The Ten Most Expensive Gym Memberships | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

The Ten Most Expensive Gym Memberships

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

Full Bio →

Written by

UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

Advertiser Disclosure

It’s all about your brand. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident fitness software decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. Our partners do not influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

Editorial Guidelines: The Editorial Team at Exercise.com is dedicated to providing fair, unbiased information about the fitness industry. We update our site regularly and all content is reviewed by credentialed fitness experts.

Get the Basics...
  • The most expensive gym memberships have to set themselves apart from the pack.
  • Some are franchises with multiple locations.
  • More expensive memberships equate to greater amenities and perks.

People have many reasons for joining a gym, whether it’s for weight training, making friends, or taking fitness classes. While there are many opportunities to exercise for free at home, many people enjoy the camaraderie of working out in fitness groups or the formality of a gym or fitness center.

There is no shortage of gyms available for those who want to work out. They offer state of the art equipment, top-notch classes, and amenities that anyone would enjoy. If you can’t afford to shell out thousands on a gym membership, don’t panic!

We have plenty of workout plans that will help you reach your fitness goals without breaking the bank. Whether you are looking to switch up your routine or are just starting to work out, join PRO today for access to workout plans, workout creation templates, workout logs, and more!

The Ten Most Expensive Gym Memberships

The most expensive gym memberships have to set themselves apart from the pack. If they want people to shell out this kind of money for membership, there better be some serious benefits!

All of these amenities come at a hefty price. The 10 most expensive gym memberships offer members not only the best of the best to help them get into top physical shape but also a number of other perks that make the membership dues worthwhile.

#10 – L.A. Fitness

Fees: Up to $87 a month

Amenities: State of the art equipment, personal trainers, childcare, classes

When it comes to expensive gym memberships, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York take the cake. L.A. Fitness, a chain that has locations across the country, boasts some of the highest fees for their state of the art gyms.

With intense classes that start as early at six in the morning and run continuously all day, the staff at L.A. Fitness is dedicated to getting you beach-ready.

While the fees vary from city to city, users have reported monthly fees of up to $87 a month for an all-access pass.

#9 – Crunch Fitness

Fees: Up to $110 a month

Amenities: Celeb sightings, high-intensity classes, boxing rings, advanced equipment

With 31 locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Boston, Portland, and Miami, Crunch Fitness is the club for the “beautiful people” who don’t mind breaking the bank for the perfect body.

Crunch Fitness is known for its classes. Its pole dancing class usually requires advance sign up due to the popularity of the newest fitness craze. Crunch is also known for its boxing rings, martial arts classes, and one on one training from experts in fitness.

Most Crunch locations offer childcare for an additional fee. (Even the kids have to pay for the privilege of a Crunch membership!)

Crunch is one of New York City’s most popular gyms and many local athletes train in their facilities.

#8 – David Barton Gym

Fees: $400 initiation, $125 a month

Amenities: Basketball courts, classes, personal service

This Bellevue, Washington gym offers laundry service, shoeshine, saunas, NBA regulation basketball courts and hundreds of classes weekly.

In addition to their state of the art cardio equipment, they also offer personal training, nutrition coaching and individualized weight loss plans.

#7 – East Bank Club

Fees: $500 initiation fee, $170 a month

Amenities: Rooftop pool, massive sundeck, golf options

Chicago’s premier fitness club is one of the most expensive in the region. It features two indoor swimming pools and one rooftop pool (with a 60,000-foot sundeck), an indoor driving range, and eight tennis courts.

This club is the ultimate in luxury and has a price to match.

#6 – SoulCycle

Fees: $32 per class, up to $3,000 for a 50 class pack

Amenities: High-tech interactive bikes, personalized options allow you to track your progress

While not technically a full gym membership, SoulCycle must be mentioned when it comes to expensive fitness. This spinning-only facility offers bicycling classes that will burn calories and a hole in your wallet.

SoulCycle offers high-tech spinning classes that run all day long in one of its twelve New York City locations.

In these classes, you can challenge yourself with a fully interactive screen that allows you to track your progress. You can even “race” other class members for a truly challenging experience.

Riders are charged a fee per class and have the option of purchasing multi-class packages.

Get More Out of Your Exercises. Go PRO!

Sign Up

#5 – New York Sports Clubs

Fees: Vary by location and membership level – up to $225 a month

Amenities: Classes, sports activities, swimming pools

Despite the name, NYSC operates in several locations. The popular chain has outlets in Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia.

These behemoth clubs offer amenities such as the latest elliptical equipment, cardio theater, racquetball courts, basketball and boxing rings.

Some facilities boast an Olympic-sized swimming pool complete with aqua aerobics classes. Some locations offer childcare for an additional fee.

For the price of your NYSC membership, you will get a toned body that is ready for the catwalk or the beach.

#4 – Equinox

Fees: Vary by membership level, up to $500 a month

Amenities: Juice bars, personal training, spa

Known as the fitness club to the stars, Equinox fitness is one of the most expensive gyms in the country. Its atmosphere is less gym and more “health spa.”

Equinox gyms feature juice bars, saunas, whirlpools, upgraded locker rooms, and the latest cardio technology. Their classes are taught by some of the most sought-after instructors in the region and there is often a long waiting list to get into these sweat-inducing sessions.

The classes run the gamut from Vinyasa Yoga to spin, Zumba and strength training.

#3 – The Houstonian

Fees: $24,000 initiation fee, $365 a month

Amenities: Facilities that satisfy professional athletes

With up to 150 classes per week, this Houston, Texas, fitness center will work you into shape in no time.

This sprawling facility offers swimming pools, batting cages, an indoor driving range and equipment that is usually reserved for professional athletes.

As a matter of fact, many of Houston’s top professional football players train at this fitness center.

#2 – The Detroit Athletic Club

Fees: up to $400 a month

Amenities: Boat access, spectacular views

This bastion of the elite offers fitness with a breathtaking view of the Detroit River and the Windsor, Canada, skyline.

With several floors of equipment, intense classes, racquetball and more, you can get into shape before you head out on your yacht.

The club also offers a marina and boat docking.

#1 – The Madison Square Club

Fees: $26,000 annually

Amenities: Luxurious accommodations, training with the best

Based in New York City, this club is run by celebrity trainer David Kirsch. This center offers luxury products in private showers, state of the art equipment, laundry service, and even monogrammed towels.

Work out with the area’s top fitness leader in an upscale environment. When it comes to expensive gyms, this one takes the cake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do gyms have dress codes?

Yes, most gyms have some kind of dress code, however they will differ. For example, CrossFit and ninja gyms are a lot less likely to require shirts, shoes, etc.

How do I find a good gym?

Word of mouth, trial and error, and scouring review sites like Yelp are all great ways to find a gym that you will feel comfortable in. Most gyms offer free trial periods, so use free trials to test out different gyms or fitness studios in your area.

What is the best time to go to the gym?

The best time to go to the gym is a time that works for you; however, some times are better than others in terms of the number of people exercising. Try to avoid the gym from 8-10 AM and 4-7 PM if you can as most people try to get work out directly before or directly after work.

As you can see, a perfect body and a toned physique don’t always come cheap. While some would argue that they are far less expensive than plastic surgery, there is no denying that some of the country’s priciest health clubs definitely tip the scales. From health spas with monogrammed towels, rooftop pools, and basketball courts that NBA players would envy, the most expensive gyms have it all and more.

If the prices are a bit too steep, fear not! Our PRO plan has workout plans, workout builders, and an array of additional features that will help you get the most out of your workouts. Sign up today!

Learn more about Exercise.com Fitness Business Management Software.

Schedule your demo today.