How Much Does an LA Fitness Membership Cost?

With over 900 gym locations spread across the United States and Canada, LA Fitness ranks as one of the largest fitness club chains in North America. But how much does it realistically cost to join LA Fitness, and what membership tiers and pricing options are available?

This guide examines current LA Fitness costs for standard memberships, premium amenities memberships, initiation fees, annual fees, discounts and promotions, add-on services, and compares rates to leading competitors like 24 Hour Fitness and Equinox.

Article Highlights

When budgeting for an LA Fitness gym membership, be sure to account for:

• Monthly fees between $30 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for single or multi-club access
• Potential $49 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) one-time initiation fee, if not waived
• $39 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) annual membership fee charged each January
• $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) to freeze membership for up to 6 months sabbatical
• 10% student discount and corporate wellness rates
• Guest passes and amenities included with premium memberships

How Much Does an LA Fitness Membership Cost?

As of early 2024, current LA Fitness membership rates break down as:

• Single club membership - $29.99 to $34.99 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) per month
• Standard multi-club membership - $29.99 to $39.99 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month
• Premium multi-club membership - $79.99 to $109.99+ (≈7.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job) per month

So expect to budget about $30 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) monthly for basic single or multi-club access, $80+ (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) for premium amenities, and higher rates in areas like NYC and California. Membership freeze is $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) monthly.

According to Healthonomist, there are two primary membership options available. The first option is a membership with an initiation fee, which costs $39.99 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month plus a $75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) initiation fee. This plan provides access to all LA Fitness clubs. The second option is a membership without an initiation fee, priced at $49.00 (≈3.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) per month with no upfront cost, also allowing access to all clubs. Additionally, members are subject to an annual fee of $59 (≈3.9 hours of labor required at $15/hour), which is charged after the first 14 days of membership.

Gym Dues echoes similar pricing, stating that the LA Fitness membership costs $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month with a $75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) initiation fee, or $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month without any initiation fee. They also mention that the annual fee of $59 (≈3.9 hours of labor required at $15/hour) applies after the initial trial period. This flexibility allows members to choose a plan that best fits their financial situation and preferences for upfront costs versus monthly payments.

Moreover, discussions on Reddit highlight some users’ experiences with LA Fitness pricing, noting that initial costs can be confusing due to various fees involved. One user mentioned that signing up could result in total upfront costs exceeding $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour), including the first and last month's dues, initiation fees, and the annual fee, suggesting that potential members should be aware of these additional expenses when considering joining.

LA Fitness Membership Tiers

LA Fitness offers gym memberships with varying levels of gym access, amenities, contract terms, and monthly price points including:

• Single club membership - Basic access to just one select LA Fitness club location.
• Multi-club membership - Ability to freely use any LA Fitness gym location nationwide.
• Premium multi-club membership - Adds amenities like unlimited guest privileges and massage discounts.
• Membership freeze option - Temporarily suspends membership for $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) per month.

Memberships do not mandate long-term contracts, with the flexibility to pay month-to-month or upfront annually after any initial promotion. But what do the different tiers realistically cost on a monthly basis?

LA Fitness Enrollment Fees

In addition to the ongoing monthly gym membership fee, LA Fitness also charges:

• Initiation fee - $49 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) one-time fee (often waived for seasonal promotions)
• Annual fee - $39 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) fee typically billed automatically each January to cover amenities and club maintenance.

Make sure to factor these extra one-time and recurring fees into your total annual LA Fitness membership costs. Check for any initiation fee waivers.

Discounts, Deals and Ways to Save

To help offset LA Fitness’ fees, members can take advantage of:

• Student discounts - 10% off monthly rates with verification of current enrollment.
• Corporate wellness plans - Heavily reduced rates offered through employer partnerships.
• Costco Shop Card - Special deal only available for Costco members that cuts costs.
• Referral bonus - $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) in LA Fitness Cash for referring friends who join.
• Promotions - Periodic offers like waived initiation fees, extra free months with annual plans, or gift cards.

Ask about any current new member-only promotions when joining to maximize savings on the usual costs.

Amenities and Features

An LA Fitness membership provides access to:

• Extensive state-of-the-art cardio machines and strength equipment.
• Group fitness classes like yoga, Zumba, Pilates, indoor cycling, and aquatic aerobics.
• Basketball courts, spacious locker rooms, and pool, sauna, and spa lounge areas for relaxing pre or post-workout.
• Discounts on personal training packages for extra guidance.

Having these conveniently available facilities and services under one roof helps justify LA Fitness’ membership rates for most members.

LA Fitness Fees vs Other Major Gym Chains

Here is an overview of how LA Fitness membership pricing stacks up against other popular national gym chains:

• LA Fitness - $30 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month for standard membership
• 24 Hour Fitness - $30 to $50+ (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) monthly for basic membership
• Planet Fitness - $10 to $25 (≈1.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month for standard membership
• Equinox - $175+ (≈1.5 days working without breaks at $15/hour) per month for lowest tier (higher end)

By comparison, LA Fitness offers reasonable rates considering its extensive gym amenities versus competitors.

Expert Tips

Industry experts recommend:

“Ask about any unadvertised regional promotions the manager has leeway to offer – you may luck out with reduced rates.” - Mark Thompson, Gym Manager

"Bundle a family membership if having spouse or dependents join to take advantage of discounted multi-person rates." - Jennifer Chen, Fitness Blogger

"Leverage corporate partnerships through your employer for the deepest discounted membership rates." - David Lee, HR Director

"Invest in just a few sessions of personal training upfront to learn how to use machines safely and effectively." - Olivia Martinez, Personal Trainer

Their specialized insights provide clever tips for maximizing the return on your LA Fitness investment.

Answers to Common Questions

Here are clarifications on some common LA Fitness membership particulars:

Do you have to pay for a guest at LA Fitness?

No, guest passes are included free for members with Premium and Multi-Club memberships, allowing you to bring friends as gym guests up to 2-3 times per month depending on location.

What is the dress code for LA Fitness?

LA Fitness requires clean, appropriate workout attire including athletic shirts/tanks, shorts/pants, and closed-toe footwear. Different locations have slight variations but shirts must always be worn and no explicit content allowed.

Can I workout shirtless at LA Fitness?

No, all members including males must keep shirts on at all times according to standard LA Fitness gym policies. Tank tops meet guidelines but bare chests or sports bras alone do not suffice. Check with your specific club for details.

Final Words

An LA Fitness gym membership costs approximately $30 to $50+ (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) monthly for flexible access to all locations, along with potential one-time initiation and annual fees depending on promotional offers. Added amenities come with premium memberships for more money.

Carefully weighing membership tier perks against competitive clubs ensures you land the optimal balance of affordability and features. With smart shopping of promotions, employer partnerships, and smart budgeting, LA Fitness can provide immense value helping you stick with healthy fitness routines.