No excuses.
Getting in shape requires making a decision and a commitment to putting in the work. It also takes an investment — in time and often in money.
Choosing a gym can be a very personal decision. Location might be important to you. You may want a gym you pass on your normal commute so you aren’t forced to travel out of the way.
You might want a large gym where you’re one of many and the attention isn’t on you. Or conversely, you might thrive in a smaller setting where you can form relationships with the trainers and other members.
Whatever your preferences are, cost is also an important piece of figuring out which is the best gym membership for you. To help make your decision a bit easier, we compiled information from seven national workout chains with cheap gym memberships so you can compare availability, costs and features.
What to Look for When Shopping Cheap Gym Memberships
Belonging to a gym is an ongoing financial commitment. You may be able to sign up during a promotional period that promises no initiation fee or your first month free, but you’ll have to budget for costs throughout the duration of your membership.
It’s not uncommon to see monthly gym membership fees that top $50 — though we’ve tried to highlight more affordable gym memberships below. In addition, many gyms charge an annual fee and an initiation fee.
Depending on what’s included in your membership, you may have to pay for added perks, like certain group fitness classes, time with a personal trainer, massages or tanning bed sessions.
Before signing a contract, check to see if your membership locks you down for a certain number of months. If you choose to end your membership before the agreed-upon duration, you’ll likely be charged a penalty.
Many gyms provide free trials, so be sure to take advantage of those offers to get a better feel for the facilities before signing up. Or if you know someone who is already a member, they may be able to get a guest pass for you.
Want to get paid to work out instead of the other way around? Here are 21 ways to turn sweating it out into a payday.
7 National Chains With Cheap Gym Memberships
Editor’s note: Membership costs were sourced online Dec. 6, 2022, and are subject to change. Rates may vary based on location and current promotions. Check with your local gym regarding any restrictions due to COVID-19.
7 Gym Chains With Cheap Memberships
| Gym | # of Locations | Basic Gym Memberships | Annual Fee | Special Perks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouFit Gyms | 80 in 10 states | $9.99 | $39.99 | Indoor pickleball courts | SEE DETAILS |
| Planet Fitness | 2,300 in 50 states | $10 | $39 | Free tanning, massage chairs w/PF Black Card | SEE DETAILS |
| Crunch Fitness | 400 in 34 states | $21.99 | $49.99 | International locations, Hydromassage | SEE DETAILS |
| LA Fitness | 543 in 27 states | $34.99 | $49 | Indoor heated pools, child care | SEE DETAILS |
| 24 Hour Fitness | 300 in 11 states | $9.99 | $49.99 | Pools, free virtual classes w/app | SEE DETAILS |
| Anytime Fitness | 4,700 worldwide | $41 | $49.99 | 24/7 access, free personalized fitness plan | SEE DETAILS |
| Blink Fitness | 106 in 9 states | $15 | $54.99 | Blink App has 500 virtual classes free | SEE DETAILS |
1. Youfit Gyms
Where: Youfit Gyms has about 80 locations in 10 states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.
How Much: The basic membership fee is $9.99 a month. The Premium tier (which includes group exercise classes and sauna access) costs $23.99 a month, and the Premium+ membership (which includes a nutrition program) is $36.99 a month. Youfit Health Clubs also offers on-demand workout videos for $4.99 a month. Initiation charges and annual fees vary depending on the membership package, promotions and gym location.
What’s Included: Depending on location, these clubs offer top-of-the-line equipment, free weights, group fitness sessions, personal trainers, cycle class, indoor pickleball courts and saunas. Premium and Premium+ members can also bring a free guest with them anytime, visit any Youfit location and get unlimited access to group classes at select locations — as well as other exclusive offerings.
Try It: Get a free guest pass for three days.
2. Planet Fitness
Where: Planet Fitness has over 2,300 locations, with gyms in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada.
How Much: Monthly dues are $10 for just one location or $24.99 for a PF Black Card membership, which gives you access to any location. Annual membership fees are $39.
