Are you a gym owner aiming for a title of one of the best american fitness facilities? Discover our latest article showcasing 20 best gyms and the strategies they employ.
We’ll also explore how a gym management software can elevate gym companies to meet the highest standards and enhance their image.
Key takeaways
- There are many gyms in the US considered “the best” and each of them can give you inspiration on how to strategize your fitness business.
- Advice for gym owners to start working towards a better image is to introduce the best Gym Software.
- Some of the ideas implemented by high end gyms are: different elements in the offer (group fitness classes together with personal training services), nice atmosphere, favorable prices compared to quality, and many branches throughout the USA.
- Idea worth following is also: having a coherent and non-typical strategy, e.g. non judgment zone - directing your offer to everyone.
How Do We Define the Best Gyms In This Article
When we talk about “the best gyms in USA,” we generally consider several factors that contribute to a gym’s overall quality and appeal:
- Easy contact, service and payments: nowadays, when everyone is rushing and doesn’t have time for additional activities, a gym that has implemented gym manager software, ensures quick cancellation and make-up of classes with one click in the class booking software app, or reminds about payments via text message thanks to gym payment systems, is appreciated as friendly and making life easier.
- Facilities and Equipment: High-quality, well-maintained, and diverse exercise equipment (cardio equipment and other types), along with clean and modern facilities.
- Convenience: Accessible locations, convenient operating hours (like 24 Hour Fitness), and multiple branches across the country.
- Variety of Services: A wide range of offerings including group fitness classes, personal training, and specialized programs.
- Membership Options: Flexible and affordable membership plans catering to different needs and budgets. If you want to know more about the gym membership prices, skip to our article: How much do gym memberships cost.
- Amenities: Additional features like swimming pools, saunas, basketball courts, and recovery areas.
- Community and Atmosphere: A supportive, motivating environment with a strong sense of community.
- Expertise: Qualified trainers and instructors providing professional guidance.
- Specialization: Some gyms focus on specific types of training or cater to particular demographics.
- Innovation: Incorporation of new fitness trends, technologies, and training methodologies.
- Customer Service & Staff: Responsive and friendly staff and overall positive member experience. Certified personal trainers, nutritionists and other types of specialists.
- Results: Effectiveness in helping members achieve their fitness goals.
- Brand Reputation: Overall popularity and positive reviews from members.
The concept of “the best gym” can vary depending on individual preferences and needs. Some people might prioritize luxury and high-end amenities (like Equinox), while others might value affordability and accessibility (like Planet Fitness). Some may prefer specialized training environments (like CrossFit boxes or climbing gyms), while others seek more general, all-purpose fitness centers.
It’s important to note that the adjective “best” is subjective and can change based on personal fitness goals, budget, location, and other individual factors. The gyms considered “best” often excel in multiple areas mentioned above, directing their offer to a wide range of fitness enthusiasts across the United States.
20 Best Gyms in 2024
Here is our subjective list of the 20 best gyms in the USA for 2024, including their unique features, membership costs, and reasons why we chose them.
1. Planet Fitness
- Features: Budget-friendly, clean facilities, essential equipment, “Judgement Free Zone.” Sounds interesting? Read more about Planet Fitness Business Model.
- Cost: $10-$24.99/month
- Why Best: Affordable memberships, inclusive environment, free fitness training trials.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Offer your services to everyone so that no one feels excluded. Highlight it in your advertising materials and in any information campaign, let it become your symbol. Read more about positive fitness advertisements.
Source: PF website
Source: CNN website
2. Equinox
- Features: Equinox luxurious gyms are located in various places.
- Cost: Membership costs there $25,000 annually.
- Why Best: Unique features of Equinox fitness clubs are exclusive training studios, amazing interiors, elite personal trainers, private changing cabanas and more.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Check it out and you may find that renovating your interiors and giving them a slightly more luxurious character will not be that expensive.
Source: Equinox website
Source: interiordesign.net
3. The Houstonian Club
- Features: The Houstonian Club, located in Houston, Texas, is a part of a hotel resort
- Cost: $25,000 cost of initiation fee and $348 membership monthly
- Why Best: oak lockers, private fitness center, tennis courts, gate-access parking and play areas for children, hotel with spa in beautiful surroundings
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Arrange a play area for children. It is a great idea to attract parents who don’t have any possibilities to come for a training session due to lack of childcare.
Source: houstonian.com
Source: houstonian.com
4. Blink Fitness
- Features: 101 wallet-friendly centers in various locations in the United States. Motivating space with a staff of mood-lifters. They take pride in challenging fitness industry norms and celebrating every unique body. Their motto is #EveryBodyHappy
- Cost: $15-$25 monthly
- Why Best: affordable, clean facilities, mood-lifting environment, rewards, custom branded fitness app.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Create your image as a positive, colorful, user-friendly gym with open and helpful staff.
