If you’re in the market for a gym with later hours, 24 Hour Fitness likely comes up in your search. With 400+ locations around the country, you’re bound to come across one and wonder if a 24 Hour Fitness membership is worth it?
While part of the answer is obvious – if you can only work out after ‘normal’ gyms close, you need a gym with later hours, but don’t let the name fool you – they don’t offer 24-hour service. Many locations close at 9:30 PM with the exception of Super-Sport locations which are open until 11 PM.
I’ve reviewed 24 Hour Fitness and what they offer below to help you decide.
What is 24 Hour Fitness?
24 Hour Fitness is an all-inclusive gym with features for any type of gym enthusiast. Members have access to its large selection of machines, weights, group classes, and pools.
I like to think of 24 Hour Fitness as a cross between the ‘bargain gyms’ like Planet Fitness and the ‘luxury gyms’ like Lifetime. Their costs are in between the two and their offerings are a mix of both – not quite budget, but not over-the-top luxurious.
What do they offer?
Before you join 24 Hour Fitness, you should know what they offer. While it’s typically what you find at most gyms, they have three types of gyms – Active, Sport, and Super-Sport.
Active gyms
- Cardio equipment
- Free weights
- Group classes
- Personal training (for an extra cost)
- Coin-operated lockers
- Free Wi-Fi
Sport gyms
- Cardio equipment
- Free weights
- Group cycling
- Group classes
- Indoor lap pool
- Sauna and steam room
- Whirlpool
- Basketball court
- TRX training
- Personal training (for an extra cost)
- Free Wi-Fi
Super-Sport
- Cardio equipment
- Strength machines
- Free weights
- Group cycling
- Group classes
- Indoor lap pool
- Sauna and steam room
- Whirlpool
- Basketball court
- TRX training
- Turf zone
- Olympic training rig
- Personal training (for an extra cost)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Extended hours
24 Hour Fitness Features
Knowing what 24 Hour Fitness offers in terms of machines, classes, and other amenities is important as you choose the right gym.
Cardio Equipment
Most locations have a nice selection of cardio equipment. The size of 24 Hour Fitness gyms isn’t as large as competitors, so if cardio equipment is important to you, check out the crowd levels during the times you like to work out.
Most locations have treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, and stationary bikes.
Weights
If you’re into weight training, you’ll like the selection offered at 24 Hour Fitness. They offer a large selection of free weights and weight machines including resistance machines.
The weight section of 24 Hour Fitness gyms can get crowded because the gyms are smaller, so if this is an area of focus for you, check it out during peak hours.
Classes
Most locations include group classes in your membership. Classes range from yoga, HIIT, cycling, and dance classes, just to name a few.
Pools
If you join a Sport or Super-Sport gym, you’ll have access to a pool and spa. While they aren’t luxurious by any means, they do the job if you’re looking to get in swimming as your cardio or want to relax in a sauna or whirlpool.
Other Services
Other services 24 Hour Fitness includes are:
- Basketball courts (Sport and Super-Sport gyms)
- TRX training areas
- Personal training (extra charge)
- Turf zone training
24 Hour Fitness Membership Overview – What’s the cost?
Besides amenities, it’s important to weigh the cost of a 24 Hour Fitness membership. Like most gyms, costs vary by location, type of gym, and type of membership you choose.
The cost averages between $32/month to $52/month. If you want access to only one club, you’ll pay less than if you want access to clubs throughout the country. They also have a ‘regional club’ list you can choose from if you want access to the locations within your region for a slightly higher fee than the one-club membership.
You’ll obviously pay more for Super-Sport locations because you get access to more features along with longer hours.
Unlike most gyms, 24 Hour Fitness offers a month-to-month contract or a 12-month commitment. If you choose the month-to-month contract, you’ll pay an initiation fee and the first and last months’ dues when you join.
How does 24 Hour Fitness Compare?
Since 24 Hour Fitness isn’t your only choice, it’s important to compare your options. Here’s how 24 Hour Fitness compares to other popular gyms.
24 Hour Fitness vs Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is the ‘budget’ gym in most areas. They’re known for their $10 monthly membership, but when you calculate it, the total cost is $208 per year after the fees or $17/month for the Classic membership.
Here’s how they compare:
- Planet Fitness requires a 12-month contract. If you cancel early, they’ll charge you an early cancellation fee. They also automatically renew your membership, so be aware of your renewal date so you can cancel well in advance if you don’t want to continue.
- You can choose from a single-club membership ($10/month membership) or multi-club membership which costs more but provides access to any PF location.
- Planet Fitness requires an initiation fee of $39 plus an annual fee, which varies by location.
- Planet Fitness doesn’t focus on weights. While they have weight machines, they don’t have a large selection of free weights.
- Planet Fitness doesn’t offer group classes.
24 Hour Fitness vs Anytime Fitness
Since the name 24 Hour Fitness makes you think they’re available 24/7, it seems right to compare it to Anytime Fitness, which does offer 24/7 access.
Anytime Fitness has 4,000+ locations throughout the country and they offer key fob access to the gym around the clock.
Here’s how they compare:
- Anytime Fitness requires a 6-month, 12-month, or 18-month contract. They don’t have month-to-month options.
- All new members get a free ‘Get Started’ plan to help you learn how to reach your fitness goals.
- All gyms offer 24/7 access with a key fob for you to gain entry into your home club or any club nationwide.
- Anytime Fitness has a great functional training section dedicated to TRX, ropes, medicine balls, and other resistance training options.
What do others think of 24 Hour Fitness?
Like any gym, some people love it and others have complaints, it goes with the territory.
Here’s what people love about 24 Hour Fitness:
- Most people are happy with the equipment available despite the smaller size of the gym.
- Most members think the pricing is fair for what you get too, especially since they offer a large number of options and ways to pay.
What don’t people like about 24 Hour Fitness? Here’s what they have to say:
- Most gyms don’t operate 24 hours – they have limited hours compared to what their name suggests.
- Each gym is independently owned and operated, so it’s hit or miss if you’ll get a ‘good manager’ and location or one that runs by its own rules that don’t comply with the typical 24 Hour Fitness guidelines.
24 Hour Fitness Membership FAQ
Can you freeze your membership?
24 Hour Fitness is pretty lenient with their options to freeze your membership. They do state your account must be in good standing and you must meet one of these reasons to freeze it:
– Medical issues
– Work transfer takes you over 25 miles away
– Volunteer work takes you over 25 miles away
– Military duty takes you over 25 miles away
How old must you be to join?
All adults 18 years and older are able to join 24 Hour Fitness. Children ages 12 – 17 may also join but only with parental permission.
Can you get a refund if you don’t like 24 Hour Fitness?
24 Hour Fitness offers a 3-day cooling-off period from the date you purchase your membership. If you pass the 3-day period, you are on the hook for the duration of your membership unless you choose a month-to-month option. If you have a month-to-month option, you can cancel at any time in writing.
Is 24 Hour Fitness Worth It?
If you’re joining 24 Hour Fitness thinking you’ll get 24-hour access to a gym – you won’t. But, if you’re looking for an average-priced gym with a lot of amenities, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Find out what type of gyms are in your area – not all have Sport and Super-Sport locations, so see what’s available before deciding.
I think 24 Hour Fitness is a nice fit in between your ‘basic’ gyms like Planet Fitness and luxuries (expensive) gyms like Lifetime or LA Fitness.
