The best gym in New York City depends on whether you want a pool, a serious lifting floor, or simply the most clubs for your money. For a big-box membership with Olympic platforms and classes, Crunch's Signature club at Union Square publishes $114.75 a month for one club or $127.20 for all of them. For a saltwater pool at a mid-range price, CompleteBody Midtown East is $120 a month on a Passport membership. For a family-owned lifting gym with honest, published rates, GYM NYC runs four locations from $125 a month. For full-service clubs with indoor and outdoor pools, Mercedes Club in Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea Piers Fitness on Pier 60 lead, though neither publishes a price. The McBurney YMCA on West 14th Street is the community option with a pool, a track and financial assistance.
How this list was made: The Fitness Falcon did not visit, tour or train at any of these gyms. This is a research-based guide, rewritten in October 2026 to replace an earlier version of this page. Every gym was checked on its official website and at least one independent listing on 18 October 2026. No gym paid to be included. Prices are exactly as each gym publishes them, and where a gym doesn't publish a price we say so. We don't quote star ratings or review counts. If you're weighing a national chain, our guide to US gym chain membership prices and fees compares the big names side by side.
New York City gyms at a glance
| Gym | Neighborhood | Best for | Monthly price | 24/7? | Day pass or trial? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunch Fitness Union Square (Signature) | Union Square / East Village | Big-box value with platforms and classes | $114.75 one club; $127.20 all clubs | No | Free trial |
| CompleteBody Midtown East | Midtown East | Saltwater pool at a mid-range price | Passport $120 (or $104 on 12 months); Premium $204 | No | Complimentary day pass |
| GYM NYC | Nolita, East Village, Downtown Brooklyn, Murray Hill | Serious lifting with published rates | $125 to $175 plus initiation; 12 months from $1,600 | No | $35–$40 day pass; 2-week trial $200 |
| Mercedes Club | Hell's Kitchen | Full-service club with indoor and outdoor pools | Pricing on request | No | Not published |
| Chelsea Piers Fitness | Chelsea (Pier 60) | Resort-style club with a 75-foot saltwater pool | Pricing on request | No | Tour and inquiry form |
| McBurney YMCA | Chelsea / West 14th St | Community gym with pool, track and financial aid | Rates on the branch's membership page | No | Not published |
Taxes and fees are extra where a gym says so. Promotions change often, so confirm the price with the gym before you sign.
The best gyms in New York City, by type
Crunch Fitness Union Square: best big-box value with platforms and classes
Big-box value with platforms and classes- Area
- Union Square / East Village
- Price
- $114.75/month (one club) or $127.20/month (all clubs); fees not shown
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 5am–11pm; Fri 5am–10pm; Sat 7am–9pm; Sun 8am–9pm
- Day pass
- Free trial
What it offers: Crunch's Signature club just south of Union Square, at 113 4th Avenue, lists Olympic lifting platforms, a large free-weight selection, recently expanded strength areas, a long cardio floor, group classes throughout the day, and a "Relax & Recover" area. The club page even tells you when it's busiest: Monday to Thursday between 5pm and 8pm.
Published pricing (checked October 2026): One Crunch (this club only) is $114.75 a month. All Crunch (every Crunch location) is $127.20 a month. Enrollment and annual fees aren't shown on the club page, so ask what the first-year total is. A free trial is offered.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5am–11pm; Friday 5am–10pm; Saturday 7am–9pm; Sunday 8am–9pm.
Best for: People who want a well-equipped, self-guided floor plus classes, and anyone who trains near more than one Crunch. If you're new to a big floor, start with a simple full-body gym workout.
Honest con: It's a Signature club, so the price is well above Crunch's advertised base rates elsewhere in the country. It isn't 24/7, and the fees aren't on the page.
