Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its people aren’t far behind. Capetonians are known for their love of exercise, so it comes as no surprise the city’s boutique fitness industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. With unique offerings such as aerial yoga studios, top-of-the-range spin rooms and specialised Pilates centres, health-conscious locals and visitors to the Mother City have a plethora of options to suit their unique interests and fitness goals.
Of course, physical fitness aside, many studios incorporate elements of wellness, such as nutrition planning and stress management, providing a holistic approach to fitness.
So, if you’re looking for Cape Town’s most exclusive and luxurious workout facilities, here’s the ultimate guide to start with.
The Body Space
Best for: Pilates, Yoga and Barre
For those a little further out of the city bowl, The Body Space is a charming Pilates, yoga, and Barre Studio located in the picturesque suburb of Plattekloof Glen in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. The studio is dedicated to helping individuals achieve balance in their bodies by enhancing muscle tone and strength, increasing flexibility, and developing a strong mind-body connection. All classes are available by reservation only and are subject to availability.
44 Lesueur Ave, Plattekloof Glen, +27 82 673 9291
Hustle and Heart Cycling Studio
Best for: Spinning
“Hustle your heart out” is the motto of Hustle and Heart Cycling Studio in Cape Town, where you can expect an immersive, rhythm-based full-body workout on a bike. Instructors lead you through a revitalising session that includes runs, resistance training, arm workouts, and a dedicated weights track using dumbbells. To keep things fresh and diverse, each instructor infuses their unique style and personal playlists into the experience, making music the heartbeat of the studio. If you’re up for a high-intensity workout that engages both body and spirit to bustling beats, this one is for you.
311 Main Rd, Sea Point, +27 66 261 3183
Motley Crew
Best for: CrossFit
CrossFit often gets a bad rap for being “cult-like”, but that’s mostly because its fans are deeply passionate. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at Cape Town’s Motley Crew. Catering to everyone from seasoned athletes aiming for the CrossFit Games to newcomers with little fitness background, each workout promises to leave you feeling like a better version of yourself. For those interested in trying out a drop-in class, simply sign up online. You’ll be part of the so-called CrossFit cult in no time, too.
Corner Chiappini and Waterkant St, De Waterkant and 120 Main Road, Seapoint, +27 69 590 8312
Virgin Active Gym Silo District
Best for: Health and wellness
No list of luxury fitness facilities in Cape Town would be complete without the city’s prestigious Virgin Active Silo District. Dubbed the “fancy one” on the brand’s website and even the club walls, Virgin Active Silo District in Cape Town is a luxury gym that offers an exceptional health and wellness experience. This state-of-the-art facility, located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, offers top-tier instructors, advanced equipment and a pool, all designed for a personalised fitness journey at the highest degree of comfort. Luxury amenities aside, members can enjoy the brand’s regular group classes, personal training sessions, saunas and steam rooms. To access the Silo, you need to sign up for a Collection Membership, which also grants entry to all Virgin Active gyms locally and internationally. The club also features fancy lounges, health food cafés and internet stations, making it a hot spot for relaxing, working and even catching up with gym buddies.
Silo, 4 S Arm Rd, Waterfront, +27 10 005 1616
YogaLife
Best for: Yoga
YogaLife, a family-run studio in the vibrant De Waterkant Village, was established in 2010 to make soulful yoga accessible to everyone. Since then, it has become one of the city’s most popular yoga studios, offering a fun and challenging experience that supports transformation both on and off the mat. Highlighting inclusivity, the studio believes that yoga benefits all through enhanced self-awareness and interconnectedness. With each breath and movement, YogaLife offers a welcoming and peaceful environment where yogis from all walks of life can embark on their unique journeys of growth and self-discovery.
127 Waterkant St, De Waterkant, +27 21 418 2884
The Movement Lab
Best for: Pilates
If you think Pilates is easy, you best think again. The Movement Lab defies the misconception that Pilates is a relaxed practice, offering a range of challenging and engaging classes. As a licensed training centre and studio, it provides internationally recognised Pilates courses and classes, including STOTT Pilates, Total Barre, and ZEN GA. Their expert team creates a welcoming and all-inclusive space that caters to all fitness levels with varying intensities and unique class options. With studios in Sea Point and Claremont, as well as live streaming in Sea Point, clients can experience the studio’s unique energy from the convenience of their own homes.
INFO: 202B Main Road, Sea Point and 16 Dreyer Street, Claremont, +27 82 657 1209
One Flow Yoga and Wellness Social Club
Best for: Yoga
A newcomer to the city’s fitness scene, One Flow – Yoga and Wellness Social Club is a state-of-the-art community hub where personal transformation and holistic wellness intertwine. More than just a yoga studio, it provides an immersive experience for yogis of all levels, featuring diverse class styles such as Vinyasa for fluid movement, Power Yoga for strength and Sculpt classes that blend traditional yoga with resistance training. For those seeking intensity, Hot Yoga Flow and Hot26 deliver detoxifying yoga experiences in high heat and humidity. When you’re done with your session, the must-try Journey Sauna offers curated sessions with music, coloured lighting and red-light therapy, enhancing both cellular and spiritual renewal.
32 Prestwich St, Green Point, +27 82 553 3033
SWEAT 1000
Best for: Full body workout classes
Loved by millions around the world, including Capetonians, SWEAT 1000 is a dynamic workout programme that integrates interval training, functional training, and other elements to create a high-intensity class. Not for the faint-hearted, the unique combination of core stability work, athletic training, and agility training, along with constant class changes, eliminates boredom and shocks the body into achieving surprising results. This full-body workout already has countless satisfied clients from around the world who call SWEAT 1000 “the ultimate workout experience”. And after burning an impressive 1 000 calories per session, you can imagine why.
The Point Mall Shopping Centre in Sea Point, 76 Regent Rd, Seapoint, +27 21 439 9903
