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Traveling is great. You get to enjoy a new part of the world, meet new people, experience new things, and eat some different food. But like everyone who travels frequently, you probably fall back to bodyweight routines and running to stay fit.
What if there were a way to stay consistent with your gym routine and not have to use your hotel gym or resort to alternative routines? The good news is there is a way that comes in the form of travel gym subscriptions. Let’s see what these are and how they benefit you.
Travel Gym Subscriptions?
When most people think of gym subscriptions, they typically imagine the traditional model: Going to a gym and getting a membership that only applies to that facility. While that is one option, several big chains offer more versatility to their clients. A travel gym subscription refers to a membership that applies to a wide range of facilities. For example, you can get a membership with Planet Fitness and use it at all its facilities. The primary chains that offer this model are:
- Anytime Fitness
- Equinox
- 24-Hour Fitness
- Planet Fitness
- YMCA
Gym Membership made for Travelers
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour gym chain with over 4.200 locations worldwide. Members can train in all the states across the United States as well as in more than 30 countries. Thanks to their worldwide club access, you can train in the US, Canada, Australia, parts of Latin America, Europe, and several countries in Asia. This makes Anytime Fitness one of the best options because of its many locations and fantastic equipment. A monthly membership costs $41 in the US and $53 in Canada. They even have a 7-day free trial period. Read about Anytime Fitness from this review, written by Even, also known as the Trusty Spotter.
Equinox
As a top-tier fitness club, Equinox must be noticed on our list. The 100+ clubs are located in most major US cities, Toronto, Vancouver, and London. Equinox offers best-in-class equipment, well-designed strength training areas, and an exceptional selection of fitness classes. The $250/month membership is also prime and targets more luxury travelers. Most locations offer a 7-day guest pass that costs $50, but it allows you to live the high life for at least a little while during your trip. To know more about the experience, you can check this review. On that note, the wellness brand also operates a fitness-focused hotel in New York. And the best, when you stay at this Equinox Hotel, you automatically become an Equinox Fitness Club member for the duration of your stay.
24-Hour Fitness
The beauty of 24-Hour Fitness is that its facilities work at all hours of the day and night. As a frequent traveler, you have probably found yourself having (or waiting) to hit the gym at odd hours. But given the traditional work time of many gyms, that is only sometimes an option. With over 400 locations in the US, 24-Hour Fitness is a fantastic option for those who travel frequently and need an excellent place to train at. Energie Cardio and GoodLife Fitness are two businesses that have teamed up with 24-Hour Fitness, providing access to over 300 gyms in Canada. And another nice part is that a gym membership will set you back only $30 per month. And if you are curious to learn more about this gym membership, check Even’s review on 24-Hours Fitness.
Planet Fitness
With over 2.300 locations, Planet Fitness lives up to its name. Most of their gyms are in the US, but they also have some locations in Canada and Australia. Their PF Black Card Membership provides access to any of their facilities, no matter where you are. In addition, planet Fitness offers some of the most affordable memberships without commitment. It costs you as little as $24.99 per month. Each facility offers many cardio machines and weights and provides a beginner-friendly environment. If you are interested in learning more, Even also wrote an in-depth review about Planet Fitness.
YMCA
Fun fact, 77% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a YMCA. There are 2.7000 locations in the US, including all 50 states. With YMCA, the average price for the membership comes to $48/month for one adult or $66/month for a two-adult household. While the nationwide membership comes with no additional cost, you must use the “home gym” 50% of the time. You will find all the equipment and facilities you need to do any workout at YMCA. And as for the gym memberships before, check this review to learn more about them.
What to look for?
Finding the best gym membership near you is challenging and gets even more complex when you travel frequently. You want something that is always close by provides the workout options you are looking for and is affordable.
Before deciding on a gym membership, you should test some locations and facilities. Most gyms will offer you a complimentary tour. Some even offer a free day pass or free trial week to test it out for yourself. But which gyms are worth looking into based on your personal fitness needs and budget? From the gym memberships listed above, these are our top three:
And the Winner is…
… Anytime Fitness! Anytime Fitness takes the top spot for travel people because of their worldwide coverage. With 4.200 locations and 24/7 access, you can work out anywhere at any time. Plus, their membership pricing is still reasonable.
Alternatives?
Have you heard of Peerfit, a digital platform to access a network of fitness studios and gyms? Imagine a nationwide gym membership with even more flexible options to choose from. Peerfit is the market leader in connecting employers and carriers with personalized fitness experiences. Check your insurance or employee benefits or sign-up yourself for $8.95/month. Since the beginning of 2022, Peerfit has belonged to FitOn, the No. 1 fitness app and digital fitness platform. We will hear more about this soon.
Some final Words
Staying active when traveling has been and remains a challenge for many. However, running or hitting the gym after sitting for hours in business meetings might help get that energy back. That is why it is essential to maintain this general sense of well-being and prioritize scheduling time to exercise into the itineraries. With a suitable gym membership, you will never have to skip a workout again.
However, wait to shun your hotel; there are also some great options.
For travelers who thrive on a gym atmosphere, check our hotel search with the state-of-the-art gym advisor. With HotelGyms.com, finding and booking a hotel with a great gym has become very easy.
