Best options for students studying in Groningen.

TrainMore Munnekeholm Groningen, https://trainmore.com/nl-NL/clubs/groningen/munnekeholm/

Are you planning on studying or moving to Groningen? Great idea!!

Groningen is definitely one of the popular student cities in the Netherlands, it is home to thousands of students studying at University of Groningen (RUG), Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and many international exchange programs. While living in Groningen it is understandable that you would like to get your fitness in and preferably at a student friendly cost. With such a large student population Groningen offers plenty of cheap gyms, student sports facilities, and fitness centers that fit perfectly into a busy student lifestyle.

Between lectures, deadlines, part-time jobs and social life, choosing the right gym can make a huge difference. So to help you out, we’ve listed the top 5 cheapest and most student friendly gyms in Groningen.

ACLO Sports Centre Groningen

The best-value student sports center in Groningen

ACLO Sports Centre is hands down the cheapest and most complete gym for students in Groningen. At ACLO Sports Centre there are more than 21,000 students who use the sport center most of which are from University of Groningen and the Hanze University Groningen, the sport center is open 15 hours a day and almost every day of the year.

With one membership, you get access to over 85+ sports, classes and facilities, including:

Large fitness gym
Football, basketball, volleyball, badminton
Yoga, pilates, spinning, dance classes
Boxing, martial arts & kickboxing
Tennis, squash & climbing
Sports café & social student clubs

Price: For a student sport pass you pay €60–€80 per year (equivalent to €5–€7 per month!)

Transport: It has a great location right next to Zernike Campus (3 minutes with bike), as well as a short 15 minute bike to Groningen Center.

Why students love it: Insanely cheap, super social, and you can try almost every sport imaginable. Students studying at the University of Groningen are also able to get a discount by logging into the ACLO app.

If you are a student looking for the cheapest prices possible we advise you to definitely take a look at ACLO Sports Centre, you can find so many varieties of sports where you can enjoy working out with your friends and other students living in Groningen, it is a great way to socialize and find new friends. Check out their sport options and prices: https://www.aclosport.nl/en/

Basic-Fit Groningen

Cheapest commercial gym chain

Basic-Fit is not only located all over Groningen but also the country so it is a great option if you are also moving around or visiting friends/family in other cities. Basic-Fit Groningen is perfect for students who want a simple, budget gym without extras. If you are only looking for a weekly workout sesh this is the cheapest option.

They offer:

Modern cardio and strength equipment
7 training zones
Open 7 days a week
Free weights and machines
Virtual group classes
Multiple locations around the city and the country

Price: Depending on the membership you choose the prices vary between €19,99–€29,99 per month which is much cheaper compared to other basic commercial gym chains.

Transport: There are multiple Basic-Fit gyms in Groningen so there are many great locations to choose from some being, Basic-Fit Vismarkt which is a 4 minute walk to Grote Markt (right in the heart of Groningen), as well as a 5 minutes walk to University of Groningen. Another great location is The Helpman Groningen Basic-Fit which is around a 10-12 minute bike ride to the center of Groningen and around a 11 minute bike ride to the University of Groningen.

Why students love it: The gym is cheap, everywhere, and easy to use and is very accessible.

This gym is best for students who are aiming to just get a simple workout in with no complications. If you are looking for a cheap gym and multiple locations this is a great option, check out all of their locations and see what fits best for you.

SportCity Groningen

Affordable gym with classes & relaxed vibe

SportCity Groningen is ideal if you enjoy live group lessons and a calmer atmosphere. They have a very social atmosphere where you can meet people and workout together. Because SportCity has many gyms across the country, what they offer depends on the club and where it is located, however all of their gyms offer open training zones and cardio and strength equipment.

What they offer:

Yoga, pilates, dance, spinning & HIIT
Modern gym equipment
Sauna (at some locations)
Friendly and social vibe
Calm, clean gym environment.
Sauna access in some locations.
Student discounts in certain months.

