The right fitness program and gym can help seniors prevent health conditions such as heart disease and loss of muscle mass.
However, finding an age-appropriate gym can be difficult since most gyms are loud, bright, and crowded.
That's why we called 20 popular gyms to ask about their policies for seniors.
Here are the 5 best gyms for seniors:
You won't want to waste money on the wrong membership, so be sure to educate yourself with all the costs and features of each gym below.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart of Senior-Friendly Gyms
| Gym | Monthly Fees | Annual/Enrollment Fees | Best for | Locations | Barbells & Plates | Squat racks | Deadlift platforms | Dumbbells | Strength Machines | Group Classes | 24-hour access | Childcare | Women's only area | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA | $$ | $$ | Best for seniors | More than 2700 locations in the USA | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
| Planet Fitness | $ | $$ | Best for beginners | More than 2300 gyms in the US | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
| Snap Fitness | $$ | $$$$ | Good for beginners, seniors, and recreational gym-goers | More than 500 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
| Anytime Fitness | $$$ | $$$ | Good for powerlifters, CrossFitters, or recreational gym-goers | More than 4500 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
| Onelife Fitness | $$ | $$$$$ | Great for bodybuilders, good for powerlifters and recreational gym-goers | More than 50 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
1. YMCA
Most YMCAs have a tiered pricing plan with almost 20% off memberships for seniors over 65. For example, the North Penn, PA location offers 65+ memberships for $43/month versus adult memberships for $56/month.
The YMCA also has a laidback atmosphere that’s ideal for most seniors, and it offers senior-friendly fitness classes such as water aerobics and tai chi. You’ll find cardio machines, free weights, and swimming pools — all of which are free with your membership. Personal training is available for an additional fee.
If you’re looking to socialize with others, you can get involved in the community in several ways. You could, for example, volunteer to help with fundraisers or do some light clerical work.
Many YMCA locations also offer a free program called EnhanceFitness, which offers group exercise and fall prevention classes for seniors.
For more gyms with pools, check out the full list. I also compared the YMCA against top gyms, including Life Time Fitness, LA Fitness, and Anytime Fitness.
2. Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is ideal for seniors because it has a low-cost membership and a casual, slower-paced environment. You won’t be surrounded by people slamming weights around, and almost all locations are open 24/7, so you can go whenever you’d like.
You can also use a SilverSneakers membership at Planet Fitness, which offers free or discounted gym memberships. If your Medicare plan doesn’t offer SilverSneakers, you may be able to get your membership for free, depending on which gym plan you purchase.
Even if you don't have a SilverSneakers card, the Classic Membership at Planet Fitness starts at $10/month and the Black Card is $24.99/month, which offers access to massage chairs (a nice way to wind down after a workout).
Some Medicare plans will pay for 50% of a Classic membership or 100% off a Black Card membership. If you have this option, Planet Fitness is an easy choice.
On the other hand, Planet Fitness doesn’t offer one-on-one personal training. However, you can consult an onsite personal trainer whenever you need guidance or advice.
Similarly, it doesn’t have group classes, though it does have small group training sessions. The circuit training session may be too fast-paced depending on how much experience you already have, but you can take any of the body-part-specific classes (chest and biceps, back and triceps, legs and shoulders, or core) or the recovery stretching classes.
Considering a gym visit? Our article on the Planet Fitness day pass provides all the information you need to know for a one-day gym experience. I also compared Planet Fitness against other top gyms, including 24 Hour Fitness, YMCA, and Fit4less.
3. Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness doesn’t have senior discounts or participate in SilverSneakers, but it’s another laidback gym with affordable memberships.
Membership prices at the Montville, NJ location are $44.99/month, and while prices vary by location, you can expect to pay similar prices.
You’ll find some free weights and resistance machines at Snap Fitness, which primarily offers cardio equipment. Personal training sessions are available for an additional cost if you want more one-on-one guidance. It doesn’t have pools, so you’ll have to consider another gym if you want to swim as your primary form of exercise.
It offers group classes, though none are exclusively geared towards seniors.
Snap Fitness is also open 24/7, so you can go any time of day or night to avoid crowds if you prefer not to work out in a packed gym.
Snap Fitness is one of the best beginner-friendly gyms, so be sure to check out other options in the full post. I also compared Snap Fitness against Planet Fitness.
4. Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is a large franchise, but many of its locations are small and have positive, welcoming environments. You may also be able to take advantage of the SilverSneakers program at Anytime Fitness if it’s offered through your Medicare plan.
Anytime Fitness memberships can cost $34.99/month for 12 months, paying every 2 weeks at the Montville, NJ location. Other locations will have similar prices, but check out your local gym to be sure.
