Taking your children with you to the gym and trusting they'll get great care will let you focus on your workout and save money.
However, finding the costs and specific features is difficult on most gym websites since they want you to come in for a tour.
That's why we sent a writer to all the popular gyms near her home in New Jersey.
So, here are the 12 best gyms with childcare:
- Best Overall – YMCA
- Best Luxury Pick – Equinox
- Best Budget Pick – LA Fitness
- Best for Unlimited Care – Onelife Fitness
- Best for Education – Gold’s Gym
- Good Luxury Pick – Life Time Fitness
- Good Budget Pick – Youfit
- Solid Overall Option – World Gym
- Solid Limited Option – Crunch Fitness
- Solid Budget Pick – 24 Hour Fitness
- Decent Limited Option – Snap Fitness
Don't miss the reviews below because you may never reach your strength goals without the right supervision for your kids.
Table of Contents
Gyms With Childcare Comparison Chart
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 beginners & general gym goers | More than 2700 locations in the USA | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
Equinox | $$$$$ | $$$ | Good for group classes for intermediate lifters | More than 100 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
LA Fitness | $$ | $$ | Good for most people | More than 550 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
Onelife Fitness | $$ | $$$$$ | Great for bodybuilders, good for powerlifters and recreational gym-goers | More than 50 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
Gold's Gym | $$ | $$$$ | Best for bodybuilders; good for powerlifters, CrossFitters, and recreational gym goers | More than 200 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
Life Time Fitness | $$$$$ | $$$$ | Good for families, powerlifters, bodybuilders, & CrossFitters | More than 150 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | READ REVIEW |
Youfit | $ | $$ | Best for beginners and casual gym-goers | More than 150 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
Anytime Fitness | $$$ | $$$ | Good for powerlifters, CrossFitters, or recreational gym-goers | More than 4500 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
Crunch Fitness | $$ | $$$ | Good for powerlifters, bodybuilders, & CrossFitters | More than 400 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
24 Hour Fitness | $$ | $$ | Good for powerlifters, bodybuilders, weightlifters, and recreational gym-goers | More than 250 locations in 11 states | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
Snap Fitness | $$ | $$$$ | Good for beginners, seniors, and recreational gym-goers | More than 500 locations | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | READ REVIEW |
Best Gyms With Childcare: 11 Most Popular Options
1. Best Overall – YMCA
The YMCA is one of the most child-friendly gym franchises you can go to. All of their locations offer a range of children’s classes and programs to promote early learning and development.
The YMCA prides itself in ‘providing a safe and clean environment for children to learn and thrive.’ Most of their locations offer the option for you to bring your children along with you to the gym. Children between 12 and 16 years old can work out in the gym if supervised by an adult.
The Y also offers youth development programs, after-school activities, and camps that they can participate in while you work out if they are too young to use the fitness facilities. Many of these popular services are offered outside of school hours so that you can use the gym after work, knowing that your little ones are safe under supervision.
Some locations will require you to pay an additional fee for your child to participate in the various learning programs and camps that the YMCA offers. However, they do offer a family membership for two adults and children under 27 years old prices that vary by location.
For example, you'll pay $120/month at the Wayne, NJ location or $89/month at the Fort Wayne, IN, and some of the childcare services are offered as part of this membership plan.
Always ask your local YMCA club to clarify which childcare services they include in their family membership, as they might differ between locations.
Who Should Use the YMCA Childcare Services?
The Y is perfect for any family, no matter how old your children are. They offer an extensive range of programs and classes for children, and they are known for being a safe and welcoming environment for children to learn and grow.
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. Best Luxury Pick – Equinox
Equinox offers structured craft classes, storybook reading, and gymnastics for your child to do while you work out in the gym.
Known for its luxury facilities, Equinox is one of the best gyms with childcare. Although you might end up paying a higher-than-average price to be a member and use their childcare services, it’s a great option if you want a more exclusive feel.
The membership cost in Paramus, NJ, is $176/month for one location, and you can access multiple clubs for $280/month. But prices vary. For example, the Hudson Yards, NY, location charges $405/month to access all locations worldwide.
They have an app through which you can book a time slot for your child to participate in arts and crafts or reading activities so that you can enjoy a stress-free workout. Some locations also offer after-school sessions and summer camps for kids.
You will be required to pay an additional fee each time you use the Equinox childcare services alongside your monthly gym membership costs. Select locations also offer a pre-purchase or a multi-visit pass for their childcare facilities too.
Who Should Use the Equinox Childcare Services?
Equinox is ideal if you don’t mind paying more for the high-end, luxury experience. They have a great reputation, and you can rest assured knowing that your kids are in good hands when using Equinox childcare services.
I also compared Equinox against similar gyms like LA Fitness and Life Time Fitness.
