Chamonix Gym is a gym, but it’s not just a gym. Chamonix Gym is a unique Alpine fitness resource located in the heart of the French Alps, offering an exclusive exercise environment suitable for everyone from first time gym-goers through to performance athletes.

The Chamonix Gym is open all day, every day and is equipped with the latest exercise facilities, cardio machines and weights. We offer group classes, personal training, and a delicious juice bar too. Whether you just want to do your own thing in the gym, or you want to tap into more, the Chamonix Gym has something for you!

With a constantly growing community of fitness and health professionals, our aim is to share our passion for sport, fitness and heahtly living in Chamonix. Whatever sport you’re into, at whatever level, we’re here to help you optimise your fitness by creating a fun, relaxed and private exercsie environment that you’ll look forward to coming to, every time. There really is no excuse not to Be Pure Fit.

Where are we?

-Ask someone their reason for getting a massage and you’re likely to hear “because it feels good”. We all know that a massage can relieve stress, help to make sore muscles feel better and even reduce anxiety, but can it help us achieve our fitness goals? Research shows that the massage you get to relieve stress can also have a positive effect on your muscle-building capabilities and fitness level.

-1. Massage improves circulation and general nutrition of muscles. This appears to be the most valuable fitness-related benefit. Massage is accompanied or followed by an increase interchange of substances between the blood the tissue cells, which increases tissue metabolism. After a muscle is exercised, vital nutrients must be supplied in order for it to increase in size. Massage maximizes the supply of nutrients and oxygen though increased blood flow, which helps the body rebuild itself.

-2. Massage improves the range of motion and muscle flexibility. This results in increased power and performance, which helps you work efficiently and with proper intensity to facilitate the body’s muscle-building response.

-3. Massage helps to shorten recovery time between workouts. Waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid build up in muscles after exercise. Increased circulation to these muscles help to eliminate toxic debris and shorten recovery time.

-4. Massage can help prevent over-training. Massage has a relaxing effect on the muscles, as well as a sedative effect on the nervous system. This can prevent over-training syndrome which has limiting effect on muscle building.

-5. Massage may aid in fat loss. According to some research, massage may burst the fat capsule in subcutaneous tissue so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed. In this way, combined with proper nutrition, massage may help in weight loss.

-6. Massage helps prevent and even heal injuries. By stretching connective tissue, massage improves circulation to help prevent or break down adhesions. Massage also influences the excretion of certain fluids (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur) necessary for tissue repair.

-While a massage won’t build muscle directly, it helps to facilitate the body’s rebuilding phase following a workout and influences muscular growth. Getting a massage is just as important as regular workouts and supportive nutrition for a comprehensive fitness program. Great news for those of us who thought building a great body was all hard work!-Before making an appointment with the first massage therapist you encounter, however, be sure they are a qualified bodywork practitioner. Ask for referrals, professional training information, and certification credentials from a reputable agency, such as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

For many individuals, massage has evolved from a periodic indulgence to a key component of an overall health and fitness regimen. The ability of massage to reduce stress and remedy various physical ailments has convinced many to include a massage therapist on their list of health providers. But the art of massage takes many forms. Typically, a visit to a spa or an independent massage therapist will include some form of Swedish massage or deep tissue massage. These techniques are designed to invigorate muscles by promoting increased blood flow to specific areas and identifying and relieving particular problems.

The application of these types of massage involves long, rhythmic strokes and kneading or circular actions with the hands, palms or fingers. The result is improved circulation, physical relaxation and a reduction in mental stress. Shiatsu massage is also an extremely effective form of massage but with a somewhat metaphysical rationale to support the technique. Shiatsu is a Japanese word that means “finger pressure.” The goal of Shiatsu is to restore the balance of energy in the body.

Proponents of Shiatsu and acupuncture believe that disease and physical infirmities are caused by imbalances or blockages in the flow of energy through the body. This energy is called “ki” which flows through the body along meridians or energy channels. Practitioners strive for a balance between Yin (negative energy) and Yang (positive energy) and attempt to determine where there may be a build up of energy or an energy deficiency. Either will cause problems.

Shiatsu does not use the rubbing and kneading technique of Swedish massage but applies pressure using almost any part of the therapist’s body including arms, legs, fingers, hands, feet, elbows, toes, etc. The therapist locates a particular point along one of the body’s meridians and applies pressure to that area, attempting to restore balance to the flow of energy. The pressure can be applied gently with the fingers or may be applied forcefully with the point of the elbow depending on the location of the point and the severity of the blockage. The therapist may also incorporate stretching, holding or rotating various parts of the body The restoration of the proper balance of “ki” is viewed as a spiritual as well as physical benefit.

The balanced flow of energy offers physical comfort and improved health as well as emotional stability and spiritual well being. In fact, it is not uncommon that a recipient of Shiatsu massage may experience an intense emotional response as energy is released from problem areas and restored to proper levels. Crying is not an unusual occurrence and a good Shiatsu massage therapist is fully prepared for, and completely sympathetic to, this type of response. Shiatsu massage is an extremely relaxing and healing form of massage. It is satisfying to know that besides feeling better, a Shiatsu experience can place us back in balance with the energy flow of the universe.