While we love boutique fitness because of its many perks (small classes, rocking playlists), most studios are pretty expensive. And since a budget should not be what breaks your New Year fitness resolutions, we’ve rounded up the most affordable gyms out there.
While you shouldn't expect fluffy towels, some fitness health club chains offer more amenities than you'd expect—from saunas to swimming pools—and group classes or equipment with serious calorie-burning and fun potential. Plus, depending on what month you join,you can expect waived enrollment fees, special offers, and, of course, perks like sweatbands adorned with your host gym's logo.
Just keep in mind: while researching, we found that many of these 13 chains make it nearly impossible to get out of your contract (a true-to-life cliche!). So read the fine print before signing up—and then make a beeline for that open elliptical.
Editor's note: We realize your favorite affordable neighborhood gym might not be included. For this article we focused on the nationwide chains only. Feel free to tell us about your budget pick in the Comments section. And please note that all prices are estimates and don't include fees, which vary according to time of year and location.
Originally posted January 6, 2014, updated March 11, 2016.
24 Hour Fitness
Various locations, $34–$94.99/month
Who’s it for: Swimmers and night owls
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Its home base is in California, but 24-Hour Fitness is a massive operation, with more than 400 clubs in 18 states, each designed to fit its location and members. (Soho’s includes lots of exposed brick, for example.)
There are three levels of membership, Sport, Super-Sport, and Ultra-Sport, that come with access to different amenities and services, but even at the lowest level, the perks are surprising for the price: many of the clubs have indoor pools for swimming laps, saunas, and steam rooms. Yes, even in New York.
The class selection is decent, with some top instructors (like Natalie Uhling and Keoni Hudoba, who've since moved on), and cool partnerships like Nike Training Club, and, of course, some (not all) clubs really are open 24-7, for those who like to get sweaty at 3 a.m.
Gold's Gym
Various locations, about $45–$60/month; Gold’s Gym Express locations charge $9.99/month
Who's it for: Heavy lifters/bodybuilders, movie buffs
Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA, was the weight-lifting landmark where Arnold Schwarzenegger trained in his bodybuilding years. And to this day the brand has catered to heavy-lifters of all stripes, who expect state-of-the-art equipment, and perhaps saunas and tanning beds (even today!), but not fluffy towels or pretty interior design. Trainers who work at Gold’s tend to have bodybuilding training backgrounds, giving them a leg up on the affordable gyms without solid staff education.
Since Gold’s is a franchise, money is spent on equipment is up to owners, so locations can vary widely. Some have clean, spacious locker rooms with mouthwash and lotion. Others will inspire you to shower at home. And some have a Cardio Cinema, where you can be distracted by feature-length films on a giant screen while walking on the elliptical. (Rocky on repeat?)
You’ll notice a lot of women working out on Gold’s site, and there are other indications that the brand is going after this market, with Curves-style audio circuits and classes such as Zumba, yoga, cycling, and more.
Blink
Various locations, $15–$25/month
Who’s it for: Never-leave-the-elliptical gym rats or those who want to try personal training
This Equinox-owned budget-friendly gym offers the modern design, quality equipment, and cleanliness of its parent company, with feweramenities and almost nogroup classes.
The best part of the affiliation is that you get access to personal trainers who were trained by Equinox for a fraction of the cost ($30 for 30 minutes or as low as $27 with a package). And with more and more locations opening every month, there’s likely to be a super convenient one in your neighborhood soon.
Crunch Gym
Various locations, $70–$100/month
Who’s it for: Group class junkies
Crunch is hands down the mostaffordable spot for those who like to work out with friends—and flair. Its group classes include the requisite yoga, Pilates, barre, and spinning, but also fun and wacky offerings from Broadway or hip-hop cardio dance to drumstick-based POUND to Olympics-themed conditioning.
There’s huge variation from gym to gym in terms of how nice the facilities are, so take a tour first if you’re a clean freak. In terms of amenities, they recently started stocking Bliss products in locker rooms.
Lucille Roberts
Various locations, $25-$30 per month
Who's it for: Popular pick for the girl who likes to get her sweat on—without feeling self-conscious
Lucille Roberts founded the first of the 45 locations in 1969, right near Macy's in New York, for women who felt vulnerable in coed gyms, and theno-guys-allowed brand is still dedicated to helping members worry more about their fitness routine than their hair and makeup.
