Quick Answer
Crunch Fitness and Planet Fitness are both budget-friendly gyms, but they serve different types of members. Planet Fitness is the cheapest option at $15/month for basic access, with nearly 2,900 locations across the US. Crunch Fitness starts at $9.99/month but includes more equipment, group fitness classes at the mid-tier, and a more complete gym experience at a slightly higher cost.
If you want the lowest price for cardio and machines: Planet Fitness. If you want group classes, squat racks, functional training, and a fuller gym environment without going premium: Crunch Fitness. Here’s exactly how they compare on every factor that matters.
Crunch Fitness Membership Cost in 2026
Crunch Fitness membership fees vary, starting at $9.99 per month (Base with contract) up to more than $150+ per month at Signature locations.
The three main tiers at standard Crunch locations are:
Base $9.99–$14.99/month: Access to cardio and strength equipment at one location. No group fitness classes included. Annual contract gets you the lower rate; month-to-month runs slightly higher.
Peak $21.99–$26.99/month: Everything in Base, plus group fitness classes (200+ options including HIIT, yoga, Pilates, cycling, dance) and multi-club access across all Crunch locations. This is the best-value tier for most members.
Peak Results $24.99–$34.99/month: Everything in Peak, plus HIIT classes, R&R (rest and recovery) services, and unlimited guest privileges.
Crunch Signature $49.99–$150+/month: Premium locations in major cities (Los Angeles, NYC, Miami, Washington D.C.) with saunas, steam rooms, towel service, on-site cafes, and upgraded facilities. 27 locations total.
Hidden Fees to Know
- Enrollment/startup fee: $0–$50, often waived during promotions (January, September, new location openings)
- Annual fee: Up to $89 (Signature locations), typically $39–$65 at standard clubs charged once per year for equipment and facility maintenance
- Early termination fee: Applies on annual contracts if you cancel early
- Crunch+ digital platform: $2.99/month add-on for on-demand workouts (included free with Signature All Crunch membership)
Total annual cost estimate (Peak, mid-range location): approximately $350–$450/year including membership and annual fee.
Planet Fitness Membership Cost in 2026
Classic memberships begin at $15 and PF Black Card® memberships begin at $24.99, billed monthly. Memberships may include 12-month commitment. Subject to an annual fee of
Planet Fitness keeps it simple with two tiers:
Classic $15/month: Access to your home club only. Cardio and strength machines, free fitness training, and the PF App. Single-location access.
PF Black Card $24.99/month (rising to $29.99 after 2026 peak season): Everything in Classic, plus unlimited access to all 2,900+ Planet Fitness locations worldwide, one guest anytime, massage chairs, HydroMassage, tanning (where available), and premium app workouts.
Hidden Fees to Know
- Annual enhancement fee: $49, charged once yearly (often in July/August) this applies to both tiers and is one of the most common complaints from new members who don’t expect it
- Startup/enrollment fee: $1–$49 depending on location and current promotion
- Early termination: $58 buyout fee if on a 12-month contract
Total annual cost estimate (Classic): approximately $229/year. Black Card: approximately $349/year.
Side-by-Side: Crunch Fitness vs Planet Fitness Membership Cost
| Crunch Fitness | Planet Fitness | |
| Entry-level price | $9.99/month (Base, contract) | $15/month (Classic) |
| Mid-tier price | $24.99–$26.99/month (Peak) | $24.99/month (Black Card) |
| Group fitness classes included | Yes, from Peak tier | No |
| Annual fee | Up to $89 | $49 (both tiers) |
| Annual cost (mid-tier) | ~$350–$450 | ~$349 (Black Card) |
| Multi-location access | Yes, from Peak tier | Black Card only |
| Guest privileges | Peak Results and above | Black Card |
| Locations (US) | 580+ | 2,900+ |
| Total members | ~2 million | ~20.8 million |
Equipment: What You’ll Actually Find
Crunch Fitness Equipment
Crunch is a fuller-service gym. You’ll find all kinds of exercise equipment at Crunch, like cardio machines, free weights, squat racks, and strength training areas. There are also spaces for functional training.
