Aren’t we all tired of putting “getting fit” over and over again in our New Year’s resolutions? It’s one thing to feel motivated; it’s another to actually get up, sign up, and show up to that gym you paid way too much for.

But really, sometimes all we need is a good personal trainer. Someone who actually understands the science behind workouts and can help you craft meal plans for the best nutrition.

We chatted with a few fitness junkies, dropped by multiple gyms, and spoke to trainers themselves. So whether you’re keen to bulk up, slim down, or recover from injury, these experts should be on your list. 

1. The Lifestyle PT

Location: 44 Verdale Circle, Glen Eden, Auckland 

Contact: +64 210 356 180

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Website

Among the best personal trainers in Auckland, Dinesh Fonseca from The Lifestyle PT stands out for his unique blend of empathy, technical knowledge, and real-world understanding of injury recovery.

Having personally overcome chronic pain and scoliosis, he has become a trusted pain and posture specialist and West Auckland personal trainer who bridges the gap between fitness and rehabilitation.

His sessions combine strength training, callisthenics, and functional movement into a style of customised training that’s both practical and transformative. Clients describe his methods as a balance of structure and adaptability — the kind that fits real lives, not just gym schedules.

Dinesh takes a restorative yet challenging approach to fitness. He is best known for back pain rehabilitation Auckland-wide, helping clients who have struggled to find relief through traditional therapy.

As a rehab personal trainer, he emphasises precise movement, posture correction, and recovery techniques designed to strengthen the body without aggravating existing pain.

His background as a callisthenics trainer adds a unique dimension — teaching body-weight mastery that develops balance, control, and genuine functional strength. Each plan is a form of corrective strength training, teaching clients to understand how the body moves and what causes it to break down.

Operating as both a lifestyle coach and a trainer, Dinesh helps clients integrate fitness into their everyday routines. He encourages sustainable change — less about all-out effort and more about awareness, posture, and confidence in movement.

The Lifestyle PT experience typically includes mobility work, tailored workouts, assisted stretching, and massage recovery, alongside education about nutrition and sleep habits. This holistic structure has made him one of the most referred trainers for long-term rehabilitation in Auckland.

With more than a decade of professional experience and over 101 five-star Google reviews, Dinesh’s reputation extends beyond the general fitness space. Clients often note his deep understanding of biomechanics and his ability to connect cause and effect — how a tight hip can lead to recurring back pain.

His background in teaching allows him to simplify complex ideas, making physical restoration approachable and achievable for all ages and fitness levels.

Dinesh pays attention to the nuances of every workout

“With my hectic schedule, prioritising fitness was not on my agenda, and I felt that I needed to change and came across Dinesh’s profile. I have been working with Dinesh for a few months now and can already see improvements in my back pain, and general health and fitness journey, and showing me what my own body is capable of. Dinesh pays attention to the nuances of every workout, and I can see that it transforms my strength, endurance, and overall well-being. I am continually impressed by his deep understanding of exercise science. He customises every session to align with my specific needs and goals. Without a doubt, you’ll leave his sessions feeling stronger and more motivated. I am confident I have got a coach for life.”

– Yacoob Ali

Helped with overall physical and mental health

“I had severe neck and shoulder pain from multiple muscle sprains, and nothing helped until I met Dinesh. After just one session, I felt lighter than I had in months, and within days the pain was gone. I’ve continued sessions since, as they’ve helped me with my overall physical and mental health. Highly recommend this place even if you’re not in pain for your wellbeing and fitness. Thanks a lot Dinesh!”

– Rutuja Pawar, Google Review

2. Tomfit Gym

Location: 9c Holder Place, Albany, Auckland 

Contact:  +64 9 478 7129

Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours

Website

Tomfit Gym is a popular spot among fitness enthusiasts. They have 12 personal trainers currently, all of whom are able to customise training plans.

We like that each plan includes both workouts and meal plans. Even the clients we spoke to loved their approach to wellness. 

But what they (and we) love even more is the gym facilities. The entire place is modern and spacious. And though there are busy hours, it rarely feels crowded.

There’s a full functional fitness room and world-class strength and cardio machines. The InBody 570 body composition analyser also helps with accurate physical assessments.

Considering how popular the place is, though, booking a specific trainer in mind isn’t easy. We advise booking in advance or being open to working with a different, equally skilled trainer. 

Their customer service is great anyway, so inquiries push through quickly. We just wish that they also had a better way of booking sessions online for convenience. 

Offers great advice

“I have been involved with Tomfit for over 4 years now, starting with a personal trainer in their last smaller studio. The new building is large and purpose built with the latest equipment! It is a Fantastic environment to meet your fitness goals. The owners of the gym are at the gym everyday and are always welcoming and offering great advice. Highly recommended.”

