The Ultimate Guide to Gyms Around Philadelphia
Looking for the best gyms near me? Philly has one, no matter your preferred workout. / Photograph by Susan Nam
Philadelphia isn’t Los Angeles, where working out seems to be mandatory. It’s not New York, where folks who aren’t instructors choose to do regular two-a-days. Instead, we think it’s the Goldilocks of the fitness world — where every type of gym is abundant, but you get to choose your own style and pace.
Whether you’re a thrice-a-week rock climber or a religious Flywheeler, a cheap class junkie or an every-workout dabbler, the Philly area’s got a studio (or seven) to fit your unique exercise needs. Here’s a few.
Jump to:
Full-service gyms | Cheap gyms | Gyms with childcare | Indoor cycling studios | Barre studios | Pilates studios | Yoga studios | Hot yoga studios | Cheap yoga classes | TRX training | Boxing gyms | Rock climbing gyms
Full-Service Gyms
The lobby at Life Time Athletic in Ardmore / Photograph by Nelson Hill
Edge Fitness
Cost: From $10 per month.
Locations: Northeast, Media, Cherry Hill, Delran, Deptford, and Sewell.
We may have let out a little cheer when we learned that Connecticut-based Edge Fitness was opening three additional Philly-area locations earlier this year, to join the ones that already operate in Jersey. Why? The memberships start at $10 a month — and the gyms are actually nice. For less than the price of a Center City cocktail, you get features normally reserved for pricier spots: turf areas, a cardio movie-theater room, a smoothie bar, and marble-lined locker rooms. And for $20, group classes are included, too.
City Fitness
Cost: From $50 per month.
Locations: Market East, Fishtown, Grad Hospital, Logan Square, Northern Liberties, and South Philly.
With a new location opening any minute at the East Market development, this homegrown brand knows a thing or two about being in the right place at the right time. Not only does CF have six hubs in Philly’s hottest neighborhoods; the gyms are designed to reflect their environments. (The Fishtown club is industrial-looking; Logan Square is sleek and minimal.) Plus, there are big-time bonuses like HydroMassage chairs, killer group classes, and steam and sauna rooms.
Life Time Athletic
Cost: $179 per month.
Locations: Ardmore, Fort Washington, King of Prussia, and Mount Laurel.
The way most of us work out these days requires quite a bit of commuting from studio to studio, but Life Time aims to simplify. The upscale, fast-growing chain has pretty much everything you could want under one roof: classes for the kids, a healthy cafe, a spa and salon, and every group workout imaginable (think barre, HIIT and heated yoga). It’s a one-stop spot you may never want to leave — and considering that the new Ardmore location includes a co-working space, you may never have to.
See more full-service gyms.
Cheap Gyms
The gym floor at Crunch Fitness Delran / Photograph by Bailey King
Planet Fitness
What’s included: For $10 per month, you get unlimited 24-hour access to your home gym, free fitness training, free wifi, and a free t-shirt.
Special amenities: In addition to the 12-minute ab zone mentioned above, Planet Fitness also boasts a 30-minute full body workout zone similar to Crunch’s. Here, you’ll find a myriad of machines and cardio step stations and a timer (well, it’s actually a green and red light) that keeps you on track to finish everything in 30 minutes — if that’s your goal. Free training is also certainly something to take advantage of — all Planet Fitness trainers are certified and ready to instruct you on all of the gym’s equipment and machinery.
Blink
What’s included: For $15 per month, you get full access to the entire gym floor and equipment, use of locker rooms stocked with shampoo and body wash, complimentary start-up personal training session
Special amenities: In a way, Blink’s approach is rather scientific. The colors you find on the walls (blue, green, and orange) were chosen to enhance both your workout and your mood. All around the gym, you’ll find stretching and workout suggestions, so if you’re an inexperience or unprepared gym goer you won’t have to be pulling up Pinterest every other set. The music played in the gym is noticeable, but not so loud as to overshadow the tunes in your headphones, and their playlists are curated so the beat of the music matches a human heart rate. And one more bonus — joining fees are cheap here, so you’ll never have to put more than 12 bucks down to begin your membership.
Crunch Fitness
What’s included: For $9.95 per month, you get full access to all of the weights and equipment on the gym floor, online nutrition advice via Crunch’s app, and a personal training session
Special amenities: Crunch’s “power half-hour circuit training” and online nutrition advice are the major special amenities aside from, you know, having a place to work out.
See more cheap gyms.
Gyms With Childcare
Life Time Athletic’s playroom at its Fort Washington location / Photograph courtesy of Life Time Athletic
Barre3
Where: Locations in Rittenhouse, Rosemont, Blue Bell, Berwyn, Doylestown
Hours: Scheduling varies for each location. Check them here: Blue Bell, Rittenhouse, Rosemont, Berwyn, Doylestown.