What’s Included: These gyms include cardio and weight training equipment, plus fitness training programs for all members. Many locations are open 24 hours a day. PF Black Card membership allows you to bring a guest with you anytime and get free use of massage chairs and tanning services.
Try It: Find the location nearest you.
3. Crunch Fitness
Where: Crunch Fitness has more than 400 locations of its regular gyms and 28 locations of its Signature gyms (which include more classes, upgraded amenities and more). Its gyms are located in 34 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Canada, Australia, Spain, Portugal and Costa Rica.
How Much: Monthly prices vary by location but can be as low as $21.99 for a Peak membership, $29.99 for a Peak Plus membership and $39.99 for a Peak Results membership. Enrollment fees and annual fees also vary depending on location, membership level and special promos.
What’s Included: Depending on what type of membership you choose, you can take advantage of multiple perks, including a training orientation with a fitness expert, group fitness classes, online video workouts, tanning and HydroMassage.
Try It: Try a free one-day trial.
4. LA Fitness
Where: LA Fitness has 543 locations in 27 states and Canada.
How Much: Monthly fees are $34.99 with a $99 initiation fee and single-state access or $44.99 with no initiation fee and multistate access. The annual fee is $49. Prices may be higher at Signature Club and Premier or Premier Plus locations.
What’s Included: Gyms include state-of-the-art equipment and cardio areas, group fitness classes, indoor heated pools, whirlpool spas and saunas. Some have kids clubs, juice bars and basketball and racquetball courts.
Try It: Try a free three-day trial.
5. 24 Hour Fitness
Where: 24 Hour Fitness has over 300 locations in 11 states — California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, New York and New Jersey.
How Much: Monthly fees vary based on location, starting as low as $9.99 for a Silver membership, $24.99 for a Gold membership and $39.99 for a Platinum membership. Members pay a $49.99 annual fee and may also be subject to a one-time initiation fee.
What’s Included: Gyms include cardio and strength equipment along with studio and cycle classes. Many facilities offer pools, personal training and in-house child care. Members can also get access to digital workouts to complete at home, as well as touch-free check-in and personal fitness plans in the 24GO Fitness App
Try It: Use this three-day free pass.
6. Anytime Fitness
Where: Anytime Fitness has more than 4,700 locations worldwide, including gyms on five continents.
How Much: Membership prices vary depending on location and current promotions, but according to Anytime Fitness’ FAQs, the average U.S. membership is $41 a month. Members also pay one-time initiation and key activation fees, which vary.
What’s Included: Members have access to cardio machines, weights and strength training equipment, as well as classes and wellness programs. Some locations offer tanning and personal training. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Try It: You can get a free seven-day pass.
7. Blink Fitness
Where: Blink Fitness has 106 locations in nine states, with a concentration of gyms in New York and New Jersey.
How Much: Gym membership prices vary by location. Blink Fitness offers an Orange Plan for single-gym access at $15 a month, a Blue Plan with multistate access at $25 a month and a Green Plan that includes Manhattan gyms at $32 a month.
What’s Included: Members can access cardio, strength and other gym equipment, as well as receive a one-time free fitness training session. Membership also includes the Blink App, which provides access to over 500 virtual classes and workouts.
Try It: Get a one-day free pass here.
Other Affordable Fitness Options
You don’t have to join a gym to get fit. Consider more creative options like the ones below to tone up and get healthy.
Take Virtual Classes
Beachbody On Demand, which starts at $9.99 a month, is the most popular of the virtual fitness options, but you can download free fitness apps for every kind of class, from yoga to boxing. You can also explore free virtual workouts on YouTube and Facebook Live.
Work Out at Home
If none of these chain gyms suits your fancy, you could always join your local YMCA or set up a home gym to get your workouts in. You could even make your own fitness gear out of items you have at home — like filling empty water bottles to use as hand weights.
Head Outdoors
Incorporate fitness into your daily routine by simply walking or running outside. Make use of outdoor fitness equipment at public parks. If you have a pool, get in some laps as cardio when the weather’s nice.
Nicole Dow is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Kaz Weida is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
