LA Fitness Membership Review - Is it Worth It? (2024)

Expert Reviews

Kim Pinnelli

August 31, 2021

LA Fitness Membership Review - Is it Worth It? (2)

Sometimes a gym membership is more than about exercise. It’s about ‘me time’ and time to take care of yourself.

If you’re looking for something more than a basic gym with a row of machines and a few weights, you’ve likely come across LA Fitness and all that it offers.

LA Fitness looks amazing from the outside, especially when you hear about their amenities, but is an LA Fitness membership worth it? I dive into the details in this review.

What is LA Fitness?

LA Fitness is a gym chain with 600+ clubs across the United States. More than a gym, LA Fitness offers members a variety of activities for one low monthly price. They advertise warm friendly faces, a welcoming community, and activities for people of all ages and lifestyles.

But is an LA Fitness membership worth it?

What do they Offer?

To determine if an LA Fitness membership is worth it, you must know what they offer. While each location differs slightly, in general, you’ll find:

  • 20+ group classes to choose from throughout the week with morning, afternoon, and evening classes
  • Cardio equipment (treadmill, elliptical, spin bikes, and rowing machines)
  • Resistance training machines
  • Free weights and dumbbells
  • Squat racks
  • Cross-training equipment
  • Basketball courts
  • Racquetball courts
  • Lap pools
  • Personal trainers
  • Kids Klub

Let’s look specifically at some of the top amenities.

Exercise Classes

If you don’t like exercising alone or don’t feel motivated just walking on a treadmill mindlessly, you can choose from LA Fitness’s large selection of classes. The schedule varies by location (and COVID restrictions), but you should find a decent selection on any given day.

Cardio Jam, Cycling, Aqua Fit, and Hip Hop are just a few of the classes you may find at your local LA Fitness.

Pools

Many LA Fitness locations have a lap pool used for both group classes and lap swimming. You may also find your location has hot tubs and steam rooms to help loosen your muscles or help you unwind after a long day.

Locker Rooms

LA Fitness locker rooms have full-size lockers, plenty of showers, and a dry sauna. Lockers are for day use only and you must provide your own lock. Some clubs offer amenities such as soaps and towels, and all locations have hair dryers.

Stretching Area

Most LA Fitness locations have an area for stretching and bodyweight exercises. You’ll find large mats and open areas for stretching as well as stability balls, medicine balls, and foam rollers to help you feel your best.

Personal Training Area

All members get a free personal training assessment after joining LA Fitness. If you like one-on-one training, you can sign up for personal training sessions and use the private area where you’ll get one-on-one guidance to achieve your goals.

Basketball Courts

LA Fitness also has full-length basketball courts for free play. The area can also be used for volleyball games. Some clubs offer league plays too if you’re looking for something more structured.

LA Fitness Membership Overview – What’s the Cost?

The largest hurdle with any gym membership is the cost. LA Fitness, like most gyms, charges a monthly fee, but many clubs and memberships require an initiation fee too. Knowing the full cost will help you decide.

While the price varies by location, on average expect to pay the following:

  • LA Fitness Single Club Membership – $0 initiation fee and $33.99/month
  • LA Fitness Multi Club Membership – $49 initiation fee and $33.99/month
  • LA Fitness Signature Club Single Club Membership – $0 initiation fee and $39.99/month
  • LA Fitness Signature Club Multi-Club Membership – $49 initiation fee and $39.99/month
  • Esporta Fitness Single Club Membership – $99 initiation fee and $9.99/month
  • Esporta Fitness Multi-Club Membership – $0 initiation fee and $24.99/month

How does LA Fitness Compare?

In most locations, there are many other gym chains to choose from besides just LA Fitness, but how do they compare?

LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness

If you have Planet Fitness in your area, you may want to compare your options. Pricewise, Planet Fitness is much cheaper at just $10 a month, but that comes with tradeoffs.

  • Planet Fitness locations often have a 12-month commitment requirement with early termination penalties if you cancel early. LA Fitness is a month-to-month agreement that requires only a 5-day notice before your next billing date to cancel.
  • The Planet Fitness multi-club pass costs $21.99 a month, but you can visit any Planet Fitness location.
  • Planet Fitness charges a $39 annual fee and some locations charge an initiation fee too.
  • Planet Fitness offers mostly cardio and strength equipment. They also have a 30-minute resistance training circuit area. They don’t have free weights, a pool, sauna, or basketball courts like LA Fitness.

LA Fitness vs Lifetime Fitness

LA Fitness and Lifetime Fitness are rivals when it comes to the equipment and amenities offered. Planet Fitness is a basic gym for those who love cardio and don’t want free weights or classes.