Like some other gyms on this list, Anytime Fitness is open 24/7. However, there are no pools, and not all locations offer various group classes. But Anytime Fitness offers yoga and strength-based classes that you may enjoy to get stronger and improve your flexibility.
If group classes aren’t your thing, you can use any of the treadmills, ellipticals, or stationary bikes for low-impact cardio or dumbbells and machines to work on your strength. You can also opt to work with one of Anytime Fitness’s qualified personal trainers if you’re unsure where to start.
Anytime Fitness has free passes, and if you want the full list of gyms with free passes and trials, check out that post. I also compared Anytime Fitness head-to-head against other top gyms, including Planet Fitness, Gold's Gym, and LA Fitness.
5. Onelife Fitness
Onelife Fitness is a chain gym with locations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region, but if you have one near you, it’s one to consider. It offers discounts of up to 35% for seniors and is also part of the SilverSneakers program.
Additionally, Onelife Fitness offers memberships as low as $26.99 per month for seniors (which is nearly $15 cheaper than a basic adult membership, though these prices can vary by location). For example, the typical memberships at the Olney, NJ location start at $42.99/month.
Onelife Fitness has senior-friendly classes that are low impact and joint-friendly, and many locations also have pools you can use if swimming workouts help you feel your best. It also has a vast array of equipment, and you can find free weights or machines to do nearly any kind of workout.
If you need guidance on creating an age-appropriate workout program to help you get stronger, you can sign up for personal training with one of Onelife’s certified personal trainers.
Onelife Fitness is also one of the best gyms with childcare. We compared it head-to-head against Planet Fitness.
How Can Seniors Save Money on a Gym Membership?
Even if the gym you want to join doesn’t offer senior discounts, there are several programs that can help you save money on a gym membership.
- SilverSneakers: A free program with select Medicare and health insurance plans, granting access to numerous gyms, including Anytime Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Onelife Fitness, Planet Fitness, Workout Anytime, and YouFit. Simply show your SilverSneakers card at the front desk for free access. Check with the specific gym for acceptance.
- Renew Active: UnitedHealthcare's program offers free gym memberships at participating gyms and brain health programs.
- One Pass: A Medicare program delivered through Rally, providing free access to various chain gyms and fitness studios across the US.
- Silver&Fit: Suitable for working seniors with employer health insurance, offering free access to a wide network of gyms and boutique studios, along with virtual workouts and equipment options.
- Active & Fit: Available through employers or associations like AAA, providing affordable gym access, including boutique fitness studios, at $25 per month.
What Should Seniors Look For in a Gym?
When comparing the best gyms for seniors, look for these things:
- Cost: Seek affordable membership plans, considering potential senior discounts or Medicare-related offers.
- Swimming Pools: Ensure the gym has a pool for low-impact, senior-friendly aquatic exercise.
- Atmosphere: Choose a gym with a relaxed and quieter environment, catering to slower-paced workouts.
- Group Classes for Seniors: Look for classes designed for seniors, such as chair yoga, Pilates, or low-impact aerobics.
- Personal Trainers: Find trainers with expertise in age-appropriate workouts, safety, and nutrition.
- Equipment: Check for suitable equipment like elliptical machines, stationary bikes, lightweight dumbbells, and selectorized machines for low-impact and senior-friendly exercise options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should Seniors Join a Gym?
Yes, seniors should join a gym. Engaging in regular aerobic and resistance exercise can help prevent muscle and strength loss and improve balance and flexibility. Joining a gym can also give you a chance to socialize with others.
How Often Should Seniors Go to the Gym?
It’s recommended that seniors get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking per week. This equals 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Seniors should also engage in resistance training at least 2 days a week and work on balance training 3 days a week.
Are Gyms Free for Seniors?
No, gyms are not typically free for seniors. However, there are programs like SilverSneakers, Renew Active, One Pass, Silver&Fit, and Active & Fit, which may offer free or heavily discounted gym memberships for eligible seniors, depending on their health insurance or employment status. These programs can help seniors access fitness facilities at reduced or no cost.
Other Gym Membership Resources
- 9 Best Gyms With Trainers (And, How Not To Get Ripped Off)
- 11 Best Gyms With Classes (What’s Included, Schedule, & Types)
- 7 Best Gyms With Basketball Courts (Cost & What To Expect)
- 5 Best Gyms For College Students (With Student Discounts)
- 8 Best Gyms With Tanning (What’s Expected, Cost, How To Use)
About The Author
Amanda is a writer and editor in the fitness and nutrition industries. Growing up in a family that loved sports, she learned the importance of staying active from a young age. She started CrossFit in 2015, which led to her interest in powerlifting and weightlifting. She's passionate about helping women overcome their fear of lifting weights and teaching them how to fuel their bodies properly. When she's not training in her garage gym or working, you can find her drinking coffee, walking her dog, or indulging in one too many pieces of chocolate.
