Iron history, heavy dumbbell racks, bodybuilding cathedrals, and training intensity.
Sam CarterHealth, Fitness & Performance Editor
Winner
Gold's Gym Venice Beach
Overview
Some gyms possess a sacred atmosphere forged by decades of sweat, heavy chalk, and Mr. Olympia champions. We evaluated gyms on equipment variety, heavy dumbbell weight limits, atmosphere, and iron history.
Winner spotlight
№1Gold's Gym Venice Beach, California, is the 'Mecca of Bodybuilding'. Opened in 1965 where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu, and Lou Ferrigno forged Golden Era bodybuilding history under the California sun.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 Gold's Gym Venice Beach The Mecca of Bodybuilding | #2 Equinox Hudson Yards Luxury Fitness Hotel | #3 Metroflex Gym Ronnie Coleman's Gym | #4 Third Space Soho London Luxury Fitness | #5 Muscle Beach Santa Monica Outdoor Gymnastics | #6 Temple Gym Dorian Yates' Cellar | #7 Gymshark Lifting Club Modern High Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.3 |
| Performance | Elite | Excellent | Great | Very good | Good | Good | Fair |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good | Fair |
| Comfort | Exceptional | Excellent | Very good | Good | Good | Good | Fair |
| Value | Fair | Good | Good | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1The iconic Mecca where Arnold Schwarzenegger forged Golden Era history.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
260,000 sq ft luxury fitness club featuring outdoor pools, cryotherapy, and NYC views.
Luxury high-end clubWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Hardcore non-air-conditioned iron dungeon where Ronnie Coleman squatted 800 lbs.
Hardcore iron dungeonWhy buy
Keep in mind
4London's premier club featuring hypoxic altitude chambers and luxury spas.
London luxury spa & clubWhy buy
Keep in mind
5The historical birthplace of outdoor calisthenics, traveling rings, and gymnastics.
Outdoor calisthenics & ringsWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Dorian Yates' basement dungeon where six Mr. Olympia titles were built with blood and guts.
Blood & guts heavy ironWhy buy
Keep in mind
755,000 sq ft modern state-of-the-art facility featuring custom platforms and studio rigs.
Modern tech facilityWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | Gold's Gym Venice Beach | Equinox Hudson Yards | Metroflex Gym | Third Space Soho | Muscle Beach Santa Monica | Temple Gym | Gymshark Lifting Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | |||||||
| Breathable | |||||||
| Reflective details | |||||||
| Wide sizing | |||||||
| Carbon plate | |||||||
| Machine washable | |||||||
| Recycled materials | |||||||
| Long warranty |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every product was worn or used through a full 12-week training block. We measure performance, durability and the small details that only show up after week three — seams, straps, soles and support.
The best gear is the gear you'll actually use at 6am. Comfort and ease of use beat marginal performance gains every time — and a longer warranty is worth more than a flashier spec.
The winner of our The 7 Most Legendary Gyms in the World ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
A minimum of 12 weeks of real training. Running shoes need at least 100 miles; gear that survives a full training block earns its place.
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