Score breakdown
- Value3.5
- Facilities4.0
- Access & hours3.5
- Classes & coaching3.5
- Transparency3.5
Pros
- Olympic platforms and expanded strength areas
- Classes and a recovery area included
- All-club option covers every Crunch
Cons
- Signature pricing is well above Crunch's base rates elsewhere
- Enrollment and annual fees not shown
- Not 24/7
CompleteBody Midtown East: best saltwater pool at a mid-range price
Saltwater pool at a mid-range price- Area
- Midtown East
- Price
- Passport $120/month, $104 on 12 months, or $1,159/year; Premium $204, $190 or $2,180/year
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 5:30am–9pm; Fri 5:30am–8pm; Sat–Sun 8am–5pm
- Day pass
- Complimentary day pass for first-time visitors
What it offers: A five-club New York chain whose Midtown East location, at 301 East 57th Street, is built around a saltwater pool. The chain lists personal training, nutrition coaching, classes, a spa and a café. Every membership includes a complimentary one-on-one personal training session.
Published pricing (checked October 2026):
- Passport (Chelsea, Financial District, Midtown East and Grand Central): $120 a month month-to-month with 30 days' notice; $104 a month on a 12-month commitment; or $1,159 for a year paid in full.
- Premium (adds Union Square): $204 a month month-to-month; $190 on a 12-month commitment; or $2,180 for a year paid in full.
- A complimentary day pass is offered to first-time visitors.
Hours (Midtown East): Monday to Thursday 5:30am–9pm; Friday 5:30am–8pm; weekends 8am–5pm.
Best for: Swimmers and anyone who wants pool, spa and classes at a price well under the luxury clubs.
Honest con: Weekend hours are short, and the cheapest rate needs a 12-month commitment or a year paid up front.
Score breakdown
- Value3.5
- Facilities4.0
- Access & hours3.5
- Classes & coaching3.5
- Transparency4.5
Pros
- Saltwater pool
- Four clubs on Passport, five on Premium
- Free PT session and free first visit
Cons
- Short weekend hours
- Cheapest rate needs 12 months or a year up front
- Not 24/7
GYM NYC: best serious lifting gym with published rates
Serious lifting with published rates- Area
- Nolita (plus East Village, Downtown Brooklyn, Murray Hill)
- Price
- $125–$175/month plus $150–$200 initiation; prepaid terms from $400 (3 months) to $1,850 (12 months)
- Hours
- Mulberry Mon–Thu 6am–10pm; Fri 6am–9pm; Sat–Sun 8am–7pm (other locations vary)
- Day pass
- $35–$40 day pass; 7-day $125; 2-week trial $200 (Mulberry/Lexington)
What it offers: A family-owned group of four gyms: the original basement club at 227 Mulberry Street in Nolita, an "Iron Paradise" at 155 East 3rd Street in the East Village, the largest location at 85 Livingston Street in Downtown Brooklyn, and 131 East 31st Street in Murray Hill. The Mulberry page lists free weights and racks, a sauna and showers; Lexington adds a café and a coworking area. The memberships page is unusually clear: "Real rates. No tricks."
Published pricing (rates effective 10 October 2025, checked October 2026):
- Mulberry and Lexington: $175 a month month-to-month, with $375 to start (dues plus a $200 initiation fee); 12 months paid in full $1,850 with no initiation. Day pass $40; a two-week trial is $200 and counts toward membership.
- East 3rd: $125 a month month-to-month plus a $150 initiation fee; 3 months $400 or 6 months $750 paid in full with no initiation. Day pass $35; 7 days $125; 30 days $200.
- Brooklyn: $150 a month month-to-month plus a $200 initiation fee; 12 months paid in full $1,600. Day pass $35; 7 days $125; 30 days $200.
- Guest pass with a member: $15 a visit at every location.
Hours: Mulberry Monday to Thursday 6am–10pm, Friday 6am–9pm, weekends 8am–7pm. East 3rd and Brooklyn open at 5:30am on weekdays and close at 11pm Monday to Thursday. Lexington runs 6am–11pm Monday to Thursday and 8am–8pm on weekends.
Best for: Lifters who want a no-nonsense floor and know exactly what they'll pay. Pair it with our guide to progressive overload for beginners if you're still building the basics.
Honest con: Month-to-month rates carry an initiation fee, there's no pool or big class program, and the day pass is the most expensive on this list.
