We’ve got the inside scoop on the world’s first croissant gym in Shanghai.
If you’ve heard people talking about the croissant gym and wondered what on earth it is, then we’re here to help fill you in!
The name sounds like something out of a foodie daydream, but it’s a real place in Shanghai that’s getting plenty of buzz. Hate to break it to you though, but it’s not the start of a new pastry-based fitness craze.
It’s a unique mix of art installation and cafe, and it’s something you kind of need to see to really get your head around!
So let’s get into it:
What is a croissant gym anyway?
The croissant gym is the star of NUDAKE Haus Nowhere, a wildly creative space from the design team behind the Gentle Monster eyewear brand.
Instead of treadmills and squat racks you’ll find croissant shaped weights, pastry themed benches, and giant sculptures that look like they’ve been carved out of buttery dough.
Think high-end art gallery meets luxury bakery, with a side of fitness parody that makes you grin as soon as you walk through the door.
The best part? You don’t need a membership card or a personal trainer. The croissant gym is built for chilling out, sipping coffee and soaking up the surreal atmosphere. It’s more photo-op than workout, and that’s exactly the point.
The croissant gym experience
Step inside and you’re hit with a mix of sweet pastry visuals and sleek, modern design. Oversized croissants double as barbells. There’s a “track and field” corner that looks like it’s made from laminated dough.
Even the lighting has a warm, golden glow, like the inside of a freshly baked pastry.
Everywhere you look, the croissant gym plays with the idea of fitness culture, but with a wink and a nod that lets you know it’s all in good fun.
The café itself is on the ground floor of the Haus Nowhere building in Shanghai’s Huangpu District. Drinks start around RMB 30 and desserts can go up to about RMB 150, which is roughly £3 to £16.
Expect lattes with chocolate shells you crack open, mousse cakes shaped like art pieces and the kind of presentation that makes your camera as busy as your taste buds. The croissant gym may not make you fitter, but it definitely feeds your need for something different.
Why the croissant gym is causing a stir
It’s no surprise the croissant gym is blowing up on social media. Fitness fans love a good novelty, foodies can’t resist the desserts, and design lovers are there for the architecture and installations.
It’s playful, a little bit ridiculous and a refreshing change from the endless stream of serious gyms and strict wellness routines.
Plenty of visitors joke that this is the only gym where you leave heavier than when you arrived. Others simply love that the croissant gym takes the pressure off. There’s no calorie counting or personal bests to chase.
You’re just there to enjoy art, sip coffee and maybe eat a pastry the size of your head. And that’s a wellness plan we can all support!
A gym we can actually get behind
Let’s be honest: the world could use more places like the croissant gym. It flips the idea of fitness culture on its head, turning it into something indulgent and fun. You won’t find treadmills or kettlebells here, but you will find croissant shaped dumbbells, a pastry inspired running track and desserts that taste as good as they look.
For anyone planning a trip to Shanghai, the croissant gym is a must-see. It’s part café, part art show and completely unique. Whether you’re a hardcore foodie, an art lover or just someone who likes the idea of a gym that encourages you to eat more pastries, this spot delivers.
The world’s first croissant gym proves that wellness doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes the best workout is a good laugh and a flaky, buttery treat. Now that’s a gym membership we’d sign up for in a heartbeat.
SEE ALSO: Inside Grenade Founder Alan Barratt’s Insane Home Gym
