Best Gym Memberships To Have For Travelers

If you travel often, finding the right gym membership can be a serious challenge. You don’t always know what kind of gyms you’ll find in new cities, what the monthly rates will be, or if they’ll even have the equipment you’re used to training with. That uncertainty can easily throw your routine off track, and if you’ve ever had momentum in the gym only to lose it because you couldn’t find a good spot while traveling, you know how frustrating that feels.

For me, the gym has been non negotiable ever since I was 18. Back then, I ran my own personal training business, and part of what kept me grounded was making sure I trained no matter where I went. Whether I was visiting a new city or staying somewhere for just a few months, I always found a gym. That consistency built my discipline. Even now, years later, that same mindset guides me. I currently live in Massachusetts, but I’m moving to North Carolina in December, and the very first thing I did when planning the move was research gyms nearby.

The truth is, not every gym setup works when you’re traveling. Some chains make it easy to walk in and train anywhere in the country, while others limit access, charge extra, or have inconsistent quality between locations. After years of bouncing between gyms and states, I’ve narrowed it down to a few memberships that actually make sense for people who move or travel often.

🔍 What to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Gym

Before signing up, you need to ask yourself three key questions:

What can you realistically afford?

Don’t overpay for a “premium” gym if you’re barely home to use the perks. If your main goal is to stay consistent and keep your body moving, you can find great options that don’t break the bank. Sometimes, it’s smarter to choose a mid tier gym with national access rather than paying extra for luxury features you’ll barely use.

What type of training do you actually do?

If you’re into heavy lifting, you’ll care about the dumbbell weight limits, squat racks, and the overall layout. If you prefer functional training, cardio, or classes, you’ll want open space and variety. Travelers often forget this, they pick the closest gym and end up frustrated when it doesn’t match their style.

What do you want to get into next?

Sometimes, the right gym fits your current season. For me, I’ve been in a “basketball era” lately. A few weeks ago, I grabbed a guest pass at LA Fitness just to shoot around. I ended up playing full court games against a mix of D2 and D3 guys, and it reminded me how much I missed that competition. Within a week, I canceled another membership and switched to LA. That’s what the right gym can do, it pulls you into a groove that makes you excited to train again.

Crunch Fitness

Crunch Fitness is one of the most balanced gym chains in the country, especially for people who travel or relocate frequently. They currently have 510 locations across 43 states, which makes them one of the most accessible gym networks in the U.S. The atmosphere is energetic, the gyms are well kept, and the equipment is surprisingly consistent no matter where you go.

Most Crunch locations have full dumbbell racks up to 120 lbs, plenty of squat racks, cable machines, and functional training setups. The music and vibe are upbeat without feeling overcrowded. I’ve trained at Crunch gyms in different states, and one thing that stood out to me was how similar the experience felt.

I could walk in, warm up, and get straight to work without needing to adjust to a totally different layout or style. That consistency matters when you’re moving between cities or on business trips.

However, Crunch isn’t perfect. Some smaller locations can be limited on space or lack extra amenities like basketball courts or saunas. If your workouts rely heavily on variety or recovery tools, you might miss those features. Still, for the price point and accessibility, Crunch Fitness is easily one of the best choices for travelers who want a straightforward, strength training friendly gym.

Best for: Travelers who want reliability, solid equipment, and consistent quality in almost any state.

LA Fitness

LA Fitness is my personal go to right now, mainly because it checks off boxes that other gyms don’t. With about 639 locations across 25 states, it’s not as widespread as Crunch, but the quality of each location tends to be higher, especially if you value amenities. Most LA Fitness clubs have full basketball courts, pools, saunas, and spacious weight areas, making it one of the best gyms for people who enjoy mixing sports and traditional training.

I’ll be honest, the basketball culture here is what hooked me. I started off visiting LA Fitness on a three day pass, thinking I’d just get some cardio in. Instead, I ended up playing intense pickup games with college level players every morning. That competitiveness, that energy, reignited my drive in a different way. I was getting my lifts in, hooping daily, and meeting like minded people all in one place.

