Sometimes even the most loyal gym-goers need to shake things up—and that's exactly what I did this month. After years of training at the "luxurious Axis Tower gym", I decided to take a short break. Not because I had any complaints about the quality or experience—quite the opposite—but because the price difference was just too significant to ignore. Enter: 12 Rounds Boxing Club.
Let’s talk numbers. My monthly Axis Tower gym membership runs at GEL 700 (they do have frequent discount and sometimes you can get there at 500 GEL). While it’s worth every lari for the facilities, environment, and perks like sauna, pool, and networking, I was curious to explore more cost-effective alternatives.
So for the month of June, I opted for a morning-only membership at 12 Rounds (valid from 07:00 to 16:00), which came at just GEL 220. That’s a savings of GEL 480—money that could go into protein powders, supplements, or even a weekend trip to Kazbegi.
To my surprise, 12 Rounds is a very decent gym. In terms of quality and cleanliness, it stands on par with Axis Tower. The atmosphere is solid, the equipment is in good condition, and there’s plenty of space to get a full-body workout done without waiting too long for machines.
But of course, no place is perfect.
One of the first things I noticed was the lack of elliptical machines—something I genuinely enjoy for post-workout cardio. That said, this led to a new discovery: the rowing machine. I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised by my performance.
Fifteen minutes in, I was pulling solid numbers—an average split time under 2:15. That result reminded me that I’m still in good physical shape, and the rower might just become a new staple in my cardio routine.
Despite the name “12 Rounds Boxing Club,” I haven’t tried their boxing offerings—yet. My focus this month has purely been the gym side of the facility. However, given the location—just next to our office—I might find myself coming back more frequently, maybe even giving the boxing bags a few swings.
While 12 Rounds ticks many boxes for a good workout, it can’t compete with the comfort and extras at Axis Tower—especially the post-workout sauna, the refreshing swim, and the unbeatable social scene. If those matter to you (and they certainly do to me), paying the extra GEL 480 may still be justified.
However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, high-quality gym in Tbilisi that delivers the essentials without the fluff, 12 Rounds is an excellent choice. You won’t get the frills, but you will get the gains.