Is LA Fitness Worth the Money?
For most people at $45 a month all-in, LA Fitness is a strong value because of the pool, group classes, court sports and nationwide reach that Planet...
Quick Answer
For most members paying about $45 a month all-in, LA Fitness is worth the money because you get a full pool, group classes, basketball or racquetball courts, a sauna and 700-plus locations, for less than half of what Equinox or Life Time cost.
It is a poor value if you only want to lift or run and would happily use a $10 Planet Fitness or a $20 municipal rec center.
The Value Case in One Sentence
LA Fitness is the only major mid-market chain that consistently offers a pool, a sauna, basketball, group classes and full free weights under one roof, and does it at $35 to $45 per month.
Anywhere else, you would pay $30 for a lift-only gym plus $50 for a pool membership at the YMCA plus $75 for a class studio. LA Fitness bundles all three into one bill.
When It Is a Great Value
- You swim. Standalone pool memberships in most cities are $50 to $80. LA Fitness at $35 includes lap swim.
- You like group classes. A ClassPass subscription for 8 classes a month is $80 to $120. LA Fitness includes unlimited classes.
- You travel. Signature at $50 works in every state; Planet Fitness Black Card is $25 but has no pool or classes.
- You have kids. Kids Klub at $10 per child is cheaper than any drop-in childcare.
When It Is Not Worth It
If you only lift heavy or only run cardio, you are paying for amenities you never use. A $10 Planet Fitness or a $20 municipal rec center gives you the same functional result.
If your local LA Fitness is old and understaffed (the mid-2010s Bally-conversion clubs are the usual culprits), the value drops fast. Broken equipment, dirty locker rooms and understaffed front desks are real complaints in Yelp reviews of specific clubs.
The True Monthly Cost After Fees
Sticker is $35 a month. Real cost including $99 initiation and $59 annual fee, averaged over 12 months, is about $48. Over three years that averages down to $41 a month as the initiation amortizes.
A one-time $99 initiation is worth putting in perspective: it is about the same as three months of Netflix or one nice dinner out. Once you clear month four, it stops feeling meaningful.
Value vs the Direct Competition
Against Planet Fitness ($10 to $25), LA Fitness costs twice as much but delivers roughly five times the amenities. Against 24 Hour Fitness ($40 to $60), LA Fitness has more consistent equipment quality and more pool availability. Against Equinox ($200 to $300), LA Fitness is a quarter of the price with 70% of the amenity breadth.
The one true competitor is Life Time Fitness ($120 to $250). Life Time is genuinely better on cleanliness, staffing and premium amenities, but it costs three to five times as much.
The Complaints Worth Knowing About
The two consistent complaints are (a) hard-to-cancel membership (must mail a cancellation letter, cannot cancel online in most states) and (b) old equipment at legacy clubs. Both are real; both are avoidable if you visit before signing and set a calendar reminder for annual fee day.
Sales pressure at sign-up is the third complaint. Come in with a firm number in your head and walk out if they push past it.
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
Is LA Fitness worth it if I only use free weights? No, a cheaper single-purpose gym is better value for lift-only training.
Is it worth it for the pool alone? Yes, LA Fitness pool access at $35 undercuts any standalone lap-swim membership in most cities.
Is Signature worth the upgrade? Only if you would use more than one club a year. Otherwise stick with single-club.
Is Kids Klub worth the price? Yes, $10 per child per month is cheaper than every commercial drop-in childcare option.
Bottom Line
For a family or a serious multi-sport athlete, LA Fitness is one of the best-value memberships in America. For a solo lifter, it is a mediocre value and you should shop cheaper.