Source: northriversideparkmall.com
Source: clubsolutionsmagazine.com
5. 24 Hour Fitness
- Features: Open 24/7, extensive cardio and strength equipment, group fitness classes, personal training services, app with workout plans.
- Cost: $20-$50/month
- Why Best: Flexible hours (read more: 24 Hours Gyms: The Pros and Cons for Gym Owners), variety of equipment and services, multiple membership levels, availability all around the country.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Let your gym be available 24/7 and don’t worry that it will mean sleepless nights and constant presence in your company. Invest in a good gym POS, which is a component of gym management system.
Source: clubsolutionsmagazine.com
Source: wsj.com
6. David Barton Gym
- Features: This gym has luxury amenities in each of its locations. Their unique features are high-tech equipment, AI-driven health profiling and stunning architectural designs.
- Cost: $150-$200 monthly.
- Why Best: one of a kind, modern, posh and stylish, it’s a pity to leave these interiors.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Use AI in the fitness industry. Slightly incongruous industries? Of course not! Writing personalized training programs, health assessment, and even customer service (by bot) – all this can be done by AI, saving you time.
Source: David Barton’s gym Instagram.
Source: ratto.cl
7. Sitaras Fitness
- Features: This New York gym has developed its own training program for group fitness classes. They offer personalized training regimen, luxurious locker rooms and gym membership limited to 200 clients only.
- Cost: $13,760 annually
- Why Best: extremely modern and innovative
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Develop your own training method. Reserve it at the patent office. It is of great value to the customer that they receive a modern, personalized service.
Source: Sitaras Gym website.
Source: Sitaras Gym website.
8. Anytime Fitness
- Features: 24/7 access, global gym access, coach-led personal and group fitness training
- Cost: varies by location
- Why Best: ideal for travelers, convenient hours, and a member’s mobile app
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Opening several locations facilitates access to more customers. Think about opening a franchise, read more about how to open a gym franchise.
9. Orangetheory Fitness
- Features: Heart-rate based interval training, group workouts.
- Cost: $59-$159/month
- Why Best: Scientifically designed workouts, high motivation levels.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Think about basing your training or fitness diagnosis on the latest technological achievements.
Source: Orangetheory website.
Source: healthdigest.com
10. SoulCycle
- Features: SoulCycle, located in various places, is a gym chain specialized in indoor cycling.
- Cost: Their members pay $250 monthly
- Why Best: intense cycling workouts, celebrity sightings, strengthening and preparation exercises, boutique atmosphere.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Specializing in one narrow field gives you the image of an expert and the opportunity to raise prices. If you are specialized in BJJ, for example, to make your work more effective, implement a dedicated BJJ software.
Source: SC website.
Source: AtlantaMagazine
11. Rise Nation
- Features: Rise Nation from LA offers personal training sessions and high-intensity interval training focused on climbing, low-impact workouts and membership perks for fitness enthusiasts
- Cost: $300 monthly.
Why Best: One of the few gyms specialized in this area. Training sessions not only specifical in climbing, but also supporting, strengthening and preparing. Great gym interior, look at the photos.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
They focus on climbing, and you can conduct general training with the intention of preparing for another specific goal. You will then attract a specific type of target audience.
Source: Rise Nation website.
Source: goop.com
12. Body by Simone
- Features: This fitness place in Los Angeles specializes in dance cardio, interval training and low-impact options
- Cost: $325 monthly.
- Why Best: Its offers are typically targeted at women, it centers its entire image and advertising around the slogan that women are beautiful and we can bring out even more of this beauty. Charming training interiors, everything minimalist and tasteful, including social media channels.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Direct your offer to a very specific target group, e.g. women, like Body by Simone does.
Source: BBS Instagram.
Source: BBS streaming
13. EXOS
- Features: Exos, based in Phoenix, AZ, offers custom training plans, high-tech equipment like underwater treadmills and soft-tissue massages.
- Cost: Weekly rates: $2,600 per week for one training session a day, $3,500 per week for two training sessions a day.
- Why Best: Luxurious experience, top tier staff
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
You may want to rethink your gym pricing strategy based on weekly billing. This guarantees smoother financial flows.
Source: teamexos.com
Source: teamexos.com
14. Pure Barre
- Features: Barre-focused workouts, small group classes
- Cost: Varies by location
- Why Best: Specialized training, supportive community, many available locations.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
It is worth developing and opening branches in different locations to reach a larger audience.
Source: self.com website.
Source: wydaily.com
15. Crunch Fitness
- Features: Varied classes, fun atmosphere, good equipment range.
- Cost: $10-$30/month
- Why Best: Energetic and enjoyable workout environment, wide class options offered by Crunch Fitness give choosing possibilities
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
The famous Planet Fitness already did this a long time ago. Now Crunch Fitness does it and you can do it too. The principle of inclusiveness, positivity and non-judgment, introduced and strongly publicized, will certainly attract many customers who are ashamed to appear at a typical gym.
Source: Crunch Fitness website
Source: bizjournals.com
16. L.A. Fitness
- Features: L.A. Fitness, operating in various areas, offers state-of-the-art equipment, personal trainers, childcare and different kinds of classes, a large network, additional amenities like pools and saunas.
- Cost: different sources say about $25-$40/month or $87 monthly.
- Why Best: Convenient locations, extensive amenities, and diverse workout options. LA Fitness has a strong and meaningful motto: „Turning motivation into results since ’84 ”.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Create a motto for your gym. Maybe highlight your successes, or maybe the year of establishment if you already have a long experience. This is always valuable information for potential customers. Maybe this list of gym quotes will inspire you.
Source: LA fitness Instagram.
Source: LA Fitness website
17. YMCA
- Features: Community-focused, senior programs, pools, diverse classes.
- Cost: $45/month
- Why Best: Excellent community environment, senior-friendly amenities, social responsibility
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Community Engagement: The YMCA is known for its strong community focus. Engage with your local community by hosting events, supporting local causes, and creating a welcoming environment to begin a fitness journey.
Family-Friendly Environment: Offer programs for all ages, including children’s activities, family workout sessions, and senior fitness classes.
Source: YMCA website.
Source: YMCA website.
18. F45 Training
- Features: Functional training, team-based workouts.
- Cost: $60-$200/month
- Why Best: High-energy, team environment with diverse workout routines.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Workout Screens: Use technology to display workout routines and track progress. F45 uses screens in their studios to show exercises and timing, which can help members follow along easily.
App Integration: Develop a mobile app connected with your gym booking system, progress tracking, and member engagement. This can streamline operations and enhance the member experience.
Source: F45 website.
Source: yelp.com
19. LifeTime Fitness
- Features: Resort-like facilities, comprehensive equipment, spa services.
- Cost: $60-$200/month
- Why Best: Unforgettable experience in luxury fitness facilities, holistic fitness and wellness approach.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
LifeTime Fitness gyms are well known for their spectacular interiors. But check and try, and you might discover that renovating your interiors to add a touch of luxury doesn’t have to be costly.
Source: lifetime.life
Source: lifetime.life
20. Gym Jones
- Features: Intense training programs, used by elite athletes.
- Cost: $125/month
- Why Best: Known for extreme workouts and elite performance training.
What to Take For Your Gym From Their Strategy?
Direct your offer to a wealthy clientele. Assume such a target audience and adjust advertising campaigns, visual identification and a prestigious image to these assumptions (expensive gym memberships, famous personal trainer among your staff, upscale environment).
Source: trainheroicmarketplace.com
Source: Gym Jones Instagram
For Context - Fitness Industry in the USA
To get an idea of the scale we are talking about, check the numerical and statistical data below. Please note that in the list above we only mentioned 20 gyms out of all US health and fitness companies. How many more are there to discover!
There are 32,270 health and fitness clubs in the United States.
The health and fitness club market in the United States was estimated to grow at an annual rate of 7.81 percent between 2018 and 2024.
The U.S. health club industry reported revenue of $35.03 billion.
There are 64.19 million gym members in the United States.
The United States has 41,190 gyms, the highest number compared to other countries.
Sources: statista.com, scottmax.com
How To Successfully Follow the Best Gyms’ Ideas?
By each gym, we have provided examples of how to improve your strategies. Some of them may be easy, others more difficult. Now it’s time for something you can implement immediately.
Thanks to WodGuru Gym Manager Software, you will save time and money previously spent on administrative work and customer service. This is saving here and now!
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FAQ
Some top contenders that are consistently mentioned across multiple sources:
- Planet Fitness: Often cited for its affordability and accessibility, Planet Fitness appears to be one of the most popular gym chains in the USA.
- LA Fitness: Mentioned in multiple lists, LA Fitness is noted for its comprehensive amenities and widespread presence.
- Equinox: While not as widely accessible due to its premium pricing, Equinox is frequently mentioned as a top gym for its high-end luxury fitness experience.
- 24 Hour Fitness: Consistently appears in top gym lists, praised for its convenient 24/7 access and variety of equipment and facilities.
Planet Fitness is America’s most popular gym franchise, providing cardio, strength, circuit training, and more. It boasts a large membership of fitness beginners who appreciate its simplicity, affordability, and judgment-free atmosphere. Planet Fitness gyms are available all over the country which contributes to their popularity.
Based on the search results, the best gym in America in 2024 is 24 Hour Fitness. This gym chain is highlighted for several reasons:
- Convenient Locations and Hours
- Variety of Equipment and Facilities
- Group Fitness Classes
- Flexible Membership Options