They have over 50 varieties of classes like Caribbean Dance and Chick Boxing, and workout support goes beyond the cardio machine lineup to an online community, where experts post recipes, workout tips, success stories, and more.
Online chatter surrounding Lucille Roberts isn't all positive, however. Many members headed to Consumer Affairs to post about unauthorized charges, contract issues, and filthy facilities. One Brooklyn member posted on her gym's Facebook page to say that "roaches have been around so long...they could do Zumba!" Another ex-member created a blogcalledLucilleRobbersduring her five-year battle to have her membership canceled.
Perhaps tellingly, we had some trouble connecting to someone about membership options, and the automated message involved a super-long promotion for $100 in free dining, and often ended with a dead dial tone.
Bally Total Fitness
Various locations, rates start at $29/month
Who's it for: Fitness history buffs and goal setters
Bally was once the biggest fitness club in the country before struggling financially for several years and selling off many of its gyms, and it comes with even more fitness history—it took over workout icon Jack LaLanne's chain of gyms.
Now with 60 locations, it offers a slew of group classes and some gyms have pools, steam rooms, and saunas. A great perk: Upon signing up, members can take advantage of complimentary assessments to make a plan they can stick to and track progress.
A warning: A 2010 lawsuit accused the brand of sending fake past-due notices to former members to get them to renew, and Bally gym-goers have found it next to impossible to cancel their memberships. Also, locations may be closed on Sundays, especially in Manhattan.
Curves
Various locations, about $35-$50/month
Who's it for:Your mom?
You probably know Curves as a women’s-only, mirror-free fitness center that appeals to your mall-walking Aunt Helen and track-suit-wearing granny in Tiny Town, USA. (Though there are locations in cosmopolitan cities.) Curves has just one 30-minute strength-training and cardio workout, done exclusively on circuit machines, and set to an audio tape that cues you to move the next machine. (“Coaches” are scant.)
Centers, of which there are more than 3,000 nationwide, are often an empty room that have a school-classroom or church-basement feel. (This one pictured is one of the most luxe we found.) A decade ago the founder's pro-life comments outraged members and franchise owners, and un-trendy Curves has been rehabbing its image ever since. More recently, they've launched a meal-plan program, and, in2014, the company launched ayearlong partnership with celeb fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, who helped them add12 new moves and circuits. As for somemuch-needed panache? You can be the judge of that.
New York, Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia Sports Clubs
Various locations, $24.99–$99/month
Who’s it for: Frequent fliers and functional training devotees
The Town Sports family of Sports Clubs are a solid option for any exerciser, with reliable machines and decent-to-great classes depending on the location. Because of their popularity, though, they can be crowded: During peak hours in Manhattan clubs, you may have to wait for a treadmill or elliptical.
They’re also great options for athletic types (and the CrossFit curious), since theUXF Training Zones are stocked with functional training equipment like battle ropes, sleds, TRXs, and kettlebells.
Education of the personal training staff is uneven, with gems and duds. Maybe try a few trainers before deciding on one? But you'll generally feel good about hitting the tidy locker rooms before you head to work. (Just beware the rough, nearly exfoliating towels.) Bonus: If you travel between major cities for business, a $99/month passport membership allows you to use any club around the country.
Planet Fitness
Various locations, plans start at $10/month, annual memberships available for $99 per year
Who's it for: Serious bargain hunters, cardio enthusiasts, those who like to use machines
With more than 500 locations nationwide, Planet Fitness markets itself as a “judgment free zone” that discourages grunting bodybuilders from using its facilities. The policy may make regular guys (and girls) feel welcome, and staff members are trained to be friendly and encouraging.
At some locations, Planet Fitness is the size of an airplane hanger. You'll find rows and rows of cardio equipment and strength machines that work just fine. The free-weight area is often smaller and therefore crowded. Group classes are not offered. But there are perks that have nothing to do with staying in shape, like free pizza, bagels, and cupcakes. Really.
