There are SO many gyms in New York, it's truly outrageous. Depending on what you want, you can find just about everything you're looking for including (but not limited to) NYC Goat Yoga. Seriously. So where do they relate to each other and what do they each offer?
A thing to remember also, most of these gyms offer free or really cheap trial periods from one visit to a week of visits. They're definitely worth doing, and I recommend doing them at the times you'd normally want to go to the gym. In a city of so many people, numbers fluctuate WILDLY between cold wintery mornings and mild Sundays.
So, starting from closest-to-what-Josh-likes and moving through to things-Josh-can't-believe-exists…
1. Blink Fitness
My motto for Blink Fitness is: Lots of equipment, lots of locations, and you're on your own.
You will have seen this gym all over four of the five boroughs of New York (sorry Staten Island). This is the gym that has all the things you need, in good working order, for a very low price. What it doesn't have is any form of class. This gym is for the solo workout-er who just wants to watch their episode of TV on the elliptical and be done with it… So… Me…
How much does Blink Fitness cost?
$28/month will get you access to ALL of Blink's 80+ locations, and the ability to bring a guest, for free, every time you go. The downside is that you have to sign-up for a year to take advantage of this. Not really a downside, but you know, full disclosure!
Your other option is $29/month which includes only one location, and no guests, but the upside is that you can do it month-by-month!
Signup is generally $1 because they're in a perpetual sale.
How to join Blink Fitness
Sign up for Blink Fitness here.
2. Planet Fitness
My motto for Planet Fitness is: The bare necessities.
It's the one that I thought of before I moved to New York for some reason, it must have been in a number of TV shows or movies. Planet Fitness is all about judgment-free working out without all the trimmings. There ARE some group activities throughout the week though if that's your thing!
How much does Planet Fitness cost?
$22.99/month will get you access to all of the gyms “worldwide” and the ability to bring a guest any time to the gym for free. The other option is the crazy low $10/month which will get you in the door and onto a treadmill (massage chairs not included).
How to join Planet Fitness
You'll find their website here.
3. Crunch Fitness
My motto for Crunch Fitness is: Classes, bright, fun, good, happy.
This gym is another one you'll find scattered all over the city and keeps its spaces clean and BRIGHT. Unlike Blink, Crunch offers more in the ways of classes, some extra features like steam rooms and saunas at some locations, and also has special events throughout the week with DJs and special guests for their group training classes.
There's a bit more of a community vibe going on as well so this one is good if you're used to being part of a gym that brings you into the family.
How much does Crunch Fitness cost?
Around $149/month will get you access to all the Crunch locations or “One Crunch” is available for $124. There seem to be constant offers for a reduced price though making All Crunch $104.30 and One Crunch $99.20.
How to join Crunch Fitness
You'll find their website here.
4. YMCA (“The Y”)
My motto for YMCA: Comma, it's fun to stay at the… If you have a family and are close to one these are truly the best
I'll start with the downside (because the gyms are pretty solid): There aren't many of them, and they're not crazy fancy for the price. You do however get fresh towels which are always nice, classes included, and they will in most locations look after your kids while you work out! The benefits are there, you just need to make sure it aligns with exactly what you want and where it is.
So go on a tour, they're always happy for you to do that. Limited guest passes are available too with each membership.
How much does YMCA cost?
It's $106/month to go to all the city-wide locations, and their website allows you to check which ones you want to visit and it should give you a pretty good breakdown.
How to join the YMCA
You'll find their website here.
5. TMPL Fitness Clubs
My motto for TMPL Fitness Clubs: Your body is a TMPL, so be sure to cover it in neon, and “wellness”
We believe fitness should be more than a workout. It should be a holistic wellness experience. One grounded in fitness, culture, and content. Every visit to TMPL should be a transformative event, both memorable and meaningful.
https://www.tmplclubs.com/
Golly. And I thought this was a gym!?
If you're looking for an experience and more than just a gym then this is your go-to. These are people taking care of their bodies and looking good doing that (as opposed to me, sweating profusely on the elliptical while watching Law and Order: SVU).
How much do TMPL Fitness Clubs cost?
These gyms start at about $74/mo depending on location.
How to join TMPL Fitness Clubs
You'll find their website here.
6. NY Goat Yoga
My motto for NY Goat Yoga: Not as ridiculous as it sounds. Not as ridiculous as Equinox.
“NEW YORK'S FIRST-EVER GOAT YOGA COMPANY”
You have to love that.
This one's about a 4-hour drive out of New York City, so you have to really want this, but it does come with little kid goats for you to work out with, who wouldn't want that!?
How much does NYC Goat Yoga cost?
Well, the Uber will set you back probably a fair bit, but some of these classes come with wine tasting, or cheese tasting, and start at $25pp! What a bargain!
How to join NY Goat Yoga
You'll find their website here.
7. Equinox
My motto for Equinox: Are you eager to talk ABOUT the gym more than you go to it?
Cards on the table, from this point up, I don't get it. Sure, it's more exclusive and you can probably get some delicious cocktails after a stroll on the treadmill, but for me, this one seems like an expense that doesn't make sense (my favorite thing about Equinox's website is that the pictures of the gym on their website, don't contain people working out, or gym equipment, or… a gym, but instead a rooftop looking over the Hudson).
I know, I know, it's really nice! But it's a gym! If you were paying for exclusive bar access, I'd be happy to fork over the cash.
How much does Equinox cost?
Finding the prices on their website would require a degree in literature or a detective's badge in the NYPD. The website requires you to come in and have an appointment as opposed to just saying “here's how much it costs” (at least for some of the locations).
The joining fee is around $100 and then depending on which location you want to tell your friends about at drinks on Friday, it will cost north of $180/month. No deals that I could find at the moment except $100 to spend at the shop… In Equinox…
8. Lifetime Fitness (formerly New York Health & Racquet Club)
My motto for Lifetime Fitness is: Come for the squash, stay for the amenities, pay at every step
If you're a fan of squash, or racquetball, or basketball, or saltwater pools, or saunas, or a lifestyle experience as opposed to a gym… This is probably your go-to. Just like the Y, there aren't many of these dotted around the city but if you do have one close by, reports from friends are that they're extremely nice to be around. Their former “Health & Racquet Club” has been shed for something lux, a bit fancy, and more of an experience than just a gym.
Filled with classes, and more group activities than most, these are your options if you're a real avid gym-goer, or really just like sitting in the comfy chairs while handsome other people work out for you.
How much does Lifetime Fitness cost?
This one all comes down to how long you're willing to sign a contract for, and their signup button doesn't say “Join Now” it says “Build Membership”. Memberships start at $299/mo for actual in-person gym sessions and then you add on bits and pieces as you go.
How to join Lifetime Fitness
You'll find their website here.
999. New York Sports Club (“NYSC”)
I have been notified by some visitors to America Josh that they had experiences where NYSC engaged in practices that made it very difficult for them to cancel their memberships which I personally don't like.