Lifetime Fitness offers similar equipment and classes as LA Fitness along with group classes, but LA Fitness has a few key differences.

Lifetime offers:

  • Indoor and outdoor pools with both leisure and lap pools available. Some clubs charge an annual fee per member to use the outdoor pools.
  • Organized sports teams. The type and frequency vary by location, but may include tennis, basketball, pickleball, and rock climbing teams.
  • Adult only events including marathons, dance parties, and cycle jams.
  • Organized activities and sports for kids as well as kids studio classes and training.
  • Events created just for kids including Parents Night Out, pool parties, and dance parties.
  • Personal and sports training opportunities
  • Full service salon and spa for hair, nail, and skin treatments.
  • Cafe and pool-side service serving healthy and delicious foods.
  • Health assessments and lab testing to assess your overall health.

Of course, these amenities come at a price much higher than LA Fitness. Each location has different pricing, but on average, they charge:

  • $99+/mo for standard club access and digital app membership
  • $169+/mo for standard club access plus group training and priority reservations for classes and baby care
  • $89+/mo for young adults ages 26 and under, provies single-club access and a digital app membership
  • $89+/mo for students, provides single-club access and a digital app membership

Common LA Fitness Complaints

Most members are happy with LA Fitness while they use it, but when they try to cancel their membership, the complaints start.

The Better Business Bureau has hundreds of complaints from people who tried to cancel their membership during COVID due to the lockdown and/or not feeling comfortable going back to the gym even when things opened back up.

LA Fitness didn’t handle the cancellations as most members would have hoped, especially during this difficult time. It ended up in thousands of complaints, and even a few lawsuits.

While LA Fitness has rectified the situation, that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to cancel your membership, so be aware of the possibility if you join.

LA Fitness Membership FAQ

How do you cancel an LA Fitness membership?

LA Fitness memberships are month-to-month, so you can cancel them at any time, but you must be diligent in your efforts as they aren’t the best at following up.

You have two options to cancel your membership:

Download a Cancellation Form

– Log into your app and click ‘cancellation form’ under ‘account information.’
– Print out the form
– Mail it to:
LA Fitness
PO Box 54170
Irvine, CA 92619

– Follow up with customer service in a week to make sure they received your request

Bring the form to your local LA Fitness

– Download the same form as stated above
– Bring it to your local LA Fitness, giving it to the operations manager between 9 AM and 5 PM

Can you freeze an LA Fitness membership?

If you need to temporarily stop your membership, you can for a fee of $10 a month. You can unfreeze your account at any time. You won’t pay initiation fees or other dues other than the monthly membership fee you agreed to pay.

Does LA Fitness charge an annual fee?

No, LA Fitness doesn’t charge an annual fee. Some locations and some memberships charge an initiation fee, but this is a one-time fee. It’s in addition to your monthly fees, but again, you pay it one time and you’re done.

How can you avoid the initiation fee charged at some LA Fitness locations?

Like most companies, LA Fitness will negotiate, but many people don’t know it. The easiest way to negotiate is to try out your closest location – most gyms offer a free trial. At the end of the trial, talk to the manager about waiving the initiation fee. If you act like you won’t join if you have to pay the fee, chances are they’ll work out a deal with you to get your business.

Is LA Fitness Worth It?

Knowing what LA Fitness offers – is it worth it?

It depends on what you’re looking for in a gym. If you’ll do more than walk on a treadmill and lift a few weights, it can be worth it, especially if you live near an Esporta location that charges only $9.99 per month.

But, if you won’t use the pool, spa, basketball courts, or step foot in a group class, then the higher fees aren’t worth it. You’d be better off streaming your own workouts at home or joining a cheaper gym that offers only the basics that you need.

I do like that you can cancel your LA Fitness membership at any time, even though many say it’s difficult to do. With enough follow-through, you can get your membership canceled and in the meantime enjoy everything LA Fitness offers.

LA Fitness Membership Review - Is it Worth It? (2024)

FAQs

Is it difficult to cancel LA Fitness membership? ›

Click on My LA Fitness. Login, click on Account Information tab and then click on the "Cancellation Form" option on the right side of the screen. Mail the form to the address listed on the form or you can provide written notice to us at PO Box 54170, Irvine, CA 92619-4170.

Is LA Fitness legit? ›

For most people, an LA Fitness membership is worth it, but it depends largely on the quality of your home club. LA Fitness gyms have a ton of equipment and some decent amenities, but cleanliness, professionalism of the staff, and general upkeep of the gym vary by location.