You'll feel like you need to wash your hands after being there for just a little while, but since you're paying just $10 a month, you'll be able to afford really nice soap—and maybe those yoga classes you've been dying to try?
THE Y (formerly YMCA)
About 10,000 locations nationwide; plans start at $10–$95/month per year depending on location
Who's it for: Swimmers, those who believe in a democratic right to fitness, and budget-hunters
Every town in America with a population over 20,000 has a Y, so rates, facilities, and offerings range more widely than the costumes of the Village People. In New York, where Ys share a website, you can pay $93–$95 at the swanky Vanderbilt or 14th Street outposts, about $70 at the Dodge Y in Brooklyn, or about $15 back in your hometown.
Indoor tracks, multilane swimming pools, and steam rooms are common amenities, as are weight rooms. Classes may include more programing for kids than adults, but in New York they include yoga, boot camp, Pilates, cycling, MELT, and may also be taught by cool fitness pros in need of real estate.
The client demographic ranges from runners and freelancers to budget-observing individuals working on reducing their cholesterol and blood pressure. In 2010, Michelle Obama launched her “Let’s Move” campaign against childhood obesity at the YMCA inAlexandria, VA. That same year the YMCA rebranded as the Y, leaving off the outdated references to its origins.
Crunch Essentials
Various locations, $9.95–$19.95/month
Who's it for: Suburban treadmill devotees
The chain’s franchised locations are like budget kid brothers, called “Essentials” for obvious reasons: They don’t come with nearly as many bells and whistles. There are basic machines and weights, and fewer classes.
The classes you do find won’t be the marqueereleases (at least, not until maybe a year or two after they run their course at regular Crunch gyms).
They’re also generally located outside of major urban centers (there are none in Manhattan, for example). But like Blink, they're are multiplying like crazy, with many opening in the next few months, in New York's outer boroughs and across the country.
Retro Fitness
Various Locations; $19-$29/month
Who's it for:Nostalgicgym-goers who'd trade swanky digs for movies, smoothies, and tanning sessions
With its red-and-yellow color scheme, Retro Fitness could be confused for a McDonald's—and frankly, their monthly prices wouldn't set you back much more than a Big Mac.
You won't get fries with your workout at one of the chain's 130 (and counting) locations, but you will have access to the Retro Blends smoothie bar, the elliptical-filled movie theater playing '80s films on loop, and group fitness sessions with surprisingly good instructors (whose classes at other studios cost as much as a full month's membership here).
Just don't expect much in the way of bathroom amenities (there's not much more than soap and toilet paper offered up), and be aware that—like other low-cost gym options—this one is notorious for its hard-to-break contracts.
Snap Fitness
Various locations; $30-$50/month
Who's it for:Out-of-towners, business travelers, and commitment-phobes
If you want the flexibility of using multiple gyms without the hassle and cost, Snap may be your best bet. All 2,000 locations (1,100 of which are located in 44 US states) are accessible 24-hours a day, for no extra fee.
The gym itselfhas the basics—rows of treadmills and ellipticals, machines for circuit training—but not much else. But for commitment-phobes, that shouldn't matter: There's no binding contract, so you simply pay-as-you-go.Find yourself #overit by Day 30? As long as you've either clocked in 30 minutes a dayfor three timesa week,created a Web page on mysnapfitness.com, or signed up for equipment orientation or fitness assessment, you can get a full refund. (Don't say they don't care.)
Can't make it to a gym? These are ourtop picks for online workouts you can do at home.
Tags: Fitness Tips
FAQs
Which gym has the cheapest membership? ›
- Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness advertises itself as a gym for people who don't like gyms, with ads referring to every Planet Fitness location as a "Judgement Free Zone." ...
- Cardinal Fitness. ...
- Your Local YMCA. ...
- Gold's Gym. ...
- LA Fitness.
- Take advantage of free workout videos. ...
- Walk when possible. ...
- Take the stairs. ...
- Get your hands on some basic fitness equipment. ...
- Get creative. ...
- Do bodyweight exercises. ...
- Make housework exercise time.
If you qualify as a concessionary member, you will receive off peak access at a discounted rate in your selected local area* to the following: Inclusive access to gyms offering cardio, resistance, functional, weight and stretch zones. Inclusive access to swimming pools.
