First Place Fitness - your 24/7 health club

About First Place Fitness - your 24/7 health club

First Place Fitness is an independent, locally owned 24/7 health club located on Te Rapa Road in Hamilton. Established in 2006 by a local family, the club was built specifically to welcome beginners and anyone returning to exercise, cultivating an approachable environment that many members describe as a second home.

Spanning the largest 24-hour gym footprint in New Zealand, the facility features six dedicated training zones designed for privacy and focused workouts. These zones include extensive cardio equipment, a beginner-friendly electronic circuit, heavy and general weights areas, a functional training rig, and a dedicated combat room complete with a full boxing ring. Members have access to over 35 group exercise classes each week, private saunas in each changing room, and on-site morning and evening childcare. With round-the-clock secure access and ample parking, First Place Fitness offers comprehensive training support for all fitness levels.

First Place Fitness: Hamilton's 24/7 Community Health Club

Locally owned and operated by a Hamilton family since 2006, First Place Fitness on Te Rapa Road has grown into the largest 24-hour fitness facility in New Zealand. While large in scale, the gym was deliberately designed to remove the intimidation often associated with big commercial fitness clubs. From day one, the club’s founding mission has centered on helping beginners and everyday locals make exercise a comfortable, permanent part of life.

Six Dedicated Training Zones

Rather than one noisy open floor, First Place Fitness divides its equipment into six distinct zones. This layout allows members to work out in privacy alongside others working toward similar goals. Room 1 holds more than 50 pieces of cardio equipment alongside a dedicated stretching area and a computerized 30-minute circuit that programs workouts automatically for beginners. For resistance training, Room 2 accommodates heavy lifters with hack squats, leg presses, and ten bench press stations, while Room 3 features pin-loaded Life Fitness multi-stations and free weights.

Functional and combat fitness have their own dedicated spaces. Room 5 houses a large functional training rig for high-intensity movement, while Room 6 features a full-sized boxing ring, bags, and pads for combat training. Group classes also make use of Room 4, a spacious studio dedicated to Zumba and group exercise when scheduled, and open for member training throughout the rest of the day.

Inclusive Classes and Family-First Amenities

With over 35 classes running every week, the timetable covers everything from Boxing, Muay Thai, and Bootcamp to Body Blast, BATs (Butts, Abs & Thighs), and core stability. All classes are structured so participants can work at their own pace, whether they are stepping into a studio for the first time or training as advanced athletes. For younger family members, the club runs twice-weekly Youth Boxing for ages 5 to 17.

Balancing family life and fitness is made easier through the club’s on-site Kids Club, making First Place Fitness the only gym in the Waikato offering both morning and evening childcare sessions. Parents can book hour-long slots Monday through Friday mornings or during peak weekday evenings. Post-workout recovery is supported by private saunas built directly inside both the male and female changing facilities, accompanied by four showers in each bathroom and round-the-clock access.

Signature items

• Electronic Beginner Circuit
• Full Boxing Ring
• Kids Club Childcare
• Private Changing Room Saunas
• Evolt 360 Body Scanner
• Functional Rig Room

Menu

Training Zones

• Room 1: Cardio Zone & Electronic Circuit — Over 50 pieces of cardio gear including stair climbers, treadmills, bikes, rowers, air bikes, air runner, booty builder, and a beginner computerized circuit.
• Room 2: Heavy Weights Room — Heavy lifting area featuring leg presses, hack squat, bench press gear, and no weight restrictions.
• Room 3: General Weights Room — Equipped with a large double Life Fitness multi-station, pin-loaded machines, and free weights.
• Room 4: Group Exercise Room — Spacious studio space hosting Zumba and group sessions, open for member use outside class times.
• Room 5: Functional Training Zone — Dedicated functional room fitted with a large fully functional rig and group fitness equipment.
• Room 6: Combat Zone — Boxing and Muay Thai area featuring a full-sized boxing ring, punch bags, and combat training gear.

Group Fitness Classes

• Boxing — High-energy combat conditioning class led by motivating instructors.
• Muay Thai — Traditional martial arts conditioning and striking class held in the combat zone.
• Body Blast — Full-body strength and cardio conditioning group workout.
• Bootcamp — Dynamic high-intensity group training designed for all fitness levels.
• BATs (Butts, Abs & Thighs) — Targeted toning workout focused on lower body and core strength.
• Core — Focused session strengthening midsection stability and posture.
• Functional Class — Rig-based movement class designed to build practical everyday strength.
• Zumba — Energetic dance fitness workout held in the studio room.
• Youth Boxing — Twice-weekly youth boxing sessions designed for ages 5 to 17.

Facilities & Wellness Services

• Private Saunas — Individual saunas located within both the male and female changing rooms.
• Evolt 360 Full Body Scan — Body composition scanning service to track detailed body metrics.
• Kids Club Childcare — Supervised morning and evening childcare sessions for children under 10.
• Personal Training Consult & Program — One-on-one consultation and personalized training plan designed with a trainer.
• Worldwide Workout Pass — Reciprocal access pass allowing members to train at over 30 participating gyms worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

Is First Place Fitness open 24 hours?

Yes, both the gym floor and changing rooms provide 24/7 access to members.

When are staff available at the facility?

Staffed hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm.

What hours does the childcare service operate?

Kids Club morning sessions run Monday to Friday at 9:15 am, 10:15 am, and 11:15 am. Evening sessions run Monday to Thursday at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, and Friday at 5:30 pm.

Are fitness classes suitable for beginners?

Yes, all classes accommodate beginner to advanced fitness levels, allowing members to train at their own pace with instructor support.

Does the gym have free parking?

Yes, there are over 140 free on-site carparks available for members.

Are saunas available on-site?

Yes, there are two private saunas, with one located inside the women's changing room and one inside the men's changing room.

What should I bring to a workout?

You should bring your 24/7 membership card, sneakers or running shoes, comfortable workout clothes, a small sweat towel, and a water bottle.

Tips

• {"body":"New members can book a 50% off consultation and tailored personal training program to get a clear routine mapped out from day one.","title":"Take Advantage of Beginner Consultations"}
• {"body":"Explore the separate rooms if you prefer quieter, private training—especially the designated stretching area or the functional rig room when classes are not running.","title":"Work Out Across the Six Specialty Rooms"}
• {"body":"Connect to the 'fpf members' Wi-Fi network upon arrival to stream workout music or browse while training.","title":"Connect to the Member Wi-Fi"}
• {"body":"Present your First Place Fitness key fob at local partner businesses, including nearby cafes, tyre shops, and service stations, for member discounts.","title":"Check Local Member Discounts"}

Good to know

• {"wifi":"Free member Wi-Fi available across the facility","family":"Morning and evening Kids Club childcare available for under 10s","parking":"Over 140 free on-site carparks available"}