My 3 Most-Visited Independent Gyms in Brighton & Hove (After 25 Years of Training Here)
Working as a personal trainer in Brighton for the last 25 years, I’ve trained in nearly every independent gym the city has ever had. Some came and went like old training partners you barely remember. Others… I still visit today, and the machines feel like familiar old friends — the kind where just gripping the handles brings back whole phases of my life.
Brighton & Hove has no shortage of gyms, each with their own culture and characters. Here are the three independent gyms I still visit the most. They’re all completely different and will suit people at different stages of their training journey.
I’m keeping this list strictly to independents — nothing against the big commercial chains, but while they’ve made fitness more accessible, they’ve also thinned out some of the raw gym culture that Brighton used to have.
1. Fitlab (Formerly Cheetahs) – Hove
If you’re new to training, check out my Training Methods page to learn the style I often use here.
One of the first gyms I ever trained in when I moved to Brighton over 25 years ago. Back when it was Cheetahs, it was already an institution — and despite being bought by the Fitlab team and given a refresh, the soul of the place is unchanged.
Think:
Iron
More iron
The unmistakable smell of graft
Friendly, old-school atmosphere
Dumbbells up to 70kg
Enough kit for any bodybuilding-style session
Cardio equipment to round things out
One of the freeweights section at Fitlab Cheetahs Gym Brighton
It’s still my favourite after decades of training, mostly because the crowd is a perfect mix of Brighton itself — all ages, all backgrounds, all goals.
2. PHX Gym – Hollingbury, Brighton
If your goal is building muscle, start with my Start Training Now page.
PHX is the polar opposite of Fitlab — bright, modern, slick, and packed with equipment. If you love machines, you’ll be in heaven.
Standout kit:
Panatta plate-loaded machines
Huge free-weight selection
Good cardio section
Sled-run track for conditioning
The gym is white, clean, and well-lit. Some find it a bit exposing; others love the crisp, modern atmosphere. The crowd is younger and more Instagram-ready, but still welcoming.
PHX Gym Brighton
3. Woodingdean Community Gym – Long Hill, Brighton
I often warm up here before heading into heavier sessions — read how I programme that in my Training Methods section.
This one’s a wild card. It’s close to home, and even though the equipment offering is limited compared to the others, it’s reliable, friendly, and has everything you need for a straightforward session.
Except for one thing:
No row machine.
And yes, I know you can dumbbell row… but every gym needs one proper machine row. That’s a hill I’ll happily die on.
Apart from that, it’s a solid local spot with a diverse range of members and a calm, community feel.
Longhill Gym Brighton
Final Thoughts
These three gyms have shaped a big chunk of my training life. Each one has its own charm, quirks, and strengths — and depending on where you are in your journey, one will likely click with you more than the others.
If you want help choosing the right environment or structuring your programme: