If you enjoy working out but you also enjoy tanning, looking for the best gyms with tanning facilities means you can get the best of both worlds.
Many gyms offer tanning beds that can be used alongside the fitness areas as part of your monthly gym membership. Others require additional payments for each use of the tanning beds.
The best gyms with tanning beds are:
- Planet Fitness
- Gold’s Gym
- World Gym
- GoodLife Fitness
- Anytime Fitness
- Crunch Fitness
- Snap Fitness
- Fit4Less
In this article, I’m going to cover the best gyms with tanning beds, the important things that you need to know before using gyms with tanning facilities, and the benefits of joining these gyms.
7 Things To Know When Looking For A Gym With Tanning
Here are six important things to consider when you’re searching for a gym with tanning facilities:
- Some gyms offer starter packages or initial discounts
- The tanning facilities are not always included in your gym membership
- Be wary of the busier times of the day
- You won’t see an advertisement for ‘unlimited’ or ‘free’ tanning in some jurisdictions
- Gyms that don’t have tanning may have discounts for nearby tanning salons
- There may be more gyms with tanning in your area depending on your location
1. Some Gyms Offer Starter Packages Or Initial Discounts
Many gyms offer starter packages to new members to get free or discounted tanning for a limited time when they sign up.
Initial discounts and starter packages won’t be available at every gym, and you may not see signs for this around your local club. Make sure you ask for more information at reception if you’re interested in the tanning offers that they have available.
2. You Won’t See An Advertisement For ‘Unlimited’ Or ‘Free’ Tanning In Some Jurisdictions
Piggybacking off the above point, while some gyms may offer free or discounted tanning services, you might not see them advertised as such. In some jurisdictions, it’s illegal to use the terms ‘unlimited’ or ‘free’ when talking about gym tanning facilities. Even if the tanning beds are available as part of your membership, they will not be advertised as ‘free’.
For example, Planet Fitness faced legal action by the New York Attorney General in 2015 over this issue. Planet Fitness clubs in New York now no longer use the terms ‘unlimited’ or ‘free’ to advertise its tanning services.
You can also expect restrictions and limits on how often you can use the tanning facilities each week.
3. The Tanning Facilities Are Not Always Included In Your Gym Membership
Some, but not all, gyms allow you to access the tanning facilities as part of your normal gym membership.
Before you sign up to one of the gyms with tanning beds, ask if it’s included in your membership or if you need to pay an extra fee per session.
Even if the tanning is included in your monthly gym membership, there might be rules around when and how often you can use the facilities. Again, this is something that you should ask about at your local club if you’re unsure.
4. Be Wary Of The Busier Times Of The Day
As with the fitness areas and studios, the tanning facilities at your gym might be busier at certain times of the day.
Most people who are signed up to a gym will work the standard 9 to 5 hours and will, therefore, be using the gym (including the tanning facilities) after they’ve finished work.
If you plan on going to the gym to use the tanning facilities between 5 and 8 pm, expect them to be fairly busy. For those of you who want a peaceful, relaxing tanning session, try to avoid going at the busier times of the day.
5. Gyms That Don’t Have Tanning May Have Discounts For Nearby Tanning Salons
If your local gym doesn’t have tanning beds, they might be partnered up with local salons that offer discounts to gym members.
Some gyms have discounts or offers for their members to use local tanning salons. This might be in the form of discounts or free tanning sessions.
This isn’t something that would be standard across all franchises, so make sure to ask at the reception desk to see if they are partnered up with any nearby tanning services.
6. There May Be More Gyms With Tanning In Your Area Depending On Your Location
There are regional differences when it comes to finding the best gyms with tanning facilities.
This report indicates that the highest proportion of gyms with tanning beds was in the Midwest region of the United States, with 87% of gyms offering these services.
The same report also stated that there are more gyms with tanning beds in the US (1,347 out of 1,727 gyms, or 78%) compared to Canada (88 of 203 gyms, or 43%).
Gyms With Tanning Beds: 8 Top Picks
1. Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is one of the six largest gym franchises with tanning services, with 732 locations with tanning beds across the US (a total of around 3,736 tanning beds). Most of the 2,000+ Planet Fitness clubs have tanning beds.
Although Planet Fitness isn’t the best option for advanced lifters because of its gym policies, it has a great range of gym equipment as well as lots of additional amenities, including tanning beds. In fact, it is one of the cheapest franchises with the option of tanning services.
The tanning beds are not accessible to those who are on the basic membership. However, the PF Black Card membership costs $22.99/month plus taxes, and you will be able to use the tanning beds as part of this monthly membership plan.
Check out my full Planet Fitness review to learn more.
2. Gold’s Gym
Despite tanning facilities being removed from a lot of the Gold’s Gym clubs, some Gold’s Gym locations still have tanning beds that are available for members to use.
With 128 of over 700 locations offering tanning servings, Gold’s Gym is another one of the largest gym chains with tanning. You may need to pay an additional fee to use the tanning services, but the price may vary depending on your location.
