O2 Gym KPD: Old School Charm in Chiang Mai, Thailand

O2 Gym KPD (กำแพงดิน), Chiang Mai Thailand Gym Review 

If you’re looking for an affordable, old-school gym in Chiang Mai, O2 Gym KPD is worth checking out.

Located in the Phra Sing area, this is a no-frills local gym with plenty of equipment, a mix of locals and expats, and a day pass that won’t break the bank.

It’s not fancy, and some of the equipment has definitely seen better days, but for 60 THB a visit, there’s not much to complain about.

First Impressions

Walking into O2 Gym KPD, you quickly realise this isn’t one of Chiang Mai’s modern fitness clubs.

The equipment is well worn, the facilities are basic, and there’s no air-conditioning in the main training area.

But there’s plenty of space and a good selection of machines.

It reminded me of the old-school bodybuilding gyms from the Tom Platz era. Nothing particularly polished, just weights, machines and people getting on with their workouts.

The Space & Equipment

The gym has a spacious main training area with plenty of room for strength training.

There’s also a separate air-conditioned cardio room.

Unfortunately, the main weights area only has wall fans, so expect to work up a sweat.

Equipment

For a gym charging just 60 THB, the equipment selection is pretty impressive.

You’ll find multiple squat racks, plate-loaded machines, cables, free weights and dumbbells, along with some basic functional training equipment.

There’s enough variety to train all your muscle groups without having to get too creative.

The equipment is ageing, and some machines could do with a little maintenance, but there’s plenty to work with.

One thing worth mentioning is the weight measurements.

The free weights are in pounds, while the machines are marked in kilograms.

So be prepared for a little mental arithmetic during your workout!

There’s also no dedicated deadlift platform.

What It Felt Like to Train Here

O2 Gym KPD has a good mix of local Thai members, expats and travellers.

The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, with most people focused on their training.

Although you might come across a few of the older expat regulars who seem to have claimed their own little piece of gym territory! All part of the character, I suppose.

The staff were friendly and welcoming, and we had no problems communicating despite the occasional language barrier.

The biggest challenge was the heat.

Without air-conditioning in the main training area, it can get pretty warm, so we found early morning or evening sessions more comfortable.

But despite the basic facilities, I enjoyed training here.

There’s something about an old-school gym that I really like, particularly when it has a decent range of equipment and doesn’t cost a fortune.

Bathrooms & Facilities

Facilities are basic, so don’t expect anything luxurious.

The bathrooms are functional, and there was limited cleaning equipment available when we visited.

I’d recommend bringing your own bottle and towel.

The separate air-conditioned cardio room is a nice addition, particularly if you want to escape the heat for part of your workout.

Longer-term memberships also offered fingerprint access when we visited.

Pricing

When we visited, O2 Gym KPD offered:

Day pass: 60 THB
Weekly pass: 350 THB
Monthly membership: 900 THB

Three-month, six-month and annual memberships were also available.

For the equipment and space available, I thought the pricing was excellent, particularly if you’re spending a few weeks in Chiang Mai.

Prices and opening hours are from our visit. Check directly with the gym for current information.

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Spacious training area
• Good range of strength equipment
• Multiple squat racks
• Separate air-conditioned cardio room
• Friendly staff
• Good mix of locals, expats and travellers
• Flexible membership options

Cons

• No air-conditioning in the main weights area
• Some ageing equipment needing maintenance
• No dedicated deadlift platform
• Basic bathrooms
• Limited cleaning equipment
• Mixed pounds and kilograms on equipment

O2 Gym KPD Scorecard Rating 

Just for the record… 5 stars don’t come lightly!

My Final Thoughts

O2 Gym KPD is a good option if you’re staying in Chiang Mai and want somewhere affordable to keep up your training.

It’s old-school, the equipment has seen better days, and the lack of air-conditioning can make workouts pretty sweaty.

But there’s plenty of equipment, a spacious training area and a friendly atmosphere.

And at 60 THB for a day pass, it’s hard to argue with the value.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely, particularly if you enjoy a local gym and aren’t too worried about fancy facilities.

Just plan your workout around the heat, bring your own water and towel, and be prepared to do a little pounds-to-kilograms conversion along the way!

Stay strong, stay travelling, and keep the adventure alive 🏋️‍♀️✈️🌏

Message me if you have any questions or want to know more!

Travel, move, repeat.

Mi-Ree 🧡