3. Best Budget Pick – LA Fitness
LA Fitness offers childcare services called Kids Club. However, these services are not included in any memberships, so you must pay an additional fee.
For kids up to 11 years old, LA Fitness has a Kids Club in most of their locations. You will need to pay an additional fee on top of your usual monthly membership to use these services, as they are not included in any membership plan.
LA Fitness memberships cost around $34.99/month for a 6-month plan at the Wayne, NJ location.
At many clubs, you can either pay per session or month. The monthly add-on option enables you to pay a set fee each month for unlimited usage of their childcare services. This option costs between $10-15/month and will likely work out much cheaper than paying per session if you plan to use the Kids Club multiple times a week.
The Kids Club is open at limited times during the day, and the opening times vary between locations. Teenagers aged 16 or above can sign up for their own memberships at LA Fitness, and teens between 13-15 may be able to use the fitness facilities under supervision at certain clubs.
Who Should Use the LA Fitness Childcare Services?
If you’re looking for affordable childcare services that you can use every time you head to the gym, LA Fitness is a great option. They offer high-quality childcare facilities with friendly staff at an affordable price, on top of their already affordable gym membership plans.
I also compare LA Fitness against similar gyms, so read those full reviews before committing to a membership, including Planet Fitness, Youfit, and Anytime Fitness.
4. Best for Unlimited Care – Onelife Fitness
Onelife Fitness has great childcare services at an additional fee. The Kids Club offers children a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.
At Olney, NJ Basic membership will cost $42.99/month, and the Premium membership is $52.99/month
Most Onelife Fitness locations have a Kids Club that can be used by children up to the age of 11. This costs an extra $17/month on top of your usual membership plan. Children who are above the age of 11 can use the gym facilities if supervised by an adult or personal trainer.
Their Kids Clubs are open for limited times of the day. Usually, they are open in the mornings from around 9 am until 1 pm, but a couple of locations are also open in the evenings. Most, but not all, locations close their Kids Club on Sundays.
Who Should Use the Onelife Fitness Childcare Services?
If you will be using childcare services frequently, Onelife Fitness is a great option because they offer a set monthly fee for unlimited use of their Kids Club. However, they might not be ideal if you usually work out late in the evenings, as even the Kids Clubs that are open until late will close at around 8 pm.
We compared Onelife Fitness head-to-head against another budget gym, Planet Fitness.
5. Best for Education – Gold’s Gym
Gold’s Gym employs qualified teachers to work in their childcare facilities to provide education for kids. They run a Kids Club that can be used by children under 11.
If you have kids below the age of 11, you can bring them along with you to the gym to join the Gold’s Gym Kids Club while you work out. These services are available at most locations, but the rules and prices may vary due to each franchise being independently owned.
In the Kids Club, your child can participate in team-building exercises, arts and crafts, and sports, and the teaching staff can even help them with homework.
You may have to book a time slot in advance, as their clubs can get pretty busy and they only allow a certain number of children in the club at a time. Some locations close their Kids Club around the holidays or during summer vacation.
You can pick up a Gold's Gym 12-month ETF membership for $39.99/month, not including fees (Totowa, NJ location).
The Gold’s Gym childcare facilities come at an additional price, but you can rest assured knowing that your children are in good hands. All full-time staff working in their Kids Clubs have extensive background checks prior to being recruited. They are also all trained in CPR and first aid.
Gold’s Gym generally only allows adults above 18 to use the gym facilities. A select few locations enable you to bring your child into the fitness area as long as they are supervised at all times.
Who Should Use the Gold’s Gym Childcare Services?
If you love the idea of your child developing their cognitive and social skills simultaneously, then Gold’s Gym offers everything you’ll need. You can work out in the fitness area of the gym while your little one has fun in the Kids Club.
Gold's Gym is one of the best gyms for kids and teens. I also compared Gold's Gym against other top gyms, including 24 Hour Fitness, LA Fitness, and Planet Fitness.
6. Good Luxury Pick – Life Time Fitness
Life Time Fitness offers childcare services at most locations, but additional fees may be applied.
With a standard monthly membership ($169/month), you get up to 2.5 hours of free childcare each day at their Kids Academy. You will need to register your child with the facilities, but after this point, you’ll be able to use the Academy at any time during their opening hours.
Life Time Fitness also offers summer camps to still enjoy a great workout during non-school weeks. Their childcare services are available for infants as young as 3 months old and kids as old as 11. Their classes cover everything from arts and crafts to team building, and they even offer activities to improve motor skills and coordination for young babies.
They also offer a Distance Learning Support Camp where children between 5 and 12 can interact with others in a safe environment. This camp hosts gym games, arts, dance, music, and S.T.E.A.M. activities.