Price: $5 for childcare during a single class or $45 for a ten-pack class series
No matter the Barre3 location, you can count on its staff to look after your little ones while you’re sweating it out. Make a “Play Lounge” reservation for your child online — just as you do when scheduling your own class — under your name, not theirs. With toys, books, and games your kids will be set for the full hour-long workout. All you have to worry about is carrying them out with your freshly sore arms.
Philadelphia Sports Club
Where: Childcare is available at Rodin Place, Society Hill, High Point, and Radnor locations only.
Hours: For the Society Hill, Rodin Place and Radnor locations, the schedules vary so contact the location. For the High Point location, you are welcome to two and a half hours of childcare during your workout, no matter the day or time.
Price: A separate contract costing $19.95 per month, no matter the number of kids, or $10 for a one-time drop-in.
Sigh a breath of relief that you can workout worry free at many Philadelphia Sports Club locations with your little ones tucked away safely in the playroom. Rest assured that all attendants have received background checks and the appropriate certifications to properly care for your kids.
Retro Fitness
Where: Locations in Spring Garden and two northeast locations.
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon, and Monday through Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.
Price: $10 for one child and $5 for each additional kid.
SigDrop your brood off at Retro’s playroom on your way into a butt-kicking workout. There will be one attendant there during the available hours to watch your offspring for up to two hours — enough time for a solid workout and maybe even a shower.
See more gyms with childcare.
Indoor Cycling Studios
Flywheel Sports has two locations in the Philly area. / Photograph courtesy Flywheel Sports
Flywheel Sports
Where: 1521 Locust Street (Rittenhouse Square); 711 Lancaster Avenue #300 (Bryn Mawr)
Price for single class: $30
First class free? No, but they offer a $15 class for first time riders
Shoe rentals? Complimentary cycling shoes are provided
Showers? Showers and towels are available in the locker room area
Flywheel’s ride is one-of-a-kind, especially for those of us who like our fitness with a side of data. With a display on every bike that shows your rotations-per-minute (RPM), resistance, and power score, you can both track your progress in the moment during class and track your progress over time through the app — which gives you a report on how hard you worked during each class. And, for the competitive side in us all, there’s also a Leader Board at the front of the room, where you can race against others in the class.
The Wall Cycling Studio
Where: 107 Cotton St. (Manayunk)
Price for single class: $18
First class free? Yes, first time riders can receive a free class if they visit the Wall’s website
Shoe rentals? No, but does offer shoe discounts for local shops
Showers? Three showers stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and towels
This spin studio comes with a side of two barre studios — which means you’re going to get in your heart-pounding cardio here, as well as all the lengthening and toning your heart desires. The Spin & Sculpt class is a top seller: an intervals ride that’s got TRX training, free weights, ladders, and more mixed in for that extra burn.
Cycle Brewerytown
Where: 2800 B West Girard Ave (Brewerytown)
Price for single class: $22, $18 for students
First class free? Yes
Shoe rentals? No; they have cages so you can wear regular sneakers
Showers? No showers, but they do offer complimentary towels
Most classes are 45 minutes here, and they focus on three basic concepts, “community, good music, and a dope ride.” The rides are music driven, so if you’re one of those people who can’t handle being off the beat in class (same!) you’ll find your tribe — excuse us, “Brew Crew” — here.
See more indoor cycling studios.
Barre Studios
Get your sweat on at Pure Barre. / Photograph courtesy of Pure Barre
Pure Barre
Where: Multiple area locations
Drop In Prices: $23 to $24, depending on location
Socks: Any sock required, can be purchased at any of their locations
Showers: Not at the Center City location. Contact your nearest location to confirm.
Pure Barre combines elements from Pilates, yoga, and ballet to create a full-body workout. With a number of traditional barre and beginner-friendly classes, there truly something for everyone at Pure Barre, no matter what your fitness level may be. If you want to kick it up a notch, their Pure Empower offers a more cardio intensive class for veteran barre goers.
Lumos Yoga and Barre
Where: 2001 Green Street (Fairmount)
Drop In Price: $17 per class, $10 for first time students
Socks: Grip socks required, offered for purchase or rental ($1 per pair per class)
Showers: No, but the studio offers a number of environmentally friendly amenities such as biodegradable face wipes, hair ties, and hand towels to help you freshen up.
This yoga and barre hybrid studio is so much more than your average neighborhood fitness studio. Co-founders Jessica Benhaim and Larkin Silverman wanted to create an open and welcoming space for everyone to foster a non competitive environment for all fitness lovers. With one yoga and one barre room, Lumos is also dedicated to promoting sustainability efforts every chance they get whether its a bottle filling station or hand towels laundered by a local zero emissions laundry service.
