An expensive gym membership can be good for your health but not so great for your budget. However, a cheap gym membership can certainly be worth the price tag. A handful of major fitness chains offer affordable memberships that can meet most fitness needs. Here is an overview of the cost and features of 10 of them.
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10 Best Cheap Gym Memberships
To make sure you break a sweat, not your budget, see if you have any of the following low-cost gyms in your area:
- Planet Fitness
- 24 Hour Fitness
- YMCA
- LA Fitness
- Anytime Fitness
- Crunch Fitness
- Snap Fitness
- YouFit Gyms
- Blink Fitness
- XSport Fitness
Cheap Gyms: A Quick Cost Comparison
If you’re simply looking for the cheapest gym to join, the following table provides the cost of a basic membership at each gym featured on this list. Some gyms also charge a one-time fee when you initially join, sometimes called an initiation fee, which you should determine before joining.
| Gym | Membership Cost | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Planet Fitness | $10 | $49 |
| 24 Hour Fitness | Varies by location; some as low as $9.99 | $49 for some membership tiers |
| YMCA | Varies by location | None at many locations |
| LA Fitness | $39.99 | $49 |
| Anytime Fitness | Varies by location; $41 on average | Varies by location |
| Crunch Fitness | $9.99 | Varies by location |
| Snap Fitness | Varies by location | Varies by location |
| YouFit Gyms | $9.99 for 12-month commitment; $14.99 for month-to-month membership | $49.99 |
| Blink Fitness | Varies by location | $59.99 |
| XSport Fitness | Varies by location | $54.95 |
1. Planet Fitness
Membership Cost: Starts at $10 per month
Annual Fee: $49
The price of a basic Planet Fitness membership is hard to beat. At just $10 per month, you get unlimited access to your home club and workouts on the PF App. If you opt for a PF Black Card membership at $24.99 per month, some of the additional club benefits you receive include:
- Use of any Planet Fitness club
- Use of tanning, hydromassage, hydromassage chairs and the Total Body Enhancement machine
- Ability to bring a guest to any gym visit
To make a Planet Fitness membership even more affordable, you can earn free months if you refer friends and they join.
2. 24 Hour Fitness
Membership Cost: Varies by location; some start as low as $9.99 per month
Annual Fee: $49.99 for some membership tiers
24 Hour Fitness features one of the best gym apps: the 24GO app, which provides access to over 2,000 workouts. It’s available to every member. With the basic Silver membership, you get unlimited access to club cardio and strength training equipment. If you choose the Gold or Platinum membership, you may receive some of the following benefits, depending on your membership tier:
- Access to GX24 studio classes
- Multilocation access
- Use of basketball court, pool, whirlpool or sauna at some locations
- Two Buddy Passes per month
24 Hour Fitness also provides occasional deals that allow you to skip the annual fee or get a discount on the club’s one-time initiation fee when you sign up for specific memberships.
3. YMCA
Membership Cost: Varies by location
Annual Fee: None at many locations
The YMCA now has more than 2,650 locations nationwide. Membership rates vary by location, so contact your local YMCA for exact pricing. To give you a general idea of the cost, memberships at the YMCA of Central Florida range from $29 to $55 per month for a single member and there is no annual fee. You can also get family memberships.
