If you’re looking for an affordable gym with some frills, but not too many, you may have found your home at Crunch Fitness.
The state-of-the-art facility provides everything you need and nothing that you don’t so they keep their prices affordable while giving gym enthusiasts a gym to call home.
What do I think of Crunch Fitness? Check out my review below.
What is Crunch Fitness?
Crunch Fitness advertises itself as a ‘no-judgment zone gym.’ It’s a direct competitor of Planet Fitness with its affordable membership prices and basic offerings, but they offer more options to upgrade your membership than Planet Fitness offers.
Many gym enthusiasts find Crunch Fitness to be a great alternative to Planet Fitness if they want classes or intense HIIT training in a group format.
Overall, Crunch Fitness is the go-to gym for people looking for an affordable place to work out whether with basic machines or to take their workout up a level with classes or intense programs.
What do they Offer?
What Crunch Fitness offers depends on the membership level you choose. Every member has access to:
- Cardio machines
- Free weights
- Weight machines
- Power half-hour circuit training (strength training circuit)
- Crunchone Kickoff (one-on-one talk with a trainer to set up a plan to reach your goals)
- Locker rooms with showers
- Online nutrition resources
If you upgrade your membership to a Peak membership, you’ll also get:
- Group fitness classes
- Bring a guest for free on each visit
- Access to online Crunch workouts
- Hydromassage
- Tanning
- Free t-shirt
You can upgrade even further to the Peak Plus membership and get everything above plus access to Advanced HIIT classes.
Crunch Fitness Features
Next to price, most people care about the amenities offered at a gym. The type of workouts you prefer and the layout may play a role in your choices.
Most people are happy with the selection and layout at Crunch Fitness. They offer a wide selection of options for Basic members on up.
Equipment
Whether you want a large selection of cardio equipment or weights, you’ll find a nice selection of both at Crunch Fitness. Most locations have treadmills, elliptical machines, and a large selection of stationary bikes.
Weights
Unlike other ‘budget’ gyms, Crunch Fitness offers both free weights and weight machines. So whether you prefer a regimented workout that all you have to do is change the amount of weight you lift or you like pumping iron with free weights, you’ll find both at Crunch Fitness.
Classes
Crunch Fitness offers classes with its two top-tier memberships. For many, this is where they get the most bang for their buck since Crunch Fitness offers a lot of group classes.
On any given day you’ll find a handful of classes offered at different times throughout the day. During the pandemic, you must reserve your spot, so keep that in mind if you want to take advantage of the group classes at your location.
HIIT Zone
HIIT Zone is a Crunch Fitness exclusive. It’s 4 unique workouts with up to 15 other people and they last 45 minutes. The high intensity interval training takes place in over 5,000 feet of workout space that includes equipment such as ropes, kettlebells, sleds, tires, medicine balls, and monkey bars, just to name a few.
Other Services
Crunch Fitness also offers the following services:
- Free consultation when you sign up to help you reach your fitness goals
- Tanning (with the upper two memberships)
- Hydromassage (water massage with the Peak Plus membership)
- Live classes online for those times you can’t get out
- Personal training for an additional charge.
Crunch Fitness Membership Overview – What’s the Cost?
Like most gyms, Crunch Fitness membership prices vary by location, but on average, they charge the following fees:
The Basic Membership which provides access to your home club only where you can use all machines and weights, circuit training, and the locker rooms costs between $9.95 and $19.95 depending on where you live.
To upgrade to the Peak membership and have access to group fitness classes, tanning and Hydromassage and guest access, it will cost around $21.99 a month. You’ll also get access to any Crunch Fitness facility, not just your home club.
If you want access to the HIIT classes, you’ll pay a bit more, around $29.95 a month.
To all memberships, you can add personal training sessions or buy Advanced HIIT classes separately if you have the Basic or Peak membership.
Prices do vary by location, always check their website for current pricing information in your area.
Crunch Fitness charges other fees in addition to the monthly fees that you should be aware of too.
Most locations have an enrollment fee. If you join on a month-to-month basis (cancel anytime), you’ll pay an enrollment fee of around $49. If you sign a year long contract, you may waive the fee or pay only a few dollars.
Most locations also charge a $10 processing fee (one-time fee) and an annual fee of $49.99 plus taxes.
How does Crunch Fitness Compare?
Crunch Fitness isn’t the only gym in town. Chances are you have many franchises to choose from, but the two most popular alternatives in most areas are Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness.
