The best gyms for beginners are affordable, or at least have flexible contracts if and when you feel the need to change things up.
They also have a good variety of amenities, like group classes so you’ll always have an amazing workout to try when you’re feeling unmotivated. And finally, they have a laid back atmosphere that won’t make you feel like an outsider while you’re learning the ropes.
Here are 5 of the best gyms for beginners that you can find in almost any major city.
5 – Planet Fitness
The main selling point of Planet Fitness is the low price point, with plans starting at just ten dollars a month. You really won’t be able to find gym memberships much cheaper than that.
Aside from the price, Planet Fitness goes out of its way to make it clear it’s a place for beginners. In fact, the gym is labeled a “No Judgment” zone.
If you feel intimidated by beefy gym bros hogging all the equipment, you’ll love Planet Fitness’s Lunk Alarm. If any weightlifters get a little too noisy, an alarm goes off to set them straight.
Finally, on certain days of the month, Planet Fitness hands out free pizza and bagels. It may seem counterproductive to your fitness goals, but it’s a great way to get to know other folks at the gym and ease in if you’re a beginner.
Planet Fitness is a great choice if you’re joining a gym for the first time, but the sparse weight lifting equipment and lack of group classes and aquatic features bring it down a peg. Once you become intermediate or advanced, you may want to graduate to a gym with better amenities and equipment.
4 – Crunch Fitness
Crunch is another extremely affordable gym for beginners, with memberships starting around ten to twenty dollars per month.
If you want better amenities like tanning and hydromassage, then you may need to upgrade to one of the plans that cost thirty dollars a month.
While Crunch usually won’t have a pool or any special amenities like childcare, it has far better weightlifting equipment than Planet Fitness, which makes it worth the extra couple of bucks per month.
You might even find a pool at your local Crunch if you’re lucky!
If you’re a beginner, Crunch will have all the equipment you need and you won’t need to break the bank to join. If it turns out the gym isn’t right for you, no harm done!
3 – LA Fitness
LA Fitness is one of the best mid-range gyms around, and comes in just a step above Crunch and Planet Fitness in price.
Monthly fees vary by location, but you should expect to pay in the range of twenty five to forty dollars a month.
LA Fitness clubs will have an amazing selection of equipment, plenty of group classes, childcare, and usually a pool and hot tub. You really couldn’t ask for much more in a gym as a total beginner.
Your local LA Fitness might even have basketball and racquetball courts, which could be worth the price of admission alone if you struggle to stay motivated to exercise.
Take a tour of your local LA Fitness and it’s doubtful you’ll find a better gym in your area for the same price.
2 – Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is another terrific mid-range gym that compares favorably to LA Fitness, with one distinct advantage for beginners:
It’s open 24 hours.
If you struggle to stick to a workout schedule, you’ll love Anytime Fitness. You can work out anytime that’s convenient for you, day or night. And you won’t have to sacrifice equipment or amenities for the extra access.
Anytime has great cardio equipment, plenty of strength training gear, personal trainers, and more. The big downside is you won’t find a pool or spa at any Anytime Fitness locations.
1 – The YMCA
The YMCA has a lot more to offer than just kids sports and summer camps.
For around 40 to 50 dollars per month for adults (and less for teens and seniors), you gain access to much of the same equipment and amenities you get at the more elite gyms.
The equipment here is surprisingly good. You’ll also get access to plenty of group classes and some of the best gym pools around. The YMCA is also world famous for incredible childcare, so parents love to join up just to have a fun place to bring the kids.
The best thing about the YMCA for beginners is the welcoming attitude. A lot of the members are older or just regular folks from the community, and you won’t find a ton of intimidating meatheads here.
For a solo person, the Y is a little expensive, but if you plan to take advantage of the childcare, you won’t find a better deal.
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The best thing you can do as a total beginner is take a tour of most of the major gyms in your area. Better yet, see if you can get a day or week pass to try out the facilities and see if you enjoy working out there.
Budget gyms like Planet Fitness and Crunch are cheap and convenient, but don’t be afraid to spend a little more if you think the extra amenities, group classes, or personal training will get you better results in the end.
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