Price: For a basic membership you would pay €29.99 – €30.99 per month, however depending on the club they may offer a student discount at around €27.99 per four weeks.

Transport: Since there are multiple SportCity Gyms in Groningen there are a lot of options you can choose from depending on what works best for you for example SportCity Groningen Atoomweg gym is only a 10 minute bike ride away from Groningen Central or SportCity, Melisseweg which is also only a 13 minute bike ride from The University of Groningen.

Why students love it: The gyms are clean, relaxed and great for classes and are also perfectly located, many others that are easily reachable by bike and bus from the city centre and student areas.

So if you are looking for a more high quality gym with many options and great locations then SportCity is the one to check out. We advise you to have a look at their many locations and their membership options.

TrainMore Groningen

Trendy gym with premium facilities

If you are looking for a gym with more premium facilities and you have some extra money to spend for your gym subscription, then TrainMore Groningen is a popular option. This gym provides you with the best equipment and high quality machines for weight lifting, they have an energetic team and a very positive vibe that are there to help and support you.

They offer:

Large free-weight areas
Open almost 365 days a year with 24/7 access
Ice baths & recovery zones
Free protein shakes & sports water
Group classes
Vending machines for post-workout snacks

Price: TrainMore offer multiple memberships a regular 2 year membership costs €52 per month which we know is a little costly especially for a student, however they do offer a 1 year student membership that is €39 per month.

Transport: There are two TrainMore gyms in Groningen. TrainMore Groningen Munnekeholm gym is just a 3 minute bike ride and a 9 minute walk from Groningen central station and is also a very short 2 minute cycle or 9 minute walk from the University of Groningen giving it easy access for students. TrainMore Groningen Oude Ebbinge is even closer to The University of Groningen being just a short 1 minute bike ride and a 6 minute walk away, so you can easily go for a short workout right after you finish your classes or study sessions.

Why students love it: It is modern, social and very motivating. The locations of these gyms are also very accessible for students however you should keep in mind that the gym is a little more on the expensive side.

If you are a gym maniac and are looking to spend your money in a good quality gym, then you should definitely consider TrainMore. The vibe is amazing and very motivating for a sports fanatic. We advise you to take a look at their website and check out the rest of their memberships and what more they have to offer before making your choice.

Free Outdoor Gyms & Sports Parks

Train for free in Groningen

Noorderplantsoen Basketball area, https://sport050.nl/sportlocaties/basketbalveld-noorderplantsoen

We understand that as a student you may not have the money to spend on a gym membership, but that’s alright since Groningen has several free outdoor gyms and calisthenics parks that are perfect for students on a budget and those who like an outdoor practice session!

Popular free workout spots:

Price: Free!!

Location: Many of these outdoor gyms are located in a lot of small or larger parks all around the city, this means you have plenty of locations to choose from and you can easily find one that is closest to you.

Why students love it: It is easy, fresh air, social workouts and zero membership fees.

If you don’t know whether you are ready or have the money to commit to a gym membership then you can try working out at one of these outdoor gyms & sports parks, you can find many options around you and can enjoy a fun (and free!) workout with your friends!

Tips for Choosing a Student Gym in Groningen

Choose a gym close to your student housing
Look for student discounts
Try free trial days
Think about whether you need 24/7 access
Decide if you prefer gym workouts, group classes or outdoor sports

Final Thoughts

Groningen offers some of the cheapest student gyms in the Netherlands, especially with ACLO being one of the best-value sports centers in the country. Whether you want a full sports community, a budget gym, or free outdoor workouts, there is certainly something for every student lifestyle and budget.

Moving to Groningen? Finding housing is often harder than finding a gym. With RentSwap, you can find verified, affordable student rooms in Groningen. No scams, no bidding wars and no stress.

Moving out soon? Pass on your room and get rewarded with €200 for helping another student – what a great way to sponsor your next gym membership!!

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