GoodLife Fitness was founded in 1979 and has since become the largest gym franchise in Canada, offering safe and welcoming workout spaces for people of all levels.
Anytime Fitness is newer, having only been around since 2002. Even though itโs one of the largest chain gyms in the world, it feels more like a boutique gym due to its small, family-like environment.
So, is GoodLife Fitness or Anytime Fitness a better gym? If you live in Canada, GoodLife Fitness is a better gym. Itโs larger and has more equipment, more amenities, and a bigger variety of group classes. If you live in any other country, youโll have to choose Anytime Fitness, but you should find its tight-knit community and supportive environment appealing.
Many people only consider cost and location when trying to decide which gym to join, but purchasing a gym membership based on just one or two factors could cause you a lot of frustrations. There are several other components to look at as well.
In this article, Iโll review 10 important things to look at before you decide which gym to join and discuss whether GoodLife Fitness or Anytime Fitness is better in each category. By the end, youโll be able to determine which gym will be the right fit for you..
Table of Contents
GoodLife Fitness Overview
GoodLife Fitness has dominated the chain gym industry in Canada with more than 450 locations throughout the country. It also has several other subsidiaries including Fit4Less, EconoFitness, and Oxygen Yoga and Fitness, which are all situated throughout various regions in Canada as well.
In addition to having these smaller brands under its umbrella, GoodLife Fitness has partnerships with Les Mills and 24 Hour Fitness. Members can get free access to virtual Les Mills classes and use their membership at any 24 Hour Fitness location.
GoodLife Fitness has a lot of equipment and caters to a variety of training goals and fitness backgrounds. Every location has a slightly different clientele, but whether youโre a beginner or you have years of experience, you can find a club that will motivate you to achieve your goals.
Pros
- Donโt have to be locked into a long-term contract
- Members with certain plans can visit any location
- 24/7 access
- Group classes are free with certain memberships
- No long-term commitment required
- Most locations are clean and well-maintained
Cons
- May have to wait for machines or squat racks to open up when itโs busy
- Some locations have rude staff
Check out my full review of GoodLife Fitness here.
Anytime Fitness Overview
Anytime Fitness has more than 4,500 locations and is one of the largest international gym franchises. A few years ago, it was the fastest-growing health club in the world. It no longer holds that distinction โ at least not in the US โ but it still frequently receives recognition for being a top franchise brand.
No matter which country you go to, you can work out at Anytime Fitness 24/7. But unless you absolutely need to work out in the middle of the night, youโll likely want to go during times when you can feed off the energy of the staff and other members. Anytime Fitness tends to have a close community of people who will always support your goals.
The locations are small so they donโt have a huge amount of equipment, but whether you prefer cardio or strength training, you can do any kind of workout there. And because of its supportive environment, itโs a good gym for beginners or anyone who likes to feel like theyโre part of a team.
Pros
- Accesible 24 hours a day
- Members have access to any location worldwide
- Friendly staff members
- Personal trainers are knowledgeable and supportive
- Small group training sessions and team fitness classes for people who like to work out with others
Cons
- Memberships can be expensive
- Most locations donโt allow you to use chalk or drop weights
Check out my full review of Anytime Fitness here.
GoodLife Fitness vs Anytime Fitness: 10 Differences
While their geographic locations are some of the most obvious differences between GoodLife Fitness and Anytime Fitness, there are several other variables that set the two gyms apart from one another.
1. Cost
Cost is one of the first things you should look at when trying to decide between two gyms, but youโll need to consider more than just the monthly dues. There are often enrollment fees, annual fees, and taxes that you have to pay for as well. Some gyms also charge extra fees for your access card or key fob.
GoodLife Fitness
GoodLife Fitness memberships range from $29.99 every two weeks to $54.99 every two weeks plus taxes. All memberships require a $50 joining fee. You can save up to 50% with a corporate membership if your employer has a partnership with GoodLife.
GoodLife Fitness also offers free one-day trial passes on the website. Some locations occasionally offer 2-week or 4-week passes.