The environment at LA Fitness feels more community driven. You see the same faces, regular hoopers, and even families coming in together. For someone who travels, that sense of familiarity can be grounding. The only drawback is availability, not every city has an LA Fitness, and their multi club access plan can be pricier than other chains. But if you find one near where you’re staying, it’s worth it.

Best for: Athletes, former athletes, or anyone who loves a mix of lifting, sports, and cardio in one space.

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is everywhere, and that’s what makes it a solid choice for travelers, especially if you just need a reliable gym to get your workouts in. There are over 2,000 locations across the United States, so no matter where you travel, you’re likely to find one close by. The gyms are clean, the vibe is low stress, and for beginners or those in the intermediate phase, the equipment is perfectly sufficient.

If you’re starting out or want a casual workout without feeling intimidated, Planet Fitness is perfect. The Black Card membership adds perks like guest passes and access to any location nationwide for around $22 a month. While it may not have the heavy dumbbells or advanced equipment some experienced lifters want, you can still get a great workout if you know how to use the space and stay focused.

Best for: Beginners, casual gym goers, and anyone who wants consistency and nationwide access at a low cost.

Universal Gym Membership App

For travelers who want maximum flexibility, there’s a newer option: app-based universal gym memberships. Services like ClassPass now allow you to pay a monthly fee to access multiple gyms, studios, and fitness centers across the country. Prices vary depending on how many visits you want each month, starting around $60 for a few visits up to $150 for unlimited access.

This option is perfect if you don’t want to commit to one gym chain, if your schedule changes often, or if you like variety in your workouts. From strength training gyms to boutique studios, you can pick and choose locations that fit your mood, your training style, or where you happen to be staying. For someone moving around or traveling, it offers the most freedom.

Best for: Travelers who want flexibility, variety, and access to multiple gyms without committing to a single chain.

Anytime Fitness

For travelers who value convenience and consistent access, Anytime Fitness is one of the most reliable gym chains around. Known for its 24/7 key fob access and over 5,000 locations worldwide, it offers members the freedom to work out almost anywhere, day or night, at home or abroad.

I’ve personally used Anytime Fitness while traveling through Texas, South Carolina, and even in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where the free week pass came in handy. What surprised me most was realizing just how widespread this gym really is. Many locations are even international, similar to Planet Fitness, but with greater accessibility and fewer restrictions.

Membership costs vary by location, but the Premium Membership (around $41 per month) includes global access after 30 days, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers who want a familiar, reliable workout spot wherever they go.

Best for: Travelers who want dependable 24/7 gym access and a consistent experience across thousands of global locations.

Last Resort: Private and Short Term Gyms

Sometimes I like to explore new gyms or private spots that are not part of a big chain. When I know we are only staying in a location for a short time, say 12 weeks, I look ahead and research what gyms are nearby. I compare the rates, amenities, and vibe to see which ones fit my style and needs.

If I find a place I like, I often negotiate a 12 week package upfront. Sometimes they give me a slight discount, sometimes they divide the monthly fee by three, and sometimes I just get lucky and the total ends up cheaper than paying month to month. It is a bit of extra work, but for someone who wants a new experience, the right equipment, or private space, it is worth it.

This strategy also lets me stay consistent with my training even when I am moving around, without locking into a long term commitment.

Best for: Travelers who want flexibility, private gyms, or short term access without overpaying.

Final Thoughts

When you are traveling, your fitness should not go on pause, it should adjust. The key is finding a gym membership that makes training easy no matter where you are. Crunch gives you coverage almost everywhere, while LA Fitness gives you an athletic, community feel that is hard to beat.

If you travel long term, think about what keeps you consistent, not just what is closest or cheapest. For me, that means staying in rhythm, whether I am in Massachusetts, North Carolina, or somewhere in between. Wherever you go, your gym should feel like your anchor, the one place that keeps your structure when everything else around you is changing.

If you are just looking for a workout and nothing more, Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness will probably be your best bet. But if you want extra amenities or a more personal atmosphere, a private gym or LA Fitness might be a better fit.

I hope this helps you find the right spot to stay on track wherever your travels take you.

Now that you know the best gym memberships for travelers, take the next step and check out even more resources to make your travels easier with Essential Travel Resources.

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