Who Should Use the Life Time Fitness Childcare Services?
If you’re happy to pay for the premium membership prices at Life Time Fitness, their free daily childcare can be extremely helpful when you want a stress-free workout. Their camps and distance learning programs will benefit parents who work during summer vacations and winter breaks.
I also compared Life Time Fitness against similar gyms like LA Fitness and Planet Fitness.
7. Good Budget Pick – Youfit
Many Youfit gyms offer childcare services for children below the age of 13, usually at an additional fee.
For an extra $7-10/month, you can use the childcare facilities unlimited times each month at Youfit. Although their childcare isn’t offered at all locations, it’s available at most. Make sure to double-check with your local club before bringing your child to the gym.
Children up to the age of 13 are able to use the childcare services and those aged between 13 and 16 are able to work out if supervised by an adult.
Who Should Use the Youfit Childcare Services?
Youfit is a great option if you’re looking for budget-friendly child care that you can use multiple times a week while you work out.
Youfit is also one of the best gyms for beginners, so check out the other options if you're new to working out. I then compared Youfit against Planet Fitness and LA Fitness.
8. Solid All-Around Option – World Gym
Most World Gym locations have childcare or babysitting services that are available either as a pay-per-visit or monthly add-on arrangement.
World Gym charges extra for their childcare and babysitting services, but they are available at most locations. You can choose to pay a set fee each month to use their childcare facilities, or you can pay a fee each time.
Qualified professionals staff their daycare facilities to ensure your children are safe and sound. However, spaces are usually limited, so you might have to book in advance or go to the gym at quieter times when you are more likely to get a space. Opening hours for the childcare facilities vary between clubs, but they are usually limited to specific times of the day.
Older kids between 14-16 or 14-18, depending on the club, can work out in the gym if accompanied by an adult. Check with your local World Gym for the specifics, as the age ranges vary between locations.
Who Should Use the World Gym Childcare Services?
World Gym offers high-quality services that will keep your child occupied while you use the gym. Their set monthly fee option is suitable for those of you who are looking for regular childcare and use the gym multiple times a week.
World Gym is one of the best gyms for free trials, too. I also compared World Gym against similar gyms, such as Planet Fitness and Gold's Gym.
9. Solid Limited Option – Crunch Fitness
Crunch Fitness has childcare services for children aged up to 13 years old. You must pay an additional fee to use these services at most locations.
For an additional fee, you can take your children to the daycare services that are exclusive to Crunch Signature clubs. However, you might find childcare facilities at some standard clubs nationwide.
Who Should Use the Crunch Fitness Childcare Services?
Although the Crunch Fitness facilities may be limited, those of you who are already members of a Signature club can enjoy the childcare services that they offer.
I also compared Crunch Fitness head-to-head against similar gyms, including Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, and Anytime Fitness.
10. Solid Budget Pick – 24 Hour Fitness
24 Hour Fitness offers great facilities for kids up to the age of 11.
For a pay-per-visit or monthly add-on fee, you can use the 24 Hour Fitness childcare services available at most locations. They offer a Kids Club that accommodates babies and children between 6 months and 11 years of age. The Kids Clubs offer a range of fun activities that will keep your kids occupied while you use the gym
You can enjoy a great workout in the gym knowing that qualified professionals supervise your kids. Every staff member in the childcare facilities at 24 Hour Fitness must have CPR and first aid training and pass a criminal background check.
Who Should Use the 24 Hour Fitness Childcare Services?
If you’re looking for convenience, 24 Hour Fitness is a great option for you. Their affordable Kids Club will keep your children occupied so you can enjoy your workouts in peace.
I also compared 24 Hour Fitness head-to-head against similar gyms, including Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, and Life Time Fitness.
11. Decent Limited Options – Snap Fitness
A limited number of Snap Fitness clubs offer childcare. You’ll need to check with your local gym to see whether or not they offer these services.
Since most Snap Fitness locations don’t offer children's facilities, I’ve put it last on the list of the best gyms with childcare. However, children between 12 and 16 can use the gym at some locations if supervised by an adult.
Children above 16 can be added to your membership and will be given their own access card to enter the gym unsupervised. Everybody under 18 who uses the Snap Fitness gyms must sign a Minor Waiver form.
Who Should Use the Snap Fitness Childcare Services?
Snap Fitness has limited childcare services, but check with your local club to see what they offer. If your children are above 12 and they’re keen on working out, you can bring them to the gym for a supervised workout at most Snap Fitness locations.
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.
What Can You Expect When Using Childcare At Gyms?
Every gym that offers childcare services must hire qualified, licensed staff. Although each franchise will operate slightly differently, there are some general things that you can expect in the childcare services at every gym.
