The Best Gyms in Medellin

I have been visiting Medellín since 2013. In 2021, I purchased memberships to between three and five gyms simultaneously. Medellín boasts one of the best gym scenes in the world, offering a diverse range of indoor and outdoor gyms and locations. Conservatively, there is one gym for every 10,000 residents in metropolitan Medellin.

A quick rundown of the differences between the larger gyms, as I see it:

Smartfit has the most locations, both in Colombia and throughout Latin America, allowing you to utilize your membership while traveling. It’s the most popular with foreigners and the cheapest.

BodyTech is primarily used by local Colombians; most locations feature a sauna and steam room, and, oddly, there is no water fountain.

Action Black and Power Club are the new kids on the block and focus on group classes. Action Black has a small gym at many locations. The fancy Colombians will go here.

Smartfit (~47 locations)

Cost

• Daily: 35,000 / $8
• Weekly: N/A
• Monthly: 189,000 / $47 (but you have to cancel this plan)
• Annual: 109,000 / $27 (with 12 month contract)

El Campestre

Squat Racks: 7

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: Yes

Special Features: Newly added upstairs with 5 squat racks

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, outside

La Intermedia

Squat Racks: 6

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: No, but the top level has a good variety of bars though awkward roofs

Water: Yes

Special Features: 4-levels, large grocery store next door

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, outside

Tesoro

Squat Racks: 11

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water:Yes

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, outside

La 10

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: Yes

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, outside

Los Molinos

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform:

Calesthenics Area:

Water:

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe:

Las Palmas

Squat Racks: 1

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: Yes

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: No

Santa Fe

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes, indoors and outdoors with a nice view

Water: Yes

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: No, but located in Santa Fe mall

Los Colores

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine:

Heaviest dumbbells:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Assault Bike or Rower: Yes

Calesthenics Area: No

Water: Yes

Special Features: N/A

Protein Shop/Cafe: No

Exito Colombia

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine:

Heaviest dumbbells:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Assault Bike or Rower: No

Calesthenics Area: No

Water: Yes

Special Features: There’s a second level hidden in the back stairs

Protein Shop/Cafe: No

Viva Envigado

Located on the top floor of Shopping Center Viva Envigado

Squat Racks: 8

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes, but low roofs

Water: Yes

Special Features: N/A

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, outside

Unicentro

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes, upper level

Water: Yes

Special Features: In the Unicentro shopping mall in Laureles

Protein Shop/Cafe: No, but small stand outside and two protein shops on the same level

Las Vegas

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: Yes

Special Features: N/A

Protein Shop/Cafe: Just outside

Paruqe Florida

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 100lbs

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Assault Bike or Rower: No

Calesthenics Area: No

Water: Yes

Special Features: N/A, very small

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, two outside.

Calasanz

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 36kg (80lb)

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Assault Bike or Rower: Assault Bike

Calesthenics Area: Not a dedicated area, but decently ok

Water: Yes

Special Features: In a small mall with grocery, barber, etc.

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside and outside.

Bodytech (~15 locations)

There are three big differences between SmartFit and BodyTech. First, BodyTech has fewer gyms in Medellin. Second, Bodytech is more expensive. Third, BodyTech gyms come with a sauna and steam room area.

Unlike Smartfit, which is wholly owned, Bodytech gyms are franchises. It is nice in Bodytech that it auto-connects to the Wi-Fi no matter which gym you go to. Note that Bodytech does NOT have free water (SmartFit does). Parking is usually free in Bodytech gyms (not true for Smartfit).

Cost (the higher price includes all locations, including Mall del Este and Llanogrande)

• Daily: None offered
• Weekly: 157,000 ($39) / 183,000 ($47)
• Monthly: 315,000 ($79) / 379,000 ($95)
• Annual: 1,770,000 ($442) / 2,450,000 ($612)

Las Vegas

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water:

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Mal del Este

Squat Racks: 3

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: No

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Vizcaya

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 100lbs

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No.

Assault Bike or Rower: Both

Calesthenics Area: Yes.

Water: No.

Special Features: Older crowd.

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside.

San Lucas

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: No

Water: No

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Premium Plaza

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water:

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Villagrande

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: No

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

The crowd skews older here. Lockers do not fit a motorcycle helmet. Bathrooms are one floor below the workout area.

City Plaza

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water:

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Laureles

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: YES

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: NO

Calesthenics Area: NO

Water: NO

Special Features: Turf area

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, first floor inside the gym

Americas

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 100lbs (45kg)

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: No

Special Features: 2-levels, in a small shopping mall, free parking

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

San Juan

Squat Racks: 3

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 100lb (45kg)

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: No

Special Features: Outdoor area with sauna/steam room.

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Avenida Colombia

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes, full

Water: No

Special Features: N/A

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Belen

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: NO

Calesthenics Area: NO

Water: NO

Special Features: Rooftop

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Camino Real

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 100lbs

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No.

Assault Bike or Rower: Yes, both

Calesthenics Area: Yes, two.

Water: No.

Special Features: Separate room dedicated to cross fit/functional training

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

Robledo

Squat Racks: 1

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes, 2

Heaviest dumbbells: 100lbs (45kg)

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Semi

Water: No

Special Features: Just outside a grocery store

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside and outside.

Niquía

TBD

Llanogrande

TBD

Athletic (2 locations)

Cost

• Daily:
• Monthly:
• Annual:

Manila

Squat Racks: 5

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: No

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, outside

Itague

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform:

Calesthenics Area:

Water:

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe:

Ultra Wellness at The Charlee Hotel

Cost

• Daily:
• Monthly:
• Annual:

Squat Racks: 5

Hip Thruster Machine:

Heaviest dumbbells: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Assault Bike or Rower: Yes

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: Yes

Special Features: Epic views from all rooms

Protein Shop/Cafe: No

Cons: This gym lacks many common machines like hip abductor/adductor, chest press, machine fly, and seated calves.

Crew Fitness

Cost

• Daily:
• Monthly:
• Annual:

Squat Racks: 1

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes

Water: No

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: Yes, inside

College Campuses

EAFAIT (Poblado)

Cost

• Daily
• Monthly: 110,ooo (~$25)
• Annual:

Squat Racks: 2

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Water: Kinda (it’s where you wash your hands)

Special Features: 3-levels

Protein Shop/Cafe: No, but a pharmacy is just outside

UPB (Laureles)

Cost

• Daily: 12,100 ($3)
• Monthly: 120,000 COP (~$30)
• Annual:

Squat Racks: 1

Hip Thruster Machine: Yes

Heaviest dumbbells: 37.5kg / 82.5lb

Dedicated Deadlift Platform: No

Calesthenics Area: Yes, upstairs

Water: Yes

Special Features: On the university campus of Pontificia Bolivariana

Protein Shop/Cafe: No, but vending machines, including coffee

Action Black (9 locations)

Cost

• Daily:
• Monthly:
• Annual:

Power Club (4 locations)

Cost

• Daily:
• Monthly:
• Annual:

Outdoor Gyms

Parque Lleras

Unidad deportiva de Belén

Inder Parkour/Coliseo

This one is hard to find if you don’t know where you’re going, but the outdoor calisthenics area is larger than the Belen Deportiva and has an outdoor tejo court. Map pin.

Providencia Park/San Lucas

EAFit

In front of the soccer field, go right from the main entrance

Squat Racks:

Hip Thruster Machine:

Heaviest dumbbells:

Dedicated Deadlift Platform:

Assault Bike or Rower:

Calesthenics Area:

Water:

Special Features:

Protein Shop/Cafe: