When it comes to fitness, it’s possible to keep it simple and cheap (like these 10 YouTube workouts you can do from your living room).
Sometimes though, it’s nice to have a designated place to get your sweat on.
Here are 5 cheap gym memberships with monthly fees $40 and under. (And 5 more that might be cheap depending on where you live!)
*Note: Many of these clubs’ prices vary depending on location. Since Manhattan typically has the highest gym membership prices in the country, I researched NYC locations’ prices for a comparison. If it’s under $40 there, it’s a good bet it will be under $40 wherever you live.
Planet Fitness
If you Google “cheap gyms,” Planet Fitness will be one of the first results. I was a Planet Fitness member for two years and it did the job just fine. They have a large assortment of cardio equipment (including my fave, treadmills), many machines, and a free weights area.
The location I belonged to in New York used a cleaning product that had a sweet chemical aroma I now forever associate with the color purple.
What you DON’T get with most Planet Fitness spaces: a pool, basketball, private studio area, steam room, or group classes.
A single location membership costs $9.99 a month; the Planet Fitness Black membership allows you into any location nationwide and costs $19.99 a month.
Find your nearest location here.
Blink Fitness
Blink is especially popular on the East Coast but has more locations opening across the country in places like Chicago, Michigan and Virginia. A Blink Gray membership can start for as low as $15 a month and limits you to one location. The highest membership costs $27 per month and provides access to all 80+ locations in the US.
With a Blink Green or Blue membership, you also get unlimited guest priviledges, so if you’re in the habit of going to the gym with your friend or spouse, you basically get two for the price of one.
Find your nearest location here.
LA Fitness
LA Fitness common amenities include weights and cardio, basketball courts, racquetball, group fitness classes, dance studio, pool, spin room, lockers, and showers.
Plus, it’s one of the better gyms for your buck. Nearly all LA Fitness clubs cost $29.99 a month for all club access or $24.99 a month for single club access.
A couple of LA Fitness locations in urban areas (I noticed Seattle and Staten Island) bump up the all-club price to $44.99 and single-club to $39.99. All memberships also require a $99 initiation fee.
Find your closest LA Fitness location here.
XSport Fitness
XSport Fitness might be the secret gym deal you’re missing out on. At just $9.95 per month for one club location or $39/month for access to all 34 clubs, the price and the amenities it gives are a great deal.
For example, at the Bronx, NY club, you get access to a 4-lane pool, basketball courts, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and rock climbing wall for just the $9.95/month price! They also offer group fitness classes and a cardio and weights area.
See if there’s a location near you here.
24-Hour Fitness
24-Hour Fitness has nationwide locations and an array of cardio and weight-lifting equipment.
The price by club varies, but for almost all the clubs, if you limit yourself to one club only and make a 12-month commitment, the price is $29.99 with no initiation fee.
See if you live near a 24-Hour Fitness here.
Possible Contenders
Snap Fitness
Snap fitness prices vary by location but are around $34.95 to 44.95 per month. Prices go down the longer you commit for.
There is also a $99 initiation fee every year you are a member.
Find your closest club and inquire about exact prices here.
Gold’s Gym
Gold’s isn’t present in all 50 states (and has 0 locations in NYC) but with nearly 800 locations, there’s still a good chance one might be near you.
Like a lot of gyms, the price varies on location. In cities with a lower cost of living, you can lock a rate of $29.99 per month with a 12-month contract. You’ll also pay a $39.99 annual sign-up fee.
You can get a free one-time pass to any Gold’s Gym on their website.
YMCA
YMCA memberships vary widely across geography, but I’m including it because they offer
Students under the age of 25 can get a YMCA membership for as low as $20 a month. When you think about everything a standard YMCA has (pool, basketball courts, sauna), that’s a great deal.
For non-students, membership ranges from $49 to $79 a month but could be cheaper depending on where you live. In NYC, an adult membership costs $106 per month.
If you’re part of a family unit, you can get a family membership and add family members for as low as $10 extra a month.
Find your closest YMCA location here.
Anytime Fitness
Many Anytime Fitness clubs are independently owned and operated, so the membership price varies. At some franchises, you can get a basic membership for around $39.99 a month.
They don’t have an NYC location, but the price per month to the Cliffside Park, NJ location (outside of NYC) is $49.99 with a 24 month commitment. Which is why this gym is in the “possible contenders” category.
For some locations, if you sign-up at a certain time of year (usually just before the holiday season) they run sign-up deals and also waive your initiation fees.
Many Anytime Fitness locations do not allow you to sign-up or view membership prices online. Find your best location here.
*For NYC Residents Only* NY Recreation Centers
If you live in New York and are looking for a cheap gym option, NY Recreation Centers are one of the best deals around. For adults between 18-24 years old, an annual membership costs just $25. If you are over 25, the annual fee goes up to $100 with no pool or $150 with pool access. That’s just $12.50 a month!
Check out more of the details here.
Looking for a workout to follow in the gym? Try my free treadmill
