Best Gym 2026

1. Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness delivers around‑the‑clock convenience without compromising on personal support. Open 24/7, 365 days a year, it offers members access to thousands of individually owned clubs worldwide, making consistency easy whether at home or on the road. Beyond straightforward strength and cardio equipment, members receive personalized training, nutrition guidance, and recovery support—in the gym, at home, or right in their pocket. Its neighborhood‑gym feel, global reciprocity, and commitment to accessible, value‑driven coaching make it a standout choice for anyone who prioritizes flexibility and long‑term wellness.

2. Gold's Gym

Gold's Gym remains an iconic name in strength training, known for drawing everyone from first-time lifters to serious athletes. Facilities typically offer large free‑weight floors, functional training zones and a broad mix of classes. The brand's legacy in bodybuilding gives it a reputation for results-driven workouts, while modern amenities and coaching keep it approachable for members seeking a supportive, goal-oriented community.

3. Life Time

Life Time transcends the traditional gym, billing itself as an "athletic country club." Members enjoy sprawling, high-end facilities featuring resort-style outdoor pools, boutique studios for signature classes, and expansive pickleball courts. Beyond the workout floor, Life Time integrates luxury recovery services, including cold plunges, saunas, and professional spas. With onsite cafes and dedicated workspaces, it is a destination for those seeking a total lifestyle upgrade in an upscale, social environment.

4. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness has mass appeal based on its affordability and accessibility and is noted to be a perfect fit for those starting their fitness journey. Its famous "Judgement Free Zone" provides a non-intimidating atmosphere focused on cardio and essential strength training. The PF Black Card elevates the experience with high-value perks, including HydroMassage beds, tanning, and total body enhancement. Planet Fitness offers over 2,800 locations and low monthly fees.

5. YMCA

The YMCA stands as a vital community pillar, offering much more than just a place to sweat. Its family-centric facilities feature indoor tracks, gymnasiums, and heated pools, alongside specialized programs like Parkinson's exercise and youth sports. With a focus on social responsibility, the "Y" provides inclusive pricing and childcare services, making it a great option for families and individuals seeking a supportive, diverse environment that prioritizes holistic well-being over elite aesthetics.

6. Equinox

For those who view fitness as high art, Equinox offers an elite training experience. These meticulously designed clubs feature state-of-the-art equipment and world-class instructors leading exclusive classes like Precision Run and Power Vinyasa. Luxury is standard, from the eucalyptus-scented towels to the Grown Alchemist products in marble locker rooms. Equinox focuses on high-performance living, combining precision personal training with regenerative spa treatments for a truly sophisticated, results-driven health experience.

7. Bay Club

The Bay Club positions itself as a lifestyle destination blending fitness, leisure, and community across its regional Campus Model. Members access a network of clubs offering golf, racquet sports, aquatics, fitness, recovery, and family amenities, with Shared Membership enabling up to ten people to join together and build connection through active living. Known for its community‑first culture and longstanding partnerships that support local organizations, Bay Club continues to reimagine the modern private club experience—making it a strong choice for West Coast voters seeking an upscale, multipurpose environment.

8. Crunch Fitness

Crunch blends energy, creativity and inclusivity, offering a lively atmosphere centered on fun-forward fitness. Members can access signature classes like Dance Cardio, Ride and its famous bodyweight circuits, plus "no judgments" culture that appeals to all experience levels. With a mix of traditional equipment, personal training and specialty small-group programs, Crunch balances value and variety for people who want a high‑spirited gym experience.

9. 24 Hour Fitness

True to its name, 24 Hour Fitness focuses on around-the-clock access and a comprehensive set of amenities. Members can expect expansive weight floors, cardio machines, studio classes and many locations with pools and courts. The gym appeals to those who want flexibility and a full-service experience without luxury pricing, making it a dependable option for varied schedules and training styles.

10. LA Fitness

LA Fitness is a powerhouse for variety, offering a balanced mix of traditional lifting and recreational sports. Members gain access to Junior Olympic-sized swimming pools, basketball and racquetball courts, and a diverse lineup of group classes ranging from Zumba to Aquafit. Known for its functional training zones and spacious floors, it caters to " enthusiasts who want a wide range of equipment and amenities at a competitive, mid-tier price point.

FINALISTS
Blink Fitness
Curves Fitness
John Reed Fitness
Snap Fitness
TMPL

About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Gavin Booth

Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.

Lizzy Briskin

Lizzy Briskin is a New York City–based food, travel, wellness and lifestyle writer. Previously, she was the print food editor at Food Network and Real Simple magazines. She has a professional chef's degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and a BA in English from Amherst College. She contributes to Wirecutter, Shape, People, Self, Bon Appetit, The Quality Edit, The Kitchn, Travel Weekly, and other outlets. When she's not cooking, eating, writing or traveling, she's training for her next marathon. Follow her on Instagram and at earthenfood.co.

Ed & Jenn Coleman

Jenn and Ed Coleman, aka Coleman Concierge, are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing stories of amazing adventures through transformational and experiential travel. They advocate for sustainable and ethical tourism and truly believe in the power of travel to transform both the traveler as well as the world. Their tagline is "amazing adventures for ordinary people" because they contend that you don't have to be super-rich, super-fit or super-anything to have an amazing adventure. Expanding your comfort zone and trying new things will pay huge dividends in both health and happiness. Learn more about their journeys at colemanconcierge.com or follow them @conciergecorner and @coleman_concierge. You can also find them on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Cynthia Drake

Cynthia J. Drake is an Austin-based travel writer for Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Texas Monthly, and others. See her adventures at http://cynthiadrake.com.

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.