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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Clare Lee

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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.

Compare gym chains in Australia

GymNumber of gymsJoining fee?Cost24 hours?Classes
Goodlife Health Clubs97$0 join fee on select membershipsfrom $21.99 p/wSomeYes
Planet Fitness20varies by locationfrom $7 p/wYesYes
Fitness First50$0 join fee on select membershipsfrom $21.99 p/wSomeYes
Anytime Fitness570+$99 + $79.95 for access card feefrom $23.95 p/wSomeYes
Jetts127$89 + $79 for access card feefrom $16.95 p/wYesYes
Virgin Active8$0from $38.50 p/wNoYes
Plus Fitness200+$99 + $29 for access card feefrom $21.95 p/wYesYes
One Playground5$99from $23.95 p/wYesYes
Snap Fitness200+$0 + $64 for access card feefrom $23.70 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.

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Top tips before you join a gym

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  • 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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Clare Cribbin is the global shopping deals publisher at Finder. She started in the Australian team hunting down the best shopping deals on the market, producing health and wellbeing articles and creating helpful gift guides. Clare has since taken her Australian shopping knowledge and is now applying it globally. You may be surprised to know that she has a degree in Zoology and a Master of Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. When Clare isn’t busy looking for deals, you’ll find her eating avo on toast, drinking a protein shake or trying out the latest fitness craze. See full bio

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