Comparing LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness is not really a fair contest, because they serve different people, so, which is better for you is depend on how you train, what you use, and your budget.
I will talk about first-year cost, the specific restrictions each gym imposes that surface-level comparisons skip, and six clear user profiles with a recommended match at the end.
Why LA Fitness and Planet Fitness Exist
Planet Fitness was built around a single insight
Most Americans do not go to the gym because gyms make them uncomfortable.
So the planet fitness designed everything (pricing, equipment selection, atmosphere, even the confetti-print carpet) to remove intimidation for people who are not confident lifting weights.
That includes the Judgement Free Zone marketing, the lunk alarm that goes off when someone grunts loudly or drops weights, and a dress code that bans tank tops and certain shorts at many locations.
LA Fitness took the opposite approach
Parent company Fitness International runs it as a full-service athletic club that competes with independent gyms, YMCAs, and mid-tier chains.
LA Fitness clubs feel more like traditional gyms with deadlift platforms, squat racks, dumbbells to 120 pounds, indoor pools, and basketball courts.
Knowing this positioning changes how you read the price gap, Planet Fitness is not a stripped-down version of LA Fitness, but It is a different product aimed at a different customer.
First-year La vs Planet Fitness Cost side by side
Advertised monthly prices hide the actual damage, because both gyms charge annual fees, and often charge initiation or startup fees, and Planet Fitness prices vary widely by market.
Here is what you will pays in year one at both gyms under 2026 pricing.
| Cost Component | Planet Fitness Classic | Planet Fitness Black Card | LA Fitness Single Club | LA Fitness Multi-Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly dues | $15 | $24.99 | $29.99 | $39.99 |
| 12 months of dues | $180 | $299.88 | $408.88 | $479.88 |
| Startup / initiation fee | $1 to $49 | $1 to $49 | $0 to $99 | $0 to $99 |
| Annual fee | $49 | $49 | $59 | $59 |
| First-year total (typical) | $230 to $280 | $350 to $400 | $418.88 to $517.88 | $540 to $640 |
A few notes that will shift these numbers:
- Planet Fitness Classic in expensive metros (NYC, LA) often runs $15 rather than the older $10 base, with some markets pushing higher.
- Some clubs list the Black Card at $29.99 monthly instead of $24.99, which adds $60 to the year.
- LA Fitness initiation fees are negotiable at end of month, when sales counselors have quotas to hit. AAA discount codes and back-to-school promotions can drop initiation to zero.
- LA Fitness Signature clubs (marked with “(Signature)” in the club name) run $39.99 to $49.99 monthly and require an access upgrade even for Multi-Club members.
- Both charge annual fees roughly 45 to 60 days after joining, not on your renewal anniversary, which surprises a lot of people.
If you want to use everything the club offers, the LA Fitness first-year cost around $500 to $600 is competitive with what a pool, basketball court, and unlimited group classes would cost separately.
If you plan to run on a treadmill and use a few machines, the same math looks terrible against Planet Fitness Classic at $230.
Equipment reality: What You Can Do at Each Gym
LA Fitness equipment (standard club)
- Free weight platform with barbells, plates, and lifting straps space
- Squat racks and power racks (usually 4 to 8 depending on club size)
- Bench press stations with adjustable and flat benches
- Dumbbells up to 100 to 120 pounds at most locations
- Full cable and Smith machine setups
- Selectorized machines for every muscle group
- Functional training turf with kettlebells and slam ball space
- Cardio floor with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowers, step climbers
Planet Fitness equipment (typical club)
- Extensive cardio floor with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and 30-Minute Circuit
- Selectorized strength machines organized in a circuit layout
- Fixed-weight barbells (usually EZ curl bars and straight bars in fixed weight increments)
- Smith machines (no free barbell squat or bench setups at most locations)
- Dumbbells typically capped at 60 to 75 pounds
- No deadlift platforms, no bumper plates
- No chalk allowed (though this rule is inconsistently enforced)
The dumbbell ceiling is really important, because a moderately trained lifter who dumbbell benches with 70 to 80 pound dumbbells will outgrow the Planet Fitness rack within months.
The absence of squat racks means barbell squats, overhead press, and bench press must be done on a Smith machine, which changes the exercise mechanics.
Deadlifts are technically allowed but difficult without bumper plates and a platform.
Who Offer More Amenities: LA Fitness or Planet Fitness
LA Fitness’s amenity list looks longer, but “longer” only helps if you use them.
| Amenity | LA Fitness (varies by location) | Planet Fitness |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor lap pool | At most clubs | No |
| Basketball court | At most clubs | No |
| Racquetball court | At older suburban clubs | No |
| Sauna | At most clubs | No |
| Steam room | At many clubs | No |
| Whirlpool spa | At most clubs | No |
| Group fitness classes | Full menu (yoga, cycling, HIIT, aqua, Zumba) | Limited small-group PE@PF sessions |
| Personal training | Available at all clubs | Available at most clubs |
| Kids Klub childcare | At most clubs | No |
| HydroMassage beds | No | Black Card members only |
| Massage chairs | No | Black Card members only |
| Tanning | No | Black Card members only |
| Red light therapy | No | Black Card members at select clubs |
Planet Fitness’s Black Card perks are valuable if you would pay for tanning or hydromassage elsewhere.