– Marcus McAllister, Google Review

Excellent team

“Excellent team from the Owner, to Manager, to Trainer!cI highly recommend that you call ahead and make an appointment to chat. Very knowledgeable staff, they know their stuff and they know what’s best newbies like me. A+”

– Raheel Kumar, Google Review

3. The Gallery Gym – Best Gym for Strength, Recovery & 24/7 Access

Location: 190 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 

Contact: +64 3 365 0996

Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours

Website

We love The Gallery Gym’s approach to fitness. The owner himself was a former US Navy, so programs, though personalised, tend to lean towards military-style, old-school weightlifting.

The trainers are all friendly and approachable. Clients love that they’re very encouraging and always incorporate nutrition into their programs.

What we find even more amazing is their gym. The place offers a full recovery-focused experience, including a steam sauna and an ice bath. 

The equipment and facilities themselves are also pretty solid. There are competition-grade barbells, calibrated plates, and speciality training machines.

Since it’s a boutique gym, the space does feel small at times, especially during peak hours. Fortunately, it’s open 24/7, so you and your personal trainer can set a routine that works for your schedule.

Their rates are also a win considering how affordable they are. Visitor passes are $10, while weekly memberships start for as low as $7.99. There are no hidden fees in the rates, either.

Absolutely wonderful 

“I think it’s the best gym in NZ. I have been to many gym but the staff here is the most friendliest and helping. They are always ready to help you with your queries. Greg who is owner and Personal Trainer at the gym, he’s absolutely wonderful and helping with his knowledge. If you’re visiting Christchurch I’d suggest to buy visitor pass for $10 to allow you to workout and sauna. The gym has steam sauna and it’s really best.”

– Riddhi Joshi, Google Review

Couldn’t think of a better gym

“Great gym as a teen great because of the helpful staff always happy to help you. Great personal trainer’s. Always clean and amazing equipment. Couldn’t think of a better gym in Christchurch.”

– Jackson Lohrey, Google Review

4. ONI | Personal Training Gym

Location: Level 1/124 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM, Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Website

We love just how experienced the personal trainers are at ONI. They specialise in a wide range of areas, including functional training, mobility coaching, fat loss, and more.

Speaking to clients, we’re happy to see many measurable performance improvements. We gathered key points such as improved lifts, injury-free training, and better endurance.

We think part of their effective programs is their holistic support. Root causes of tension, injuries, and limitations are often addressed through in-depth assessments.

As for the gym itself, it’s clean, modern, and comfortable. There’s enough equipment to focus on building muscles and improving cardio.

It’s a boutique gym, so it does feel smaller than most. At times, it gets crowded, though surprisingly, the noise levels aren’t distracting at all.

Services are just priced higher than normal, but nothing too exorbitant. At least, clients get to see that value for money is consistent, along with good support and customer service.

A free consultation is also available. 

Fantastic gym

“ONI is a fantastic gym, very happy to have found it! Lau & the fellow trainers are all very relaxed & welcoming. I’ve stayed away from gyms for years as the didn’t like the idea of being in overcrowded gyms with gymbros. ONI feels more like a health & wellness studio, its very clean & tidy. Machines & range of equipment is great! Definitely recommend it to all my friends!”

– Api Procute, Google Review

Gold standard knowledge

“After dealing with weightlifting-related back pain for 9 months, I booked a mobility consultation with Laurent. His knowledge and programming are truly gold standard. Since then my results have been consistent. I’m now building up my weights again pain-free. If you’re in a similar situation and unsure of your next step, I highly recommend seeing Laurent 🙂”

– Brooke Price, Google Review

5. BodyFix Gym

Location: 29 Leeds Street, Phillipstown, Christchurch 

Contact: +64 3 389 9892

Opening Hours: Monday: 5:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Tuesday – Thursday: 5:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Saturday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Website

BodyFix has a highly experienced team of personal trainers. Each one provides personalised guidance, motivation, and accountability in every session.

Clients also love how well they communicate. They follow up promptly with their progress, allowing clients to target weak areas quickly. 

Trainers have a very pleasing and positive attitude too. We think it’s important, as it makes the clients feel more supported. 

The gym itself was very comfortable to move around in. It’s well-equipped and there’s ample space for classes. Our team also loved how tidy and odour-free it was despite being busy.

Members get 24/7 access, so it’s worth looking into membership plans for long-term goals. This allows trainers to craft the best workout session based on your routine, too.

Rates are competitive and are among the most affordable we’ve encountered. It can just be difficult to book specific trainers, as a few of them are very in-demand. 

We do like that they offer a 7-day free pass for those who want to check them out first before committing.

Great personal training on offer

“This is by far the best gym experience I have had. The variety of classes excellent and the staff & gym goers alike, warm & friendly.  Great personal training on offer and centrally located with heaps of parking. Their comms are fantastic too. I feel totally looked after.  I love BodyFix!”

– Shell Withers, Google Review

Friendly and welcoming

“Joined my friend for a PT session with Jess and I loved it! The vibes were positive, the space is clean, colorful and fun and Moana at the desk was friendly and welcoming. Overall 11/10 would recommend, only wish there was a gym as cool as this in Whangārei”

– Samantha Penney, Google Review