Fitness in Siem Reap: Best Gyms Near the Temples

Most people come to Siem Reap for the temples, but trying to maintain a fitness routine here is a specific kind of challenge. The heat is relentless, and after walking ten kilometers around Angkor Wat, the last thing you usually want to do is hit a treadmill. But if you are like me and cannot sit still, there are some great spots to sweat.

For a real local experience, you have to go to Angkor Muscle Gym. It is a classic iron house. No AC, just big fans and heavy weights. It is loud, it is sweaty, and it costs about one dollar for a day pass. I love this place because nobody is there to look pretty. It is all about the work. If you need something more modern, there are plenty of boutique gyms and hotel fitness centers in the center of town near Pub Street, but you will pay significantly more for the luxury of cool air.

One of my favorite ways to stay fit in Siem Reap is actually the commute to the temples. Instead of taking a tuk-tuk, rent a decent mountain bike. The ride from the city center to Angkor Wat is flat and shaded by massive old trees. If you do the small circuit by bike, you will easily clock twenty or thirty kilometers of cardio without even realizing it. Just start early. If you are still on a bike at noon, you are going to regret it.

Siem Reap also has a surprisingly good yoga scene. Places like Hariharalaya offer retreats, but even the smaller studios in town are great for stretching out your legs after a long day of climbing temple stairs. It is the perfect balance to the heavy lifting at Angkor Muscle.