Is a gym membership worth it? ›You'll have to fork over a monthly fee, but a gym membership gives you access to more machines, equipment and space than you have at home. Most gyms also offer extra perks we can't fit or can't afford in our own homes, such as tanning beds, swimming pools and steam rooms, that make a membership even more worthwhile.
How can I make my body fit? ›- Exercise Daily. Exercise daily for at least an hour. ...
- Eat the Right Foods and Portion Each Meal. ...
- Keep Track of Calories and Food Intake Per Day. ...
- Be Sure to Get Sleep. ...
- Stay Motivated.
Going to the gym isn't the only way to get in a great workout. Working out at home can be just as effective. While a gym provides a dedicated space, home workouts offer more flexibility and can be more efficient. It all depends on how you use your time and equipment to maximize your effort.
How old is a senior at better gym? ›If you're 66 and over, you can get active in our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes, at a competitive price in your chosen Better Leisure Centre.
Can you get gym membership on prescription? ›Once a patient is referred by their GP to a specific gym then the staff at that gym (providing they are appropriately qualified) will work with the patient to prescribe and deliver some suitable exercises to them.
What age is a senior at everyone active? ›Concessions are available for: Seniors aged 66+ Students aged 16-18 inclusive. Those aged 19 and over where in full time education.
How do you negotiate a lower gym membership? ›- Ask for end-of-the-month deals or discounts. Waiting to sign up until the end of the month can guarantee you a better deal. ...
- Pay cash or in advance. Cash is king when joining a gym -- especially a smaller gym. ...
- Look at other options and compare prices. ...
- Ask about off-peak hours. ...
- Look for family, friend or corporate referrals.
How can I save money at 24 Hour Fitness? ›
- Use the 24 Hour Fitness Military Discount (and Other Deals) ...
- Explore Your 24 Hour Fitness Corporate Discount. ...
- Try 24 Hour Fitness for Free. ...
- Bring a Plus One With the Buddy Pass. ...
- Use the 24 Hour Fitness Initiation Fee Discount.
Many big box gyms may ask you for your Social Security Number when you are signing a membership contract with them. However, not all gyms will ask you to provide an SSN because a gym doesn't require a background check. Others may only require the last four digits of your SSN.
What to know before joining a gym? ›- WEIGHT LOSS NOT THE ONLY GOAL. ...
- KNOW YOUR TRAINER Neeraj Surana, strength and conditioning trainer, stressed that before becoming a member of any fitness centre it is important to know about your trainer and his qualifications. ...
- BEWARE OF INJURIES. ...
- DON'T RUN AFTER SIZE ZERO.
You may find membership discounts or deals on classes on a gym's website or through sites such as Groupon, Kufahl says. Negotiate a deal. When you decide which club you'd like to join, speak with a manager instead of a salesperson. Managers are more likely to be able to negotiate a better gym membership price for you.
Which gym is better to join? ›Best Overall Gym Membership: LA Fitness. Best Value Gym Membership: Planet Fitness. Best Gym Membership for Beginners: Crunch. Best Gym Membership for Travelers: Anytime Fitness.
Which is best time for gym? ›Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., your body temperature is at its highest. This may mean you'll be exercising during the window of time your body is most ready, potentially making it the most effective time of day to work out.
Is gym good for weight loss? ›All in all, adding weight training to your workout routine along with cardio exercise and a healthy diet is a great way to support weight loss. Weight training can support weight loss by burning calories during and after workouts and by preserving muscle mass to prevent your metabolism from slowing down.
What does a good gym have? ›Cardio machines – In addition to treadmills and exercise bikes, there should also be elliptical trainers, rowing machines, stair mills, spin bikes, and other state-of-the-art cardio equipment; Stretching areas – A good gym should have a large space for stretching and plenty of stretching mats.
What exercise gets you in shape the fastest? ›The most popular form of vigorous exercise at the moment is no question, HIIT or high intensity interval training. "High Intensity Interval Training is the best bang for your buck when it comes to a high calorie burn in short periods of time," Forrest said.
How long should you workout a day? ›As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Reducing sitting time is important, too.