If the Gold’s Gym locations near you don't offer tanning services on-site, they might offer discounts for tanning salons nearby.
Check out my full Gold’s Gym review to learn more.
3. World Gym
World Gym is one of the best gyms with tanning, with most locations offering tanning facilities.
Depending on the location, tanning may be available as part of your membership or you might need to pay an extra fee. Make sure to check with your local club to learn about its particular policies.
The cost of an All Access World Gym membership is just $19/month, making it one of the cheapest chain gyms around. They also offer three-month and one-month membership options for $117 and $39, respectively. However, membership costs may be higher depending on which part of the world you live in.
Check out my full World Gym review to learn more.
4. GoodLife Fitness
GoodLife Fitness is only available in Canada, but most locations have tanning beds, which are either included as part of your membership or available as an add-on.
As with most gyms, the types of plans that are available and their prices vary by location. However, at most locations, you’ll need what’s called an Ultimate membership plan if you want to take advantage of the tanning facilities. This plan costs around $36.99 every two weeks plus a $49.99 joining fee depending on the location.
Check out my full GoodLife Fitness review to learn more.
5. Anytime Fitness
Tanning beds won’t be found at every Anytime Fitness location but there is a small selection of clubs that do offer these services.
A few of the Anytime Fitness clubs have tanning services alongside a range of other amenities. You might need to book a time slot in advance as most clubs only have one or two tanning beds. You’ll be able to book either at the reception desk or through Anytime Fitness’s mobile app.
The tanning beds may be available as part of your monthly gym membership, which costs $27.50 to $29.50 plus taxes every two weeks depending on the location, or you may have to pay an extra fee.
Check out my full Anytime Fitness review to learn more.
6. Crunch Fitness
A large number of the Crunch Fitness gyms offer tanning services that are available to use on the Peak Results membership.
Crunch Fitness charges $29.99/month plus taxes depending on the location for its Peak Results membership, which enables members to access the tanning facilities. However, if you are on the Base or Peak memberships (costing $12.99/month and $24.99/month, respectively), you won’t be able to access the tanning beds.
Some locations may allow you to use the tanning facilities on the Base or Peak memberships for an additional fee, but others won’t offer this service at all to members who aren’t on the Peak Results plan. Ask at your local gym to see what they offer.
Check out my full Crunch Fitness review to learn more.
7. Snap Fitness
Some, but not all, of the Snap Fitness clubs have tanning beds that are available for members to use as part of their membership plan or for an additional fee.
Access to the tanning beds at Snap Fitness may be included in your monthly membership, which costs anywhere from $49/month to $129/month, depending on your location and the included amenities. However, some locations will charge an additional monthly fee of $15 to use the tanning beds.
Since Snap Fitness is open 24 hours, you will easily be able to find a quiet time of the day or night to use the tanning beds.
Check out my full Snap Fitness review to learn more.
8. Fit4Less
Most of the Fit4Less gyms have tanning services that are free to use if you’re on the Black Card membership.
The Fit4Less Black Card costs $11.99 every two weeks and includes access to the tanning services. This membership enables you to access every one of the Fit4Less gym locations, and you can even share your membership with your friends and family.
Check out my full Fit4Less review to learn more.
Gyms Without Tanning
The following gyms do not have tanning beds:
- Equinox
- LA Fitness
- Life Time Fitness
- Onelife Fitness
- 24 Hour Fitness
- Blink Fitness
- Youfit
- F45
1. Equinox
Equinox doesn’t have tanning beds, but you’ll find a range of other high-quality amenities.
Despite not having tanning facilities, Equinox has an extensive selection of free weights, strength machines, and cardio machines. You might also find unique equipment that isn’t common in other gym franchises, such as Woodway treadmills, which are manual treadmills that you power yourself instead of by relying on a motor.
Equinox also has lots of great group classes, and it’s known for being a well-maintained gym franchise. However, with memberships priced at around $200/month, you are paying for the high-end experience.
2. LA Fitness
There are no tanning facilities at LA Fitness clubs. But if you’re just looking for a great gym where you can work out, LA Fitness is a suitable option.
LA Fitness has lots of resistance and cardio equipment, including squat racks, deadlift platforms, treadmills, and bikes.
There is a good selection of gym classes, and many LA Fitness locations also have indoor pools and women’s-only areas.
3. Life Time Fitness
You won’t find tanning beds in Life Time Fitness gyms but you will find a great range of high-quality workout equipment and other amenities.
Life Time Fitness has a large selection of free weights and cardio machines. Many clubs also have indoor and outdoor pools, climbing walls, basketball courts, and tennis courts, so it’s unlikely that you’ll ever get bored when you go there.
4. Onelife Fitness
Onelife Fitness doesn’t have tanning services but it’s a great franchise if you enjoy other gym amenities.
At Onelife Fitness, you’ll find a nice range of strength and cardio equipment, as well as pools, saunas, and hydro-massage facilities. Some clubs have yoga studios and smoothie bars, too.
