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If you’ve decided you would really like to give going to the gym a try, you probably are wondering how much it can set you back financially. After all, we know that there are gyms that offer dozens and dozens of luxuries and amenities.
Maybe the reasons to go to the gym are not always just to pump iron or running on the treadmill, perhaps you want a gym that can offer you the luxuries of a spa and a food court, or basketball court. Will gyms like this fit into your budget?
What type of gym goer are you?
Some people would just like to go to the gym for their own personal health, both physical and mental and don’t need to be massaged or have a protein shake prepared for them.
People like this can accept a basic package and probably be happy.
Others just don’t simply have the economic means to pay for a gym that has the latest gym equipment, and other amenities that raise the cost of the fitness center.
Luckily in the good ol’ U.S of A, there are plenty of different gym choices, both local and nationwide that offer you what you may be looking for. In this article you’ll get a good look at what gyms offer what, and which are more affordable, and which are more luxurious, to help you decide the perfect gym for you to go to.
Average cost of gyms in the U.S.
For quite a while, gyms have become quite the trend. Each year since 2008 the number of health clubs and fitness centers has been steadily increasing. Becoming fit and healthy is really becoming a trend, which is great news!
Being able to go to any of these gyms means that of course, you’re most likely going to have to pay for a membership.
Here is a breakdown of the average prices for going to the gym:
- Average gym membership: $37.31
- Lower tier membership: $31.00
- Higher tier membership: $44.42
These averages are also based on the fact that some gyms are way more expensive than other gyms, these are not the prices at every single gym you walk into. What are the typical differences between a higher tier membership and a lower tier membership at a gym?
Different types of gym memberships
So what are the differences between memberships that are more expensive than others? The answer is pretty simple, you’ll have access to more services and equipment. However, depending on what you want to do and achieve at the gym, a higher-priced membership may not be the best choice for you.
You can read more about gym equipment here.
Upper-tier memberships:
Most gyms will have different amenities and equipment, however nowadays the more typical normal-priced gym chains are more or less the same. So, what exactly can you look forward to if you have a little extra cash to throw around?
The typical perk of a higher tier membership will be unlimited access to gym amenities such as:
- Pools
- Basketball courts
- Racquetball courts
- Group classes
- Spinning Classes
- Bring a guest
- Saunas
- Meal plans
- Smoothie bars
These perks are not found in every single gym. However many of the typical gym chains such as LA Fitness or Gold’s Gym have memberships that are more expensive than others that offer more advantages.
Normal or lower-tier memberships:
While many of these amenities found in a higher-priced package are really great, useful, and even fun, they may not be strictly necessary.
If you’re someone that just needs to lift some weights, and maybe you even think you’re paying too much for your gym right now a cheaper membership is not such a bad idea.
In the last decade, lower-priced gyms and gym memberships have become very popular, especially for those of you who want to get fit and just starting out, but perhaps bodybuilding or preparing for athletic competitions isn’t really your thing.
Now it’s definitely possible to work out and achieve what you need at a gym like this, including getting big muscles or slimming down. However, these types of gyms will most likely not have gym equipment on par with higher-priced gyms, and if you have a lower grade gym membership you will probably miss out on having the use of a pool and other amenities.
Guide for choosing lower-priced Gyms
As mentioned previously, lower-priced gyms have become a pretty big fad over the past ten years or so. People in the United States are trying to get more fit, which means there are a lot of newbies and maybe don’t want to splurge just yet. Then there are some of you who are on a budget, or just don’t feel the need to have to spend more for going to the gym. Here’s a quick gym guide for some of the more famous budget gyms around the country:
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is arguably THE low-cost gym in the United States. There is Planet Fitness in every single state in the USA and over 1,500 stores nationwide.
The great thing about Planet Fitness is, it’s super cheap. Memberships at Planet Fitness range between $10 and $22. Fitting Planet Fitness into your budget should be very easy. While it doesn’t have spas, pools, and other gym equipment that other gyms have, they have the basic stuff and even a lot of locations that are open 24 hours a day.
Youfit
Youfit is another gym that comes at a low price. Of course, it has the basic stuff for its members, as well as wifi, lockers, and showers.
They do offer a bit more as well at some locations, such as saunas and tanning beds. If you happen to live near one of these locations the price you pay for your membership will go a long way.
World Gym
A certain low-cost gym that can be of interest to all the parents out there is World Gym. While they are a bit more expensive than gyms like Planet Fitness and Youfit, with prices between $16 and $37, they can offer parents a kids club package.
This can be a great deal if you are a parent that wants to teach your child about fitness and health, as well as if you need someone to watch your child.
Guide for choosing higher-priced gyms
So there are gyms for those of you who really want the full sports/health club experience and do not mind spending a bit of extra cash.
Equinox
Equinox Sports Club has quite a few locations around the U.S, they have the latest gym equipment and very good personal trainers. You can keep up with your workout information thanks to applications that you can put on your cell phone. Equinox gyms have all the perks such as spas, and pools, you name it. Thanks to that, memberships do not come cheap. The monthly fees range between over 160 dollars to 230 dollars a month.
Lifetime Fitness
This is another gym chain that will offer you great amenities and an amazing fitness center experience. Having great personal trainers, top-of-the-line gym equipment, spas, amongst many other luxuries will give you plenty of reasons to go to the gym if you’re asking yourself if you should go to the gym or not. The memberships at this gym can start from $250 a month, so be prepared to spend big for all the luxury and detail.
So which Gym is right for you
Trying to figure out which of these options is best for you can be somewhat complicated. Understanding that some fitness centers are extremely luxurious with top-of-the-line equipment comes at a high cost, while basic options lack a lot of these options they can be extremely cost-efficient.
If you have the cash and feel it’s worth it, as well as feel dedicated, a gym that offers you the best equipment and personal trainers may be the best option, even if it is pricey.
Read our gym guide here.
Not having the cash to pay for a higher-end gym is not that big a deal. You don’t need to be making six figures to be fit, which should be the most important reason for going to the gym.
You can make sure you have a fantastic workout and stay in shape just as much at a gym that can fit into your budget.
Finding a personal trainer
A great idea for whichever gym you do choose to become a member in is working with a personal trainer.
Using the tutoring platform Superprof, it is possible to find a personal trainer to help you make the most of the gym that you do choose to go to, whether it has.
They even offer fair prices and it is possible to find a personal trainer on Superprof that fits to your schedule, wherever you happen to live in the United States.
Superprof has personal trainers available to work with you and make sure you are the healthiest person you can be.
The platform that connects tutors and students
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