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The ultimate gym chain comparison: Helping you choose the right gym

There are a lot of gyms out there, but knowing which is the best to choose can be hard. We've gathered all the information, so you don't have to.

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By

Clare Lee

&

Gemma Henry

Updated

Fact checked

Choosing the best gym for you will depend on what you want to get out of your gym experience, be it joining classes, access to a wide array of equipment, or your budget.

So, whether you're after a gym with a range of classes or one that offers unrestricted access, our ultimate gym comparison guide is here to help.

Given that all gyms are franchises, pricing and opening times may vary from one branch to the next. Also, due to the current COVID restrictions, opening times may differ slightly right now. It's always wise to double-check the fine print with your local workout hotspot before committing to a membership subscription.

Compare gym chains in Australia

Yes
GymNumber of gymsJoining fee?Cost24 hours?Classes
Goodlife Health Clubs97$99from $19.99 p/wSomeYes
Fitness First50$99from $17.99 p/wSomeYes
Anytime Fitness540+$99 + $89.95 for access card feefrom $17.95 p/wSomeYes
Jetts127$89 + $79 for access card feefrom $16.95 p/wYesYes
Virgin Active8$0from $38.50 p/wNoYes
Plus Fitness200+$0 + $29 for access card feefrom $14.95 p/wYesYes
One Playground5$99from $23.95 p/wYesYes
Snap Fitness200+$0 + $69 for access card feefrom $15.95 p/wYesYes
City Gym1 (Sydney)$0from $25 p/wYes (Mon-Fri)Yes
Fernwood Fitness70+from $99 - $299from $21 p/wSomeYes
Crunch Fitness 17$1 $10.95 p/wNoYes
EFM Health Clubs 42$0$44.19 p/wYesYes
F45 Training498may differ slightly based on locationNoYes
Gold's Gym 10$65$32 p/wYesYes
Hypoxi 49$49From $99Yes
World Gym 40From $16.95 p/wYesYes

You might prefer an online fitness program. If you'd rather workout at home but you still need structure, you can try out a workout from home program. Read our guides on where to buy gym and fitness equipment for home use:

Top tips before you join a gym

gymcomparison_1

  • Make sure you check the location of the clubs. If the gym you want to join is closer to your home or work, you're more likely to keep going. There is no point joining a gym that you have to travel an hour to get to, let's be realistic.
  • Think about what you want to get out of the gym. Are you better at attending classes, or are you motivated enough to keep going with your own routines? Choose the gym that fits in with what you want to do at the gym.
  • Use free trials. Don't be scared to walk into a facility and get a 7-day trial. This is going to be the best way for you to find out if the gym offers you what you want. Also trialling a facility out at the time you'd usually be going is a great way of finding out if the gym is going to be packed out when you'll likely be visiting.
  • Make sure you can afford the weekly payments. You don't want to sign yourself into a yearly contract and then find out you can't afford to eat for the rest of the month! No-one wants that, and cancelling your contract can be costly.
  • Freeze your account. If you know you're going away for a few months and won't be using the gym, look into whether they offer the ability to freeze your account. Most gyms will freeze your account for 8 weeks (often reducing the total payment to a few dollars a week, or maybe even zero), but worth checking first.
  • Sign up to a gym in person. Often when you actually sit with someone in a gym, they can offer you a few free personal training sessions or a reduced price. There is no harm in asking. They may even be running a promo that you don't know about.

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    KyleJanuary 26, 2019

    Hi I’m trying to find a gym in the Beenleigh area that has a low monthly membership no higher than $20 and low to no joining fees?

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JeniJanuary 27, 2019Finder

      Hi Kyle,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      On this page you’re looking, as of this writing, there are 3 gyms at no joining fee.

      With Virgin Active, it is at $0 joining fee is you sign a 12-month contract while Fitness Playground and City Gym both have no joining fee. I’m afraid that both of them are not available in Beenleigh. I suggest that you scout in the said area to find a fitness centre that suits your needs most.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    GrantApril 6, 2018

    I am with Fitness Playground at Surry Hills but I only pay $16 or so a week?

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NikkiApril 6, 2018

      Hi Grant,

      Thanks for your message and for visiting finder – the leading comparison website & general information service built to give you advice in your buying decision needs. How are you doing today?

      The $16.95 / week is a starting rate given by Fitness Playground. Just the same, we’ll contact the branch and update this page accordingly.

      Please note that we’re a product comparison website and we hold no affiliation with any company we feature on our site. We provide general information on products to assist you in your buying decision process hence we cannot recommend product / service that is rightfully fit for you.

      Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Nikki

      Reply
      Default Gravatar
      GrantApril 6, 2018

      Great Thank you for the follow up Nikki,
      I have had my membership for about 6 months I am actually here now and showed this to my club manager and they wanted to know how they could contact you to provide their pricing? Because they don’t believe any member is paying more than $20 something accessing all classes.

      Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JoanneApril 6, 2018Finder

      Hi Grant,

      Thank you for visiting finder, we are a financial comparison website and general information service.
      A representative from the Fitness Playground may contact us directly on our pages via chat or email so we can forward their details to our client services team. We do appreciate the feedback and thank you for reaching out.

      Cheers,
      Joanne

      Reply
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