Anytime Fitness
Like GoodLife Fitness, Anytime Fitness charges its members biweekly. Depending on what kind of plan you get, a membership can cost anywhere from $27 – $30 every two weeks.
Your first two weeks of dues as well as a $99 initiation fee and a $25 fee for your key fob are due at signing.
If you want to try Anytime Fitness before you buy a membership, you can sign up for a free seven-day trial pass.
The Winner
Neither gym is a budget-friendly gym, but Anytime Fitness is slightly more affordable.
2. Contract Length
At most gyms, you can sign either month-to-month or annual contracts. With a month-to-month contract, you can cancel at any time. Annual contracts, on the other hand, are more strict because they have hard end dates.
When youโre deciding between two gyms, youโll want to consider what kind of contract each one offers to make sure youโre comfortable with the commitment youโre about to make.
GoodLife Fitness
While you can sign a one- or two-year contract at some GoodLife Fitness locations, most only offer month-to-month contracts.
Anytime Fitness
Each location has different contracts, but 12- and 24-month agreements are the most common. Only a handful of locations have month-to-month contracts.
The Winner
GoodLife Fitness and Anytime Fitness both have month-to-month and term contracts, so itโs a tie.
3. Equipment
While itโs not necessary for a gym to have extremely expensive pieces of equipment, it should be functional and allow you to train effectively.
Itโs also a good idea to consider what kind of equipment will suit your current fitness level as well as where you see yourself in the future. There should be enough equipment that you can continue progressing as you get stronger or you can try different kinds of workouts if your goals change.
GoodLife Fitness
GoodLife Fitness has all of the cardio machines youโd expect to find at a gym, including treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals. It also has spin bikes where you can follow virtual trails and maneuver the handlebars as if you were riding a road bike.
There are dumbbells that go up to 100lbs, EZ curl bars, preloaded straight bars, squat racks, and deadlift platforms. All locations have barbells and plates, and some have high-quality equipment from Eleiko. However, the Eleiko equipment is sometimes only available for the personal trainers to use with their clients.
GoodLife Fitness also has turf areas with sleds, Bosu balls, battle ropes, agility ladders, kettlebells, plyo boxes, and other functional training equipment.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness only has a small amount of equipment, but you can find treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, Rogue Echo bikes, Concept 2 rowers, and resistance machines at the majority of its locations.
Many locations also have functional training areas with kettlebells, medicine balls, battle ropes, tires, slam balls, and plyo boxes.
In the free weights area, youโll find dumbbells, barbells, plates, a couple of benches, and squat racks. Some locations have BandBell barbells and safety squat bars. However, not all locations have deadlift platforms.
The Winner
Both locations have a decent selection of free weights and strength and cardio machines, but Iโd recommend GoodLife because itโs bigger and has a larger quantity of equipment.
4. Atmosphere
You can get a good feel for the atmosphere of a gym by looking at what kind of people go there and watching how the staff and members treat each other. A gym with friendly staff and courteous members will be a much more enjoyable place to work out than a gym where everyone is rude or disrespectful to each other.
GoodLife Fitness
Each GoodLife Fitness location has its own unique atmosphere, and the environment can feel different based on what time of day you go.
The early mornings tend to draw in people who are dedicated to fitness but prefer to keep to themselves. Later in the morning and in the afternoon, you may come across older teenagers, stay-at-home moms, seniors, and middle-aged adults who work out on their lunch breaks.
The evening crowd can be a mix of people trying to get in a quick workout before they go home for the day as well as young adults who are only there to socialize.
Some locations also have a more experienced, serious crowd while others have more of a casual vibe. But overall, the environment is supportive and motivating. While you may encounter some rude staff members at some locations, theyโre largely friendly and welcoming.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness doesnโt attract a lot of professional bodybuilders and powerlifters, and while the people who go there are committed to their routines, the atmosphere is laidback and inviting. Many members praise Anytime Fitness for its family-like environment.
Anyone who is new to fitness or is unable to do high-intensity exercises will enjoy Anytime Fitness. The staff and other members are supportive regardless of what your goals are. Itโs also a good place for people who like to work out in small teams or those who need accountability from others to stick to their routines.