Score breakdown
- Value3.0
- Facilities3.5
- Access & hours3.5
- Classes & coaching3.0
- Transparency5.0
Pros
- Every rate published for all four locations
- Family-owned lifting floors with racks and free weights
- Sauna and showers at Mulberry
Cons
- Initiation fee on month-to-month plans
- No pool or big class program
- Most expensive day pass on the list
Mercedes Club: best full-service club with indoor and outdoor pools
Full-service club with indoor and outdoor pools- Area
- Hell's Kitchen
- Price
- On request (Health, Health Plus, Gold and Platinum tiers)
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 5:30am–10pm; Fri 5:30am–9pm; Sat–Sun 8am–8pm
- Day pass
- Not published
What it offers: A Hell's Kitchen club at 550 West 54th Street with a fitness floor of more than 10,000 square feet, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a basketball court, a boxing studio, four group exercise studios with more than 75 weekly classes, a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, a spa, a coworking lounge and a café. Personal training, Pilates training and swim lessons are offered.
Pricing (checked October 2026): Pricing on request. The site lists tiers (Health, Health Plus, Gold and Platinum) with extras such as laundry service, an overnight locker and personal-training sessions, and says "inquire for rates" for each.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5:30am–10pm; Friday 5:30am–9pm; weekends 8am–8pm.
Best for: People who want pools, courts and a large class schedule in one midtown-west club, with a cafe and workspace for the rest of the day.
Honest con: No published price, no published day pass, and weekend closing at 8pm.
Score breakdown
- Value3.0
- Facilities5.0
- Access & hours3.0
- Classes & coaching4.5
- Transparency2.5
Pros
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Basketball court, boxing studio and 75+ weekly classes
- Spa, coworking lounge and café
Cons
- No published price
- No published day pass
- Weekends close at 8pm
Chelsea Piers Fitness: best resort-style club on the water
Resort-style club on the water- Area
- Chelsea / Pier 60
- Price
- On request
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 5:30am–10pm; Sat–Sun 8am–8pm (independent listing; confirm with the club)
- Day pass
- Tour and inquiry form; no published day pass
What it offers: The flagship club at Pier 60 (60 Chelsea Piers) lists a six-lane, 75-foot saltwater pool with cold plunge tubs, an infrared sauna and a hot tub; traditional and infrared saunas and steam rooms; Olympic lifting platforms, free weights and Woodway, Peloton and Mirror equipment; group fitness in yoga, Pilates, cycling, boxing, TRX, strength and HIIT, included with membership; personal training; a café; coworking space; outdoor member areas; and babysitting for children from three months. The chain also runs clubs in Flatiron, Downtown Brooklyn and Prospect Heights, with Hudson Square listed as coming soon.
Pricing (checked October 2026): Pricing on request through an inquiry form or a tour. A fall promotion advertised a "$500-value" new-member package without stating dues.
Hours: An independent listing shows Monday to Friday 5:30am–10pm and weekends 8am–8pm; the official page doesn't list hours, so confirm with the club.
Best for: Swimmers, triathletes and anyone who wants recovery amenities and a view of the Hudson with their workout.
Honest con: No published price or day pass, and the pier is a walk from the nearest subway.
Score breakdown
- Value3.0
- Facilities5.0
- Access & hours3.0
- Classes & coaching4.5
- Transparency2.0
Pros
- 75-foot saltwater pool with cold plunge, hot tub and infrared sauna
- Classes included; Olympic platforms
- Babysitting from 3 months; café and coworking
Cons
- No published price or day pass
- Hours not on the official page
- Pier is a walk from the subway
McBurney YMCA: best community gym with a pool and a track
Community gym with pool, track and financial aid- Area
- Chelsea / West 14th St
- Price
- Rates on the branch membership page; financial assistance available
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 6am–9pm; Sat–Sun 8am–5pm
- Day pass
- Not published
What it offers: The YMCA of Greater New York's Chelsea branch at 125 West 14th Street lists an indoor pool with lap and family swim, a basketball gym, a running track, racquet sports and pickleball, cardio and strength equipment with free weights, Pilates and group fitness classes, a sauna and steam room, adult and family locker rooms, and Childwatch. Personal training and massage cost extra.
Pricing (checked October 2026): The branch page doesn't show rates; they're on its membership page and at the front desk. Financial assistance is available for membership, programs, childcare and camp.
