Best Gyms in Phnom Penh: BKK1 vs Riverside

Phnom Penh is a city of two worlds when it comes to fitness. You have the polished, expat-heavy streets of BKK1 and the raw, humid energy of the Riverside. I have spent enough time in both to know that where you stay will completely change how you train.

If you want comfort and air conditioning that actually works, BKK1 is the place to be. This is where you find the heavy hitters like The Place. It is basically the gold standard for luxury fitness in Cambodia. You get clean towels, high-end Technogym equipment, and a pool that does not look like a petri dish. It is expensive, but when the humidity hits 90 percent outside, you will be happy you paid for it. SuperFit is another solid option nearby. It is massive and has a more serious bodybuilding vibe, but it still maintains that BKK1 level of cleanliness.

Riverside is a different beast entirely. It is loud, dusty, and crowded, but it has a charm that BKK1 lacks. Training here usually means smaller, local-style gyms or just joining the hundreds of people doing aerobics on the boardwalk at sunset. If you choose to run by the river, do it at 6:00 AM. Any later and you will be dodging motorbikes and tourists. The gyms near Riverside are often more basic, with older equipment and fans instead of AC. You will sweat twice as much for half the price.

My advice is simple. If you are here for a month and need a routine, get a membership in BKK1. If you are just passing through and want to feel the energy of the city, go down to the Riverside, find a local gym with five-dollar day passes, and embrace the heat. Just make sure you bring your own towel.