Bangkok Gym Comparison 2026
UnReal vs Muscle Factory
vs Iron Hive vs Fitness First.
An honest side-by-side of four Bangkok gyms. Location, hours, day pass price, equipment, coaches, and recovery. Where data is not public, we say so.
Side by side
The full comparison.
| Feature | UnReal Gym | Muscle Factory | Iron Hive | Fitness First Sukhumvit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Sukhumvit Soi 24, Phrom Phong BTS | Sukhumvit Soi 56, On Nut area | Sukhumvit Soi 42/1, Phra Khanong | Multiple Sukhumvit locations |
| Walk from nearest BTS | 2 minutes (Phrom Phong, Exit 1) | 10-15 minutes (On Nut) | 8-12 minutes (Phra Khanong) | Varies by branch |
| Operating hours | 06:00 to 22:00, 7 days | Varies, see site | Varies, see site | Varies by branch |
| Day pass price | 500 THB (gym only) | Varies, see site | Varies, see site | Varies, see site |
| Monthly membership range | 4,800 to 9,900 THB | Varies, see site | Varies, see site | Varies, see site |
| Posing Room | Yes, Bangkok's only dedicated posing room | No | No | No |
| Reset Club recovery (sauna + ice bath + rooftop) | Yes, Floor 8 dedicated facility | No | No | Varies, see site |
| TylöHelo sauna | Yes, up to 12 people, Finnish spruce | No | No | Varies, see site |
| Ice bath / cold plunge | Yes, 0 to 11 degrees C | No | No | Varies, see site |
| Bodybuilding focus | Yes, two full floors, 75+ stations | Yes, hardcore bodybuilding focus | Strength and conditioning focus | General fitness chain |
| IPF-standard powerlifting setup | Yes, 2 comp racks, 2 platforms, specialist bars | Some powerlifting equipment | Yes, powerlifting-focused | No |
| Muay Thai on site | Yes, Floor 8 striking area | No | No | Varies by branch |
| IFBB Pro coach on site | Yes, Ben (IFBB Classic Physique Pro) | Not publicly confirmed | Not publicly confirmed | Not publicly confirmed |
| Coach roster size (named on site) | 8 named coaches | Varies, see site | 3 named coaches | Varies, see site |
| English-speaking coaches | Yes, English primary, Thai available | Some, varies | Yes | Yes |
| InBody 570 body composition scan | Yes, 200 THB, free for monthly members first scan | Not publicly confirmed | Not publicly confirmed | Varies, see site |
| Air-conditioned training floor | Yes, all floors | Limited, varies by area | Yes | Yes |
| Parking | Limited, BTS or Grab recommended | Varies, see site | Varies, see site | Varies by branch |
| Lockers and towel service | Yes, included with all memberships | Varies, see site | Varies, see site | Varies by branch |
| Group classes | Muay Thai classes, seminars and events | Varies, see site | Strength classes | Yes, full class schedule |
Data verified May 2026. UnReal data from operations. Competitor data limited to what is publicly listed on each gym's own website. Where a field is not public, "Varies, see site" is used.
Which gym suits which goal
Be honest about what you want.
Bangkok has more than enough gyms. The question is not which one is "best" in the abstract. The question is which one matches what you are actually training for. Below is an honest read on where each of these four gyms wins, written by people who train across the city and care more about the answer than the booking.
UnReal Gym Bangkok
UnReal is built for bodybuilding, powerlifting, and recovery in one building. Two floors of hypertrophy equipment, IPF-spec powerlifting racks with two competition platforms, a dedicated posing room (the only one in Bangkok), and Reset Club BKK on Floor 8 with a TylöHelo sauna and ice bath. If you are prepping for stage, peaking for a meet, or you simply want serious equipment plus serious recovery without leaving the building, UnReal is the answer. Sukhumvit Soi 24, two minutes from Phrom Phong BTS.
Muscle Factory Bangkok
Muscle Factory has earned its name in the Bangkok hardcore scene over a decade. It sits in the On Nut area, further out from the central Sukhumvit expat zone, and it leans into a raw bodybuilding atmosphere. If you live near On Nut and want a no-frills hardcore environment, it is a real option. For visitors staying near Phrom Phong or Asok, the commute eats into training time.
Iron Hive Gym
Iron Hive is a focused strength and conditioning facility in Phra Khanong. It has a clear powerlifting and functional strength identity, with a named coach team and a strong community feel. If you do not need bodybuilding hypertrophy machines and you prefer barbells and strength programming with a small-group culture, Iron Hive is a strong fit. No Muay Thai, no recovery facilities, no posing room.
Fitness First Sukhumvit
Fitness First is a general fitness chain with multiple Sukhumvit branches. The strength of a chain is reliability, group class schedules, and pool or wellness amenities at certain branches. If you want yoga, cardio classes, and a casual training environment alongside basic free weights, a chain like Fitness First does that well. It is not built for serious bodybuilding, IPF powerlifting, posing practice, or athlete recovery.
The honest summary
If you are training for a physique or strength outcome and you want serious equipment plus on-site recovery, UnReal wins on bodybuilding, powerlifting, and recovery. We state that openly because the data on this page supports it. If your priority is a casual class schedule or a familiar chain, your answer is somewhere else and that is fine. Pick the gym that matches the work you are actually doing.
Compare in person.
Day pass 500 THB. Walk-in tour any time during staffed hours.