GraceInPhuket

Good tips in this thread. I do the same now, browse on laptop and checkout on the app. The price gap is real. Another thing that helps: keeping a wishlist of items you are watching and waiting for the monthly sales (3.3, 4.4 etc). Prices can drop 30-40% during those events. My wife and I use aoneena.com to track gift ideas with Shopee links, makes it easy to compare prices and share lists for birthdays and holidays. With the 3.3 sale coming up Monday, worth checking your cart prices now vs then.

Living in Phuket and running regularly, I find the area you choose really depends on what kind of runner you are. For road/trail runners: Rawai and Nai Harn are hard to beat. The roads around Nai Harn Lake and up through Sai Yuan are quiet and shaded. Chalong Dam and Bang Wad Reservoir are popular for morning runs. For people who also want to cross-train: Chalong and Kathu have a huge concentration of Muay Thai camps and gyms. Bang Tao has the most CrossFit boxes and modern international gyms. I use roamfit.net to check what training facilities are in each area - covers 700+ gyms, Muay Thai camps, yoga studios, etc across the island. Useful if you want to map your neighbourhood options before choosing where to rent. My personal pick for a runner who also trains: Rawai. Quiet roads, Nai Harn for beach runs, multiple Muay Thai camps, and good yoga nearby. Less touristy than Patong/Kamala.

After spending a couple of years exploring fitness options across Phuket, I thought I'd share a comprehensive breakdown that might help anyone looking for gyms, training camps, or studios on the island. By Training Type Muay Thai (40+ camps) Concentrated in the Rawai/Chalong area, especially around Soi Ta-iad ("Fighter Street"). Prices range from 400 to 800 THB per session, or 8,000 to 25,000 THB per month. Most camps welcome beginners and offer trial classes. Standard Gyms (50+) Found island-wide. Day passes typically 150 to 400 THB, monthly memberships 1,500 to 4,000 THB. Patong has the most variety, but every area has at least a few options now. Yoga Studios (20+) Kata, Kamala, and Rawai have the best selection. Drop-in classes run 300 to 500 THB. Some offer outdoor sessions with ocean views, which is a nice bonus. CrossFit (6-8 boxes) The CrossFit scene is growing. WOD drop-in around 400 to 600 THB, monthly unlimited 3,500 to 6,000 THB. Personal Training Available at most gyms. Rates vary from 800 to 2,500 THB per session depending on the trainer and location. Freelance trainers are often cheaper than gym-affiliated ones. By Area Patong: Most options for standard gyms, easy walking distance from hotels. Rawai/Chalong: Best for Muay Thai and serious training. The highest concentration of camps anywhere on the island. Kata/Karon: Good mix of options, quieter atmosphere. Kamala/Surin: Premium options, some really nice yoga studios. Phuket Town: Local gyms with the best prices. Getting better every year. Tips from Experience Always ask about trial sessions before committing to a monthly membership Many gyms offer a free first session Prices are negotiable for longer stays (3+ months) Avoid signing up during your first visit in tourist areas, as walk-in prices tend to be higher Ask about the AC situation. Some gyms turn it off during quiet hours to save on electricity I've been helping compile a directory of all these options at roamfit.net if anyone wants to browse and compare before visiting. It covers 700+ gyms, studios, and training camps across the island with prices and amenities. What's your training setup in Phuket? Always interested to hear what others have found!