Fitness enthusiast and reviewer from Lisboa

The Short Version

I’m Isabela Martins based in Lisboa, and over the past several years I’ve chronicled my encounters at fitness clubs throughout Portugal.

This site came about after growing weary of selecting gyms from adverts and generic advice, only to learn the actual experience didn’t match expectations. I wanted precise, candid details about what these places were really like. When I couldn't find them, I chose to build it myself.

over twelve Gyms Visited
three Years Active
well over 200 Classes Attended

How This Started

My fitness routine kicked off at a modest club near Praça do Comércio – Fitness Club in Lisboa. It wasn't perfect, yet it was approachable, reasonably priced, and helped me stay consistent.

After that place closed, I saw how rapidly the fitness landscape in Portugal was changing. New clubs emerged, fresh concepts showed up, and marketing often outpaced the actual member experience.

I began trying different gyms and classes, jotting notes after each visit. Gradually those notes formed this site, created to help others make more informed choices.

My Approach to Reviews

Every review on this site comes from real visits and real time spent inside the club. I focus on practical details that matter when you are choosing a membership.

When I review a fitness center, I typically:

  • Spend sufficient time to grasp routines, busy periods, and trends
  • Visit on various days and at different times
  • Try multiple training formats and trainers
  • Regularly use amenities to assess cleanliness and comfort
  • Speak with other members about what remains consistent and what doesn't
  • Take notes right after each visit

I update reviews when circumstances change significantly: renovations, management changes, pricing adjustments, or new facilities. Each article shows its last update date so you know how current the information is.

What I Look For

My priorities might differ from yours, so here is what matters most to me when evaluating a fitness center:

Comfort and Privacy: Does the space feel genuinely well-designed for members, with respectful boundaries and a calm atmosphere?

Equipment Quality: Are machines well-maintained? Is there enough variety? Do things get fixed promptly?

Crowd Management: Can you actually train during your preferred time without waiting constantly?

Clean Facilities: Locker rooms, showers, floors, and equipment surfaces. Cleanliness shows how seriously management treats the member experience.

Honest Membership Practices: Clear pricing, clear rules, and no unpleasant surprises.

Beyond the Gym

Outside of training and writing, I live and work in Lisboa. This project is here to make fitness choices easier and more transparent for people looking for the right environment.

Get in Touch

I receive messages from people considering memberships or starting their fitness journey. I try to respond when I can.

The best way to reach me is through the contact form.

If you have specific questions about a gym I reviewed, I am happy to share extra details. If you have suggestions for places I should visit next, I welcome those too.

Thank you for reading. I hope something here proves useful in your own fitness decisions.

Check Out My Latest Reviews

Dive into in-depth experiences from fitness clubs across Portugal.

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