When it comes to commercial gyms, LA Fitness and Lifetime Fitness are at two opposite ends of the spectrum. LA Fitness is a low- to mid-range gym, while Lifetime Fitness caters to individuals with larger budgets. Each gym offers a vastly different experience for its members, and choosing between them can be a difficult decision. In this article, we will compare the two gyms across various aspects, including cost, amenities, equipment, gym policies, group classes, and atmosphere.
Cost
LA Fitness has two membership plans: the Multi Club plan and the Single Club plan. Both plans cost around $34.99/month plus taxes, and both require a $49 initiation fee. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $49 for the Multi Club membership. Upon joining, members must pay their first and last months' dues, which can vary from $70 to $119 depending on the location. Free five-day trial passes are available on the website.
On the other hand, Life Time Fitness has a membership program called the Standard membership, which starts at $99/month plus taxes. In most major metro areas, this may cost upwards of $249/month. However, discounts are available for students, young adults, and families, as well as the option to purchase digital access for $15/month. Life Time Fitness also has initiation fees ranging from $170 to $200, but if joined during a promotion, the fee can be waived. Any individual who has not been a member before can receive a one-day free trial pass on the website.
Contract Length
Both LA Fitness and Life Time Fitness offer month-to-month contracts. This means that members can cancel their memberships at any time without penalties. LA Fitness also has six-month and one-year contracts available, while Life Time Fitness only offers month-to-month contracts.
Equipment
When comparing the equipment at LA Fitness and Life Time Fitness, it is clear that Life Time Fitness has a lot more equipment. Their selection includes cardio and strength machines from popular brands, as well as a vast array of free weights and equipment for resistance training. In the free weights area, dumbbells go up to 120 lbs, and there are several bench press stations and incline benches nearby. Life Time Fitness also has Olympic barbells, bumpers plates, and plenty of other equipment for strength training.
La Fitness has a good selection of machines for cardio and strength training, as well as free weights and resistance machines. Their resistance machines are organized by body part, which is a helpful feature for people who are new to the gym.大多数地点都没有弹力带，但提供了来自Premier和IGX的橡胶涂层握把板。
Atmosphere
LA Fitness's atmosphere varies based on the crowd that uses the gym at any given time. If the club closest to you has a younger crowd, you'll likely encounter people who are just there to socialize or take selfies for social media. If your local club has an older crowd or there are professional bodybuilders or powerlifters that train there, it's a good indication that the members tend to be more serious about fitness. Either way, no one will judge you as long as you don't do anything reckless.
Life Time Fitness has a somewhat laid-back atmosphere, despite its high prices. You'll almost always find people training hard and pushing themselves, but it's not as high-brow of a place as other gyms in a similar price range. Anybody is welcome regardless of their experience level or training preferences. However, because of the cost, it's not the type of gym you'd go to if you just wanted to watch some TV while you walked on the treadmill.
Gym Policies
Many policies are common amongst gyms, but each one also has its own unique rules that can affect what you wear to the gym and how you train. LA Fitness has a pretty typical dress code, which allows for clean, non-grommetted clothing that is not too baggy. You can squat or deadlift barefoot, but you cannot drop your weights and must use chalk. If you have a Multi Club membership, you can bring one guest with you for free with each visit, but additional guests cost $20 per visit.
At Life Time Fitness, the dress code is lenient, allowing you to wear whatever you want as long as it is appropriate for working out. You can also lift barefoot, and you're allowed to drop weights if you need to, but chalk is not allowed. You can bring up to two guests with you per month with most memberships, and they are not allowed to use the pools or sports courts.
In terms of cancellations, both gyms require written notice to cancel your membership. LA Fitness doesn't charge cancellation fees if you cancel within 30 days, but you must provide 30 days' notice. Life Time Fitness charges a small fee of $10 for each cancellation, regardless of the length of your contract.
Group Classes
While all gyms offer group classes, the variety and quality can vary. LA Fitness only has a limited selection of classes, which are free for all members. For an additional fee, members can take HIIT by LAF classes at select gyms. These classes combine elements of cardio and strength, and you can wear an optional heart rate monitor to track your progress.
At Life Time Fitness, classes are offered all day long and are ideal for beginners and advanced trainees. They also have virtual classes available, which are more convenient for people with busy schedules. Life Time Fitness also has Alpha classes, which focus on strength, endurance, and metabolic conditioning.
Amenities
When it comes to amenities, LA Fitness provides basic facilities, such as showers and locker rooms, but does not offer towel or toiletries. Some locations may have saunas. In contrast, Life Time Fitness offers a wide range of amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts, saunas, and even a cafe.
Personal Training
Personal training can be a valuable service for those who are new to fitness, working around injuries, or training for specific goals. Prices vary depending on the duration of the sessions and the certifications of the personal trainers. LA Fitness offers personal training sessions starting at $45, and Life Time Fitness requires certified personal trainers with certifications from NASM, ACE, or something similar.
Location and Hours
LA Fitness has approximately 700 locations, with most of them in the United States and Canada. Most locations are open daily, with some variations. In contrast, Life Time Fitness has just over 150 locations, with certain membership plans allowing access to other locations.
Both gyms have flexible hours of operation, but Life Time Fitness has fewer locations that are open 24 hours a day.
##LA Fitness and Life Time Fitness are both reputable gym chains, offering different experiences depending on your fitness goals, budget, and preferences.
LA Fitness is a good choice for those who are budget-conscious and want basic amenities such as showers and locker rooms. Additionally, they offer a good selection of resistance machines and free weights for strength training. However, they may not have as much equipment as Life Time Fitness, and their locations may be more spread out.
On the other hand, Lifetime Fitness is an ideal gym for those who want top-notch equipment and a wide range of amenities, including pools, saunas, and child care. Their fees are higher, but they offer flexibility in contract lengths and the opportunity to try various group classes and personal training services.
Ultimately, your decision between LA Fitness and Lifetime Fitness should depend on your individual needs and priorities.