It’s natural to be a little apprehensive about using childcare at a gym, especially if you’ve never entered a gym offering these services. But all of the best gyms with childcare that I mention in this article offer great facilities for your child.
Every gym that offers childcare must have the right licenses and equipment to operate legally. Every childcare center in America, whether inside a gym or not, has to comply with zoning and regulation laws to meet legal safety standards.
To legally take care of children, the staff in the childcare areas of each gym will need to be above 18 years of age. It must have adequate qualifications, including a high school diploma in a relevant subject (such as child education or child development) and CPR/first aid certifications. Criminal background checks will also be performed on every child supervisor during hiring.
Many of the best gyms with childcare hire highly-qualified child supervisors with years of prior experience working with children, either as nannies, teachers, or babysitters. Doing so enables their gym members to enjoy their workouts, knowing their children are safe under supervision in the same building.
The childcare facilities at most gyms are high-quality and offer professional services. Some gyms are well-known for their amazing childcare services and invest a lot of time and money into continually improving and building upon them. Others offer childcare for the convenience of their members, but they don’t necessarily focus much on this aspect of their gyms.
The activities that are available for children within the best gyms with childcare services differ from place to place. Generally, you can expect arts and crafts, messy play, and team games.
Some locations also have dedicated areas of their gym rooms that are specifically for children and teenagers who are old enough to work out with weights and machines. The age restrictions will be different depending on where you go.
Have There Been Any Complaints With Childcare At Gyms?
Every one of the gyms with childcare has positive overall reviews, hence why they have made it onto this list. However, there is the odd complaint that parents have made about some of these franchises.
According to a couple of the major online review websites, here are some of the common complaints that I’ve found about some of the gyms with childcare:
- Staff need more training
- More staff is required to supervise the large number of children using the facilities
- Limited opening hours
- Facilities being too busy or chaotic
- Childcare services might be closed unexpectedly if there aren’t enough children to warrant the facilities being open
To be honest, these complaints were few and far between. If you’re concerned at all with these things, though, here are a few tips:
- Call your gym and ask what specific credentials the childcare staff have
- Ensure your workouts will regularly fall within the childcare hours
- Try to avoid peak times, such as between 5-7 pm on Mondays to Thursdays
Should You Buy A Membership At A Gym With Childcare? Is It Worth It?
If you regularly work out but are also a busy parent who struggles to find childcare elsewhere, purchasing a gym membership that offers childcare will be worth it.
Hiring a private babysitter can be extremely expensive, especially if you need daily childcare. Gym childcare facilities are usually much cheaper, even if you pay per visit.
If you go to the gym fairly often, it’s worth trying to find a facility that offers childcare so that you can enjoy your workouts knowing qualified professionals are supervising your children. Usually, there is one supervisor per 3-4 children.
Every one of the best gyms with childcare I’ve listed in this article requires their staff to complete training and background checks before being hired to ensure that your children are safe when using the gym’s childcare facilities.
Taking your kids to public childcare facilities, such as those found in gyms, allows them to develop key skills. They can interact with others their age and participate in stimulating activities, both of which can build their social and cognitive skills.
Gyms That Don't Offer Childcare
Here are the gyms that do not offer childcare services:
- Anytime Fitness does not offer childcare services. However, they are a friendly gym with lots of other amenities. They’re open 24 hours, 7 days a week, so you can work out at any time you like, and they have a vast array of cardio and strength equipment.
- Planet Fitness gyms do not offer childcare, but they have some of the most affordable gym memberships in the country.
- Blink Fitness doesn't have childcare facilities, but they have affordable memberships and well-maintained equipment. However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly gym that offers clean and modern facilities, they’re a great option.
Other Gym Membership Resources
- 10 Best Gyms With Pools, Saunas, & Hot Tubs
- 7 Best Gyms With Basketball Courts (Cost & What To Expect)
- 11 Best Gyms With Classes (What’s Included, Schedule, & Types)
- 5 Best Gyms For College Students (With Student Discounts)
- 8 Best Gyms With Tanning (What’s Expected, Cost, How To Use)
- 9 Best Gyms With Trainers (And, How Not To Get Ripped Off)
- 18 Best Gyms With Showers (Cleanliness & What’s Included)
- Best Gyms for Beginners: My Top Picks + 7 Things to Consider
- 5 Best Gyms for Seniors (Plus, Are Gyms Free for Seniors?)
- 7 Gyms That Allow Kids & Teens (Polices & Prices Explained)
About The Author
Athina is a Biochemistry and Genetics graduate, and a qualified personal trainer with a passion for women’s health and fitness. She is passionate about helping women to learn more about the importance of the menstrual cycle and how to balance their hormones. She is the host and producer of Fertility and Freedom podcast, which covers all things women’s health and hormones.