Y2B Fit
Where: 7101 Emlen Street (West Mount Airy)
Drop in Price: $18
Socks: Grip socks required, for sale at studio
Showers: No
Another Philly area studio with a huge range of barre classes for all levels as well as virtual training for those constantly on the go. Y2B also offers private and personal training for both yoga and barre to focus on their mission of achieving a more holistic fitness program.
See more barre studios.
Pilates Studios
SLT is one of the most popular Pilates studios around Philly. / Photograph courtesy SLT
SLT
Where: 1625 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse
Styles offered: Megaformer
Price for a single class: $32
First class free? No, but you can score an intro package including two classes for the price of one ($32).
At SLT, they want to strengthen your core, lengthen your limits, and tone your body — that’s how they created their mission statement and name, all in one. SLT classes combine the challenging elements of Pilates with strength training and cardio.
Solidcore
Where: 2116 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse; 725 Chestnut St, Old City; 925 W Lancaster Ave, Suite 102, Bryn Mawr
Styles offered: Pilates intensified on a Megaformer-esque machine
Price for single class: $32
First class free: No
Solidcore’s workout is different than usual Pilates. You’ll be doing high-intensity, low-impact, slow and controlled resistance training. The classes are designed to work your muscles to failure. Not to mention, the lights will be low and there will be great music. New? Sign up for a 50-minute beginner class — it’s half as intense to help new clients learn form and names of the exercises.
Sculpt360
Where: 777 South Broad Street, Graduate Hospital
Styles offered: Megaformer
Price for a single class: $28
First class free?: No, but it’s discounted to $15.
Small classes and a slow burn is exactly what Sculpt360 provides, and that’s exactly what you want out of a Pilates megaformer workout, right?
See more Pilates studios.
Yoga Studios
Three Queens Yoga is one of the preeminent yoga studios in the area. / Photograph by Susan Nam
Three Queens Yoga
Where: 410 Monroe Street
Drop in Price: $20
Mats Offered: Yes
When it comes to yoga studios in Philly, Three Queens is possibly one of the most recognizable names. In this studio, perfecting your alignment and moves takes high priority.
Mama’s Wellness Joint
Where: 1100 Pine Street
Drop in Price: $17
Mats Offered: Yes
Unlike the name suggests, Mama’s Wellness Joint isn’t just for new or expectating mothers, although they get a lot of attention here. Founder, Paige Chapman, is a Philly-born yoga instructor and Doula who puts her focus on healing. There are a ton of classes and workshops that focus on the relationship between mother and child as well as the beauty of feminine energy.
Amrita Yoga and Wellness
Where: 1204 Frankford Avenue
Drop in Price: $17
Mats Offered: Yes, for rent
This stunning Fishtown studio offers classes across all levels of expertise. Plus, they’ve been known to host puppy yoga — a must-try for any yogi or dog lover.
See more yoga studios.
Hot Yoga Studios
Focus Fitness Main Line offers an intense hot yoga class. / Photograph by Susan Nam
Priya Hot Yoga
Where: 1828 Callowhill Street, Fairmount
Taught multiple days and times throughout the week, this class is great for getting a great stretch and learning cool breathing techniques — like the lion’s breath — in a moderately heated room. Don’t get us wrong, it’s definitely a hot room, but it doesn’t reach the smothering temperatures most hot yoga studios do. Let’s call it the Goldilocks temperature for hot yoga studios, shall we?
Bikram Yoga Northern Liberties
Where: 801 North 2nd Street, Northern Liberties
The beautiful thing about Bikram is that every single time you step into that hot room, you know what you’re gonna get. Bikram follows a strict schedule of 26 poses over the course of 90 minutes in about 105-degree heat (with some added humidity). Every. Single. Time.
Focus Fitness Main Line
Where: 1111 East Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
Think of this class as a hot yoga class on steroids — complete with hand weights and all.
See more hot yoga studios.
Yoga Studios With Cheap Classes
There are plenty of gyms around Philly with super cheap yoga classes. / Photograph courtesy of TORC Yoga
Dhyana Yoga Center City
What: Drop-ins starting at $10.
When: Various days and times; check the schedule.
Where: 1611 Walnut Street 4th floor, Rittenhouse.
Palo Santo Wellness Boutique
What: $11 happy hour vinyasa.
When: Fridays at 5:15 p.m.
Where: 1707 East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly.
TORC Yoga
What: $8 Community class, $10 Yoga Break class, and $8 Friday Happy Hour class.
When: Various days and times; check the schedule.
Where: 31 South 2nd Street, Old City.
