The Shanghai fitness scene offers various activities catering to the expat community. Fitness centers, sports clubs, and outdoor activity get-togethers are widely available in Shanghai.
Some sports, such as squash, ice hockey, cricket and rugby might be harder to find in Shanghai, but they are available. You might want, however, to try some new physical activity, like various kinds of Chinese martial arts or boxing.
Joining one of the many Shanghai expat sport clubs is not only a great way to stay in shape, but also a good way to meet new friends. There are a wide variety of clubs to choose from, including hiking, cycling and team sports.
There are also several clubs and organizations offering sports activities and summer camps for expat children in Shanghai.
We have a list of Shanghai fitness centers and sports clubs for expats in our Shanghai Fitness Guide at the end of this article.
If you are living in Beijing you can check out our Beijing fitness article for information on expat sports clubs there.
Shanghai Fitness Centers
Probably the easiest way to stay in shape in Shanghai is to buy a membership at one of Shanghai’s many fitness centers. These can range from small not-so-clean local neighborhood establishments, all the way up to very expensive, international quality big box gyms.
Here we list some of the popular chain fitness centers in Shanghai including their membership fees:
- Will’s – About RMB 4,000/year
- MOB – About RMB 3,000/year
- Physical – About RMB 2,500/year
- Star Gym- About RMB 2,000/year
These target the middle class Shanghai locals, so are relatively clean and have a wide variety of weight lifting equipment and other activities such as spinning and yoga. You can also hire their personal trainers to help develop a work-out program that suits you.
Some gyms have full size swimming pools, whereas some other chains have mini swimming pools. It is often hard to swim laps at Shanghai swimming pools, however, as many locals enjoy relaxing in the pools more than actually swimming.
More and more fitness centers in Shanghai have also installed air purifiers which have been shown effective in filtering out indoor air pollution and helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in indoor spaces.
Unfortunately, most local Shanghai fitness centers don’t have English language websites. As many of them have Shanghai expat members, however, they will have one or two people on staff who can speak enough English to give you a tour and sell you a membership.
Membership Price at a Shanghai Fitness Center
A one-year membership at one of the local Shanghai fitness centers ranges between RMB 2,000-5,000, depending on how recently it opened and its equipment and facilities. A membership card that allows you to go to more than one of their branches will cost more than a single branch membership.
You need to be patient and use bargaining skills to get a good deal at many local Shanghai fitness centers. Sales staff, whose income often depends on commissions, are well known for their aggressive bargaining tactics. So be sure to carefully read the details of the membership contract before signing.
After much bargaining, I was offered a 1-year membership at both MOB and KingThai (previously Kingsport) fitness gyms in Jingan district for RMB 2,500.
Will’s gym on WangHang Du lu in Jing’an was offering a one year membership for RMB 4,288 and a 2 year membership for RMB 5,888. For membership cards that can be used at all their centres around Shanghai they were charging 5,888 for one year and 7,288 for two years. These were their list prices before bargaining.
Will’s fitness has the largest number of fitness centers around Shanghai including in some very exclusive buildings such as Jinmao and IFC.
Physical Fitness, a Hong Kong invested chain, has opened up quite a few locations including one in Jing’an Yueda 889 Plaza. After much bargaining they offered a one year membership for RMB 2,600 a 28 month membership for RMB 3,700 which could be used at all their gyms in Shanghai.
Tera Wellness opened a very large new A+ center in Jing’an, near Carrefour, in September 2016. At the time they offered a ‘free’ extra year when purchasing a 1-year membership for RMB 9,688.
The easiest way to bargain a better deal is to sign up for multi-year memberships which come with large discounts. This, however, can be risky. There have been a few Shanghai fitness centers that have gone bankrupt over the years, with patrons not being able to get refunds.
Sometimes you can get good deals by purchasing a second-hand fitness center membership card online at Taobao. Often these cards can not be transferred a second time, however. The transfer process can also be tedious and there is always some risk until you understand all the terms and the transfer has been completed.
Some Shanghai fitness centers sell monthly passes ranging from RMB 400-800, which is only economical if you are outside of Shanghai for much of the year.
Exclusive Shanghai Fitness Centers
Several high-end Shanghai fitness centers, such as Kerry Sports at the Kerry Centre in Pudong (1388 Huamu Lu) are quite popular with expats. These will charge RMB 7,000-15,000 for a one-year membership and offer much less crowded, cleaner environments with higher quality service and better equipment.