Crunch Fitness vs Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is the gym most people think of when they’re looking for a low-cost gym. Granted, they advertise $10 memberships, but there are hidden fees that make it cost more than $10 a month.
- Unlike Crunch Fitness, Planet Fitness doesn’t have a month-to-month contract. You must sign a 12-month agreement. If you cancel early, there are usually penalties.
- You can choose a single-club membership or multi-club membership which allows you to visit any Planet Fitness.
- All members pay a $39 annual fee, and many locations charge an initiation fee too.
- Planet Fitness doesn’t have free weights. They focus mostly on cardio equipment and their 30-minute resistance training circuit area.
Crunch Fitness vs Anytime Fitness
If you need a gym that offers 24/7 access, Anytime Fitness may be a better choice. They have 4,700 locations throughout the United States, offer a free ‘Get Started’ plan when you sign up, and plenty of exercise options including:
- Cardio equipment
- Squat racks
- Barbells
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- TRX
- Medicine balls
- Jump ropes
They also offer a variety of services including small group training, personal training, and special classes.
Anytime Fitness offers a free 7-day trial. If you join, you must choose either a 12-month or 24-month agreement, they don’t have month-to-month contracts.
What Others Think of Crunch Fitness?
Many people like what Crunch Fitness offers, while there are others who have their complaints. Like any gym, there is good and bad.
As for the good, people say Crunch Fitness offers:
- A wide variety of weights and lifting options
- A clean facility
- Good pricing
- Good hours
- Modern look
The naysayers that don’t love Crunch Fitness as much say:
- Customer service isn’t very good, especially if you want to cancel your membership
- Billing issues are common
- Some people feel the layout isn’t the greatest
Crunch Fitness Membership FAQ
Can you cancel your Crunch Fitness membership?
Each facility has different cancellation policies and fees. Contact your local club to find out how to cancel your membership. If you have an annual membership, you may pay an early cancellation fee.
How much is the Crunch Fitness annual fee?
Everyone pays an annual fee of $49.99 to be a member at Crunch Fitness whether you sign an annual contract or pay month-to-month.
Is there a free trial to Crunch Fitness?
Yes, if you complete this form, Crunch Fitness will send you a free 1-day pass so you can try the gym out and see if it’s right for you. I recommend using this option here and at any other gyms, you’re considering to see which is the best fit.
What is a Crunch Fitness Signature gym?
There are 34 Signature gym locations within the Crunch Fitness family. These locations have more class options, group fitness studios, and full-service locker rooms among other features. They are primarily located in LA, DC, San Francisco, Miami, and New York City.
Is Crunch Fitness Worth It?
Crunch Fitness can be worth it if you don’t need childcare services or care about a pool. If your main goal is to go in and work out on cardio machines or get a killer HIIT workout, you’ll find everything you need at Crunch Fitness.
The prices vary considerably by location, though, so see what it costs in your area to see if it makes sense. When you compare prices, include the annual fee and processing fee in your calculations to determine which gym is the most cost-effective.
I pay 40.00 a month to be able to take a guest each time. All of the sudden there is Hiit group that can kick us out of our work out area (no matter where we are) and can take over. We pay almost 400 a month for personal training and this group can just boot us out even though there is a room specified for classes and groups! We are done After this month when are contracts end!
Cancellation fees DO NOT vary by location. Try the gym for 1 month and it will cost you $125 to cancel; plus the $50annual fee plus the monthly fee; and oh also the “enrollment” fee.
So let’s be honest…1 month and if you change your mind it will cost you an eye popping $250 PLUS the Enrollment fee!
As of today, the join up price is $57.49 for the $9.99/month plan. The breakdown is $9.99 first month, $10 processing fee and then $37.50 initiation fee. Keep in mind that two months later, you will pay the $49 equipment fee then 1 year after your signup date, you will get charged the $49 again which at that time will be charged annually. At first I thought I was paying it twice for one year but it makes sense if you were a member for two years, you payed the equipment fee only twice.
The problem I have is with their “monthly” price. It is NOT $9.99 due to taxes, surcharges, fees, whatever. When I first signed up for the $19.99 plan, it came out to almost $22/month. I wish they were more transparent than that but hitting that magical under $20 price point in huge advertisements looks better than $21.87/month. Good luck trying to find that in their Terms and Conditions beyond a general mention of taxes.
You need to fully understand what you are getting into with these gym memberships as their predatory tactics and hard to find fees have not changed.