Between LA Fitness vs Crunch Fitness, if I pick up one, it won’t be the right choice. Because it is not like LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness, whose answer I can give you in one or two sentences, where I said LA Fitness is good for advanced powerlifters and workouts, and Planet Fitness is good for basics and budget-friendly fitness enthusiasts.
That’s because Crunch Fitness and LA Fitness both compete for the same types of members, like those who want treadmills, cable machines, group fitness classes, etc.
So we will have to look at everything one by one so that later you can decide which is better for you.
Which gym has Bigger Geographical Network
As of 2026, Crunch Fitness is available at around 521 US locations across 42 states, and major franchise groups are actively expanding.
CR Fitness Holdings is pushing toward 110 clubs across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Texas, and Arizona.
Plus, Crunch also recently acquired eight corporate Bay Area locations and signed a 20-location development deal in Phoenix.
However, Crunch is a franchise chain, and franchise quality is not similar across all gyms, as we see in corporate gyms like LA Fitness, so I’ll keep LA Fitness above Crunch Fitness in terms of consistency across clubs.
LA Fitness has more than 500 clubs corporately, so you’ll get a similar experience, though it will depend on the club too, but not like Crunch Fitness.
You’ll get all amenities like a pool, basketball court, sauna, Kids Klub setup, etc.
Is Crunch Fitness Going Out of Business?
That’s not true; actually, it’s the opposite, because Crunch is one of the fastest-growing gym chains in the US right now, adding locations through multiple large franchise groups simultaneously.
Crunch Fitness has more than 3 million members as of 2026, so it’s expanding in markets where it previously had no presence.
Some confusion about Crunch Fitness getting out of business came from the fact that Crunch filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009, well before its current franchise model took hold.
What the First Year Costs at Both
Both gyms have annual fees that you have to pay after you join (in the next few weeks).
| Cost | Crunch Base | Crunch Peak | Crunch Peak Results | LA Fitness Single | LA Fitness Multi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly dues | $9.99 to $14.99 | $22.99 to $26.99 | $29.99 to $34.99 | $29.99 | $39.99 |
| 12 months | $120 to $180 | $276 to $324 | $360 to $420 | $359.88 | $479.88 |
| Enrollment fee | Often $0 | Often $0 | Often $0 | $0 to $99 | $0 to $99 |
| Annual fee | $40 to $89 | $40 to $89 | $40 to $89 | $59 | $59 |
| First-year total | $160 to $270 | $316 to $413 | $400 to $510 | $419 to $518 | $539 to $639 |
A few things that shift these numbers.
For Crunch Base at $9.99, you’ll need a 12-month commitment; month-to-month Base costs $14.99.
Plus, Crunch enrollment fees are frequently waived at new club openings and during promotional windows.
On the other hand, LA Fitness initiation fees are also negotiable at month-end, and Crunch’s annual fee can cost as high as $89 at some locations vs LA Fitness’s consistent $59, so you’ll need to confirm the specific number at your club.
Things You Won’t Get in Crunch Fitness Base Membership
At Crunch, you won’t get group fitness classes with the Base membership plan, so if you want classes at Crunch, you need Peak at $24.99 or above.
LA Fitness includes the full class schedule in every membership tier at no extra charge.
Comparing on a like-for-like basis, with both gyms including full class access, Crunch Peak at $316 to $413 per year sits below LA Fitness Single Club at $419 to $518.
Group Fitness: Crunch Has More Variety, LA Fitness Includes It Free
Crunch runs over 200 distinct class formats across its locations.
Besides the standards like yoga, Zumba, and cycling, Crunch has proprietary formats including MotionCage circuit training, Surfset (balance work on surfboard equipment), barre variations, and dedicated HIITZone sessions, which are available to Peak Results members.
LA Fitness is consistent with its classes, including yoga, cycling, HIIT, Zumba, Aqua Fit, strength conditioning, and dance formats; they’re all included in all LA membership tiers.
However, if you’re a class-first member who attends four or more sessions per week and wants variety and novelty, Crunch Fitness will give you more to work with over a 12-month membership.
If you want classes included without worrying about tier requirements, LA Fitness is the better choice.
Amenities: LA Fitness Has the Pool and Courts; Crunch Largely Doesn’t
Standard Crunch has more locations, but it doesn’t include indoor pools or basketball courts.
Those amenities are available exclusively at Crunch Signature clubs, which is a separate premium product with around 28 to 30 locations nationwide and its own higher-tier membership pricing.
If the nearest Crunch to you is a standard franchise location, treat it as a gym without a pool; there’s nothing you can do for this unless a Signature club is in your area.
Every standard LA Fitness club includes an indoor lap pool, basketball court, whirlpool, sauna, and often a steam room in the base membership.
If you swim, play pickup basketball, or use aquatic fitness for joint-friendly cardio, then my recommendation for you is LA Fitness over Crunch Fitness.
Kids Klub vs Kids Crunch
LA Fitness has Kids Klub childcare in the standard membership at most participating clubs.