Many locations also hold fitness and nutrition challenges and social events throughout the year, which are great for people who like friendly competition and enjoy connecting with others outside of the gym.
The Winner
Anytime Fitness wins because of its family-like atmosphere and supportive staff and members.
5. Gym Policies
Before deciding which gym to join, itโs important to consider the rules and policies at each one because they often dictate how you can train. For example, a lot of chain gyms ban chalk, which would be a drawback for powerlifters or weightlifters.
And even if you think youโll remain a member of your gym forever, you never know if you have to cancel your membership in the future. Itโs a good idea to familiarize yourself with each gymโs cancellation policies before you pick one so youโre not blindsided with a complicated cancellation process and hefty cancellation fees.
GoodLife Fitness
Not all locations allow members to use powdered chalk, but you can usually use liquid chalk. You can also drop weights if you need to at most locations, though you may receive complaints from some of the other members.
The dress code is pretty lenient. As long as youโre not dressed in baggy clothes, clothes with a lot of chains or grommets, clothes that are too revealing, or any other clothing thatโs not suitable for working out, you can wear whatever you want.
Most locations allow members to bring guests for free, but some clubs will require you to pay a $15 guest fee if you want to bring a friend or family member with you.
GoodLife Fitness charges a $75 – $100 cancellation fee for anyone who wants to cancel their membership. You also have to provide at least a monthโs worth of notice and submit a written request in person. You are not allowed to transfer your membership to another person.
Anytime Fitness
Most Anytime Fitness locations donโt allow members to use chalk or drop weights. However, as is the case at GoodLife Fitness, any workout-appropriate attire is permissible.
You can bring one guest with you for free every time you visit the gym, but guests are only allowed during staffed hours.
With a month-to-month contract, you can cancel at any time. If you have a term contract and want to cancel early, you have to pay a $150 cancellation fee. On top of that, some locations may also ask you to pay for the remaining time left on your contract. You can only cancel by submitting a written letter in person or sending it via certified mail.
If you donโt want to go through the cancellation process, most locations will let you transfer your membership to another person.
The Winner
Go with GoodLife Fitness if you want to be able to use liquid chalk and drop your weights or you donโt want to worry about expensive cancellation fees.
6. Group Classes
While theyโre much larger than boutique gyms that offer specialized classes, most chain gyms offer small group classes. Some even have their own exclusive classes that arenโt taught anywhere else. However, class schedules are different at every gym, and some have a more diverse selection than others.
GoodLife Fitness
GoodLife Fitness has a large number of classes, including spin, yoga, Zumba, Pilates, and Les Mills. Class schedules are different at each location, but most classes are held in the mornings and evenings during the week and in the mornings and afternoons on the weekends. You can also take classes on-demand if you canโt make it to a live class.
With certain memberships, you can also take performance-based classes where you have the option to wear a heart rate monitor so you can track your progress. These classes are ideal for competitive people who are motivated by seeing real-time performance data.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness only offers a small number of Pilates, boot camp, and Zumba classes each week, but it has several small group training sessions and team fitness classes. The team fitness classes are ideal for beginners and anyone whoโs interested in improving their strength or endurance.
The Winner
GoodLife Fitness is the better choice when it comes to group classes because it has a larger variety of in-person classes and you can also take them on-demand.
7. Amenities
More and more gyms are turning into full-service health clubs where you can relax, have something to eat, or play other sports in addition to working out. There are still some gyms that offer nothing more than gym equipment, though.
If you know youโll want to take advantage of amenities like saunas or massage chairs, youโll have to look for a gym that offers the services youโre most interested in.
GoodLife Fitness
Each GoodLife Fitness location has different amenities, but you can usually find basketball courts, smoothie bars, massage chairs, tanning beds, and saunas. Yoga studios and womenโs-only workout areas are also available at many locations.
GoodLife Fitness has showers and locker rooms for all of its members to use. Not all locations provide soap and shampoo in the showers, but many do. Some also offer towel services for an additional fee.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness doesnโt have any basketball courts, saunas, or pools. It also doesnโt offer childcare. However, some locations have massage chairs, red light therapy, and tanning beds.
