Public Relations
2 days ago
6 min read

Best & Affordable Options for Students

Studying or planning on moving to Rotterdam? Great Idea! This guide will help you stay active while studying in the city.

Collection of dumbbells at TrainMore gym https://trainmore.com/nl-NL/clubs/rotterdam/coolsingel/

Rotterdam is definitely one of the most exciting cities for students in the Netherlands. There are thousands of international and Dutch students studying in Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Willem de Kooning and Codarts. Because of the large student population the city offers a large variety of affordable gyms, sport facilities, and fitness classes for a student life.

Choosing the right gym is important when taking into account your busy schedule, deadlines, lectures, projects, part-time jobs and social life. Because there are so many gyms to choose from in Rotterdam, making the right decision can feel very overwhelming especially when you would like to pick one that suits your schedule and budget.

To make your decision easier, we’ve listed the best, cheapest, and most student-friendly gyms in Rotterdam and all perfect for staying active while living the busy Rotterdam student life.

Erasmus Sport Center Rotterdam

The most popular option for students. Cheap, social & full of variety

Sports Building Erasmus University Rotterdam / VenhoevenCS https://www.archdaily.com/994130/sports-building-erasmus-university-rotterdam-venhoevencs

If you are a student currently enrolled in Erasmus University then the Erasmus Sport Center is easily the best-value gym in Rotterdam. It is loved by thousands of students each year because of its large variety of sports, their enthusiastic instructors, the social atmosphere and the discounts offered around the city with a sports pass.

For one membership, you get access to over 50+ sports, classes, and facilities, including:

Football, basketball, indoor sports.
Yoga, pilates, dance.
Boxing, kickboxing, martial arts.
2 Floors of large strength training and cardio gym.
5 Squash courts.
Large class schedule (every day of the week).
Sports cafe.
Modern facilities.
Free lockers.
Personal Training studio.
Tennis courts on the campus.
Teams and sports clubs you can join.

Price: For Erasmus students the main sports pass usually costs around €222 per year however there are deals/ discounts that you can find like €210 with an EESA code, this would be equivalent to € 17,50 per month, making it one of the cheapest gyms in Rotterdam.

Transport: Located on Erasmus University campus and accessible by tram, metro, and bike. However it is a 20 minute bike ride or 27 minutes by public transport to Rotterdam central.

Why students love it: It’s cheap, social, huge, and you can do almost any sport you can imagine.

So if you are enrolled in Erasmus University and would like a variety of sports to choose from or enjoy training with friends and other students then Erasmus Sport Center is definitely the place to check out first.

TrainMore Rotterdam

Trendy, modern with multiple locations across the city.

Free weight lifting area at TrainMore gym https://trainmore.com/nl-NL/clubs/rotterdam/wijnhaven/

TrainMore is a very popular gym in Rotterdam city center, especially among students who like a stylish, modern gym with good equipment. Some of the reasons that the gym is liked so much is because of its very supportive, motivating atmosphere, its friendly staff, a very high-quality urban fitness environment and because of the efficiency of their multiple locations around the city.

They offer:

24/7 access at some locations.
Large free-weight area.
Wellness and recovery facilities including saunas/red light therapy/ice baths.
Free protein shakes and sports water.
Personal training.
Group classes including pilates/yoga/interval training.
Boxing bags.
Great music and nightclub gym vibes.
Discounts for students.

Price: Their average prices for normal membership can be more expensive than other regular gyms, ranging over €39-€49 per month (depending on location), however they do offer special 5 months student membership at some locations which can be between €33–€39 per month depending on the location. They also offer a great discount of €1 back after every workout session.

Transport: They have gyms located in Rotterdam Central, Blaak, and West. All locations that are easy by metro/bike and not far from central locations or universities.

Why it’s great for students: This gym is not the cheapest option for a student however if you like a spacious, motivational gym atmosphere, TrainMore gives you exactly that. It’s perfect for students who want high quality facilities and a visually nice gym with a city vibe.

Basic-Fit Rotterdam

Cheapest big chain gym, available everywhere.

