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.