Is the gym membership worth it? ›

You'll have to fork over a monthly fee, but a gym membership gives you access to more machines, equipment and space than you have at home. Most gyms also offer extra perks we can't fit or can't afford in our own homes, such as tanning beds, swimming pools and steam rooms, that make a membership even more worthwhile.

Is an LA Fitness membership good at all locations? ›

Signature, Multi State club membership allows access to all LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, and City Sports Clubs in US and Canada.

Why wont LA Fitness let me cancel my membership? ›

To cancel your membership, you must fill out a cancellation form then send the form in the mail, fax it to the gym, or take it to the gym in person. Unfortunately, LA Fitness has not made an option available to cancel your membership online.

What is a good reason to cancel a gym membership? ›

If you can't afford to pay anymore

Your gym should let you cancel your contract if you've had a change in circ*mstances that means you can't afford the monthly payments. It would have to be something significant, eg you've lost your job or suddenly found yourself in a lot of debt.

Does LA Fitness affect your credit? ›

In short, yes. If you fail to pay your membership fees, your gym can send your account to collections, which is a major negative mark on your credit report. A gym membership is just like any other recurring bill.

Is LA or GoodLife gym better? ›

The Winner. Even though the dumbbells at GoodLife don't go as heavy as the ones at LA Fitness, GoodLife has a larger variety of strength training equipment and better machines. If you want high-quality equipment, GoodLife is the gym for you.

Why is LA Fitness so successful? ›

Why They Are Successful: LA Fitness remains successful due to its ability to maintain consistent management across all locations. The facilities are kept clean and the equipment is fixed promptly. They offer group fitness classes that come with most basic memberships along with other amenities.

Which gym membership is most worth it? ›

The 7 Best Gym Memberships of 2022
  • Best Overall: Crunch Fitness.
  • Best on a Budget: Anytime Fitness.
  • Best for Strength Training: LA Fitness.
  • Best Value: Blink Fitness.
  • Best for Luxury: Equinox.
  • Best Boutique Gym: Orangetheory Fitness.
  • Best for Amenities: Life Time.
11 Feb 2022

Should I pay for gym or workout at home? ›

Whether you should join a gym or work out at home often comes down to personal preference and your budget. If you're self-motivated and know you'll exercise no matter what, working out at home may be a good option.

What percentage of gym memberships go unused? ›

The statistics show if you're retaining about half of your new members, you're on par with the average. Most memberships last an average of 4.7 years. Gyms typically lose about 50% of all new members within the first 6 months. About 8% of male gym-goers quit their membership after a year.

What time is least busy at LA Fitness? ›

Time Of Day Recap

To sum it up, when it comes to the time of day you will find gyms the least busy is typically mid-afternoon (11 am - 3 pm) or late evening (any time after 7 pm).

How do you negotiate a gym membership? ›

  1. Ask for end-of-the-month deals or discounts. Waiting to sign up until the end of the month can guarantee you a better deal. ...
  2. Pay cash or in advance. Cash is king when joining a gym -- especially a smaller gym. ...
  3. Look at other options and compare prices. ...
  4. Ask about off-peak hours. ...
  5. Look for family, friend or corporate referrals.
14 Jun 2022

Does Costco offer gym membership? ›

Costco doesn't offer free or discounted memberships, but rest assured that the cost of membership can be recovered quickly thanks to massive price savings once you start shopping.

Can I cancel my LA Fitness membership and get a refund? ›

If you cancel your membership before the billing cycle ends, you can use LA Fitness until the new cycle, but you can't ask for a refund. The only exception to the no-refund policy is if the company receives your LA Fitness Cancelation Form less than five days before your last paid month ends.

How do I cancel my gym membership politely? ›

How do you politely cancel a gym membership? Send your letter by certified mail so that you can keep track of when the gym received it. Delivery by hand is preferred. If your contract requires you to send a cancellation letter at the gym, please do this as well.

Why people cancel a membership? ›

One of the most common reasons for customer churn are subscribers having too much product. If customers don't have the option or aren't aware of the ability to skip a shipment, change their schedule or try a new product they're likely to cancel their subscription.

What gym is the easiest to cancel? ›

The 5 Best No Contract & Month-to-Month Gyms
  • Planet Fitness.
  • Crunch Fitness.
  • Workout Anytime.
  • Gold's Gym.
  • 24 Hour Fitness.
11 May 2021

Can a gym keeps charging me after I Cancelled? ›

If the gym charges your card after that, however, contact your credit card company and send it the proof that you canceled your membership. You also should contact your local Better Business Bureau and your state attorney general to file complaints about this gym. In the future, avoid gyms that push contracts.