How can I lose face fat? ›
- Do facial exercises. Facial exercises can be used to improve facial appearance, combat aging, and improve muscle strength ( 1 ). ...
- Add cardio to your routine. ...
- Drink more water. ...
- Limit alcohol consumption. ...
- Cut back on refined carbs. ...
- Get enough sleep. ...
- Watch your sodium intake. ...
- Eat more fiber.
- Walking. Walking is a perfect way to start exercising. ...
- Senior sports or fitness classes. Exercising with others can help keep you motivated while also providing a source of fun, stress relief, and a place to meet friends.
- Water aerobics and water sports. ...
- Yoga. ...
- Tai chi and qi gong.
- Exercise 20 to 30 minutes on most days. A combination of aerobic (walking, swimming) and strength training (weights) is best. ...
- Exercise with a partner. This makes exercising more fun and it's social. ...
- If you don't like to walk, consider other activities. Try gardening, dancing, fishing, tai chi, or yoga.
- Glute bridge.
- Jumping squats.
- Walking lunge.
- Single-leg deadlift.
- Clamshell.
- Banded side step.
- Donkey kicks.
- Weight training.
Cost of joining a gym. The social ambience of a particular gym is not suited to your personality. The gym is overcrowded at the times you can visit and as a result you end up waiting around to use certain machines, or rush through your routine to allow other people the use of equipment.
How far should your gym be from your house? ›Nothing kills motivation quite like a long journey, apparently. US marketing firm Dstillery has quantified the distance people are prepared to travel to a gym regularly, and the results (opens in new tab) suggest that it's vital to pick somewhere that's no more than four miles away.
Should I go to the gym everyday? ›How much is ideal? A weekly day of rest is often advised when structuring a workout program, but sometimes you may feel the desire to work out every day. As long as you're not pushing yourself too hard or getting obsessive about it, working out every day is fine.
Is swimming free for over 60's? ›Here's what the Council has confirmed to me: Free swimming for over 60's was removed when the leisure centres re-opened on 2nd December 2020. The new concessionary price is £1.55 (standard price £4.55). These changes were unfortunately necessary due to the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic.
What is an off peak gym membership? ›Some of our gyms offer the option of an Off Peak membership. This means you'll be able to access your gym at restricted times of the day when you pay a lower membership fee.
Can you bring a friend to Better gym? ›Bring your friends, family members or training partners and we can let them train with you for free, whether this is a sweaty cardio session, heavy weights day or whether you want to both join in on one of our classes.
Can doctors prescribe gym membership for depression? ›
If you have not exercised for a long time or are concerned about the effects of exercise on your body or health, ask a GP about exercise on prescription. Lots of GP surgeries across the country prescribe exercise as a treatment for a range of conditions, including depression.
Why do gyms have joining fees? ›What is a gym or club joining fee? It covers the cost of setting up an account. This is often used top extract more money from customers. Most people will sign up online and the cost top the gym is negligible.
What is an Everyone Active concession? ›The Everyone Active concession gym membership is a fantastic option for anyone in higher education. Not only is it a superb-value way of staying fit, but it's also flexible and it gives you loads of different options to enjoy your workout. Join online Find Your Centre.
What is swim for all? ›The “Swimming for All – Swimming for Life” is a special programme with the goal to teach children how to swim and to promote physical activity through swimming across the globe.
What does public swim mean? ›Public Swim (Small Pool): A general swim session for all ages and abilities for fun and family time. Adults you must be accompanied by a child. Public Swim with Diving (2 lanes): A general swim session for all ages and abilities for fun or fitness. Two lanes available during this session.
Does Planet Fitness negotiate price? ›Luckily, gym contracts are absolutely negotiable. “Based on my research of gyms and my own experience negotiating with LA Fitness and Planet Fitness, it's more than possible to bargain for a lower rate or sign-up bonus with a new gym,” says J.R. Duren, a personal finance journalist at Highya.com.
Does Costco have gym memberships? ›The Costco gym membership also lets you visit any 24 Hour Fitness location, making it that much easier to stay fit when you're on the road.
Does Planet Fitness waive startup fee? ›UUP is partnering with Planet Fitness to offer you exclusive, discounted gym memberships! You can now join Planet Fitness for no money down and no commitment when you sign up online.
