Landmark Sydney gym’s $1.5 million renovation reveals new state-of-the-art facilities and health food eatery

Iconic Sydney gym, City Gym in Darlinghurst - operating in the same location for over 40 years and recognised as the first Australian gym to go 24 hours - has undergone a major seven-month, $1.5 million renovation across its three levels, as well as opening a new health-inspired eatery on the ground floor.

All three levels have been totally refurbished, and the areas redefined, to create the most effective and functional use of the space. The ground floor is the weights area, which includes more than 15 equipment brands, many of which are classics that have withstood the test of time and are not available in any other Australian gym. There are even dedicated areas for women to ensure they feel comfortable lifting, including a booty workout zone.

Level one features a new state-of-the-art cardio theatre with ‘top-of-the-line’ Matrix cardio equipment; boxing and functional area with competition grade boxing ring and cross training equipment; and luxury 5-star changerooms with a steam room and sauna fitted within the males.

The top third floor includes massage rooms, a consultation room, and an extended mind and body room that serves as a stretching and meditation area, and as the location for Yoga and Pilates classes. In the new year there will be the addition of infrared sauna rooms.

The new City Gym Café is positioned at the entrance with a birds-eye view of the gym floor. It is sleek, modern, and light, with wood and tiling finishes. Available are a wide selection of shakes and supplements powered by Gen-Tech protein, AllPress coffees and juices, alongside healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners, including protein pancake stacks, omelettes, salads and ‘design your own meal’ options, all aimed at optimising and fuelling members bodies.

First opening in 1978 to a burgeoning fitness and bodybuilding industry, City Gym quickly established itself as one of Sydney’s most famous social and cultural hubs during an equally auspicious year for the Australian community with the first Sydney Mardi Gras parade. Co-founder Billy Moore witnessed the LGBTQI community’s struggles first-hand and endeavoured to create a haven that would become a meeting place for people of all cultures, sexualities, and gender identities.

Affectionately nicknamed “the gay gym” in the late 70s, City Gym proudly held onto this label for the next 30 years. City Gym Mardi Gras floats became an annual event on the fitness calendar and the gym itself became an unofficial rehearsal space for many floats in the parade.

City Gym also became a mecca for the sporting elite, from Olympic champions and Hollywood superstars, to music industry legends and world class bodybuilders. A-listers such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Platz, Dorian Yates, Jane Fonda, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Hugh Jackman have been spotted working out at the institution. And of course, there was your average Joe, there to unwind from the day’s stresses after a hard 9-5 grind at the office. It was an all-inclusive social space, a family!

In 1986 present Co-Owner Billy Kokkinis (Billy Jnr) joined the gym as a self-described young, enthusiastic, and impressionable 15-year-old. Billy Moore mentored Billy Jnr, emphasising his ideology of equality, protection, support, compassion, and respect for all. To this day Billy Jnr has not wavered from this ethos.

Kokkinis notes “along with the complete renovation of the entire facility, including the new state of the art cardio theatre, boxing and functional area, and luxury changerooms, the unveiling of the new City Gym Eatery is yet another exciting layer of my City Gym vision that has come to fruition, and constitutes the realisation of a dream - with more to come in early 2021.”

City Gym impressively offers exclusive product and facilities, personalised treatment, safe environment, optimum customer service, group fitness classes to suit all ability levels and a selection of over 40 elite personal trainers to choose from – all for under $30 a week.

For more information go to citygym.com.au/

All images courtesy of City Gym - from top: Functional Training; Weights area; Cardio area; Mind and Body classes; Seniors class; Eatery; Co-founder Billy Moore with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson; present City Gym Owners Andy Mamasioulas (left) and Billy Kokkinis (righy); City Gym exterior.