Does LA Fitness negotiate? ›

Luckily, gym contracts are absolutely negotiable. “Based on my research of gyms and my own experience negotiating with LA Fitness and Planet Fitness, it's more than possible to bargain for a lower rate or sign-up bonus with a new gym,” says J.R. Duren, a personal finance journalist at Highya.com.

Does a gym membership help build credit? ›

Your local gym will not report the payments on your membership to the credit bureaus. Making your payments on time will not help your credit score and late payments will not hurt your score. It is not like a credit card where even one late payment can badly damage your credit rating.

Can you film in LA Fitness? ›

Since most gyms are accessible to the public, it is not a violation of privacy laws to record someone in a gym's common area. Typically the law does not prohibit watching or photographing activities that are outside a person's reasonable expectation of privacy.

Which fitness program is best? ›

A quick look at the best online workout programs
  • Best overall: Peloton Digital.
  • Best for strength training: Jefit.
  • Best for dancers: The Sculpt Society.
  • Best for yoga: Glo.
  • Best for quick workouts: Obé Fitness.
  • Best for barre: Barre3.
  • Best for motivation: BTES by Rebecca Louise.
  • Best free: Nike Training Club.

How much is La fit a month? ›

for $1 a Day with Current LA Fitness Gym Deals

In this case, you'll just have to pay the standard $29.99 monthly fee, or around $1 per day. For those who want multi-club access to the over 600 LA Fitness gyms across the country and Canada, the initiation fee is a modest $49 with the same $29.99 monthly fee.

What makes LA Fitness different from other gyms? ›

LA Fitness offers Zumba, Pilates, spin, and yoga classes free for all members. Some locations also offer aqua aerobics, boxing, and fitness dance classes. If you're interested in CrossFit, you can also take similar classes at LA Fitness called HIIT by LAF. They combine interval training, endurance, and barbell work.

What is the best gym in the US? ›

The 8 Best Gym Memberships of 2022
  • Best Overall: 24-Hour Fitness.
  • Best Budget Membership: Planet Fitness.
  • Best for Frequent Travelers: Anytime Fitness.
  • Best for Bodybuilders: Gold's Gym.
  • Best for Luxury and Amenities: Equinox.
  • Best for Machines and Muscle Isolation: LA Fitness.
  • Best for Group Classes: Crunch Fitness.
21 Dec 2021

How much should one spend on gym? ›

“If you are actually using ₹ 3,000- ₹ 5,000 a month, it is fine.

How much should you spend at the gym? ›

For most gym goers, 30 minutes to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity done three to five days per week is the sweet spot and meets the American College for Sports Medicine's recommendation. Different fitness levels require different intensities and durations.

What is the most affordable gym? ›

Five most affordable gym memberships
  1. Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness advertises itself as a gym for people who don't like gyms, with ads referring to every Planet Fitness location as a "Judgement Free Zone." ...
  2. Cardinal Fitness. ...
  3. Your Local YMCA. ...
  4. Gold's Gym. ...
  5. LA Fitness.
11 Nov 2015

Is spending one hour at the gym enough? ›

Is one hour in the gym enough to get fit? When it comes to building strength, an hour-long session is more than adequate for both beginners and intermediates. It will allow you time for a 5-10 minute warm-up, 40-45 minutes of weight training and 5-10 minutes of cooling down and stretching.

Is it better to go to the gym in the morning or at night? ›

Your physical performance might improve: Research shows that most people function better, physically speaking, later in the day. Muscle strength, flexibility, power output and endurance are all better in the evening than they are in the morning.

Should I join a gym to lose weight? ›

While gyms are excellent places to use equipment to help you reach your weight loss and fitness, they are not necessary to lose weight. Losing weight is about increasing physical activity and decreasing caloric intake. This can be achieved anywhere by simply increasing your daily activity and eating a sensible diet.

Which gender goes to the gym more? ›

Men reported higher rates of competitive sports, strengthening exercises, and aerobic exercises, whereas women were more likely to walk and participate in recreational activities.

Why do so many people quit gym? ›

Two of the top reasons people cancel their gym memberships are that they lose motivation or that they're not seeing the results they expect.

What age group uses the gym the most? ›

Young adults (18-34 years old) are the largest age group who frequent the gym at 60.60%.

Can you go to the gym twice a day LA Fitness? ›

Exercising two times a day can be beneficial for very fit individuals but it is important to space out your workouts. Allow at least four to six hours in between workouts for optimal results. I was working out twice a day for about 2 months.

How often should you go to the gym? ›

If you really want to see results reflected on the scale and continue to make progress over time, you need to commit to working out at least four to five days per week. But remember, you'll build up to this. To start, you might only want to do two or three days per week and slowly work your way up to five days.

