Kinshasa - Post Report Question and Answers
What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
A couple of the compounds have gyms, and the Marines would let you use theirs for a fee. There are a couple gyms around the city but I wouldn't recommend using them unless you are looking for a medevac! There's a decent golf course that you can walk around. - May 2024
There are a couple of gyms and clubs here. The Golf club is one of the few big-green areas in the city, they only have the Golf Course and some clay Tennis courts, they will pro-rate your membership's cost depending on when in the year you join. There is "La Maison de France", it is a small facility with a pool. You can also go to "TASOK's School" campus on the weekends, (they are slowly opening the campus back to the community after COVID). There is an equestrian club, a little overpriced for the quality and quantity of services they offer. This is not a post for families with children or teenagers, the amount of available activities for children or teenagers is almost non-existent. - Aug 2022
The Embassy has a gym which was closed throughout COVID. I think it recently re-opened but has some restrictions regarding timing and number of people allowed in at one time. Local gyms can be very expensive if you're seeking American-quality equipment or services. - May 2022
There are very good local options, but the Embassy's gym really needs upgrading. The sports club/hotel across from the admin complex has a great pool and for individuals it's only $50/month. Better places, like the very upscale Fleuve Hotel, are twice that. - Aug 2019
The embassy gym is in awful condition and not conveniently located for most embassy personnel, because it's on a different compound from the chancery or USAID compounds. There are gyms in most of the major hotels, and many people end up purchasing their own exercise equipment. It's difficult to workout outside in most areas, though the "river loop" area is popular for jogging. - Apr 2019
Gyms are lacking but available in town at the nice hotels if you are willing to pay. Most gyms are approximately $200/month. There are options to belong to gym/pool combo and there are yoga classes, boxing classes available in town as well. An American expat hosts CrossFit-type classes as well - Dec 2017
Only the US embassy gym with membership. - Dec 2017
Three (+?) of our USG housing pool apartment buildings have small gyms with mediocre equipment that you can use. Many hotels have nice gyms but want you to also pay for pool and or spa access as well, which is pricey.
The original River Loop has been closed indefinitely and the alternative is fraught with cars, beggars, and potholes. Therefore walking/running out of doors is not really a great option anymore though several ladies still do it in groups. I disagree with another poster on this issue: spandex and tank tops are perfectly fine and you will see plenty of Congolese wearing them while exercising too. Obvious expats turn heads and get unwanted attention no matter what we wear or do. It is unavoidable. But you may wish to wear long sleeves and leggings/pants anyway due to the bugs! - Mar 2017
Most housing and some restaurants have small pools. Gyms are very expensive, crowded, and mostly attached to hotels. There used to be a running/walking path by the Congo river, but now it's closed (possibly indefinitely). It's really not safe to walk/run outside except in a tiny area, so I recommend bringing workout equipment such as exercise machines, dvds, yoga mats, and free weights if you like exercising. These things are available in Kinshasa, but at low quality/ridiculous prices. If you don't use what you bring, you'll be able to sell any of the above for the original purchase price. Also note that workout clothing should be modest (unfortunately, women really can't run outside in shorts, tight pants, and/or tank tops without attracting a lot of unwanted attention). - Jan 2017
Not much. Embassy had a very small gym with some treadmills and weights. The Congo River 'loop' in the leafy Ambassadorial part of the Gombe neighborhood was the only place to walk/jog in town. Sunday evenings they were a zoo! - Sep 2016
The US Embassy has a gym for a monthly fee (not sure what). Many of the apartment buildings have gyms. There are yoga, crossfit, Zumba and other classes available in various places and for various costs. You can always walk the "River Loop" for free as many people do. - Apr 2016
The Embassy has a gym and there are gyms available at the Grand Hotel and a couple other places. - Nov 2012
Yes. - May 2012
Yes, well sort of. There is a small gym on the embassy compound, but it is available to embassy people only. There are also small gyms at the Grand Hotel and the Tennis club (but not much in terms of treadmills/ellipticals). - Feb 2012
The U.S. Embassy has a small gym for embassy personnel only. - Nov 2011
Yes - Aug 2011
The embassy has the Marine gym. There is little or nothing else on the local scene. - Jan 2011
Yes. - Oct 2010
Yes, there are several; all are expensive. - Jan 2009