Every membership includes the use of exercise and cardio equipment. Depending on the location, a YMCA membership can also give you access to the following amenities:
- Access to swimming pools, exercise classes or sports teams
- Use of the sauna and steam room
- Discounts on other paid YMCA programs, such as lessons and team sports
4. LA Fitness
Membership Cost: Starts at $39.99
Annual Fee: $49
Unlike many other gyms featured on this list, LA Fitness has one membership tier with two pricing options. If you can afford a one-time $75 fee when you sign up, you’ll only pay $39.99 monthly rather than $49.99. Depending on the location, you may receive the following benefits with an LA Fitness membership:
- Use of state-of-the-art weights and cardio equipment
- Access to a heated pool, basketball court and racquetball court
- Group fitness classes
- Personal training for an additional fee
5. Anytime Fitness
Membership Cost: Varies by location; $41 per month on average
Annual Fee: Varies by location
Anytime Fitness locations are open 24/7, so you can work out at a time that works for you. Although membership prices vary by location, the average cost of a membership is $41 per month, and most branches offer new customers a seven-day free trial. Here are some additional membership details:
- Multi-club access
- 24-hour security
- Personal training, group training or team workouts at some clubs
- Tanning services and hydromassage beds available at select clubs
6. Crunch Fitness
Membership Cost: Starts at $9.99 per month
Annual Fee: Varies by location
Crunch Fitness has hundreds of locations plus 28 beefed-up Signature clubs. The basic membership includes access to the workout equipment, cardio machines, locker room, showers and online nutrition program. Other Crunch membership tiers may also include the following:
- Group fitness classes
- Use of massage and tanning beds
- Multi-club access
- Guest privileges
7. Snap Fitness
Membership Cost: Varies by location
Annual Fee: Varies by location
With more than 1,000 locations, there might be a Snap Fitness in your neighborhood. Membership types and pricing vary by location. For example, you can expect to pay $39.95 monthly in Tampa, Florida, and $45 for an individual membership in Gilroy, California. Some locations only offer an individual membership, while others also have family memberships.
With a Snap Fitness membership, you typically have access to the following features:
- 24/7 access
- Multi-club access
- Group fitness classes
- On-demand fitness classes
- Myzone heart rate technology for tracking progress during workouts
8. YouFit Gyms
Membership Cost: Starts at $9.99 for 12-month commitment or $14.99 for month-to-month membership
Annual Fee: $49.99
The basic YouFit monthly membership, which gives you access to the strength and cardio equipment, starts at $9.99 for a 12-month commitment or $14.99 for a month-to-month membership. You can opt to upgrade to the Premium membership tier for $26.99 per month ($23.99 for a 12-month commitment) or the Premium+ membership for $39.99 per month ($36.99 for a 12-month commitment). Here are some key features of the upper-tier memberships at some locations:
- Access to specialized workout equipment, pickleball courts, group fitness sessions, personal trainers, cycle classes and massage beds
- Free guest passes
- Multi-gym access
- Small group training
9. Blink Fitness
Membership Cost: Varies by location
Annual Fee: $59.99
You can find pricing for each location on the Blink website, but pricing is similar no matter where you work out. You’ll pay $20 to $41 per month in Boston, depending on the membership tier. In Dallas, you’ll pay $15 to $41. An Orange membership, the cheapest tier, gives you unlimited home club access. With a Blue or Green membership, you may also gain access to the following:
- Virtual classes and workouts on the Blink app
- Unlimited guest privileges
- Multi-club use
You can save on a membership at some locations when you pay via your checking account rather than a credit card.
10. XSport Fitness
Membership Cost: Varies by location
Annual Fee: $54.95
With an XSport Fitness basic membership, you get unlimited access to the strength and cardio equipment, as well as the steam room and sauna, at your home club. Upgrade to one of the premium memberships and you may also receive the following benefits:
- Studio-style group training programs and customized personal training sessions
- Group fitness classes
- Access to basketball courts, lap pools, whirlpools and rock climbing walls
- Use of spa services
Final Take To GO
The first step in researching cheap gym memberships is determining which gyms are available in your area. Hopefully, a few options on this list are nearby. Compare monthly dues, annual fees, one-time sign-up fees and membership benefits to find the best fit for your needs. Also, read any terms and conditions to understand cancellation policies and fees since some gyms may require an annual commitment. Before signing up, find out if any new member promotions are available. You can save quite a bit if you join when one is offered.
FAQ
- Is it worth joining a gym?
- Joining a gym can be great at helping you achieve your health and fitness goals, especially if you find an affordable option. However, depending on the type of workouts you are interested in, you may get the same results working out at home for free.
- What should I do if I can't afford a gym membership?
- If you can't afford a gym membership, you can find an unlimited number of free workouts online. Also, watch for free or cheap used workout equipment on sites such as Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp.
- Is $60 a lot for a gym membership?
- Unless you have a limited number of gyms in your area, in most cities, you should be able to find a gym membership cheaper than $60 per month. However, it may not allow for full club access.
- Why did Planet Fitness charge me $49?
- Planet Fitness charges a $49 annual fee in addition to its monthly membership fee.
Jami Farkas, Caitlyn Moorhead and Alicia Bodine contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Nov. 9, 2023.