Fitness World: The Muay Thai Ring gym experience
- reefaulkner
- May 22
- 4 min read
Fitness World: The Muay Thai Ring gym experience
Vientiane, Laos | Visited: Weekday, 5:00 PM
First Impressions ⭐⭐⭐
If you've ever wondered what it would look like if a Muay Thai ring collided with a weightlifting floor plan, welcome to Fitness World. This unique gym spreads across three levels and features a boxing ring right in the middle of the main floor that's impossible to miss. We ventured here at 5pm (departing from my usual morning routine) and landed squarely in peak hour. The gym was buzzing with activity, and there were some questionable lifting techniques on display that provided unintentional entertainment.
Worth noting for my fellow tall travellers—the locals here, like many throughout Laos, were genuinely fascinated by my height. While I'm accustomed to curious glances when traveling, this place elevated the experience to comedy level.
The Space ⭐⭐
Fitness World occupies an impressive footprint, cleverly distributed across three levels inside a larger building complex:
Main Floor: Boxing ring centerpiece surrounded by plate-loaded machines designed for bodybuilding-style workouts
Upstairs Mezzanine: Additional strength equipment and specialized training areas
Downstairs Mezzanine: Cardio machines, cycle room, and class spaces
The facility includes wellness amenities like a sauna and changing rooms with shower facilities. The air conditioning system works diligently to combat Vientiane's heat—while not arctic, it maintains a workable temperature even during crowded sessions.
The primary drawback is the fragmented layout—key equipment (particularly leg machines) is scattered between floors, making logical training sequences and supersets unnecessarily complicated. This disjointed arrangement forces you to plan your workout route strategically or resign yourself to extra stair climbing between sets.
Equipment ⭐⭐
You'll find comprehensive options for a full-body workout, though some machines have unusual biomechanics that felt awkward for proper muscle engagement. The equipment selection includes:
Free weights up to 88 pounds (40kg)
Smith Machine
Squat Rack
Deadlift Platform (located on level 2)
Hack Squat
Bench Press stations
Incline Press stations
Plate-loaded machines: chest press, abdominal, pec-deck, fly, back row
Leg equipment: leg press, extensions, leg curl, calf machine, hip abductor, hack squat
Back equipment: lat pulldown, cable row, trap cables
Resistance bands
Dedicated group fitness studio
Comprehensive cardio section
Equipment maintenance appears consistent, with most machines in working order and weights returned to their proper locations. While nothing feels brand new, everything is clean and functional.
Amenities & Facilities
Changing Rooms: Separate men's and women's facilities with lockers
Showers and Sauna: Available with basic amenities (bring your own towel)
Cycle Studio: Classes available (schedule at reception)
Group Fitness: Daily classes including HIIT, yoga, and Muay Thai
Water: Bring your own
Wi-Fi: Not available
Towel service: Not available – bring your own
Atmosphere ⭐⭐
The staff were welcoming and efficient despite the busy environment. Despite the crowds, equipment turnover remained reasonable, with minimal waiting for popular machines.
The clientele represented a mix of dedicated locals and a few tourists. While the gym attracts all levels of gym goers the overall vibe is more community fitness center than hardcore training facility and while the gym is packed in over 3 floors the Muay Thai boxing ring does consume prime real estate on the main floor, reminding you that in Laos just as in Thailand this sport ranks above traditional body building every day!
Pricing ⭐⭐⭐
Current rates as of May 2025 (verify directly with the gym):
Day Pass: 80,000 kip (~$8 USD)
Payment methods: Cash and major credit cards accepted
My Verdict
Pros:
Friendly and straightforward check-in process
Clean facilities with functional climate control
Affordable pricing
Convenient central location in Vientiane
Cons:
Inefficient equipment distribution across multiple floors disrupts training flow
Some machines feature unusual mechanics that compromise optimal form
Gets exceptionally crowded during evening peak hours
Layout impedes focused bodybuilding-style training sessions
Limited free weight selection for advanced lifters
How Does It Compare?
Having trained at three locations while in Laos, I'd rank Fitness World second for Vientiane and third overall. The multi-level layout creates unnecessary complexity, but the unique atmosphere and additional facilities make it worth experiencing at least once during your visit. If you're primarily focused on strength training with minimal distractions, FitStation remains superior. However, if you value variety, classes, and don't mind navigating between floors, Fitness World provides excellent value.
Must-Dos
Bring your own towel and water bottle or rent a towel for from the counter
Arrive outside peak hours if possible (before 4pm or after 8pm)
Wipe down equipment thoroughly after use (sanitizing wipes available)
Explore all three levels to find hidden equipment gems
Ask staff about class schedules if interested in group fitness
Location Details
📍 Address: ITECC Building, 3rd Floor, Kamphengmeuang Road, Vientiane
🗺️ Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zo24nhAura7K4LG67
💬 Languages: Staff speak basic English and fluent Lao
Access Notes: Located inside the ITECC building complex – proceed to the 3rd floor via stairs or elevator. Look for prominent signage visible from the main road.
Scorecard Rating (Out of 5)
Category | Rating |
First Impressions | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The Space | ⭐⭐ |
Equipment | ⭐⭐ |
Atmosphere | ⭐⭐ |
Pricing | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Overall | ⭐⭐½ |
Just for the record… 5 stars don't come lightly
Travel, train, repeat. See you in a gym somewhere around the world soon.
Mi-Ree 💙
Travel, train, repeat. See you in a gym somewhere around the world soon.
Mi-Ree 💙
This review was based on a visit in May 2025. Conditions and pricing subject to change.
If you found this helpful, follow my fitness travel journey here and Instagram
Comments