Looking for a new gym to join? You’ve got plenty of options. In fact, there are 90,699 businesses in the “Gym, Health & Fitness Club” category in the U.S., according to 2023 data—the largest of which are popular brands like Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and LA Fitness.
However, gym chains aren’t the same when it comes to the level of service they provide. Factors like the cost, available equipment, cleanliness, crowdedness, amenities, staff friendliness, and overall vibes can make a gym great… or terrible. To invest your membership dollars wisely and enjoy your workout sessions, consider Chatmeter’s 2025 “Gym Reputation Ranking Report,” which used AI to analyze over 85,000 Google reviews of the ten largest U.S. fitness chains posted in the past two years. The results prove that when it comes to the best & worst gym chains in America, there are some obvious winners and others that have a lot of room for improvement. Read on to see how each gym ranks.
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#1 Best: EōS Fitness
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If EōS Fitness doesn’t sound familiar, that may soon change. The chain grew fast last year to 163 locations and expects to expand to 250 by the year 2030. Currently, fitness buffs in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Texas, and Utah can find an EōS Fitness in their state, with new spots in Georgia coming soon.
ChatMeter’s report found that customers love the low monthly price of $9.99 for a membership, as well as the chain’s “High Value” promise to deliver spotless facilities, helpful staff, and an overall energetic atmosphere. In fact, positive mentions of the gym’s atmosphere jumped 35.6% year‑over‑year, proving this chain has a welcoming energy and is great for flexing your #gymselfies.
EōS Fitness is also unique with its setup, which includes a “Yard” and “Backyard” for indoor and outdoor functional turf areas, an indoor pool, and “Cardio Cinema” theater, where treadmills sync with movie action. There’s also a “Cryolounge” and other recovery rooms featuring innovative tech like compression boots and massagers.
#2: Snap Fitness
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Busy people with packed work schedules and frequent social plans prefer Snap, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s why it earned the #2 spot amongst the best gyms in America.
As of 2023, Snap has over 1,000 locations in most states and is continuing to grow. ChatMeter’s report found that Google reviewers love the gym’s high-quality equipment, friendly personal trainers, and welcoming energy. The company prides itself on providing “the most open, inclusive, empathetic, supportive fitness experience to every member at every level,” which can be attractive to many gym goers.
Snap Fitness’s monthly membership fees range from $34.95 for individuals to $84.95 for families. There’s also an initiation fee at the discretion of each location, varying from around $0 to $80.
#3: Crunch Fitness
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Crunch markets itself has having a “fun” approach to fitness, offering various group classes and social‑media‑ready lighting and vibes (26% of reviewers say they’ve snapped gym selfies here). These key elements have helped the chain grow sales and secure the #3 spot on the best gyms in America this year.
With 460 locations across 41 states (and even some international spots), Crunch Fitness is commonly found in bustling college towns and populous cities. Memberships start at $9.99 per month for clean, open spaces and facilities, plus friendly staff and trainers.
#4: Anytime Fitness
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Anytime Fitness should really rebrand to Anywhere Fitness. This gym chain is massive, with over 5,200 locations in over 50 countries as of 2023. Throw a stone, and you’ll likely hit one, which offers 24/7 access to members.
Both group classes and individual training make Anytime a solid mid‑tier choice. Reviewers praise its convenience and consistent cleanliness, though some say the available workout spaces are quite small.
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#5: Planet Fitness
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With over 2,700 locations in all states and $10 monthly plans, Planet Fitness is a leading gym chain when it comes to affordability.
The brand has famously marketed itself as a “Judgment Free Zone,” welcoming any and all skill levels to take advantage of its strength training and cardio equipment. Its convenience factor earns positive reviews, but some members note that this chain can get really crowded and attract an odd clientele. For instance, there are plenty of videos that show inexperienced members going viral for using machines in, well, very peculiar ways.
#6: Gold’s Gym
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This iconic gym chain started in 1965 and was made famous by bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. These days, Gold’s Gym chain has 700 locations worldwide and offers a range of memberships anywhere from $40 to $70 a month.
Over the past two years, Gold’s Gym reviewers have said they like its weight rooms and experiences personal trainers. However, they dislike that the facilities in some locations are outdated or unclean, and the price can be steep compared to some other chains.
#7: Life Time
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Life Time calls itself a “luxury athletic country club” on account that it offers so much more than your average gym chain. Amenities at its 170 locations across the U.S. and Canada include indoor pools, spas, workout areas, studio classes, child centers, cafes, and more.
But, all of those perks don’t come cheap. Life Time’s memberships include Signature (starting at $299 per month), Premier ($329 per month), and family memberships, plus additional fees depending on the location. These steep costs have drawn criticism—according to ChatMeter’s report, 62% of consumers say gyms are overpriced, with 54% unwilling to pay more than $19.99 per month.
Despite this, Life Time is opening up several new locations in the coming years, according to its site, so for some, the pricey membership is worth it.
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#8: LA Fitness
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LA Fitness is a gym chain that was born in the ’80s and has over 800 locations in the U.S. and Canada (thanks to acquiring 170 Bally Total Fitness clubs in 2009). Memberships range from $39.99 to $49.99 per month, and the chain offers extensive class schedules to keep members engaged.
However, LA Fitness was ranked as one of the worst in America due to Google reviewers who claim that the equipment is often broken or out of service and some locations have sporadic cleanliness. These are make-or-break factors, according to ChatMeter’s report, as 29% of gym goers rank dirty facilities as a deal‑breaker (for good reason).
#9: Equinox
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Equinox is famous for its expensive gym membership: Monthly fees range anywhere from $200 to $405 depending on how many clubs you’d like to have access to in your area or even worldwide. The company also now owns and operates SoulCycle, Blink Fitness, and Equinox Hotels.
Members can enjoy a range of high-end amenities, including full-service spas, saltwater pools, community classes, on-premises cafes, shops, and Pilates, spinning, yoga, barre, Bootcamp, boxing, and martial arts classes.
Still, that doesn’t mask how frustrated Google reviewers have been with the chain within the past two years. There are many complaints about the steep fees, difficult cancellation processes, poor customer service, and unwelcoming atmosphere at Equinox gyms. Plus, Blink Fitness filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023 under Equinox’s care and closed multiple locations throughout the country.
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#10 Worst: 24 Hour Fitness
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Finally, the worst gym chain in America in 2025 is 24 Hour Fitness. Once a behemoth, the brand filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and now has 400 clubs left, which are operated under new ownership. The chain offers group fitness classes, personal training, and various types of equipment at three different membership tiers ranging from $9.99 to $64.99 per month.
24 Hour Fitness earned the lowest marks for value and atmosphere in ChatMeter’s 2025 report. Specifically, reviews mentioning “crowded” increased 30.6% over the past two years, while mentions of “dirty” decreased only slightly.
The brand’s failure to modernize is likely holding it back, but it’s also had some major legal issues, with multiple lawsuits filed against it. One harrowing case was filed earlier this year when a customer in Colorado died from a steam room explosion at a 24 Hour Fitness location.
Given this ranking, choose you next gym wisely.
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.