If you’ve ever been a member of Anytime Fitness, you’re well aware of the primary reason behind the club’s exorbitant monthly membership price. It is also the world’s largest fitness facility franchise, headquartered in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.
Even if the gym name is well-known and has grown worldwide, Anytime Fitness is not the most cost-effective option. Here’s what I’ve uncovered regarding its membership’s outrageous pricing policy!
Why Is Anytime Fitness So Expensive?
Anytime Fitness is expensive because you can access several gym locations with 24/7 services. By all means, you can always find a spot to work out when needed. Anytime Fitness provides group classes like Zumba and Bootcamp. Or, you can participate in team workouts if you want something more social.
Let’s get into why Anytime Fitness’s membership fees are so steep!
1. Access To All Locations
Anytime Fitness locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; there are no time restrictions on gym use, so you can work out at 3 AM if you want!
In contrast, other gyms and health clubs often close their doors after business hours.
Additionally, the costs of running an Anytime Fitness are higher than those of other gyms that have regular hours or require memberships with limited access.
2. Traditional Group Classes
Second is the traditional group sessions—you’re not trapped doing cardio alone on a treadmill or elliptical machine.
Also, these sessions are led by qualified instructors who encourage as required and ensure that everyone works at their own pace while still getting their heart rate up.
For example, programs like yoga and pilates are often delivered in small groups, meaning the studio must pay for more instructors and space.
Special classes like this are considered an added expense over ordinary group programs, both of which are advised for a better lifestyle!
3. Durable Equipment
Treadmills, free weights, and fitness bikes are exercise equipment that can help people maintain their health.
However, these machines are usually expensive to buy since they are composed of the best materials available, making them durable and able to handle heavy use.
Also, many gyms use proprietary equipment brands to regulate how much profit each machine generates for the business.
As a result, they are a worthwhile investment for consumers looking to stay active, but it raises the cost of an Anytime Fitness gym membership.
4. Success Kit
When joining Anytime Fitness, you pay for more than just a gym membership.
You must also allocate for the Success Kit, which costs $99 and covers administrative and onboarding expenses.
On top of that, you must spend an additional $25 on a key fob. So, to utilize the gym, you’re spending $124—which doesn’t even include any other costs!
Essentially, Anytime Fitness uses these miscellaneous fees to cover maintenance and repair expenditures.
Even if the Success Kit fee is a one-time fee, it helps fund the gym’s upkeep and repairs.
So, although it is more costly than a regular gym membership, it ensures you get the most out of your training.
5. Early Cancellation Fees
When you sign up for a gym membership, you’re committing to pay a monthly fee for a set amount of time.
That’s why it’s so frustrating when you try to cancel your membership; companies charge you an early cancellation fee.
Further, members of month-to-month agreements have the option to terminate at any time.
But, while others with 12 or 24-month contracts can cancel early, they will be charged 50% of the remaining balance on your contract if they do so within the first month of joining.
Also, it can leave a substantial dent in your wallet, especially if you intend to leave the gym after only a few months of use!
It is recommended that the longer you stay active, the more money you will save and the lower your membership price will be.
6. Coach Care Connect
One of the additional expenses that Anytime Fitness has is its Coach Care Connect program.
It is a personal training and professional programming, tools, and assistance program that assists participants in staying on track, reaching their goals, and improving their health.
Overall, you need coaching and advice from certified coaches who know what they’re doing if you want to be successful with your fitness regimen.
Therefore, if you’re going to pay for a gym membership, you might as well get your money’s worth!
7. Employee Labor Costs
Anytime Fitness, based in the Minnesota branch, is an industry leader with 10,767 employees and $1.4 billion yearly revenue.
That said, these employees are in charge of everything from equipment maintenance to ensuring that all gym parts are clean and presentable.
Also, they are crucial in ensuring that members have the best possible experience.
But, unfortunately, on top of all other overhead costs connected with running a gym chain, labor charges pile up rapidly!
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why the YMCA is so expensive, why Crossfit is so expensive, and why Snap Fitness is so expensive.
Conclusion
Because the company understands its market, Anytime Fitness is among the top gym chains industry.
No matter where you live or work, you have easy access to various gym facilities and training programs, which contributes to the higher membership cost.
Anytime Fitness may be the way to go if you want that gym experience yet require something extravagant but worth it in terms of health and lifestyle!