Free weight lifting area Basic-Fit Rotterdam https://www.basic-fit.com/nl-nl/trainingzones

Basic-Fit is the most common student gym in Rotterdam or frankly in any other cities, and the reason is simple: it’s accessible, cheap and has everything needed for a standard gym.

What they offer:

20+ Basic-Fit clubs across Rotterdam.
Modern equipment.
Group classes (virtual and sometimes live).
Massage chairs.
Free weights, machines, cardio.
Budget-friendly memberships.

Price: €19.99–€29.99 per month. They can sometimes give out student discounts through partnerships with universities, offering reduced fees to around €190 per year (€15,80 per month), however this is only possible if your university partners with basic-Fit so you would have to check first.

Transport: Basic-Fit gyms are located in many areas of Rotterdam such as in Kralingen, Zuidplein, Blaak, Rotterdam Central, Delfshaven & more. This means that there is usually a basic fit close to you and easily accessible by bike or public transport.

Why students love it: It’s one of the easy options. It is cheap, everywhere, simple, and perfect for anyone who only needs a gym without extra amenities. It’s ideal for students who want to keep a low budget.

SportCity Rotterdam

Affordable gym with a cozy vibe & lots of classes

Inside of SportCity Rotterdam Ommoord Gym https://www.sportcity.nl/rotterdam/ommoord

SportCity is a great alternative to Basic-Fit if you want something slightly calmer and more organised, with a nicer atmosphere inside. They offer many live group lessons: from fight, dance and fitness to body and mind. This is perfect for students who need to rewind after a stressful week of lectures and exams, whether that is by joining classes focusing on strength, fitness, or endurance, or rather unwinding through more calm and relaxed classes.

They offer:

Yoga, pilates, spinning, dance classes.
Modern equipment.
Calm, clean gym environment.
Sauna access in some locations.
Friendly community feel.
Student discounts in certain months.

Price: Membership for students is €29,99 per month.

Transport: SportCity gyms are in many popular locations such as in Kralingen (near Erasmus University), Rotterdam Central & Zuid.Theses locations are easily accessible by bike or by public transport because of their multiple gyms and their beneficial locations.

Why students love it: The gyms are clean and modern, it has a relaxing environment rather than a crowded gym. They offer many different types of classes and it helps that they are one of the cheaper options for students. So, if you are a student who enjoys group classes and affordable prices then SportCity is an option for you.

Outdoor Gyms & Free Sports Areas in Rotterdam

Free, convenient, and great for students on a budget

Calisthenics park Rotterdam https://calisthenicsworld.nl/parken/

Rotterdam has plenty of free outdoor workout areas with high-quality calisthenics parks for pull-ups, dips, core workouts, and bodyweight training, running tracks, and public workout equipment. They are perfect if you want to train without spending money or if you enjoy casual or social workouts. It is of course open 24/7 with no memberships and no restrictions, is great for fresh air and is ideal for going with friends after lectures.

Some popular free spots:

Price: Completely free

Transport: These locations are all accessible with bike or public transport and are not far from Rotterdam central and student areas.

These outdoor gyms are great for students who would like to save money and are perfect for those who prefer casual training rather than structured gym routines. If you are a student who would like to stay active without paying monthly fees or prefer fresh air over crowded indoor spaces many of these outdoor parks could be an option so definitely have a look and try the parks out.

Tips for Choosing the Right Student Gym in Rotterdam

Pick a gym close to your student housing, convenience makes consistency easier.

Keep an eye out for student discounts (many Rotterdam gyms offer them).

Try free trial sessions before committing.

Think about your schedule before you commit to a gym. Do you need 24/7 access?

Choose based on your personality, would you prefer hardcore training, relaxing classes, or outdoor workouts?

Final Thoughts

Rotterdam has an amazing mix of gyms for every fitness level, personality type, and student budget. Whether you want a low-cost gym like Basic-Fit, a social sports community like Erasmus Sport, or outdoor workouts in the Rotterdam parks, there is something for every student lifestyle. It is always nice to relax and take your mind off lectures with a good workout, but it is smart to look for the cheapest and most efficient options as a student. We hope that the gym options we have provided you have been of help, and will guide you into choosing the right gym for you.

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