5. 24 Hour Fitness
If you’re looking to grow muscle and gain strength, 24 Hour Fitness is perfect for you, but unfortunately, there are no tanning beds.
24 Hour Fitness is known for having a great selection of strength equipment. It also has pools, saunas, and basketball courts at many locations. However, if you’re searching for a gym with tanning facilities, you won’t find them at 24 Hour Fitness.
6. Blink Fitness
Blink Fitness offers affordable memberships and well-maintained clubs, but it doesn’t have tanning services.
For just $23/month plus taxes (depending on the location), you can access over 90 Blink Fitness locations across the US. It’s a great option if you enjoy doing cardio, with an extensive range of machines at most locations.
But for those of you looking to get a tan after your workout, you’ll be disappointed to hear that Blink Fitness doesn’t have tanning beds at any locations.
7. Youfit
There are no tanning beds at any Youfit locations but you’ll find basic gym equipment, including free weights and cardio machines.
Youfit is known for its affordable memberships and friendly environment. There are no tanning beds in any Youfit location, and most clubs are fairly small with limited amenities.
8. F45
F45 doesn’t have any tanning beds. In fact, most locations don’t have any extra amenities at all, so you’ll also be hard-pressed to find a location with pools, saunas, or luxurious locker rooms.
F45 isn’t your typical chain gym. It only offers group classes in which everybody does the same exact workout everyday, regardless of which location you attend or what time you go.
It’s a great gym if you get bored with traditional strength training workouts or steady-state cardio exercises, but it’s not ideal if you want to be able to use a tanning bed before or after your workout.
Benefits of Joining A Gym With Tanning Beds
There are many benefits to joining one of the gyms with tanning beds, including:
- Tanning beds in gyms are likely to be cheaper than salons
- You can save time
- You might be able to bring a friend
- More motivation to workout
1. Tanning Beds In Gyms Are Likely To Be Cheaper Than Salons
If you’re already spending money on a gym membership each month, you won’t need to spend extra money paying a salon to use its tanning services if your gym has these facilities available.
Spending money on a gym membership as well as paying for several tanning sessions each month can get expensive. If your gym offers tanning services as part of your monthly membership, you can, therefore, save a lot of money.
Even if your gym charges an additional fee to use the tanning beds, gym prices are usually a little cheaper than those at independently owned tanning salons. This is because the tanning beds in gyms aren’t subjected to the 10% tanning tax, which the US government requires from certain businesses that provide tanning services.
2. You Can Save Time
If you use the tanning beds at the gym immediately before or after a workout, you can save time traveling to and from the tanning salon every time you want to use the tanning beds.
It’s going to be much easier to organize your busy schedule when you can get your workout and tanning sessions completed in one go. If you’re already at the gym facility, you’ll save yourself a lot of time each month getting both things done at once.
3. You Might Be Able To Bring A Friend
Some gyms offer one-off or monthly free trial passes that allow you to bring your friend along to the gym. You may be able to use these passes for the tanning beds in some gyms.
Many gyms offer free guest passes that you can give to your friends. Ask your local club if these passes enable access to the tanning facilities. If so, you can bring your friend along for a free tanning session.
4. More Motivation to Workout
If you’re heading to the gym to use the tanning beds, you might find that you want to squeeze in a quick workout or take a group class while you’re there.
Having your tanning facilities in the same place as your gym may help to boost your motivation for exercise. If you finish a tanning session and you’ve got some free time, you might end up spontaneously using the fitness studio or joining a group class.
This may help you to reach your health and fitness goals, especially if you’ve been struggling to find your motivation.
The Darkside of Gyms & Tanning Beds
Tanning beds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which has been known to cause damage to the DNA in human cells for years. This DNA damage can increase the risk of skin cancer before the age of 35 by 75%.
Tanning beds are a great way to get an even tan quickly and easily, and many gym members enjoy using the tanning facilities before or after their workouts. However, there is evidence to show that the use of tanning beds may increase the risk of skin cancer.
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a serious form of skin cancer. Studies show that indoor tanning facilities are a risk factor for the development of MM, regardless of whether you experience burns. It’s thought that over 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the US are caused by the use of indoor tanning beds.
There is an increasing concern over the promotion of indoor tanning in fitness centers because it reinforces the idea that tanning is part of living a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Sherry Pagoto stated that ‘gyms are giving tanning beds a health halo’. Researchers have also called out gyms for undermining the negative health effects of using tanning beds.
Many people agree that tanning beds should be removed from gyms and some franchises have begun to remove their tanning facilities in recent years. Alongside this, the self-tanning product market is projected to increase by 5.9% by 2025. This shows that more people are searching for non-harmful alternatives to getting a tan.
Other Gym Resources
- 11 Best Gyms With Classes (What’s Included, Schedule, & Types)
- 7 Best Gyms With Basketball Courts (Cost & What To Expect)
- 12 Best Gyms With Childcare (What To Expect, Rules, Cost)
- 10 Best Gyms With Pools, Saunas, & Hot Tubs (2022)
- 5 Best Gyms For College Students (With Student Discounts)
- 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.