The top of the line Shanghai Racquet Club in Minhang District, which has almost any activity you can imagine will cost about RMB 60,000 for a one-year membership.
Shanghai Fitness Gyms with No Membership Fees
Several Shanghai boutique fitness gyms opened by expats offer both private and group fitness classes without the need to buy memberships. These include Olive Branch, Feel Good Fitness, Prime Fitness, Pro Series@ the clinic, and Spinback Fitness.
Most provide private and group High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and circuit training; making use of various equipment including resistance bands, kettle bells and medicine balls.
These fitness centers, along with the Crossfit clubs listed below, offer evening, weekend or daytime group fitness classes delivered by expat personal trainers for RMB 100-200/session.
24-hour Mini Gyms in Shanghai
Mini flexible gyms are becoming more common in Shanghai. Many of these, such as some run by Super Monkey, are staff-less which means no pushy sales staff.
Some are very small and have little more than a few running machines and weights. Mobile apps and QR Codes are used to pay for work-out time and group classes. You don’t need to buy long-term memberships for such gyms.
Often these gyms are open 24-hours so you can work out any time of the day and night.
Winter Shanghai Fitness Activities
With the Winter Olympics coming up in Beijing in 2022 the government as well as private business is promoting winter sports across the country.
Shanghai already has 15 ice rinks and intends to increase the number of indoor ice and snow sport’s facilities to fifty by 2025. Included in this will be the world’s largest indoor ski resort, Wintastar Shanghai to open in Pudong District by 2022.
You can find a list of several indoor ice rinks for hockey and figure skating in Shanghai below.
Yoga and Pilates in Shanghai
Yoga and Pilates are also popular Shanghai fitness activities for expats. You can find many such clubs in our Shanghai Yoga Guide .
Shanghai Fitness Guide
Shanghai Fitness Centers
- Pure Fitness Shanghai
IAPM Mall (Xuhui), Plaza 66 (Jingan), Century Link Mall (Pudong) - Will’s Gym
(≈RMB 4,500/year)
(Jingan, Putuo, Zhabei, Jianing, Huangpu, Zhongshan Park, Xuhui, Hongkou, Jiading, Minhang, Baoshan, Songjiang) - Orangetheory Fitness Shanghai
Jingan District Location
Pudong Location
WeChat ID: gh_d836807f3272 - Uptown Fitness Shanghai
(Anken Air complex, Jing’an) - AFit Training Studio Shanghai
(Zhongshan Park, Pudong)
WeChat ID: AFitTrainingStudio - Physical Fitness Shanghai
(≈RMB 2,500/year)
(Jingan, Bund, XuHui, Yangpu, Huangpu) - Prime Fitness Shanghai (Boutique Gym)
(Xuhui) - Olive Branch Shanghai (Boutique Gym)
(Jingan district- Xinzha Rd., Shimen Er Rd.)
