Founded in 1965, Gold’s Gym began as a small gym in Venice Beach, California, but has since expanded and now has locations all over the world. “Famous athletes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu have trained at Gold’s Gym in Venice, also known as the home of bodybuilding,” a Gold’s Gym representative told PS. “They have inspired generations of future athletes at both the professional and individual levels.”
With such a celebrity clientele, you might think Gold’s Gym would charge a lot of money. But not all Gold’s Gym locations are so pricey. In fact, many locations are closer to 24 Hour Fitness or Anytime Fitness than they are to Equinox or Lifetime Fitness. Here we’ll break down Gold’s Gym prices, including how much a Gold’s Gym membership costs and the amenities you can expect at their fitness centers.
How much does Gold’s Gym cost?
Gold’s Gym membership fees are not uniform. According to a Gold’s Gym representative, Gold’s Gym has locations in 23 countries around the world, with over 580 gyms overseas and over 200 gyms in the United States. And because each location has its own pricing model, there’s no clear-cut answer to the question of how much Gold’s Gym costs. You’ll have to look around your local clubs and ask for pricing information.
That said, we wanted to find out all we could about Gold’s Gym prices, so we looked at pricing information from various Gold’s Gym locations across the country. Here’s what we found:
Gold’s Gym Membership Fees
While every location has its own pricing model, most Gold’s Gyms seem to offer at least two price tiers: a basic membership (which usually grants access to one club) and a premium level membership (which may guarantee access to multiple clubs or exclusive class or training opportunities).
For example, the Downtown Los Angeles location advertises two membership plans: the Single Basic Annual Plan, which costs $55 per year ($59 initiation fee) and gives you access to cardio and strength training equipment only at that club; and the Platinum Club Access, which costs $59 per month (currently discounted to $55, $1 initiation fee) and gives you additional amenities (unlimited group exercise classes, unlimited body composition scans with InBody machines, access to the pool, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi) and admission to any Gold’s Gym SoCal location.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown Park location in Washington DC also has two membership options, where the Platinum Membership is $40 every two weeks (with a one-year commitment) and the Black Membership is $50 every two weeks (but on a month-to-month basis). Both memberships offer access to over 20 Gold’s Gyms, travel passes to all Gold’s locations, group exercise classes, and more, while the Black Membership also gives you guest passes and access to recovery options with every visit.
In Texas, plans range from $35 per month for an annual contract to $40 per month for a month-to-month contract. Other states, such as Wyoming and Oklahoma, also charge around $35 per month for membership.
Bottom line: Gold’s Gym membership prices and options vary widely. For the most accurate information, use the Gold’s Gym website to find a location near you and navigate from there to your local club’s offers.
Gold’s Gym membership fee
One thing to consider when joining Gold’s Gym is that you might have to pay an initiation fee. In our research, we found that some clubs have initiation fees as high as $99, while others have no initiation fee. Either way, “you’ll typically have to pay your first month’s membership fee and an annual fee the day you join,” a Gold’s Gym rep tells PS. “For company-owned gyms, there’s no initiation fee and they offer 12-month or month-to-month options.”
Can I try Gold’s Gym for free?
Yes, you can usually try Gold’s Gym for free with a trial pass; however, be sure to read the fine print as there may be restrictions, such as guests must be over 18 or you can’t use a free pass if you’ve visited as a member or guest within the last six months. To set up your free visit, contact the gym you’re interested in directly.
Additional Price Considerations
According to a Gold’s Gym representative, amenities vary at each Gold’s Gym location. Most locations offer a variety of group fitness classes through their Les Mills program or Gold’s Gym’s own group fitness program (known as Gold’s Studio). These classes include Zumba, cycling, boot camp, yoga classes, and more. They also usually have recovery amenities like cryotherapy and compression therapy boots. However, access to group fitness classes and additional services varies by club and membership plan.
Most Gold’s Gym locations also offer the option to sign up for personal training, with per-session fees varying by location. Gold’s Gym also offers an app, where members can check in, book classes, and find nearby locations.
Jade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and strength and conditioning expert. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She earned her Master of Science in Exercise Science and Strength and Conditioning from The George Washington University.
