Journal

The 3 Main Types of Gyms

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Jarrett Francois

January 24, 2025

Each gym is a little different and a little the same.

Some are crowded, some are expensive, some have bad equipment, and some are just bad.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know which they signed up for until it’s too late.

So, to prevent that, we’ll cover the three main types of gyms and what you can expect from them if you consider joining.

Big, Small, Private/ Specialty

The 3 distinctions are in size and training specialization type.

These differences will determine pricing, available hours, crowd size, and equipment types.

This will make a big difference whether you’re looking for some personal space or you want to make friends.

Big Commercial

Big commercial gyms like LA Fitness, Gold’s Gym, Lifetime Fitness, Fitness Connection, and Planet Fitness are the biggest and most common commercial gyms.

These are “big box gyms” and are usually between $10-50 per month depending on if you sign a contract or not.

They are decent hours of availability, usually from 5am to 10pm.

They also offer the most equipment options which can be beneficial for specific training goals.

The biggest downside is crowd size. These gyms can get very crowded during their peak times making it difficult to complete your workout uninterrupted.

Small Commercial

These are typically branded as “convenience gyms” as they are smaller and usually 24/7. This is great for someone working late or traveling often.

However these are more expensive and more limited than larger gyms.

Depending on the owner, the equipment can be excellent or lacking.

These gyms almost always have a lengthy contract and steep termination fee.

Private/ Specialty

Private or specialty gyms are just as they sound. These are usually reserved for a specific training type or community.

Crossfit, MMA, and powerlifting are usually private and have limited hours.

These usually focus on community and group sessions, which may not be ideal for someone who prefers a DIY approach.

These almost always have 6-month to 1-year contracts but are more flexible when working with their members in case of issues.

Which to join?

There are many different choices out there but when it comes to picking you should focus on a few factors;

Are you a people person? Or do you mind large groups of people?

Are you interested in bodybuilding or more functional fitness?

And do you have a budget that you’re wanting to stay around?

If you’ve decided you’d rather skip it all together and get fit at home, check out the Barbells and Backpacks page.

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