Most standard Crunch locations include:
- Cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers)
- Free weights and dumbbells up to heavy loads
- Barbells, squat racks, and power cages
- Cable machines and cable crossovers
- Functional training zones (turf, sleds, TRX)
- Smith machines
- Dedicated group fitness studios
Serious lifters and strength athletes will find the equipment at Crunch sufficient. Squat racks and barbells are standard, not an afterthought.
Planet Fitness Equipment
Planet Fitness deliberately designs its equipment selection around its “Judgement Free Zone” branding. Planet Fitness deliberately excludes Olympic barbell platforms, squat racks, and traditional free weight benches above 60–80 lbs. This is a core feature of their “Judgment Free Zone” branding. Powerlifters, Olympic lifters, and serious strength athletes will find the equipment selection insufficient.
Standard Planet Fitness locations include:
- Large cardio floor with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, stair climbers
- Fixed-weight machines for strength training
- Dumbbells up to 60–80 lbs maximum
- Smith machines (substituted for barbells)
- No squat racks, no Olympic platforms, no barbell benches
- Black Card areas: HydroMassage beds, massage chairs, tanning booths
Planet Fitness is excellent for cardio-focused workouts and machine-based strength training. It is not a suitable gym if barbell lifting, powerlifting, or Olympic lifting is part of your program.
Group Fitness Classes: A Major Differentiator
This is where Crunch Fitness pulls ahead clearly.
Crunch Fitness classes: 200+ group fitness options across the class schedule, including HIIT, cycling (Karaoke Ride, Ride HIIT), yoga, Pilates, TRX, kickboxing, dance, Zumba, Pound, Antigravity Yoga, Barre, and bootcamp. Included with Peak and Peak Results memberships at no additional cost. Also available via Crunch+ for at-home streaming.
Planet Fitness classes: Planet Fitness does not offer traditional group fitness studio classes. For basic cardio and machine-based strength training, Planet Fitness at $15/month is difficult to beat on price. Anyone wanting a pool, classes, or barbell lifting should look at LA Fitness, the YMCA, or a local independent gym.Planet Fitness does offer free fitness training in the form of PE@PF sessions group circuit training hosted by staff but these are not instructor-led group classes in the traditional sense.
If group fitness classes are important to your routine, Crunch Fitness is the clear choice between these two gyms.
Crunch Fitness Hours
Crunch Fitness hours vary by location since the gym operates a mix of corporate and franchise clubs. Based on verified 2026 hours from current locations:
Typical weekday hours: 5:00 AM 10:00 or 11:00 PM Typical weekend hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00, 8:00, or 9:00 PM
Some larger urban locations stay open later than smaller or suburban clubs. Holiday hours are reduced and vary by location. Always check your specific location’s hours before visiting, especially for holidays and weekends Crunch hours are set at the club level, not uniformly chain-wide.
Planet Fitness hours: Most Planet Fitness locations are open 24 hours on weekdays (Mon 12:01 AM through Fri midnight) and reduced hours on weekends (typically 7 AM–7 PM Saturday, 8 AM–7 PM Sunday). This is a meaningful practical advantage for Planet Fitness you can work out at any time on most weekdays without checking hours.
Finding a Planet Fitness or Crunch Near Me
Planet Fitness near me: With nearly 2,900 locations and 20.8 million members, Planet Fitness has one of the broadest geographic footprints in US fitness. The Planet Fitness location finder at planetfitness.com lets you search by zip code or city and filter by club features.
Crunch Fitness near me: Crunch has 580+ US locations and is continuing to expand aggressively, opening new gyms in former retail spaces and shopping centers. The Crunch location finder at crunch.com/locations lets you find your nearest gym and verify the specific amenities, class schedules, and hours at that location before joining.