What to do if you cant afford the gym? ›

7 Ways to Get Fit Without a Gym
  1. Take advantage of free workout videos. ...
  2. Walk when possible. ...
  3. Take the stairs. ...
  4. Get your hands on some basic fitness equipment. ...
  5. Get creative. ...
  6. Do bodyweight exercises. ...
  7. Make housework exercise time.
16 Mar 2020

How do I know if my gym membership is worth it? ›

Calculate your cost per visit.
  1. Take your total membership cost. Say that you pay $700 per year – this is your total cost, which works out to $58 per month. ...
  2. Now take your average visit per week. ...
  3. Note that with a fixed membership fee, you get better value with use.

Is it worth joining the gym? ›

You can improve your longevity and quality of life, and even have some fun along the way. Getting a gym membership, sticking with it, and working out regularly can be challenging, but it's worth reducing your risk for preventable health problems.

Is the $120 Costco membership worth it? ›

We'll make it very clear and simple for you: the $120 annual fee for the Executive card is worth it if you spend more than $500 a month or $6,000 a year total at Costco on eligible purchases.

Is it worth it for a single person to join Costco? ›

Ultimately, if a single person can comfortably afford the $60 membership and has the room to store items purchased in bulk, then it makes sense for them to become a Costco member. Those short on spare storage shouldn't slink away from the store just yet, though.

Is Costco membership $60 a month? ›

View our full list of Costco Services. Executive Members also receive a monthly edition of The Costco Connection magazine. Costco membership is $60 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $60 upgrade fee a year.

How do I force my gym membership to cancel? ›

Sending a Notarized Letter to Your Gym

In order to terminate a contract, many gyms require members to submit a notarized letter of cancellation. This is a letter signed by an official notary public. When writing the letter, be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number.

Does canceling a gym membership hurt your credit? ›

Even if you never use a credit card to pay for your gym membership, your credit score can still take a hit if your unpaid membership is sent to collections. Take the time to make sure that your membership is canceled to avoid the hassle of having an account sent to collections.

Is there a fee for canceling gym membership? ›

Many gyms charge a fee to cancel a membership. The cost can vary widely and is worth knowing about when you sign the contract.

How do I freeze my LA Fitness App? ›

Simply log in to your account online at lafitness.com. Once logged in, you can select the "Freeze" option on the right side of the screen to suspend your account. When you are ready to reactivate your account, you can do so by again logging in to your membership area.

Can LA Fitness send you to collections? ›

Especially if you think that you have already ended your membership but there are still steps left to be taken, you could have a membership bill for LA Fitness continue to accrue without your knowledge. LA Fitness might send you to bill collections, which could impact your credit score and history in a negative way.

Can you get out of a 12 month gym contract? ›

If you have a fixed term membership, e.g. for 12 months, but your circ*mstances change in an unforeseeable way – a long-term illness, losing your job or having to move – you could have grounds for immediate cancellation.

Why do gyms require checking account? ›

We require an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through checking accounts for your convenience: This allows us to be able to continue your membership without interruption or the hassle of updating your payment information if your credit cards are lost/stolen, invalid or expired. When is my annual fee due?

Can you be blacklisted for gym membership? ›

The fact that they don't do credit checks to check affordability or even ask for an original ID for verifying that the member is who they say they are, means one can go and register at any Gym Company by pretending to be someone else and gym for free while the victim pays or gets blacklisted.

What is a good credit score? ›

Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.

Do gyms check your credit score? ›

Some, but not all, gyms will run what's called a soft credit check before you join. Your credit score could affect your payment options as a member. And while your monthly gym payments don't help you build credit, they could be turned over to collections if you're long overdue, which can hurt your score.

Does a gym membership affect your mortgage? ›

Bruce Burkitt, founder and managing director at property buyers Property Experts, says: 'Your regular monthly outgoings for example a Netflix, Spotify subscription or even how much you spend on a gym membership, despite their relatively low monthly values, will be held against your ability to afford the mortgage ...

How do people afford gym memberships? ›

How To Afford a Gym Membership:
  1. Use your health insurance. ...
  2. Ask about Silver Sneakers. ...
  3. Check with your work to see if they provide one. ...
  4. Get a family membership. ...
  5. Ask for scholarships at the YMCA. ...
  6. Ask for discounts if paid up front for a year. ...
  7. Use free month promotions. ...
  8. Posts You May Enjoy:
19 Sept 2015

What happens if you cancel gym? ›

Your Body Responds

As muscle cells get smaller, fat cells tend to get bigger. After all, the muscles aren't working hard enough to burn away calories. This can lead to weight gain as soon as 14 days (or earlier) once you stop exercising, according to Men's Journal.

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