The biggest gym brand is not automatically the best gym for you. A low advertised monthly rate can come with an annual fee, enrollment charge or single-club restriction, while a more expensive membership may include classes, pools or nationwide access you will actually use.
This comparison covers five of the most widely recognized large gym brands in the United States: Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Crunch Fitness, LA Fitness and Gold's Gym. It is not a precise popularity ranking. Franchise locations, prices, equipment and contract terms vary, so treat the national brand as a shortlist and inspect the exact club before joining.
Quick picks
- Best for a low-cost beginner experience: Planet Fitness
- Best for 24/7 travel access: Anytime Fitness
- Best value for group classes: Crunch Fitness
- Best for broad club amenities: LA Fitness
- Best for traditional strength-training culture: Gold's Gym
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness has the clearest mass-market footprint of the group. The company reported about 20.8 million members and 2,896 clubs worldwide at the end of 2025, with clubs in all 50 states. Its model emphasizes approachable facilities, cardio and selectorized strength machines at a low entry price.
Best for: beginners, casual exercisers and people who mainly want cardio, machines and a predictable environment. The higher Black Card tier generally adds multi-club access and guest and recovery perks, while the Classic tier is tied to a home club.
Check first: free-weight selection, peak-hour crowding, annual fees and cancellation terms. Planet Fitness says equipment varies and its policies can include limits on visits to clubs outside a member's home location.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is built around convenience. Its official membership page advertises round-the-clock access to more than 5,800 gyms worldwide, smartphone or key-fob entry, and a mix of strength, cardio and functional equipment. Clubs are independently operated, so membership rates and coaching services differ by location.
Best for: travelers, shift workers and anyone who values a nearby 24-hour club more than pools or large studios. Many locations have squat racks, barbells, dumbbells and private showers in a relatively compact footprint.
Check first: contract length, staffed hours and whether the specific club has enough racks and benches at your usual training time. Some locations offer six-, 12- or 18-month options.
Crunch Fitness
Crunch combines a conventional gym floor with an energetic class identity. Many clubs sell multiple tiers, with higher plans adding group fitness, multi-club access, guest privileges or specialty areas. The tradeoff is that Crunch has different club formats, including franchise and Signature locations, and benefits may not transfer uniformly.
Best for: people who want both lifting equipment and scheduled classes without paying boutique-studio prices. It can also suit households where guest access is valuable.
Check first: whether the local club is a standard or Signature location, exactly which clubs your tier covers, and whether advertised classes are included or require the higher tier.
LA Fitness
LA Fitness typically operates larger multipurpose clubs than the compact 24-hour brands. Depending on the location, that can mean a pool, basketball or racquetball courts, group classes, saunas and a full mix of cardio and strength equipment. That variety makes it useful for families and people who dislike doing the same workout every visit.
Best for: swimmers, class users, court-sport players and lifters who want many amenities under one roof.
Check first: which amenities are actually present and operating, whether your plan covers multiple clubs, and guest privileges. LA Fitness offers local pricing through its club pages, and promotional terms can change.
Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym remains one of the best-known names in American strength training. The experience is less standardized than the brand image suggests because many clubs are franchised. Some locations lean heavily into bodybuilding and free weights; others offer pools, classes, turf and broad family-fitness amenities.
Best for: lifters who prioritize racks, benches, plate-loaded machines and a serious training atmosphere, provided the local club matches that expectation.
Check first: ownership, equipment inventory, reciprocity with other Gold's locations and the membership agreement. A famous logo does not guarantee that two clubs have the same equipment or rules.
How to compare the real cost
Ask each club for the total amount you would pay in the first 12 months, including enrollment, annual, maintenance and cancellation fees. Then divide by the number of visits you realistically expect. A $15 membership used twice costs more per visit than a $40 membership used 12 times.
Also check whether a quoted price requires a term commitment, checking-account draft or advance cancellation notice. Save a copy of the agreement and take screenshots of any promotion. Do not rely on a salesperson's verbal summary when the written terms differ.
Take a test visit
Tour at the hour you normally plan to work out. Count the squat racks, benches and machines you need; inspect locker rooms; look at class capacity; and ask how often broken equipment is repaired. A free pass at 11 a.m. may tell you little about a club at 6 p.m.
The practical winner is usually the club close enough to visit consistently, with equipment available when you need it and a contract you understand. Brand popularity matters far less than the experience at your specific location.
