LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness: Which Gym Should You Actually Join?

Choosing a gym can feel like a bigger commitment than it should. With so many options out there, how do you know which one fits your goals, your wallet, and frankly, your vibe? Two of the biggest names you’ll see everywhere are LA Fitness and Planet Fitness. And while they both have treadmills and weights, they are built for completely different kinds of people.

So, what really matters when you’re choosing? It usually boils down to your budget, how serious you are about lifting, the kind of atmosphere you like, and what perks you actually care about.

Let’s break down the key differences.

Planet Fitness vs LA Fitness Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	LA Fitness	Planet Fitness
The Vibe	Traditional, high-energy gym. Can get crowded.	“Judgement Free Zone®.” Laid-back and beginner-friendly.
The Price	Higher. Expect to pay $30–$60+ a month.	Super affordable. Plans kick off at just $15 a month.
Heavy Lifting	A lifter’s playground. Lots of free weights, squat racks, and barbells.	Limited. No heavy free weights or proper squat racks.
Cardio Machines	Tons of treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, you name it.	A sea of cardio equipment. You’ll never have to wait.
Classes	Huge variety included (Yoga, Cycling, Zumba, etc.).	Small group training sessions, but no big, dedicated classes.
Personal Training	Available for an extra fee.	No one-on-one training, but trainers can offer guidance.

The Nitty-Gritty Details

What’s This Going to Cost Me?

Planet Fitness:
This is where Planet Fitness shines. It’s famous for being incredibly budget-friendly. You’ve got two main choices:

• Classic Membership: The standard deal. For around $15 a month, you get unlimited access to your home club. It’s a steal.
• PF Black Card Membership: The “premium” option. For about $24.99 a month, you can use any Planet Fitness worldwide, bring a friend for free anytime, and get access to perks like massage chairs and tanning.
• Annual Fee: Just a heads-up, there’s usually a $49 annual fee that hits once a year.

LA Fitness:
LA Fitness will cost you more, but you’re paying for more equipment and amenities. The price tag can change depending on where you live, but here’s the general idea:

• Single-Club Access: Want to stick to one location? You’re looking at around $29.99 to $34.99 per month, sometimes with an initiation fee to start.
• Multi-Club Access: If you want the freedom to visit any LA Fitness, the price bumps up to $39.99 to $49.99 a month.
• Annual Fee: Yep, LA Fitness has one too. It’s typically somewhere between $49 and $59.

The Atmosphere: Intense vs. Inclusive

Planet Fitness:
Planet Fitness is all about its “Judgement Free Zone.” The whole idea is to create a place where you don’t have to feel self-conscious, which is a huge plus if you’re just starting out or hate the stereotypical “gym bro” scene. They even have the now-infamous “lunk alarm”—a loud siren designed to discourage the kind of weight-slamming and grunting that can make a gym feel intimidating.

LA Fitness:
Walk into an LA Fitness, and it feels like a gym. It’s busy. The energy is higher. You’ll see everyone from total beginners to seasoned lifters, creating a more intense, get-down-to-business environment. If you’re motivated by seeing others push themselves hard, this is your place. There’s no lunk alarm here.

Equipment for Cardio and Strength

Planet Fitness:
If you’re a cardio fan, you’ll be in heaven. Planet Fitness has endless rows of treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes. For strength, they have a solid collection of machines. But here’s the catch for serious lifters: there are no heavy free weights, barbells, or squat racks. They have Smith machines, but it’s not the same.

LA Fitness:
LA Fitness is a playground for lifters. You’ll find rows of squat racks, multiple benches for every type of press, and dumbbells that go up to seriously heavy weights. It’s equipped for just about any strength routine you can think of. Of course, they also have a massive selection of cardio machines, so you’re covered there, too.

Let’s Talk Classes and Training

Planet Fitness:
You won’t find a packed schedule of instructor-led classes like Zumba or cycling. Instead, Planet Fitness offers free small group training sessions with a trainer as part of your membership. These “PE@PF” sessions are great for learning the ropes.

LA Fitness:
This is a huge selling point for LA Fitness. Your membership includes a massive variety of group fitness classes. We’re talking yoga, high-energy cycling, Zumba, Pilates, and even water aerobics in their pools. These are a fantastic way to stay motivated and mix up your routine. If you want one-on-one personal training, you can get that too, but it’ll cost you extra—usually $40 to $100 per session.

The Bottom Line: Who Is It Best For?

Planet Fitness is your spot if…

• You’re new to this whole gym thing. No judgment, no pressure.
• Your budget is tight. It’s one of the cheapest options around.
• You mainly want to do cardio and use strength machines.
• You don’t care about a swimming pool or tons of classes.

Go with LA Fitness if…

• You’re serious about lifting. You need those squat racks and heavy weights.
• You love group classes. The variety is a huge perk.
• You want all the amenities: a pool, basketball courts, and a sauna.
• You might want to hire a personal trainer someday.

The Fine Print: Hidden Fees & Policies

Okay, let’s talk about the stuff nobody likes to read. Both gyms have rules and fees you should know about before you sign on the dotted line.

Fee Type	Planet Fitness	LA Fitness
Annual Fee	A yearly charge of about $49.	A yearly charge of around $49–$59.
Cancellation Fee	For month-to-month, none. If you’re in a contract, you might have to pay a buyout fee.	Usually no fee for monthly memberships, but canceling a term contract early could cost you.
How to Quit	You have to show up in person at your home club or send them a certified letter. Old school.	The same deal here. You have to cancel in person or mail a certified letter.
Putting it on Pause	You can freeze your account, but the policy varies by location and membership.	You can freeze your membership for a small fee, usually around $10 a month.

FAQs (Questions Everyone Asks)

Does LA Fitness have a lunk alarm like Planet Fitness?

Nope. LA Fitness has a much more traditional gym vibe, so feel free to grunt if you need to (within reason, of course).

Which gym is better for powerlifting?

LA Fitness, hands down. The availability of squat racks, barbells, and heavy free weights makes it the clear winner for anyone serious about powerlifting or Olympic lifting.

Can I try both gyms for free before I commit?

Absolutely. It’s the smartest thing you can do. Planet Fitness usually offers a free day pass, and LA Fitness often has a free 3-day guest pass on its website. Just check with your local club to see what they’re offering.