Top 10 Best Fitness Center Chains and Gym Franchises
Fitness and health play a crucial role in determining one's quality of life. It is essential to maintain an active lifestyle to stay physically and mentally fit. However, owning fitness equipment to work out at home can be both expensive and space-consuming, leaving many people with the option of joining a commercial gym.
Thankfully, there are multiple options available when it comes to selecting a gym. Even if you live in a small town, you will likely have several choices. Each gym has its unique set of services, operating hours, and customer service level.
To make your gym selection process easier, with the help of voters we have compiled a list of the top ten fitness centers and gym franchises. The rankings are based on the available services, equipment variety, and level of customer service offered by each gym. With help from this list, hopefully you're able to choose the perfect gym that meets your fitness needs and budget. From 24-hour facilities to appointment-based gyms, we have it all covered. Make the most of this guide and select the gym that helps you stay fit, healthy, and motivated.
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Anytime Fitness
They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Free weights, machines, and classes are available to keep you occupied and working hard. With over 5,000 franchises in 50 countries, you will undoubtedly have a location nearby.
This gym has everything you need for a great workout without too many extra perks that you will never use but end up paying for. Also, the gym is super clean with well-maintained equipment.
It's open any time of the day and has a great variety of equipment to use for different exercises and routines. It's like the McDonald's of gyms.
Great variety of equipment and up-to-date technology in the cardio machines. The atmosphere is pleasant without pressure or over-the-top alarms and sales pressure.
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Planet Fitness
This place markets itself as a Judgement Free Zone that caters to everyone. They have over 2,500 locations and 19 million members. They really try to keep the atmosphere friendly and have rules in place to keep it that way. Equipment galore and classes to boot.
I'd been to several fitness centers and always felt like I needed to find and try another one. My reasons are: it's either smelly, the staff are not friendly, or just the people who work out there. When I tried Planet Fitness, I felt like I was at home, and for the first time, I am always looking forward to working out. If I can't work out, I miss the place.
I love Planet Fitness. It's a great gym with a gym feel. I don't feel like I'm going to a nightclub to work out. When it's time to work out, that's what I'm there for.
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Gold's Gym
Known as the Mecca of bodybuilding, they have more than just iron to lift. They are a full service fitness center that caters to everyone. Gold's Gym operates over 700 locations worldwide.
How could this legendary gym not be #1? This is where the legends are made.
This is where Arnold and the other big boys trained. Legendary place!
I used to love it at El Toro, Lake Forest, CA. The road owner made it great in the good old days. I wish I could go back!
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24 Hour Fitness
24 Hour Fitness offers inexpensive memberships and has more than 280 locations across the United States. They have a huge variety of studio classes including cycling, strength training, and dance. As the name implies, many of their clubs are open 24 hours a day to fit any schedule.
Hello, my dad has a membership here, and he can get me in for free as a guest every now and then. Also, regarding the "No air! If you like stuffy, overcrowded gyms. This one is for you!" comment: Most of the 24 Hour Fitness locations aren't stuffy or overcrowded at all.
You're not tied down to long contracts (first and last month only to give 30 days notice). Some have VIP locker areas for an extra charge. Clean - really important. Free towels. Most days open 24 hours. Friendly people.
A simple and excellent gym that's very inexpensive and has a very well-trained staff. It's only $40 a month at my 24 Hour Fitness, and it includes everything I need like a pool, basketball court, weights, cardio machines, and training sessions.
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LA Fitness
The best in my opinion! The staff is very friendly and helpful. Most of all, everything is included in the membership price. Lastly, it's always clean... hands down.
LA Fitness is great. No bull. They don't hassle you if you don't like it. This should be #1.
Machines are always available at LA Fitness!
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Equinox Fitness
Equinox Fitness operates over 100 clubs in major cities like London, New York, and Vancouver. Trainers not only have to have fitness certifications, but also receive continuing education to keep current. The luxury fitness clubs offer high-performance equipment as well as group fitness classes.
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Retro Fitness
Tons of locations and a huge variety of equipment, classes, and services. They even have a juice bar that offers you some after-workout nutrition.
Great place to work out, for men or women. Great price ($19.99) for unlimited access to every Retro location. Newer gyms have toned-down colors. Excellent network around NYC, going nationwide.
Retro has the potential to be the only game in town. Love it.
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CrossFit Gyms
Every CrossFit gym has its own unique name and pay scale but if it's fitness you're after, you can't go wrong with these guys. You'll most likely have a gym in your town. You'll have to "qualify" of sorts to do the workouts but once you do, you'll be in the best shape you can be in.
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Powerhouse Gym
Something about most of these gyms is simply classic.
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Blink Fitness
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Nuffield Health
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Fit4Less
Open 24/7 and has massage beds and tables. Also extremely cheap.
Awesome gym.
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Talwalkars
Great gym and modern equipment. Dedicated and enthusiastic staff!
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Life Time Fitness
The approach that Life Time takes is different from most others. They want you to feel healthy and change all your life habits to be healthy. They encourage a variety of activities to keep fit rather than just one certain way. They are proactive in contacting their member base about upcoming activities and frequently have competitions that are easy to participate in. This holistic approach is what draws me to Life Time!
I currently have a membership, and while it is a little more expensive than I would like to pay, it literally has everything I can ask for in one place. There are so many group fitness classes, a great daycare while you're working out, a sauna and steam room, a really nice pool, hot tubs, and even a nice café.
The one I go to also has a spa, and I was given free swimming lessons for my daughter when I opened my membership.
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In-Shape
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Merritt Athletic Clubs
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Barbell Brigade
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American Family Fitness
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Big Sky
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Snap Fitness
A 24-hour fitness center with cardio, weights, classes, and lots of locations. Inexpensive membership packages make this one an easy choice.
Love this gym. Love the equipment, love the people.
Genuinely friendly and helpful in seeing that I am able to meet my goals. Inexpensive, with no contracts. Even offers some free classes. Worth every penny.
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Iron Sport Gym Inc
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Fitness 19
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GoodLife Fitness
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UFC Gym
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Fitness First
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Crunch Fitness
The best gym for your buck with a wide variety of classes. First-class staff that are quick to service your needs and constantly working to keep the facility at its best. I wouldn't go anywhere else! #CrunchKilleen and #CrunchWaco
No gym or fitness club can compare to the passionate staff and expert maintenance and upkeep.
More free weights than anywhere.
Energetic staff.
Love this place!
10 bucks a month. Who could argue with that?
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Metroflex Gym
The gym that is home to over 100 professional bodybuilders is about more than just testosterone. Metroflex Gym is known for its hardcore atmosphere and heavy iron rather than luxury amenities. While it has limited locations compared to major chains, it remains a destination for serious weightlifters.
Metroflex is the real deal! No fancy stuff, no BS - just big bodybuilders!