Locked, Broken, and Misused: The Sad State of Chennai's Public Gyms

In August 2025, the state of the gymnasiums run by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has become a major concern for the city's fitness-conscious residents. Many of these facilities, which were meant to provide affordable access to exercise equipment, are currently locked, broken down, or being misused by antisocial elements.

For young people and athletes like T Shankar, a district-level football player from Kodambakkam, the high cost of private gym memberships, often ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 for three months, is simply out of reach. "My father works as an MTC driver and he is the only earning member. We can't afford a private gym with membership and personal trainer fees," Shankar explained.

However, the GCC gym in Trustpuram has been closed for more than 2 years, much to the frustration of the 4,000 families living in the area. "The Corporation shouldn't start something and then forget about it," said resident V Harish. Similar issues plague GCC-run gyms in other parts of the city, including Saidapet, Mylapore Kabali Thottam, Nakkeran Nagar, and Thousand Lights.

While the GCC facilities are supposed to be open from 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 9:30 pm, most of them remain locked for the majority of the day, only opening late in the evening. In some areas, these locked gyms have become hangouts for tipplers and hubs for antisocial elements, raising safety concerns. Even the gyms that remain open are poorly maintained, with broken equipment and a lack of basic amenities like potable water, clean toilets, and changing rooms.

According to fitness expert K Vinoth Bhaskar, the equipment needed to set up a well-equipped gym can be purchased and installed for around ₹5-6 lakh, and regular maintenance is crucial to keep the facilities in good condition. However, the GCC appears to have neglected the upkeep of these public gyms, leaving the city's fitness-conscious residents without affordable and accessible options.