
Like the look of this gym? If you want to stay nearby then you can check out the links to hotels within walking distance at the end of this article.
About 30 years ago, Mr Juraimi relocated from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and opened his gym. It seems that little has changed from them to now. Many of the machines and weights still retain their 1970’s/80s feel, with square edges and moulded plastic frames. And unlike many gyms with modern equipment which is falling apart, everything here works. And if it got him into the shape like that then who can blame him for sticking with it. You can see what I mean about the styling of the gym from the cardio equipment which screams retro charm.
Everything about this gym felt like taking a step back in time, and honestly, I loved training here and chatting to Mr Juraimi. The gym is set up to train every muscle group and has almost everything you could ever hope for. The gym is pretty big and nicely spaced out.
Equipment wise, this gym has:
- Dumbbells up to 40kgs
- Adjustable bench
- Flat barbell bench
- Incline barbell bench
- Squat rack
- Smith machine x 2
- Old school cables
- Preacher curl bench
- Easy bars
- Hammer curl bar
- Fixed weight easy bars
- Pec Dec
- T-bar row machine
- Lat pulldown
- Seated low row machine
- Seated weighted row machine
- Pull up bar
- Hack squat machine
- Leg press machine
- Leg curl machine
- Leg extension machine
- Swiss trainer
- Weighted crunch machine
- Static bike
- Manual treadmill
- Stepper
- Cross trainer
As well as the equipment, the gym has a little fridge from which they sell water for 1 ringgit and isotonic drinks for 2 ringgits. The gym has air conditioning and fans so it doesn’t get too hot. Gym rules are that you must have a sweat towel to train here. If you don’t bring one, you will need to rent one for 2 ringgits. (approx £0.40)
The gym also has changing rooms, which are located next to Mr Juraimi’s kitchen. Looking around you quickly realise that the gym looks like it has been set up in a home, but I do not know this for sure.
It certainly looks like Mr Juraimi has dedicated his retirement to coaching others, including many of KL’s champion bodybuilders. If you are looking for bodybuilding coaching in KL, or if you just fancy something different from your standard chain gym experience, I would strongly recommend checking this place out.
Who is this gym for? This place is mainly a local gym. And given the owner’s history, the focus here is clearly on bodybuilding. That being said, the welcome I received from the owner and the rest of the staff was very friendly and welcoming. The cardio equipment here is definitely from the 1970s, but it is lovingly cared for and fully functions. If you don’t mind training super old school then this gym is perfect for all ability levels. You may even get a few tips from Mr Juraimi, and you can’t put a price on that.
Tips: The entrance can be a bit hard to find. Look for the door for Homme Thai massage and the symbol with the hands. Muscle Gym is on the top floor, up the staircase and past the massage place. You will see the sign below on the first floor.
Nearby Hotels:
$ – Sovotel Boutique Hotel @ Uptown: From £16
$$ – Lighthouse hotel: From £25
$$$ – Somerset Damansara Uptown: From £69
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