Gyms in Yamagata

Wondering where to get your cardio on in Yamagata City? Tom Armstrong, 3rd Year JET, has all the info for you right here.

He has two recommendations for gyms. And there is a rock wall that you should check out as well. See below for all the details:

La Vita Medical Fitness Spa

Location: Kiyozumimachi 2-3-51, Yamagata City 990-0834
Opening times: 9:30-22:30 (Monday –Friday)
9:30-21:00 (Saturday)
9:30-19:00 (Sunday)
Also closed on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month

Whats inside:

• Weights and cardio gym 
• 3 studio rooms for a variety of classes 
• 25 meter 3 lane indoor swimming pool 
• Tennis courts on roof 
• Male and Female down and upstairs change rooms with free lockers. 
• Male and female Japanese style onsen and bathing areas. 
• Massage room 
• Walking/ running track 
• Stretching area 
• Aqua classes 
• Hydro pool for walking only

Update: There is also an option to get ‘couples membership’ for 8,925yen per person, per month. This gives you the same access as the ‘free membership’ but the fees for both people come out of one bank account, so find someone you trust!

Membership Types:

There are four types of memberships which you can get that will suit your work schedule. The others won’t really be any use to you as a Yam City Jet.

1) Free Membership: Anytime Use; 9,740 Yen/ per month

2) Night Membership: 7:00pm-10:30pm Monday-Friday; 5,600 Yen/ per month

3) Holiday Membership: Saturday, Sunday and some public holidays; 6,500 Yen/ per month

4) Night and Holiday Membership: 7:00pm-10:30pm Monday-Friday plus Saturday, Sunday and some public holidays; 8,000 Yen/ per month

The wrap:

La Vita is the most popular Gym among the Yamagata City JET community. The staff there are really helpful and some of them can speak a little bit of English. The peak time for customers is between 6 and 9 at night on weekdays. During the weekend it is not so crowded. The staff can also do a full health evaluation of you ranging from blood pressure/ weight/ height/ fitness/ body fat percentage etc for you for free.

The majority of Yam City Jets have bought the Free Membership as it is the most convenient for us. Bike and car parking space is also available and free. You need to bring a pair of inside sport shoes to wear in the gym/class studios. This is just normal Japanese culture. And there are shoe lockers to put your outside shoes in. You can also switch or terminate you membership, but this has to been done before the 25th of the month.

Joy Fit

Location: Akanegaoka 2-15-25, Yamagata City 990-2481
Business hours: 8:00-24:00

What’s inside:

• Weights and cardio gym 
• Studio room for classes 
• Shower room 
• Relaxation room 
• Communication room 
• Locker room 

Membership types:

Regular member
3,150 Yen entrance fee plus 2,100 Yen registration fee and 5,775 yen per month

Time member
3,150 Yen entrance fee plus 2,100 Yen registration fee and 105 Yen per 6 minutes

The wrap:

Another gym used by the Yam City Jets. This gym has parking and bike spaces available. Not sure whether any of the employees can speak English, but if you go there you are likely to find out quickly. Not sure whether they do fitness checks there, and what the process is for changing or cancelling your gym membership.

Climbing Gym Dead Point (Indoor Rock Climbing)

* Address: 2-10-19 Akanegaoka, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata 990-2481
* Phone: +81-23-645-9360
* Fax: +81-23-645-9360
* Directions: 0 Minutes walk from Uwamachiguchi Bus Stop, Yamako Bus
* Hours: 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm (Tuesday thru Friday)
10:00 am to 9:00 pm (Saturday)
10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Sunday and Holiday)
Closed Mondays

* Fees:
2,200 yen per visitor
1,000 yen for registration
1,600 yen per day per adult member (Tuesday thru Friday)
1,900 yen per day per adult member (Saturday, Sunday and Holiday)