Best Gym Memberships Of 2024 (2024)

To determine the best gym memberships available in the U.S., the Forbes Health editorial team collected data on approximately 20 national fitness chains, evaluating them based on:

• Basic membership cost
• Premium membership cost
• Number of membership options
• Additional fees
• Minimum contract length
• Length of cancellation notice period
• Number of facilities nationwide
• Number of states in which the gym is located
• Validity of basic membership at all locations
• Option to access gyms 24 hours a day
• Access to free Wi-Fi
• Whether live classes are available with basic membership
• Whether livestream or on-demand classes are available with basic membership
• Companion app availability
• Live crowd monitoring

Star ratings were then determined solely by the editorial team.

Physical exercise of any kind can help prolong one’s life, prevent diseases like cancer and diabetes, and improve mental health, according to research. While a gym membership isn’t necessary to be physically active, belonging to a gym can offer many benefits and help individuals develop and maintain a consistent exercise routine.

Many gyms offer access to trained staff who can provide clarity and guidance regarding how to achieve fitness goals. “With the number of podcasts, YouTube videos and influencers out there today, most people just get way too much conflicting information,” says James Cerbie, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and owner of Rebel Performance, an online training and nutrition coaching company.

Cerbie says a personal trainer or fitness instructor can help limit guesswork around fitness. They can also help maximize one’s health span (how long an individual remains healthy) compared to one’s lifespan (how long an individual lives).

Gym memberships can also provide social connection with friends and communities, bringing people with similar interests and fitness goals together in the same space, says Cerbie.

Choosing a gym with a convenient location can help minimize the friction of building an exercise habit, says Mike T. Nelson, Ph.D. an exercise physiologist in Minneapolis. “It won’t matter if it’s the most amazing gym you’ve ever seen if it’s 40 minutes away and you can’t get there,” he adds.

Next, one should consider their fitness goals, says Cerbie. Do you want to lose weight, build muscle, train for a particular sport, increase flexibility or have fun with others your age? Some gyms support all these goals while others cater to a specific type of gym goer.

The importance of additional considerations, such as class offerings, child care availability, equipment options, gym culture and costs, depend on the individual, says Dr. Nelson. A lack of child care can be a deal breaker for parents with young children. Meanwhile, new gym goers may want to look for clubs with coaching and instruction. Others may want access to a pool or basketball court.

The average monthly gym membership cost in 2021 was $28.58, according to market research firm Statista^[2]Health and Fitness Clubs - statistics and facts. Statistia. Accessed 6/4/2023. . However, prices can range from as low as $10 per month to as high as $300 per month, depending on the location, amenities and services offered.

Also, pay attention to the fine print, advises Dr. Nelson. Are there start-up costs or cancellation fees? The total price of a membership should be clear from the time someone joins and recorded in print. Month-to-month memberships may be a little more expensive than year-long contracts, but if a member’s circ*mstances (such as where they live) change before their contract ends, they may be stuck paying for a membership they can no longer use.

In some cases, buying a pass with a predetermined number of visits may be less expensive than a monthly or long-term membership contract, especially for those who plan to go to the gym just once or twice a week.