On the other hand, Crunch Fitness has Kids Crunch at select Peak and Peak Results locations as a $10 per month add-on, but it has limited availability and shorter hours than LA Fitness’s setup.
If you’re parents whose gym schedule depends on childcare, LA Fitness is the more reliable option. You can see my LA Fitness Family Membership guide; I shared how Kids Klub works and which clubs offer it.
What Crunch Peak Results Adds
The Peak Results tier costs $29.99 to $34.99 per month, including things like HydroMassage beds, tanning, red light therapy at select clubs, and unlimited guest passes.
If you want to use tanning or HydroMassage regularly, this tier is valuable for you because if you separately get a HydroMassage session, it’ll cost you $15 to $25 at a wellness centre.
Equipment Quality at LA Fitness vs Crunch Fitness
Standard LA Fitness clubs have a predictable setup across every location, such as squat racks, bench press stations, dumbbells up to 100 to 120 lbs, cable machines, Smith machines, and a cardio floor.
Because LA Fitness is a corporately owned business, what you see in one club is generally what you get in another too.
Crunch equipment quality varies by franchisee; better-invested franchise clubs match LA Fitness on free weights with squat racks, benches, and dumbbells up to 90 to 100 lbs.
Plus, some clubs also have MotionCage systems, TRX rigs, and turf sled zones that LA Fitness standard locations rarely have.
Crunch Signature locations have the strongest equipment setups across either brand at their price tier, but those clubs have their own membership structure and pricing.
If you want more on what LA Fitness provides at each plan level, see this LA Fitness Amenities guide.
Why Crunch Is Getting More Popular
Crunch invests heavily in club atmosphere in a way LA Fitness didn’t; they’ve curated DJ-style playlists, brighter lighting schemes, energetic floor staff, and a brand personality that markets fitness as fun rather than functional.
For members in their 20s and early 30s who grew up with boutique studios, Crunch’s energy matches what they want from a gym at a commercial price point.
You’ll also get MotionCage, Surfset, and the HIITZone, which you can’t get at a standard LA Fitness.
How to Decide Between LA Fitness and Crunch Fitness?
You have to ask a couple of questions to yourself, then you’ll get a suitable gym between these two.
Do you swim, or does your local Crunch have a pool?
If swimming is part of your routine and the nearest Crunch is a standard franchise location (not Signature), then you should go for LA Fitness.
Do you need childcare while you work out?
LA Fitness includes it; Crunch charges extra, and availability is limited.
Do you want group fitness classes without worrying about membership tier?
LA Fitness includes them in every plan. Crunch requires a peak or above.
Is the nearest Crunch well-reviewed and well-maintained?
You have to open Google and check the reviews of that exact club where you want to go.
If none of those points help you get a suitable GYM for you, the comparison between Crunch Peak ($24.99) and LA Fitness Single Club ($29.99) is close.
Crunch has more class variety and a livelier atmosphere, while LA Fitness has a pool, better equipment consistency, and kids’ childcare included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crunch a high-end gym?
Standard Crunch locations are mid-tier value gyms, similar in positioning to LA Fitness.
Crunch Signature clubs are separate premium gyms with upscale finishes, towel service, and amenities that compete with higher-end fitness clubs.
At Signature locations, you’ll pay $49 to over $100 per month depending on the city, so the standard franchise clubs are not high-end.
Is Crunch Fitness worth the money?
At Peak or Peak Results, yes, for class-focused members, because you get Crunch Peak at $25 per month, you won’t pay an enrollment fee during promotions, and you’ll get group fitness classes and multi-club access at a lower price than LA Fitness.
Peak Results will add HydroMassage, tanning, and HIITZone for around $30 per month, which is similar to LA Fitness’s standard plan.
Why is LA Fitness more expensive than Crunch?
LA Fitness’s standard membership costs $29.99 or more, and it’s expensive because it includes a pool, basketball court, sauna, and a full class schedule, all of which are standard at most locations, while Crunch’s $9.99 base includes none of them.
But if we compare plans that include the same features (classes plus multi-club access), the price gap between these two gyms is smaller than the entry price.
Why is Crunch so popular right now?
Crunch is growing fast in markets where it previously had little presence, and its atmosphere appeals to members who find traditional big-box gyms uninspiring.
Plus, they have more affordable pricing that starts at $9.99, and they also have other higher tiers.
Can I use my Crunch membership at any location?
Base membership is limited to one home club, but if you get Peak and Peak Results, it’ll provide you with access to all standard Crunch Essential and Crunch Select locations.
Access to Crunch Signature clubs requires Signature-level membership, which is a separate structure.
LA Fitness Multi-Club covers all LA Fitness locations in your state plus Esporta Fitness clubs, while Nationwide covers all US and Canadian LA Fitness and Esporta clubs.
I’m Abraham, a researcher and writer. I’ve been going to the gym since 2019, and I started GymMembershipPricing after struggling to find reliable information about gym memberships, pricing, fees, amenities, cancellation policies, hidden charges, and more. I research and verify this information to help others find a suitable gym, understand what to expect, avoid unexpected costs, and make informed decisions before joining.
