Long Read
Fitness and Wellness: The Best Gyms and Yoga Studios in Kazan
okay, so i just spent a week in kazan trying to stay fit and not die from all the delicious tatar food. here's the messy, honest truth about where to sweat it out in this city.
first off, kazan is surprisingly chill for a russian city. rent is about 25,000₽ for a decent one-bedroom in the center, and safety? yeah, i walked around at midnight and didn't get stabbed. small wins.
gyms that won't make you cry
*world class kazan - fancy, clean, and full of people who look like they've never eaten a carb. membership is around 6,000₽/month. they've got a pool, sauna, and enough treadmills to host a marathon. downside? it smells like chlorine and ambition.
fitness house - more down-to-earth, about 4,000₽/month. the equipment is solid, and the crowd is less "instagram model" and more "actual human." overheard a guy saying he comes here just for the air conditioning. fair.
crossfit kazan - if you like being yelled at while lifting heavy things, this is your spot. 5,000₽/month. i lasted 15 minutes before i faked an injury.
yoga studios for when you need to breathe
yoga studio ananda - cozy, warm lighting, and instructors who actually correct your form. drop-in is 800₽. the guy next to me farted during downward dog. we both pretended it didn't happen.
omskaja yoga - more traditional, a bit more serious. 1,000₽ for a class. they do this weird chanting thing at the end that either calms you or creeps you out. i'm still undecided.
random overheard gossip
"don't go to fitness house on tuesdays. the instructor is a former drill sergeant and he will make you cry."
"anandas best class is the 7am one. everyone's too sleepy to judge your form."
"crossfit kazan? only if you want to question all your life choices."
weather and nearby cities
it's april, so kazan is doing that annoying thing where it's sunny one minute and snowing the next. pack layers. also, if you're bored, nizhny novgorod is just a 3-hour train ride away, and samara* is a quick flight. both have decent gyms too, i hear.
cost of living table
| expense | cost (roubles) |
|---|---|
| gym membership (avg) | 5,000 |
| yoga class (drop-in) | 900 |
| protein shake | 250 |
| taxi across town | 300 |
final thoughts
if you're in kazan and want to stay fit, you've got options. just don't expect everything to be perfect. the gyms are decent, the yoga is calming (unless someone farts), and the city is way more relaxed than you'd think. also, the food will test your willpower. good luck.
external links
- world class kazan
- fitness house kazan
- yoga studio ananda
- omskaja yoga
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