Which gym has the cheapest membership? ›- Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness advertises itself as a gym for people who don't like gyms, with ads referring to every Planet Fitness location as a "Judgement Free Zone." ...
- Cardinal Fitness. ...
- Your Local YMCA. ...
- Gold's Gym. ...
- LA Fitness.
24 hour gyms work precisely how the name suggests, being open to members 24 hours a day. Thanks to the power of technology, we no longer have to rely on rigid opening hours. Members simply input a previously assigned code at the gym security door to gain access and start exercising safely.
Do gyms check your credit? ›
Some, but not all, gyms will run what's called a soft credit check before you join. Your credit score could affect your payment options as a member. And while your monthly gym payments don't help you build credit, they could be turned over to collections if you're long overdue, which can hurt your score.
Why do gyms need bank account? ›We require an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through checking accounts for your convenience: This allows us to be able to continue your membership without interruption or the hassle of updating your payment information if your credit cards are lost/stolen, invalid or expired. When is my annual fee due?
How can I get out of a gym membership without paying? ›But before resorting to forgery, there are a few legal and effective ways to cancel your membership without paying. Most gyms let you cancel free of charge under certain conditions like, illness, relocation, disability, and sudden unemployment.
Which gym is the cheapest UK? ›- easyGym Camberwell. ...
- Fitness4Less. ...
- Fitness First. ...
- Muscleworks. ...
- Boom Cycle. ...
- Better Health. ...
- ClassPass. ...
- Anytime Fitness.
What does the average gym membership cost in the UK? The average gym membership cost in the UK is £40 per month. Rates depend on the amenities provided, the amount of time you plan to work out, and the gym's location, among other factors.
How much should you pay for gym membership UK? ›On average, a membership fee is about £40 a month. You can cut the cost by shopping around to check the prices of non-for-profit gyms and non-gym exercise classes, and seeing what pay as you go contract-free options are available.
Can you get gym membership on prescription? ›Once a patient is referred by their GP to a specific gym then the staff at that gym (providing they are appropriately qualified) will work with the patient to prescribe and deliver some suitable exercises to them.
How much should you spend on gym membership? ›After analyzing the prices of 16 popular U.S. gym chains, we found that the average monthly cost of a gym membership to enjoy the benefits of working out in 2021 is $37.71. Prices vary as well based on the membership; ranging from $31.00 with lower-tier memberships to $44.42 on higher-tier memberships.
Why do gyms have joining fees? ›What is a gym or club joining fee? It covers the cost of setting up an account. This is often used top extract more money from customers. Most people will sign up online and the cost top the gym is negligible.
Does PureGym have showers? ›All our gyms have individual showers, changing areas and free lockers – just remember to bring your own padlock! We also supply hairdryers and spare plug sockets for your own appliances.
How old do you have to be to get a gym membership? ›
For the most part, you have to be at least 18 years old to go to the gym, but some are willing to make exceptions under certain conditions. If you want your kids to go to the gym (or you're a teen yourself looking to work out more), then here are your best options.
How old is a senior membership at better? ›If you're 66 and over, you can get active in our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes, at a competitive price in your chosen Better Leisure Centre.
Can you bring a friend to better gym? ›Bring your friends, family members or training partners and we can let them train with you for free, whether this is a sweaty cardio session, heavy weights day or whether you want to both join in on one of our classes.
Is better gym a contract? ›Better Choice for All
We won't tie you into a long term contract and because we're a Charitable Social Enterprise every penny we make is re-invested back into improving facilities and services for everyone to enjoy.
...
Biggest Gyms in the World
- 1 Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club, Colorado – 142,000 square feet.
- 2 Life Time Fitness Gym, Tulsa, Oklahoma – 114,000 square feet. ...
The top three trends from ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2022 include: Wearable technology: Devices like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and heart rate monitors that count steps and track heart rate, calories, sitting and sleep time, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
How much is Equinox membership? ›...
Equinox Prices & Membership Cost | |
---|---|
Single club access membership | |
Initiation Fee | $100 |
Monthly Fee | $230 |
Cancellation Fee | Nil |