Crunch Fitness Review: Is This Budget Gym Worth It?

What’s the most important thing when looking for a gym to join?

For some people, it’s all about finding an atmosphere that makes them feel welcome. Others want high-end amenities like spas and hot towel service. And others still just want to find a place that won’t break the bank.

Crunch fitness aims to offer the complete package. Clean equipment, a welcoming vibe, and a wallet-friendly price.

But does Crunch actually deliver on its promise? Here's a full Crunch fitness review and tour.

(ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEO CLIPS OF CRUNCH ARE COURTESY OF CRUNCH fitness)

How much does Crunch fitness cost?

Prices for Crunch fitness vary by location, but it’s one of the most affordable gym memberships out there no matter how you slice it.

The base membership package will run you anywhere from about ten to twenty dollars per month. This gets you access to all the equipment and standard amenities at just one single location.

If you want to spring for the Peak membership, starting around twenty-one ninety-five per month, you can access more locations in addition to special perks like group fitness classes, tanning, and hydromassage.

Generally speaking, Crunch fitness is an affordable gym membership — especially if you stick to the basic package. In that case, it’ll definitely save you some money versus joining most other mid-range gyms.

Crunch fitness equipment, features & amenities

You sign up, spend your hard-earned money, and are ready to head out to Crunch fitness for the first time.

What should you expect when you first step foot inside this gym?

Let’s take a look at what Crunch fitness has to offer.

Equipment

Crunch fitness has pretty much everything you need to get in a great workout.

No matter which location you attend, it’s guaranteed you can find a ton of cardio equipment. Whether you want to run on the treadmill or get a full body workout on the rowing machine, there’s something for everyone.

Crunch fitness is also known for its excellent selection of free weights, which is far superior to other budget gyms like Planet fitness. You’ll also find resistance machines if you prefer lifting that way.

Classes

Crunch fitness has no shortage of group fitness classes.

However, remember that you’ll need to sign up for one of the higher membership tiers if you want to take part in group fitness.

Some of the most popular classes at Crunch include:

Pilates

Yoga

Kickboxing

Zumba

Bodyweight circuits

And more

Classes are offered all day every day, so you’ll definitely find something that works for your schedule.

Pool and Sauna

Only a very small handful of Crunch locations have pools. They’re called signature clubs, so make sure you research your local branch to find out for sure before you sign up.

Chances are, however, that you shouldn’t count on your Crunch fitness having a pool. If that’s an important amenity to you, you’ll likely need to look elsewhere.

Child Care

Child care is an absolutely essential service for many parents.

Unfortunately, most Crunch locations do not offer child care. Again, you’ll need to look for a signature club to take advantage of this amenity — and there are only a couple dozen of them spread throughout the country.

If you need child care in order to exercise, you’ll need to look into some other mid-range gym options.

Drawbacks to Crunch fitness

Crunch is a high-quality gym, and an affordable one at that. But it won’t be a fit for everyone.

The first drawback is the lack of amenities. If you’re not lucky enough to live near a signature club, you won’t be able to access a pool or child care. You’ll also have to pay extra to take part in group fitness classes, which makes joining Crunch a little less affordable. 24 Hour fitness and LA fitness are good alternatives that include a lot more for a fair price.

Second, Crunch is an extremely popular gym — for good reason! — but that popularity can lead to big crowds. Members sometimes complain about having to wait for machines and weights, so if possible, try to go off peak hours.

Finally, Crunch isn’t usually open 24 hours. If you’re a night owl or someone who works an odd schedule, you might prefer Planet fitness for cheap 24/7 access.

Crunch fitness is incredibly popular, and there’s a lot to like about it. It’s affordable, has great equipment (especially free weights), and can be found in almost every corner of the country.

For beginners looking to dip their toe in the fitness waters, you can’t do much better. However, for anyone looking for more amenities like group classes, swimming workouts, and child care, you’ll do better at slightly pricier gyms like LA fitness, 24 Hour fitness, and the like.

Your best bet in the meantime? Try a free pass at your local Crunch and decide for yourself!