Even though I work out pretty regularly all year round, there's something about the New Year that always makes me want to take my fitness routine up a notch. That's true whether I've been slacking since Thanksgiving or not. As soon as the fog that descends on my brain between December 25 and January 1 lifts, all I can think about is exercising — what I want to do more of this year, what classes my friends have been raving about that I want to try, what I'm going to differently (the answer to that last one is always: stretch more).
Fortunately, my annual fitness obsession could not be better timed. Right about now is when many gyms, studios, and subscription services are offering deep discounts — cheap gym memberships and fitness deals that make it easier for newbie and veteran exercisers to pick up a new workout, return to a former favorite, or just take part in their old reliable.
Here, some of the biggest gym membership deals of 2020. Happy sweating!
ClassPass
When: December 23 to January 31.
New Year's Perks: Get one free, full month when you sign up for the membership program, which grants you access to thousands of studios and gyms across the world. (That's twice the length of the usual two-week free trial that comes with new membership.)
Where: Worldwide, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, and Hong Kong.
Retro Fitness
When: Through January 17.
New Year's Perks: When you buy one year-long Retro Fitness membership, you get another year-long membership for free to gift to anyone of your choosing. Give it away if you're feeling generous, or sign up with a friend and go halfsies on the paid membership so you can both save.
Where: At participating locations nationwide.
Planet Fitness
When: Through January 9.
New Year's Perks: Put $0.20 down, pay $10 a month, no commitment required. That's a big improvement from the usual startup fee, and it'll get you full access to your "home" PF gym, free fitness training, and free WiFi while you work out. (There's also an annual fee of $39.)
Where: At participating locations nationwide.
Gold's Gym
When: Through January 31.
New Year's Perks: Join the gym for just $1 down, a huge discount from the usual enrollment fees, which can exceed $100 other times of year. (If you want to try the famous gym before committing, you can request a free pass online.)
Where: At participating locations nationwide.
Crunch
When: Through January 6.
New Year's Perks: Join now, get 30% off all memberships. Simple — but serious savings.
Where: U.S. and Costa Rica Crunch locations; Australian and Spanish Crunches have their own deals.
New York Sports Club
When: Expiration date is TBD.
New Year's Perks: Put $1 down, and pay no dues until March. The monthly cost varies by location.
Where: Greater New York and Connecticut. Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC have their own sports clubs that are holding the same deal.
305 Fitness
When: Offers expire in two to three months, depending on the location — and hurry! This workout is super-popular, and some deals are already sold out.
New Year's Perks: They vary by city, but most offer deep savings on class costs when you buy single sessions or packs.
Where: New York, Boston, Washington DC, Los Angelos, Chicago, San Francisco.
Equinox
When: Through January 31.
New Year's Perks: How's this for motivation? Work out eight times in 30 days, and get a refund on your initiation fee, which can be as high as $200 to $300 depending on where your gym is.
Where: Select locations nationwide.
Emily Skye FIT
When: Through January 14.
New Year's Perks: Save 25% off the usual 12-month plan and 10% off the usual 3-month plan. This gives you access to HIIT workouts, resistance and weight training, and stretch sessions, plus meal plans and mindfulness exercises.
Where: Anywhere. It's an online-based service.
Snap Fitness
When: Through January 7.
New Year's Perk: Join for a measly $0.20 instead of the usual enrollment fee. It's a great, basic option: Members get a 24/7 access card, and perks like training guides.
Where: Participating locations nationwide.