How much does it cost for a gym membership per month?

The average price of a gym monthly subscription

Your good health and wellness require a lot of effort, time, and of course, money. The latter is one of the biggest concerns that stops many people from going to the gym. However, a membership fee is not always as expensive as one may think. Thus, we decided to show you an estimation of how much it should cost you on average.

Why should you go to the gym?

Once you become a gym member, you will access privileged advantages as follows:

A variety of training equipment:

The best point of going to a fitness center is that there is a lot of training equipment available. In general, a well-equipped gym should have multiple sets of dumbbells, cardio machines, and various weight machines that work different parts of the body.

Personal trainer:

Personal athletic trainers will instruct you how to properly use training equipment to prevent injuries and, most importantly, design an effective workout program corresponding to your goals. Also, they will give you useful nutrition advice and encourage you to keep going with a positive vibe.

Exercise class accessibility:

Most fitness centers provide exercising classes to their members. They are not only enjoyable, but also effective. Normally, they will be divided into several sessions depending on the objective of the class like cardio, boxing, or weight training.

How much does the gym membership cost on average?

In the United States, affordable gym memberships generally start at $10 per month, while premium ones may cost up to $55-$80 per month. According to Statistic Brain Research Institute’s report, individuals spend around $58 per month or $696 per year for the subscription fee. Nevertheless, the pricing usually varies depending on the location and the levels of membership.

Apart from the monthly/annual membership fees above, sometimes there are also additional charges, such as:

  • the initiation fee
  • a personal trainer (approximately $40-$70 per hour)
  • a fitness group class
  • a key and locker

What should you consider when selecting a gym to join?

As most gyms usually require a long-term commitment, it is important to think carefully and consider these factors below:

  • Price and payment options:
    The first thing you should consider is definitely the price. Select the gym that offers you the best deal. Also, you should verify carefully their subscription’s conditions: no-contract basis, monthly or annual payment.
  • Cancellation policy:
    Read carefully the cancellation policy before signing any contract; do they charge a cancellation fee? And what are their conditions? For instance, some gyms need notice at least one month in advance if you wish to terminate the contract.
  • Number and quality of equipment:
    A good fitness center should be equipped with every type of equipment. Before signing up, you should check their machines’ condition and quality, as well as the cleanliness.
  • A variety of fitness class sessions:
    Ask if they provide group fitness classes or not. The most popular ones are yoga class, Zumba dance, boxing class, etc.
  • Other facilities:
    Last but not least, another important factor is the gym’s services and facilities, for example, the number and the cleanliness of bathrooms, free water coolers, etc. Certain premium fitness centers offer a swimming pool, a sauna, or a spa as well.

Top 2 recommended gym chains in 2021

Below are our top 2 gym chains that may interest you. Let’s see them in detail:

Anytime Fitness

Best-known for its 24/7 access, Anytime Fitness is one of the most popular gym chains in the United States. Nowadays, there are over 4,000 locations around the world and the franchise has progressively grown. It provides tons of cardio and weight training equipment such as treadmills, exercise cycles, cable crossovers, etc. Besides, you can also join many interesting group classes like spinning cycles or yoga sessions.

In addition, Anytime Fitness offers personal training as well as wellness programs. If you are interested to join Anytime Fitness, you can easily check the nearby locations from the official website and get a special free 7-day pass. For first-time registration, you will have to pay around $50 for the initiation fee, $35 for a key, and monthly/annual membership dues (about $40 monthly).

Planet Fitness

If you are looking for an affordable gym club, Planet Fitness is an interesting choice that you should consider. The latter has more than 2,000 locations and most of them open 24 hours. As a Planet Fitness member, you will receive unlimited Home Club access, free workout training as well as Wi-Fi access. There are also 3 different membership options you can choose from:

  • No Commitment Membership: Around $258 per year.
    Initiation fee $39 + Monthly membership $15, including annual fee $39.
    Or you can choose the “Paid In Full” option which is $199/year.
  • Classic Membership (12-month contract): Around $188 per year.
    Initiation fee $29 + Monthly membership $10, including annual fee $39.
  • Black Card Membership (12-month contract): Around $316 per year.
    Initiation fee $1 + Monthly membership $22.99, including annual fee $39

Planet Fitness offers a 1-day free trial as well and if you register for a Black Card membership, you will receive a lot of special benefits, such as a 50% discount for drinks, HydroMassage, tanning, and much more. One downside of Planet Fitness is that there is no training class available.

Spending money on a gym membership is considered a good investment and not an expense, since exercising regularly will bring you wellness and a good body shape in the long run. However, you have to stay disciplined and pay attention to your diet as well. Let’s pick a gym you like and start your fitness journey today!

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