Working out in the Yangon Gym at Summit Parkview Hotel

PEOPLE who live and work in busy cities often say that their schedules are too full to leave time for exercise. But most cities also have the advantage of providing a wide range of conveniently located workout venues with modern equipment and trained instructors. Yangon is no exception.

The Yangon Gym at Summit Parkview Hotel offers a spacious two-floor gym equipped with international-standard exercise machines. Mr Patrick Nebre, the gym manager and dance teacher at the hotel, said the strength of the gym is the number of instructors – eight for the fitness centre and four for aerobic classes.

“We can give very personal care to all the members as we have many instructors, and we can also arrange a personal exercise program,” he said.

The membership fee includes use of the swimming pool and steam bath, as well as access to aerobics classes, and weightlifting and stretching sessions.

Dusit Inya Lake Resort’s Country Club offers a gym with separate floors for the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Access to tennis courts, saunas, steam rooms and the lakeside swimming pool is included in the membership fee.

“We are famous for our outdoor jogging paths, thanks to the vast hotel area.

Some members join us for this as they prefer it to the treadmills,” said Ma Swe Zin Win Hman, the manager of the club.

The Country Club has also introduced a new water aerobics program every Monday. Members can also enjoy discounts in all the hotel’s restaurants.

The gym supervisor of Lido Fitness Centre at Sedona Hotel, Ma Sandar, said it’s the hotel’s big swimming pool that attract members.

“We have a beautiful swimming pool with a pool bar,” she said.

Lido offers sauna, steam room, aerobics, yoga, tennis, table tennis and indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi. Members will also benefit from discounts on massage, food and beverages, and laundry services.

Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon’s Nikko Health Club has just introduced a card system for its summer promotion, as an alternative to normal membership. A card good for 30 visits over the course of 45 days costs US$80, while one for 60 visits in 90 days runs $140. The price includes access to sauna, Jacuzzi and the large swimming pool. Discounts on food and beverages, and use of the hotel’s business centre, can also be enjoyed.

The Traders Hotel Health Club has long opening hours – from 5:30am to midnight – and offers members special monthly activities and twice-yearly dinner parties for members.

“Every now and then we add new activities or facilities to make the price of membership worthwhile,” said Ma Myitzu Hnin, the club’s manager.

Hotel is now working on adding a field to play volleyball, basketball, cricket and futsal.

The membership fee includes access to swimming, aerobics, table tennis, pool tables and even karaoke facilities. Members are also entitled to discounts on hotel food and beverages, laundry services and massage. The club has five instructors.

The Grand Mee Ya Htar’s Sports Club has large locker rooms for both men and women, and provides a club supervisor, seven fitness instructors and additional instructor who leads aerobics and swimming courses.

“Our club is about not only body building but also physical fitness. We combine cardio exercises, muscular strength and flexibility into our programs,” said U Leslie, the club supervisor.

Members can enjoy the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath and aerobics.

The Grand Plaza Parkroyal’s gym offers a variety of activities, such as table tennis, aerobics, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, swimming and tennis.

“We have regular fitness competitions to motivate members – next month we will have a cycling competition using exercise cycles,” said U Tin Htay, the gym’s supervisor. The gym has seven instructors.

Individual membership fees:

Summit Parkview Hotel
One month : K50, 000
Three months : K125, 000
One year : K250, 000

Dusit Inya Lake Resort
Three months : $150
One year : $400 (locals $300)

Sedona Hotel
One month : $100 (off-peak $50)
Three months : $235 (off-peak $135)
One year : $800 (off-peak $400)
Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon
One month : $60 (off-peak $30)
Three months : $150 (off-peak $80)
One year : $480 (off-peak $250)

Traders Hotel
One month : $100
Three months : $275 (off-peak $150)
One year : $850 (off-peak $500)

Grand Mee Ya Htar
One month : $50 (off-peak $25)
Three months : $135 (off-peak $65)
One year : $500 (off-peak $225)

Grand Plaza Parkroyal
One month : $65 (off-peak $40)
Three months : $150 (off-peak $100)
One year : $375 (no yearly off-peak membership)