Thailand - Power gym, Thep Kasattri, Thalang district, Phuket

Location: Power gym - Thep Kasattri, Thalang district, Phuket - 0841883197 

Open 6-am to 10pm

Review:  Power gym is a modern western standard gym with air conditioning and fetching blue back lighting. In addition to this, it is the home gym of the 2016 WFF Universe Championships Overall Mens Sports Model Gold Medal winner, Mr Atip Anantawan. Huge life-size photos of him adjourn the walls and offer support, motivation and as will all bodybuilding, the faintest air of homo-erotism. 

The gym itself is small but with good equipment allowing for my first decent heavyweight workout in an age. The lack of regular access to heavy weights has led to a loss of some strength, but I still managed to squat at about 85% of my previous best. Just incase you were wondering. I know you were. 

Entrance to this gym was about 200 bhat (about £4) for a day pass. Weekly and monthly passes are also availible. 

This gym has the following equipment:

• Squat rack 
• Olympic bars
• Dumbbells up to 125lb (57kg approx)
• Running, cycling cross trainer
• Adjustable benches 
• Cables 
• Bench 
• Pec deck 
• Lat pulldown 
• Seated triceps extensions 
• Dips bar
• Leg extension 
• Leg press 
• Lower back extension 
• Decline bench 
• Punch bag 

The gym also sells water and protein shakes for about 70 bhat (approx £1). It also sells pre workout, however the Thai red bull serves as an amazing pre-workout alternative. The gym also sells tubs of protein if you are likely to be in the country for a while. I would however, caution against buying tubs of protein in Thailand or any hot country. The heat and humidity make it difficult to store without accidentally giving yourself food poisoning. I would suggest either buying sealed sachets of protein and keeping these in the fridge, or buying pre-made shakes such as that described below. Feel free to drop any tips in the comments section below for how you keep your protein intake high in hot climates.   

Also, I rented a moped to get to this gym. There is parking across the road from the gym if you are planning on doing the same.  

Who is this gym for? Whilst I was there, the gym was being used by both guys and women and seems to be a well establish amongst the tourist community. I would recommend this gym to all ability levels and both men and women without hesitation. 

Tip: There is a 7/11 next to this gym which sells pre-made protein shakes for 49 bhat (approx £1). These are kept refrigerated and don't taste bad at all. I have found it hard to take on board as many grams of protein as I need and as a result have lost about 4kg since I started travelling 2 months ago. These shakes are a good way to stay stocked up if have fridge, or if not, keep an eye out for them in the 7/11s which seem to be all over Thailand.