Hours: Monday to Friday 6am–9pm; weekends 8am–5pm.
Best for: Budget-conscious members, families, swimmers and anyone who may qualify for assistance.
Honest con: Weekend hours end at 5pm, and rates take a few clicks to find.
Score breakdown
- Value3.0
- Facilities4.0
- Access & hours3.0
- Classes & coaching3.5
- Transparency2.5
Pros
- Pool, running track and basketball gym
- Sauna, steam room and Childwatch
- Financial assistance
Cons
- Rates not on the branch page
- Weekends close at 5pm
- No published day pass
What gym memberships cost in New York City
Among the gyms we could verify, published monthly prices run from $104 (CompleteBody Passport on a 12-month commitment) to $204 (CompleteBody Premium month-to-month). Three of the six gyms, including both luxury clubs, don't publish a price. The headline number is only part of the cost:
- Initiation fees. GYM NYC charges $150 to $200 on month-to-month plans and nothing on prepaid terms. Crunch doesn't show its enrollment fee on the club page.
- Commitment. CompleteBody's cheapest rates need 12 months or a year paid up front. GYM NYC's prepaid terms are non-refundable by nature, so be sure before you buy a year.
- Day passes. GYM NYC publishes $35 to $40. CompleteBody offers a free first visit. Crunch offers a free trial. Mercedes Club, Chelsea Piers and the Y don't publish one.
- Budget chains. Blink Fitness and Planet Fitness have many New York clubs at lower prices, but neither could be verified from an official page for this guide. Our US gym chain price comparison covers their published rates and annual fees.
How to choose a gym in New York City
- Pick a gym on your commute. None of these clubs is open 24/7, so the one you pass twice a day wins. The picks cover Union Square, Midtown East, Nolita, the East Village, Downtown Brooklyn, Murray Hill, Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea and West 14th Street.
- Decide whether you need a pool. Four gyms here have one: CompleteBody Midtown East, Mercedes Club, Chelsea Piers and the McBurney Y. Only CompleteBody publishes its price.
- Price the whole first year. Add initiation or enrollment fees to 12 months of dues before comparing. A $150 initiation fee on a $125 membership adds $12.50 a month over a year.
- Use the trial at the hour you'd train. Crunch's free trial and CompleteBody's free day pass let you see how busy the floor is at your time. If you've been away a while, our guide to returning to the gym after a long break has a sensible first-month plan.
- Read the cancellation terms. New York law gives you specific rights, below, but your contract's notice period still applies.
Training before work? Our guide to what to eat before and after a workout covers fueling a 6am session.
New York gym contract basics
New York regulates health club contracts under Article 30 of the General Business Law. Section 624, in the version on the State Senate's website as of 2025, gives members these rights:
- Three-business-day cancellation. You can cancel within three business days of receiving a copy of the written contract, by written notice sent by mail or email to the address in the contract. Refunds are due within ten business days.
- Later cancellation. You can cancel if you become significantly physically disabled for more than three months (with a doctor's order), if you move more than 25 miles from any club the seller operates, or if the club permanently discontinues or substantially changes its services. A member's estate can cancel on death.
- How you can cancel. Clubs must accept cancellation by website, email, phone, mail or in person, and must accept it through their website if you signed up there.
- Renewals. An annual membership can be cancelled within 15 business days after a renewal takes effect, and a monthly one within three business days.
For federal rules and other states, see our guide to gym fees and how cancellation works.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, read your contract and contact the New York Attorney General's consumer protection bureau or a lawyer.
How we chose these gyms
We built this list from desk research, not visits. We didn't tour, train at or get paid by any of these gyms, and none paid to be included. We started from the gyms in the earlier version of this page and well-known New York clubs, then kept only those whose current details we could confirm on the gym's own website and at least one independent listing. We aimed for a spread of budgets and training styles: a big-box chain club, a mid-range pool club, a lifting gym, two full-service clubs and a community Y. For each gym we recorded what it publishes: address, hours, equipment and classes, membership and day-pass prices, and the fees that change the real monthly cost. Where a gym doesn't publish a price, we say so instead of guessing. We don't use star ratings or review counts. Everything was checked on 18 October 2026.
