How Old Do You Have to Be to Join LA Fitness?
You must be 18 to sign up for an LA Fitness membership on your own. Teens 12 to 17 can join with a parent present and a signed teen waiver.
Quick Answer
You must be 18 or older to sign up for an LA Fitness membership on your own. Teens between 12 and 17 can join with a parent or guardian present and a signed teen waiver.
Children under 12 cannot have their own membership but can use Kids Klub childcare while a parent works out.
The Age Rules by Tier
Under 12: No membership possible. Access is via Kids Klub childcare only. Not permitted on the gym floor at any time.
12 to 13: Can join as a family add-on with parent supervision required at every visit. Cannot use free weights without a personal trainer.
14 to 17: Can join as a family add-on. Can access the gym floor unaccompanied but only after completing a teen orientation. Some clubs restrict pool and sauna access.
18 and older: Full independent membership. All amenities included.
The Teen Membership Setup
- Parent visits the club with the teen and photo ID for both.
- Parent signs a teen liability waiver.
- Teen completes a 30-minute equipment orientation with a fitness advisor.
- Payment method must be the parent's card; teens cannot be primary on their own account.
What Teens Can and Cannot Do
Teens 14 to 17 can use cardio, machines, group classes and the pool (with parent-signed pool waiver on file). They generally cannot use the sauna, steam room or hot tub in most states due to health-department age restrictions.
Teens 12 to 13 face more restrictions: no free weights, no unsupervised gym floor, and often no pool without a parent physically present.
The Reason for the Age Rules
LA Fitness insurance policies require adult supervision or documented orientation for minors on gym floors. This is standard across the industry. Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness all have similar age policies.
The rules exist to reduce injury liability. A teen who deadlifts wrong and injures their spine is a lawsuit; the orientation and supervision requirements are the club's defense.
Kids Klub for Under-12s
Children ages 3 months to 11 years use Kids Klub, the on-site supervised childcare program. Cost is $10 to $15 per month per child or $6 per drop-in.
Kids Klub is not available at every club. Check before you sign up if you need it. Availability varies by market, and hours are limited to peak weekday windows.
Age Rules at Signature Clubs
Signature Miracle Mile, Bryant Park and other flagship "Signature" clubs sometimes enforce stricter age policies. Teens may need to be 16+ to access the club at all, and children may be restricted from the pool area.
Call the specific club before assuming standard rules apply. Signature clubs have latitude to set their own age policies.
Pro Tips Before You Commit
- Tour on a weekday evening between 5pm and 7pm. That is the busiest window. If the equipment is still accessible then, it will be fine any other time.
- Ask for the promotional rate, do not accept the rack rate. LA Fitness runs quiet in-club promos almost every month; sales counselors have discretion to waive the initiation fee if you ask.
- Get every quote in writing. Verbal promises about future price locks are worth nothing once the sales rep leaves the club.
- Read the exact clause on annual fees. Most members are surprised in month 8 by a $59 annual fee they were never verbally told about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 16-year-old join LA Fitness alone? No, a parent must be present at sign-up to sign the teen waiver.
Can teens take group fitness classes? Yes, most classes accept members 14 and older. Some (like heavy strength) require 16+.
Can under-12s watch a parent work out? No, only Kids Klub access. They cannot be on the gym floor.
Do teen memberships cost less? Yes, family add-on rates for teens run about $10 to $15 per month, versus $30 for adult add-ons.
Bottom Line
Under 12 means Kids Klub only. 12 to 17 needs a parent to sign up and follow age-tiered rules. 18 and up gets full membership. Plan the visit accordingly.