WeChat ID: olivebranchfitness - MOB Fitness (Mind Over Body)
(≈RMB 3,000/year)
(Jingan, Putuo, Zhongshan park) - Super Monkey Gym Shanghai – mini-gym
(Multiple locations around Shanghai including Jingan, Zhongshan Park, Pudong etc.) - KingThai Fitness
(≈RMB 3,000/year)
(1011 Kangding Rd. near Yanping Rd. in Jingan) - Mega Fit
(Pudong Jinqiao, Xuhui, Putuo and more) - Anytime Fitness Shanghai – 24-hour any time fitness gym Shanghai
(Various locations around Shanghai) - Alexander Health
(≈RMB 6,000/year)
(Pudong Jinqiao, Xujiahui, Hongqiao, Gubei) - Feel Good Fitness (Boutique Gym)
(Xujiahui)
525 Fahuazhen Rd. - Star Gym
(Jingan, Luwan, Zhangjiang, Changning, Gubei, Hongkou, Lujiazui, …) - Ambassy Club
(≈RMB 6,000/year)
(Xuhui) - MTHD Fitness Shanghai
(Xuhui)
Personal Trainers in Shanghai
- Our article about hiring a Shanghai personal trainer
- Olive Branch Fitness
WeChat ID: olivebranchfitness - Tom Fazio Training
- Prime Fitness
- Feel Good Fitness Tel: 15121105913 (Luke)
- Pro Series @ the clinic
Personal Trainer Certification Programs in Shanghai
- 3HFit
WeChat ID: official3hfit
Prenatal and Postnatal Shanghai Fitness
- Prenatal Yoga Shanghai
- Anatomy of Arts Studio @ the clinic
Tennis in Shanghai
Biking, Cycling and Hiking Clubs in Shanghai
- China Cycle Tours
- Yejo Circle
- Cycle China
- SISU Cycling
Tel: 134 7276 9539
Spinning in Shanghai
- Spinback Fitness
(Jiashan Lu near Yongkang Lu)
Running Clubs in Shanghai
- Puxi Woman’s Running Club
- Urban Tigers
- Shanghai Hash House Harriers (Drinkers with a running problem)
Martial Arts and Boxing in Shanghai
- Ming Wu Kungfu
(Gubei Hongqiao, Many International Schools) - DEF Group Shanghai
WeChat ID: defgroup - Absolute Mixed Martial Arts Shanghai
- Luoguangyu Seven Star Praying Mantis boxing Shanghai
- Japanese Aikido Shanghai
- Kun Shaolin Studio
(Qingpu) - Milun Kungfu School
(Pudong Science and Technology Museum) - Muay Thai Boxing in Shanghai
(Qinzhou Rd. North 68 Bldg. A (close to Yishan Rd.) ) - Golden Gloves Boxing (WeBox Gym)
(Jingan district- 969 Wuding Rd. near Jiaozhou Rd., 4/F, Huaqi Building)
CrossFit Training in Shanghai
- Reebok Crossfit
(Jingan) - Emperor Crossfit
(Pudong New Area) - AFIT Training
(Zhongshan Park, Pudong)
Women Only Shanghai Fitness Gyms
- Curves Shanghai
(Xuhui, Minhang)
Xuhui district, 310 Mingyuan Plaza, 1199 FuxingZhong Rd., (near Jiashan Lu) - PlayGround Girls’ Fitness Shanghai
Zumba in Shanghai
Ultimate Frisbee in Shanghai
Expat Soccer/Football Leagues
- Shanghai Lions Football Club
- Shanghai International Football League
SIFL Homepage
Shanghai Lions Football Club
Shanghai Reunited Football Club - Active Sports Shanghai Football League
Rugby and Other Types of Football in Shanghai
- Rugby Shanghai
WeChat ID: rugbyshanghai - Shanghai Touch Rugby
- Shanghai Gaelic Football Club
Indoor Ice Rinks
- New World Skating (Huangpu)
Huangpu District: New World department store, 2 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xizang Zhong Lu - All Star Skating Club
Pudong District: Mercedez-Benz Arena, 1200 Shibo Da Dao, near Shangnan Lu - Feiyang Skating Center
Pudong District: 201 Yunlian Lu, near Liuhe Lu - Songjiang University Arena
Songjiang District: 2000 Wenxiang Lu, near Longyuan Lu - Hongkou Swimming Pool Ice Rink
Hongkou District: 500 Dongjiangwan Lu, near Dongtiyuhui Lu - New World Ice Rink (Gubei)
88 Xianxia Xi Lu, near Hami Lu
Ice Hockey in Shanghai
- Shanghai Hockey Club
- Shanghai Thunderbirds Minor Ice Hockey
Cricket in Shanghai
Field Hockey in Shanghai
Squash in Shanghai
- Some hotels: Portman Ritz Carlton, JCMandarin, Ambassy court , Marriot Hongqiao
- Hongkou Football Stadium: 444 Dong Jiangwan Lu, 5/F, Gate 21, Hongkou Football Stadium
- Ambassy Club (Xuhui)
- Shanghai Racquet Club (Minhang)
Shanghai Golf for Expats
Baseball, Softball in Shanghai
Basketball in Shanghai
- Melody Women’s Basketball Club
WeChat ID: melody_bball
Tel: 13817203586 (Virginia) - Active Kids Shanghai
WeChat ID: ActiveKidzShanghai
Walking Clubs and Tours in Shanghai
- Shanghai Flaneur Walking Club
- Shanghai Walking Tour
- Newman Walking Tours Shanghai