Two gyms from the earlier version of this page are gone. Studio 16 Personal Training's website now shows placeholder text and an out-of-state address, so we couldn't confirm it's operating. TMPL West Village is still listed on TMPL's own site, but we couldn't confirm its hours, prices or an independent listing, so we left it out. Equinox, New York Sports Clubs, Blink Fitness and Planet Fitness couldn't be verified from official pages that our checks could read. We'll add any of them once we can confirm details from official sources.
How we score these gyms
Each gym gets a score from 1 to 5 on five criteria, in half-point steps. The overall score is the average of the five, rounded to one decimal place. We score only what each gym publishes, as described in this guide. We did not visit, tour or train at any of these gyms, and no gym paid for its score.
When a gym doesn't publish its price, its value score is capped at 3.0, because you can't judge value without a price. A specialist gym can still score highly on facilities if its equipment is strong for what it does. These scores are a starting point for your shortlist. They are not a substitute for a trial visit at the time you'd actually train.
- Value: the price compared with what's included, after initiation, annual and processing fees.
- Facilities: the equipment and amenities listed, such as platforms, pools, saunas, recovery areas and studios.
- Access: opening hours (24/7 scores highest), day passes or free trials, and the number of locations.
- Coaching: the range of classes, coaching and programming on offer.
- Transparency: whether prices, contract and cancellation terms, and hours are clearly published.
FAQ
What is the cheapest gym in New York City?
Of the gyms we verified, CompleteBody's Passport membership is the lowest published rate at $104 a month on a 12-month commitment, or $120 month-to-month. Budget chains such as Blink and Planet Fitness advertise less, but we couldn't verify their New York clubs for this guide.
Are there 24-hour gyms in Manhattan?
None of the gyms on this list is open 24 hours. The longest hours here are Crunch Union Square (5am–11pm Monday to Thursday) and GYM NYC's East 3rd, Brooklyn and Lexington locations (until 11pm Monday to Thursday).
Can I buy a gym day pass in NYC?
Yes. GYM NYC sells day passes for $35 (East 3rd and Brooklyn) or $40 (Mulberry and Lexington). CompleteBody offers a complimentary first day, and Crunch a free trial. Mercedes Club, Chelsea Piers and the McBurney Y don't publish a day pass.
Which NYC gyms have a pool?
CompleteBody Midtown East (saltwater), Mercedes Club (indoor and outdoor), Chelsea Piers Fitness (75-foot saltwater) and the McBurney YMCA.
How much does Chelsea Piers Fitness cost?
Chelsea Piers doesn't publish membership prices. You request them through an inquiry form or a tour.
Which is the best gym in NYC for lifting?
GYM NYC is the dedicated lifting gym on this list, with four locations and fully published rates. Crunch Union Square and Chelsea Piers both list Olympic platforms.
Can I cancel a gym contract in New York?
Yes. Within three business days of receiving your contract, by mail or email, for a full refund within ten business days. After that, you can cancel for a long-term disability, a move of more than 25 miles, or if the club discontinues its services. Clubs must accept cancellation online, by email, by phone, by mail or in person.
More city gym guides
We check every city to the same standard. See our guides to the best gyms in Houston, the best gyms in Dallas, the best gyms in Atlanta, the best gyms in Seattle and the best gyms in Chicago.
Sources
- Crunch Fitness Union Square (official); Yelp listing and Who What Wear: best gyms in NYC (independent).
- CompleteBody Midtown East, memberships and Passport membership (official); Yelp listing (independent).
- GYM NYC and memberships and passes (official); Yelp listing (independent).
- Mercedes Club, amenities and membership inquiry (official); Yelp listing (independent).
- Chelsea Piers Fitness, amenities, clubs and become a member (official); Yelp listing (independent).
- McBurney YMCA and YMCA of Greater New York: join (official); Time Out New York listing (independent).
- TMPL Clubs and Studio 16 (checked and excluded).
- New York General Business Law §624 (New York State Senate).
All gym details were checked on 18 October 2026. Gyms change prices, hours and promotions often, so confirm with the gym before you join.
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