Here’s the Average Gym Membership Cost at 7 Popular Chains

bulatovic / Getty Images/iStockphoto
bulatovic / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Why wait for the new year to resolve to get in shape? Across the country, countless national and local gyms are ready to help you fulfill your fitness goals. You don’t have to put off joining a gym because you think it will break your budget as you can comparison shop right here. Before you hit the locker rooms, it is good to know what an average gym membership will cost you at national chains.

Read: How to Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Average Gym Membership Cost: 7 Popular Chains

Average gym membership costs will vary based on location and what package or level of membership you decide on. To help give you an idea of how much a gym membership can cost, here’s a look at seven gyms and their prices.

1. 24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour Fitness offers strength and cardio equipment, fitness classes, lap pools, steam rooms, turf zones and more. The company is based in Carlsbad, California, and opened its first gym more than 35 years ago. It now has over 280 clubs in 11 states.

The gym offers two membership plans for those who commit to a year-long membership: pay a discounted rate by paying for a full year in advance, or pay a slightly higher rate per month. There’s also a no-contract plan that allows users to go month by month. Here are some takeaways about 24 Hour Fitness pricing:

  • Prices will vary depending on location or region.

  • National membership can start around $51.00 per month.

  • 12-month commitment memberships can start at $46.99 per month.

  • Each membership tier gives you the option of adding access to gyms outside your local area for a few dollars more per month.

  • The annual fee varies on your location but can be around $49.99.

2. Anytime Fitness

The offerings at Anytime Fitness are extensive. Their clubs have machines ranging from treadmills to stair climbers to rowing machines, along with a selection of free weights, kettlebells and more. Anytime Fitness also has group classes for cardio, yoga and body conditioning. You can work out anytime you want and here are some other takeaways:

  • Anytime Fitness offers round-the-clock access to more than 5,000 locations.

  • The cost depends on the Anytime Fitness club you join.

  • The average membership price starts at around $41 per month.

  • There is an initiation fee of $49.99.

The cost of a gym membership can range from $10 to $100. This price varies based on location and membership tier or level. When you are debating which gym or health club to join, make sure to budget for not only the average cost of annual fees but all your membership options.

3. Blink

Blink has over 100 locations in 9 states, along with a robust offering of online classes. In the studio, Blink offers cardio and strength training, a selection of dumbbells and a stretch area. Here are some other things to consider:

  • The cost of a membership at Blink depends on the plan level you select, as well as your location.

  • At some studios, the basic plan costs $10 a month with a year-long commitment, but plans can range from $10 to $100 per month.

  • If you just want to pay month-to-month, you can also get plans at varying reasonable prices.

4. Crunch

Crunch got its start with one small location in a basement in Greenwich Village in 1989 and now has more than 400 locations. It’s known for its emphasis on strength and cardio. Here are some key takeaways about pricing:

  • The Base membership starts at $9.99 per month, with the cost depending on club location. The starter plan gives customers access to cardio, weights and machines, online nutrition information and more.

  • The Peak plan adds group fitness classes, guest privileges and hydro massage for about $25 per month.

  • The Peak Results program adds another layer of services — ride classes, advanced HIIT classes and babysitting for $29.99 a month.

5. Gold’s Gym

The iconic logo of Gold’s Gym depicts a buff weightlifter, but the gym is more than that. It offers strength workouts, cardio equipment, free weights, personal training support and group exercise at locations across the country. Here are some factors to consider about Gold’s Gym:

  • As with most workout clubs, the cost to join a Gold’s Gym varies by location, and it is higher if you want to work out at more than one location.

  • Monthly dues start at $49.95 for a month-to-month single club membership.

  • Monthly dues go up to $54.95 for a month-to-month multi-club membership.

6. LA Fitness

The first LA Fitness opened in 1984 in the Los Angeles suburb of Covina. It now boasts hundreds of clubs, with many of them clustered outside its Los Angeles core in the East, from New York to Florida. Here are some takeaways to know about LA Fitness:

  • LA Fitness has group classes, such as yoga step sculpt, as well as cardio machines, weights, sports courts and a heated swimming pool.

  • It has classes designed for older members, such as Senior Fit and SeniorSneakers.

  • Membership begins at $39.99 per month.

7. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness has more than 2,000 locations globally, making it accessible to millions of people. It’s also known for being one of the more affordable chains out there. Here’s what you need to know about Planet Fitness pricing:

  • A Classic membership is $10 per month and entitles customers to unlimited use of their gyms and equipment.

  • Those who upgrade to a PF Black Card plan pay $24.99 per month, which allows the use of any Planet Fitness gym and other benefits, such as bringing a friend or using the club’s massage chairs.

  • The focus at Planet Fitness is on cardio and strength, and certified trainers can help to create a customized exercise plan or assist in using the equipment.

Final Take To GO

Physical health is more than just for recreation but is crucial to your quality of life. Prioritizing this means you also have to budget for it, but this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Make sure to research what gyms are near you, their pricing and what sign-up bonuses they may be offering for new members.

FAQ

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about average gym membership costs at popular chains.

  • How much do most gyms cost per month?

    • Gym memberships can vary from location to location, but the national average gym membership cost ranges from $40 to $70. If you pick a plan with add-ons or extras, your monthly cost could get up to $100.

  • What is the cheapest gym membership?

    • The cheapest gym membership for national chains found by GOBankingRates was the Base Membership from Crunch which starts at $9.99 per month.

  • How much should I spend on gym membership pricing?

    • Depending on what you want out of your gym experience, you could spend anywhere from $40 to $70 a month. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before signing up on the dotted line:

      • Is there a fee to join or a monthly membership fee?

      • Do I have to sign a contract?

      • Can I try out the gym on a free trial before signing up?

      • Is my membership good at just one location or all locations countrywide?

      • What is the cancellation policy?

      • Are online classes via your app included in the membership fee?

      • What extras are added to the base price, such as sales tax?

      • Is water free at the gym?

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Data is accurate as of Sept. 5, 2023, and is subject to change.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s the Average Gym Membership Cost at 7 Popular Chains

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