The Gym sits on Cambridge Avenue in Ashhurst, the township at the gateway to the Manawatū Gorge a short drive from Palmerston North, and is rated 4.9 from seven Google reviews. Details live on its Facebook page, so messaging ahead is the sensible way to check hours and membership. A good neighbourhood gym earns its keep in the basics: a proper induction so nobody has to guess at a machine, an eye for form before bad habits become injuries, and a welcome that suits a beginner as much as a seasoned regular. Small-town gyms run on familiarity, so it is worth visiting at the hour you would actually train to see whether the feel suits. In New Zealand it is also fair to ask whether trainers hold REPs registration. For Ashhurst locals who would rather not drive into Palmerston North to train, The Gym keeps a well-reviewed option just up the road.