Everyday people

It's so hard to believe that the eight-rai Everyday Sport Club belongs to the government. The spacious club (inside the Army Club) on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road in Bangkok looks too luxurious to be true with its clean and modern facilities.

Best of all, it is open to the public.

There are more than 35 exercise class activities to choose from, such as yoga, aqua-aerobics, cardio-jams, and abdominal and body stretches. All classes begin after 6pm. You can also enjoy swimming, taekwando, badminton and fitness sessions with professional trainers who can give you advice at no extra charge.

The membership fee varies. A one-year membership costs Bt16,000, a six-month membership costs Bt9,350, a three-month membership costs Bt5,100, a one-month membership costs Bt2,000, and a one-day pass costs Bt300. There is no entrance fee.

"Although the amount of equipment in the fitness room is less than at other private sport clubs, I prefer it here. The club is very clean and it is easy for me to travel to. It's just across the road from my university," says Kittisak Kawchuoy, 21, an international business administration student from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. He has been a member for five months.

All trainers graduated with a degree in sports science.

"Trainers here are very friendly and are always nearby to give advice. Their kindness and friendliness is very impressive," said Sirinapha Pansang, 24, club member and a Department of Corrections officer. "But what I like the most here is that the trainer will not annoy me by trying to force me to extend my membership when it is close to expiring. It makes me feel very comfortable when I come," she says.

Since the opening time for the club is at 6am on weekdays and 8am on weekends and holidays, club manager Puttiporn Vongyutnapong advises those who are interested in private fitness, rather than a class activity, to come early in the morning to avoid packs of members in the fitness room. She says that later in the day you might have to wait in a long queue to use equipment, especially a running-track machine.

The Everyday Sport Club is located on Vibhavadhi-Rangsit Road, diagonally across from the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce near the Din Daeng junction in Bangkok. For more information call (02) 616 0055, 616 2400 ext 271 273.

Watchara Saengsrisin

The Nation