For rural or smaller markets, Planet Fitness is significantly more likely to have a nearby location. For major metro areas, both are well-represented.
Gym Membership Prices: Gym Passes and Free Trials
Crunch Fitness free trial: Crunch offers a free 3-day pass to try the gym before committing. Available through the Crunch website.
Planet Fitness free trial: Planet Fitness does not offer a standard free trial, but day passes are available at some locations. Planet Fitness runs a free High School Summer Pass program for teens ages 14–19 from June through August.
Both gyms frequently run promotional enrollment periods (January “New Year” promotions, September) with reduced or waived startup fees.
Who Should Choose Crunch Fitness
Choose Crunch Fitness if you:
- Want group fitness classes included with your membership
- Do barbell training, powerlifting, or need squat racks
- Want a fuller gym atmosphere and functional training space
- Are comfortable paying $24–$27/month for the mid-tier Peak membership
- Want access to Crunch+ digital workouts
- Are looking for personal training options
Who Should Choose Planet Fitness
Choose Planet Fitness if you:
- Want the lowest possible monthly gym cost ($15/month)
- Focus on cardio and machine-based strength training
- Don’t need group fitness classes or barbell equipment
- Want 24/7 weekday access
- Travel frequently (Black Card gives access to all 2,900+ locations)
- Are new to the gym and want a low-pressure, non-intimidating environment
- Want massage chair and HydroMassage access (Black Card)
Key Takeaways
- Planet Fitness is cheaper at $15/month Classic, but the $49 annual fee applies to both tiers total cost is $229/year for Classic or $349/year for Black Card.
- Crunch Fitness membership cost starts at $9.99/month but the Peak tier at $24.99–$26.99/month is where most members get real value it includes group classes and multi-location access.
- Equipment quality differs significantly. Crunch has squat racks, barbells, and functional training areas. Planet Fitness caps dumbbells at 60–80 lbs and has no squat racks or Olympic platforms.
- Group fitness classes are Crunch’s biggest advantage 200+ options included in Peak and above, versus no traditional classes at Planet Fitness.
- Planet Fitness wins on location count and hours 2,900+ locations vs 580+, and most Planet Fitness clubs are open 24 hours on weekdays.
FAQ
How much does Crunch Fitness cost per month?
Crunch Fitness starts at $9.99/month (Base, annual contract). The popular Peak plan runs $24.99–$26.99/month and includes group fitness classes and multi-club access.
What is the Planet Fitness near me membership cost?
Classic membership is $15/month. PF Black Card is $24.99/month (rising to $29.99 after the 2026 peak season). Both include a $49 annual fee.
Does Crunch Fitness have 24-hour access?
Crunch Fitness hours vary by location most standard clubs open around 5 AM and close between 10–11 PM on weekdays. Not 24 hours. Planet Fitness offers weekday 24-hour access at most locations.
Does Planet Fitness have group fitness classes?
No traditional group fitness classes. Planet Fitness offers free PE@PF group circuit training sessions but no instructor-led studio classes like yoga, cycling, or HIIT.
Which is better for weight training Crunch or Planet Fitness?
Crunch Fitness, clearly. It has squat racks, barbells, and functional training zones. Planet Fitness excludes Olympic platforms, squat racks, and limits dumbbells to 60–80 lbs.
The Bottom Line
For pure affordability and simplicity, Planet Fitness at $15/month is hard to beat. It delivers clean, well-equipped cardio and machine-based training at a price most budgets can handle, with one of the largest gym footprints in the country.
For members who want more group fitness classes, barbell lifting, functional training, and a fuller gym experience Crunch Fitness’s Peak membership at $24.99–$26.99/month is genuinely competitive. The class inclusion alone typically costs $20–$35 per session at standalone studios.
The honest comparison: these two gyms serve different fitness needs. Pick Planet Fitness for the lowest monthly price and beginner-friendly access. Pick Crunch Fitness for a more complete gym with classes, free weights, and heavier equipment without jumping to a premium gym price.