A single hydromassage session at a chiropractor runs $15 to $25, so unlimited use inside a $25 gym membership is a good win.
On the other side, LA Fitness’s pool is the amenity that most Planet Fitness converts miss when they upgrade later, especially if they enjoy swimming as cross-training or need low-impact cardio for a joint issue.
LA Fitness has Kids Klub, so If both parents work out and need childcare, that can justify the price gap versus Planet Fitness, since drop-in childcare centers charge $8 to $15 per hour per child.
Timing of LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness runs many locations on a 24-hour schedule during weekdays, so this is one of the most practical advantages the brand offers.
If you work night shifts, catch a 4 a.m. flight schedule regularly, or train at 11 p.m. after putting kids to bed, Planet Fitness gives you options LA Fitness generally cannot match.
Most LA Fitness clubs close between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends.
Besides this, Planet Fitness’s 24/7 schedule excludes weekends (many clubs run reduced weekend hours despite the 24/7 weekday model) and does not apply to every location.
Small-market Planet Fitness clubs often close at 10 p.m. on weekdays like standard gyms, so you will have to check your specific club’s schedule before assuming.
Guest and family policies
Planet Fitness Black Card lets you bring one guest per visit, every visit, at no cost.
But guest must check in with a valid photo ID, cannot use spa amenities, and the member must be present the whole time.
LA Fitness Multi-Club membership includes some guest privileges, though the specifics vary by contract.
Standard practice is that guests can visit for free with a member, but frequency limits apply and vary by club.
LA Fitness single-club memberships have tighter guest rules, and family add-ons run $19.99 to $29.99 per additional member per month.
Which is Better for You Based on Your Needs
| Your Situation | Recommended Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner, first gym membership, budget-conscious | Planet Fitness Classic | Non-intimidating, cheap enough to keep even if you skip weeks, machines guide form |
| Serious lifter, barbell training, progressive overload | LA Fitness | Free weight platforms, heavy dumbbells, squat racks and bench setups Planet Fitness does not have |
| Swimmer or someone needing low-impact cardio | LA Fitness | Indoor pool availability is the whole ballgame here |
| Parent needing childcare during workouts | LA Fitness (Kids Klub locations only) | Drop-in childcare included, saves $8 to $15 per hour |
| Night shift worker, late-night trainer, travels often | Planet Fitness Black Card | 24/7 access at many locations plus use of any Planet Fitness nationwide |
| Couple or workout partners training together | Planet Fitness Black Card | Free guest every visit is unmatched, saves paying for a second membership |
Besides this, If you love group fitness classes, you should choose LA Fitness because Planet Fitness does not run studio classes at most locations, and people who use recovery amenities like hydromassage or tanning should choose Planet Fitness Black Card because LA Fitness does not offer them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both gyms with one membership?
No, LA Fitness and Planet Fitness are separate companies with no reciprocal agreement.
If you want access to both, you need two memberships, even multi-club access within each brand is included in their respective premium tiers.
Is Planet Fitness really that bad for serious lifters?
For barbell-based programs like Starting Strength, Stronglifts, or any powerlifting-oriented training, yes.
Planet Fitness does not have the equipment needed and its policies discourage the training style.
For hypertrophy-focused work using machines, cables, and dumbbells up to 60 pounds, Planet Fitness can be sufficient for intermediate lifters, though the ceiling is real.
Does LA Fitness offer a budget tier like Planet Fitness?
Not directly, but its sister brand Esporta Fitness has a basic memberships starting around $10 to $15 monthly.
Esporta clubs are often converted LA Fitness locations that kept most amenities.
If Esporta operates near you, you can compare it against Planet Fitness before assuming LA Fitness is out of budget.
Which gym has better group fitness classes?
LA Fitness by a wide margin, standard LA Fitness clubs run daily classes across yoga, cycling, HIIT, strength, Zumba, and aqua fitness, all included in membership.
Planet Fitness runs small-group PE@PF sessions with a trainer, but these are more educational than studio-style classes and less frequent.
What are the cancellation policies?
Planet Fitness Classic is month-to-month and can be cancelled online in states that require it, or via certified mail or in-person elsewhere.
Black Card memberships with a 12-month commitment carry a $58 buyout fee for early cancellation.
LA Fitness requires 30 days notice, does not charge a cancellation fee for month-to-month members, and cancellation is done via mail or in-person at your home club.
How does location coverage compare?
Planet Fitness has around 2,700 to 2,900 locations across all 50 states plus international markets.
LA Fitness has around 500 locations concentrated in specific states (California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, and about a dozen others), with meaningful gaps in the Mountain West, Deep South outside GA and FL, and most of New England.
If you travel domestically for work, Planet Fitness Black Card gives broader access.
Do either offer free trials?
Planet Fitness runs periodic free day pass promotions and offers a free High School Summer Pass for ages 14 to 19.
LA Fitness offers free 3-day and 7-day guest passes through its website, and members can generally bring guests based on their tier.
You can try both before choosing.
Abraham is a fitness and consumer finance writer with a passion for helping people make smarter decisions before signing gym contracts. After spending years researching gym membership costs, hidden fees and cancellation policies across major gym chains, he created GymMembershipPricing to give people the honest information they need before signing up. Every guide on this site is independently researched and verified.