Most Anytime Fitness locations have changing rooms and cubbies where you can store your belongings, but not all of them have lockers or showers.
The Winner
Go with GoodLife Fitness if you want access to additional perks such as saunas, pools, and smoothie bars.
8. Personal Training
Nearly all gyms have personal trainers, but their quality can vary greatly. If youโre joining a gym based solely on how good its personal trainers are, youโll need to check their qualifications to make sure they can help you reach your goals.
Since personal training sessions arenโt typically included with your membership, youโll also need to make sure you can afford the extra costs.
GoodLife Fitness
Personal trainers at GoodLife are certified through either GoodLifeโs own personal training institution or Canfitproโข, which is the largest personal training certification in Canada.
The trainers are ranked by tiers based on how much education and experience they have. If you work with a level I, II, or III trainer, you can expect to pay around $60 for a one-hour session. A level IV or V trainer can cost $85/hour or more. If youโre willing to commit to six monthsโ worth of sessions, you can buy them in bulk.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitnessโs personal trainers have certifications through NASM, ISSA, ACE, or other similar places. Most of the trainers also have college degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, or a related area.
You can get either 30-minute or 60-minute sessions. The 30-minute sessions start at $25 and the 60-minute sessions range from $30 – $75. You can also save money by buying sessions in packages of 5, 10, or 20.
The Winner
Thereโs nothing about the personal trainers at either gym that stands out, but I recommend the ones at Anytime Fitness because theyโre more affordable.
9. Locations
In addition to making sure the gym you choose has a location close to your home or office, itโs also worthwhile to ask about its reciprocity rules. Knowing whether or not you can visit other locations can come in handy if you want to keep up with your routine while youโre on vacation or you have to unexpectedly go out of town.
GoodLife Fitness
GoodLife is only in Canada and has over 450 locations throughout the country. Members with any plan except the most basic one can visit any location.
If you travel to the US, you can also use your GoodLife membership at any 24 Hour Fitness location.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness has more than 4,500 locations in 50 different countries. Once youโve been a member for at least 30 days, you can visit any location.
The Winner
If you live in any country other than Canada, go with Anytime Fitness. It has thousands of locations all over the world, so itโs likely youโll find one thatโs convenient for you.
10. Hours of Operation
Most gyms are open early in the morning and late at night, but many gyms are now offering 24/7 access to their members. This makes it easier for anyone with busy schedules to work out at times that are most convenient for them, even if itโs at 3 oโclock in the morning.
GoodLife Fitness
Members can access GoodLife Fitness 24 hours a day. However, the staff isnโt onsite during the overnight hours.
Anytime Fitness
Like GoodLife Fitness, the staff at Anytime Fitness doesnโt work overnight, but members can access the gym 24 hours a day.
The Winner
Itโs a tie since both gyms offer 24/7 access.
Who Is GoodLife Fitness For?
GoodLife Fitness is a good gym for:
- Anyone who lives in Canada
- People who like taking a large variety of group classes
- People who want access to amenities such as pools, basketball courts, and smoothie bars
- Anyone who travels to areas in the US with 24 Hour Fitness locations nearby
Who Is Anytime Fitness For?
Anytime Fitness is an ideal gym for:
- People who want to work out in a small gym
- People who are looking for a team-like environment
- People who frequently travel to other countries
Other Gym Comparisons With GoodLife Fitness and Anytime Fitness
- GoodLife Fitness vs LA Fitness
- World Gym vs GoodLife Fitness
- GoodLife Fitness vs Fit4Less
- Workout Anytime vs Anytime Fitness
- Anytime Fitness vs Planet Fitness
- Anytime Fitness vs Equinox
- Anytime Fitness vs Crunch
- Anytime Fitness vs Youfit
- 24 Hour Fitness vs Anytime Fitness
- YMCA vs Anytime Fitness
- Anytime Fitness vs Goldโs Gym
- Anytime Fitness vs LA Fitness
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.