See more yoga studios with cheap classes.
TRX Training
TRX training has gotten boutique-ified in Philly. / Photograph by Susan Nam
Urban Front Pilates
Where: 1700 Sansom Street, Rittenhouse
They’ve also got: Pilates, reformer Pilates, barre
Drop-in price: $28
This second-story studio has just seven TRX setups, which means you’re guaranteed a small class and, thus, some serious one-on-one attention. Expect to get in a strength training workout that’ll engage every body part — from your hamstrings to your obliques — interspersed with short bursts of cardio thanks to exercises like jumping jacks.
BPM Fitness
Where: 1808 Spring Garden Street, Fairmount
They’ve also got: Spin
Drop-in price: $25
Be prepared to mix things up here; the two TRX classes are taught in blocks, so you’ll change activities every 30 seconds. Some exercises use TRX straps, while the others will get you squatting with medicine balls, doing plank rows with hand weights and more. Class flies by because you rarely stop moving.
Torque
Where: 328 North Lewis Road, Royersford
They’ve also got: Spin, barre, child care
Drop-in price: $17
You know those tiny, barely-there barre moves that make your muscles scream? Torque’s take on TRX relies exactly on this kind of movement, so instead of doing plain old planks, you’re doing them with your feet hoisted up in straps, and in pike position. A recent expansion means there’s now room for 33 TRX strap stations — but be warned: Even the 7:30 Saturday morning class gets packed.
See more TRX training gyms.
Boxing Gyms
EverybodyFights is one of the fancy new boxing gyms in the Philly area. / Photograph courtesy Eric Levin
Title Boxing Club
Where: 2101 Market Street, Center City
Though this Kansas-based chain claims to make the “oldest sport in the world new again,” local franchise owner Jim Walsh is determined to keep things authentic by hiring a roster of experienced boxing pros and college athletes. And while this is a boutique-y workout, don’t look for fancy showers or towel service — you’re there for the intense three-minute rounds on the heavy bags, anyway.
EverybodyFights
Where: 1900 Market Street, Center City
The name of this soon-to-open 12,000-square-foot gym says it all: There will be two full-size rings and four studio classrooms. But rather than offer just one workout class, the gym specializes in five categories — heavy bag, circuit training, treadmill running, boxing technique and recovery, each designed to train clients like real fighters. The nice thing for boxing devotees? Thanks to the generous strength-and-cardio training area, this is the only membership they’ll need.
Stride Spin & Fitness Studio
Where: 420 Schuylkill Road, suite 600, Phoenixville
For those with commitment issues, this Phoenixville boutique studio offers six types of workouts, including “rhythmic boxing” classes where moves are timed to the beat of the music. You can expect a full-body workout; you partner-box with mitts and take a turn on the heavy bag, all while movin’ and groovin’.
See more boxing gyms.
Rock Climbing Gyms
Philly’s gotten in on the rock climbing trend. / Photograph by Caroline Cunningham
The Gravity Vault Radnor
Where: 175 King of Prussia Road, Radnor
Entry Fee: $18 for an adult day pass, memberships available
Introductory Classes: $24 for a 90-minute Introduction to Rock Climbing class for groups of five or more.
Equipment Needs: $4 for shoes, $3 for a harness $3, $2 for a chalk bag.
With 16,000 square feet of climbable surfaces, 4,000 square feet of bouldering space, and 100 routes, this massive gym has tons of wall space to explore. Plus, the gym has an attached exercise room with cardio and strength equipment.
Drexel Recreation Center
Where: 3301 Market Street, University City
Entry Fee: Membership is $35 for a week, $150 for three months, $275 for six months, or $500 a year.
Introductory Classes: “Try-A-Climb Classes” are offered every hour, on the hour and are included in the price of membership.
Equipment Rentals: Included in the membership
Though it offers less space than the large-scale climbing gyms, Drexel’s climbing wall — with its overhangs, bouldering, and lead climbing — is a perfect place for beginners to get their start. With introductory courses on how to move and balance on the wall, Drexel makes sure its climbers are well-equipped to move onto more-advanced routes.
Go Vertical
Where: 950 North Penn Street, Northern Liberties
Entry Fee: $19 for an adult day pass
Introductory Classes: $65 for the two-hour Getting Started class, which includes a day-pass to the gym
Equipment Needs: $6 for shoes, $4 for a harness, $1 each for carabiner or belay device
Conveniently located not far outside of Center City, Go Vertical offers 250 top rope, bouldering, sport, and lead routes — with 20 new routes set every week. With a dedicated climbing school, you can sign up for classes like “Intro to Sport Leading” and “4-Part Climbing Clinic.”
See more rock climbing gyms.
