at puan so any gym around their also????
January 9th, 2010 at 1:44 am
anyone know this 1 Matina South Health Studio in center point mall
February 4th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
@ Richard: yah there’s a gym in south bound area MATINA SOUTH HEALTH STUDIO. sister company of smash ville fitness center.
you can call them up at (082) 2972708.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:39 am
’till now 2010, some gym trainers are irresponsive….some, not all, i think they need to train more proper customer service. or maybe somebody has to watch over them on the floor for a good service. maybe it reflects thier leaders like what they do. what do you think?
February 26th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Hi Andrew,
You have quite a website! My family and I plan to spend 5 months in Davao Jan.-June 2011. I cannot locate any Tae Kwon Do instruction locally. Can you help me?
Dave L.
March 13th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Hi Andrew and to Everyone,
I’m planning to enroll in yoga class, but I don’t have any idea as to where will I enroll myself.. Do you know any fitness center that conducts yoga classes?
Pls help..
March 13th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
George, you may enroll in South Studio in Damosa. They have yoga classes. Their FB page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davao-Philippines/South-Studio/29507869980
April 6th, 2010 at 6:35 am
@David LaBarr, try planet infinity in Lanang they have martial arts classes (wushu, tae kwon do, etc).
April 7th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Hey guys, I’m curious about going to gym because it’s my first time. My main concern is all about locker room at ano bang gym na nag offer ng private shower? Ayaw ko ng public shower! lol! anyone knows about it? help me naman please kung anong gym yun para maka start na ako. thanks in advance.
April 14th, 2010 at 12:13 am
hi to refer again to MATINA SOUTH HEALTH STUDIO yeah the trainers are totally lousy their for me its ok im a big guy so i know what im doing but the let other people just screw around while looking the whole day at there own tiny body with no mass or development at all and walking around like they weigh in at 250 pounds lolz also the material sucks gotta look out what ur doing i train heavy duty so i gotta look out which machines i use pointing to the cables on it that are not replaced long time also many machine broken out of order for the rest many chest benches incline and decline like 30 or so who’s ever gonna use that!!!! to rap it up this gym stinks gotta look out for new one with good material were i can lift some weights and people appreciate bodybuilding..cheers richard
May 1st, 2010 at 12:42 pm
i’ve been doing Cardio workouts for about 3 years and it really helps in making me fit and healthy.**~
May 10th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
mmm .. i’m jaz wondering if ders package deal or discount in smashville, if u r a student? bcoz we with my classmates are canvassing of which gym is more cheaper here in davao..
May 14th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
hi, just wondering. pwede ba mgwalk-in lang sa planet infinity? if yes, how much? i saw the pics kasi in fb and it’s really nice.
May 29th, 2010 at 2:54 am
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, as per Richard, if you’ve encountered those problems @ Matina South maybe you’ve been there like once? twice? coz you gotta see first what’s in store for you there as a client. Ive been with Matina South for 2 years already and so far yeah there may be some equipments out of order but it’s normal coz they’ve been operating for like 8 or 9 yrs already but there are more other equipments that only Matina South has. People are so friendly. And Richard, you get what you paid for. It’s cheap but the services are OK. when was the light time you visited Matina South? 3 yrs ago? oh men you gotta visit them more often now. friendly people, accessible location, goood services . i enjoyed their aerobics so much and stayed for hours in weights. cool down @ cardio. fun fun fun …
June 10th, 2010 at 1:09 am
hi there, these reviews are quite old already, any updates about the three gyms anyone? im planning to enroll in one of these but i want latest info on them…thanks
June 14th, 2010 at 7:32 am
to steph i worked out to matina like almost 2 to 3 months now im in metrolifestyle what a difference from matina for only 300 php more u get it all new equips aircon and good service when u need it, not that i need it for ur info im working out like 20 years na so anyone who dares come and see or workout with me then u know what bodybuilding is all about my email or ym is gwaporich11@yahoo.com also can chat with me…
whos gonna workout crappy gym while for 300 php more u hv it all come on be realistic .i know what im talking about…believe me…greetz richard…
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:19 pm
dapat may top gyms, spa and beauty salon here in davao city para mas madaling ma identify ng mga tourista kung saan dapat sila pumunta. specially beauty salons because ‘beauty is luxury now”. nice blogs keep it up guys I LOVE DAVAO CITY
November 19th, 2010 at 8:00 am
I am member of Smashville sa Uyanguren…ok sya masyado…
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
hi guys.. I’m a student & member of Smashville.. it’s great. they have friendly staff and instructors especially sir Eric. try to get there.. have a meri xmas folks…:)
December 29th, 2010 at 4:06 am
hi andrew,
can u check also if all this trainers in davao city are certified to train?
ive heard a lot of stories also some trainers pretending to be a certified trainer and accepting expensive fees to their client.
funny is they dont event know what exercises they are giving.
this is important as well as important as all the issues ive read regarding unfriendly staffs in HOLIDAY GYM N SPA and parking problems and watever,
thanks
joshua
January 17th, 2011 at 8:04 am
I’m a member of Holiday Gym and Spa for almost a year now. I’m thinking of changing a gym since Holiday increased their rate to 2,000 from 1,500. . I only do my purpose of enrolling to a gym. I’m not a self-important type of person nor wants all the attention from everyone. So I think staff are fine.
I haven’t check MetroLifestyle that much, when I went there one time, no trainers are available. There were 2-3 people on the thread mills. I think I’m going to check that place again. I do lots of cardio and weights. Thankz for the info coz I was thinking of going to Matina gym since I’m from Bangkal. I hope they have good equipments.
February 10th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
hi everyone,
The best gym that I consider is Planet Infinity. The gym is perfect. The machines are new and the best. The staff and people are friendly.It’s a great place co’z there’s also a restaurant which serves healthy food. They have different approach and the people are concern about your health.Try to visit.The price is reasonable.
March 11th, 2011 at 7:55 am
Been thinking of going to gym but still lacking enough motivation. I’ve already tried to go to a gym but only lasted for a week or two, (twice already).. Maybe because I only go there alone and got bored., Hmm, maybe a gym buddy will do? but can’t look for one..
Anyway, which gym can you guys suggest as of this moment?
Cheers!
Mike
March 12th, 2011 at 1:16 am
I can’t find where planet infinity is. Where in Lanang? Sorry I’m not a Dabawenyo. How about contact numbers? Thanks
May 27th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
[...] are near your area but here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LCB-Perfor… http://www.mydavaocity.com/best-gyms-in-… [...]
August 12th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
THE BEST GYM IN DAVAO CITY! Planet Infinity Davao – 233 0770. located in font of central warehouse lanang, east west centrum.
August 17th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Hi There. Does anyone knows any gym here in davao who offered zumba dance class? Thanks
September 5th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Metro Lifestyle has Zumba classes…
September 14th, 2011 at 2:12 am
where in davao can i enroll for yoga class? tnx
October 3rd, 2011 at 1:25 am
the best gym in davao ..metrolifestyle….why kc malaki ang space and they have better machine than holiday gym & spa..hey guys u try the TRX its great. I’ll try the holiday sobrang sikip ,pati boxing ring kasama n s gym not like s metrolifestyle separated ang boxing ring s 3rd floor at meron space para makatakbo k at meron cl space for muay thai/karate/jujitsu…..
miss jesielle i think meron zumba s metro…
October 3rd, 2011 at 1:29 am
sa metro meron cl space for powercycling,TRX ,belly dacing,cardio,machine, boxing,karate ….sa holiday ba meron kau nyan s gym