South Side Fitness - St Kilda (VIC)

James Cassar Derrimut Gym in Port Melbourne is a fantastic facility with a fresh and modern vibe. The neon-lit entrance and greenery wall make for a great first impression, and the design inside is sleek and inviting. The spacious cafe is a definite highlight – perfect for a post-workout smoothie or coffee. The equipment is high-quality, with plenty of variety to suit all fitness levels, and theres heaps of space, even during busier times. I also love the greenery and natural light, which give the gym a welcoming, relaxed feel rather than the usual industrial look. One of the best perks? Being so close to the beach – there’s nothing better than a dip in the ocean after a good session.

Tegan Hamilton Really well equipped gym with a comfortable atmosphere. Staff and members are really lovely and accommodating. Female friendly with a good range of machines, cables and free weights. 24 hour gym, so you can go in when it suits you. In staffed hours there’s also a great outdoor workout space. Awesome little Prahran gem!

Miles Agnew What a gym!!! Old school vibe and the staff are super friendly. The photos on the wall really amplify the heritage and legacy of this gym, which keeps it all the more motivating. I’m gutted I’ve left Melbourne because I can no longer train here, but I’ll definitely be back!! I was staying in the Nomads hostel around the corner so if you’re staying there it’s super convenient Also this place is insanely good for training legs, you’ll never have to wait for any machine as there are loads of options. Never used a leg press like the one here. If it had a seated hamstring curl it would be perfect, but there are still two hamstrings curl machines anyway. Oh and also the staff have a great taste in music Thanks

Sophalline Meas Gorgeous studio with experienced instructors. I’m quite self conscious but always feel really comfortable when I’m at Harmony. One on one is great for those who may be a little self conscious like myself otherwise the group classes are small groups of 6. Great friendly community with an intimate feel.

Santos M Hands down the best investment Ive made. Armstrong’s sessions are intense but good fun, and he’s got a wealth of knowledge to back it up. I was a total beginner when I started, but seeing the progress Ive made already has been amazing.

Genna Para I love this gym!! It has become like my second home now. I was so nervous starting something new, but the team made me feel so welcome, and the members are all super friendly. It has felt so easy to maintain a consistent training regime!

Corrie Woolston Great studio! Because it’s smaller and not part of a big chain, the instructors really take the time to check your form and offer helpful corrections. Every instructor I’ve had has been lovely, and each class has its own unique style, which keeps things interesting.

Natasha Lourenço Ive been working out at Zap Fitness for the past two years, and it has been an amazing experience. The gym is always very organised and impeccably clean, which makes it a pleasant environment to train in. One of my favourite things about the space is how much natural sunlight fills the building — it creates such a refreshing and energising atmosphere. The equipment is top-notch and well-maintained, making every workout feel seamless. Plus, the community here is wonderful — everyone is friendly and supportive, which adds to the overall positive vibe of the gym. Highly recommend Zap Fitness to anyone looking for a great place to work out!

Chris Smith TL;DR Highly recommend South Pacific St Kilda. Its a great facility, in an unrivalled location and its a ripper place to train. Fully deserves 5 Stars in my book. If youre in the St Kilda area and youre looking to join a good gym, you should definitely check this place out. --- --- For those who like more detail..... Ive been a member here for probably 4-5 years now and I dont really have any reason to look elsewhere. Its a good place to be, the best gym Ive ever been a member of. I originally signed up here because it was convenient and I could walk from home, but now I live a few suburbs away and I still keep coming back. I mainly use the main gym floor area (free weights and body weight type stuff) and also do a few classes when I can. The facility is large, with lots of different rooms/areas, so even during peak gym hours you can always find some space and get your workout done. Its a pretty special and unique gym in terms of the location and the building itself. It is right on the beach, with full views over the palm trees on St Kilda Beach, the bay and toward the city. Unlike most gyms, it is full of natural light and when the weather permits, you can open up the doors upstairs and get a good fresh sea breeze through the place. Of course, you go to the gym to train your body, but I feel like due to the location and the views, this place is good for you mentally as well. The other day I was on the rowing machines overlooking the bay and a pod of dolphins was jumping through the water just off the beach. Its pretty cool and certainly makes for a nice mental break from sitting in front of a computer screen all day. The staff here have always been good in my experience. Theres plenty of familiar faces around who have been working at the gym for as long as I have been a member. It makes a big difference, especially when you are doing classes your instructors get to know you, what level you are at and if you have any pre-existing injuries you need to work around. Same thing with the PTs. I think there is a good mix of members at the gym in relation to age groups, gender, fitness levels and all that type of stuff. I feel like its a welcoming place for anyone really. I know plenty of other members (M & F) and Ive never really heard of any issues with being intimidated or being uncomfortable in the gym. I mean its a big gym, with lots of members, so Im sure there are issues here and there, but I really havent witnessed any real problems in that area. Its a good place to be and the environment is generally friendly and welcoming for anyone. In terms of the variety and amount of gym equipment and classes that are available to members, I think they have most things covered. Its a very big club, with loads of different work stations, machines, free weights, rooms and classes available. They are often adding and upgrading the equipment which is nice. They recently added a good seated adduction and abduction machine which has been well received. Even if the machine you love is not available or not at the gym, you can just ask one of the PTs and they will give you a similar/substitute exercise to do anyway. Some of the other reviews about this gym have mentioned "cleanliness" as an issue. I havent really had any issues with that, but I think if anything it has improved even more in the past few months. Theres always cleaners around making sure things are kept in order.The cleaners are good guys and they even work-out in the club, so they are incentivised to keep it nice and tidy. If youve read this far, you are most probably looking to join a new gym/club. I have no affiliation with this place apart from being a happy member, so I can say anything I want about it. Everything I have written above has been my honest experience of being a member here. I would just finish up by saying that if you are looking to join a new gym, you should definitely come down, have a look at this place for yourself and make up your own mind. I think youll probably like what you find.

T atts The outdoor gym at Park Towers Reserve in South Melbourne (251 Bank Street) offers a refreshing and free way to work out outdoors. Nestled beside a playground, tennis rebound wall and basketball court, the space features four main equipment stations including a chest press, leg press, aerobic cycle and body twist. What makes this facility especially appealing is its integration into a broader recreation area—while you train you’re surrounded by green space, open lawns and other active amenities. The ground surface is rubber-matted for greater comfort and safety, which makes it suitable for all fitness levels. The lack of entry fee is a huge bonus. On the flip side, as an outdoor setup, it has minimal shelter so weather can affect your workout and some pieces may be more basic compared to indoor gyms. All up, it’s a handy and well-situated option for a quick fitness session in South Melbourne.