Not all fitness clubs are created equal. You can find a fitness club to match your needs, whether it's financial, fitness level, types of programs and activities, childcare or gender.
Equinox Fitness Clubs
Health Magazine gives Equinox 14 perfect 10s, and ranks it No. 1 in its America's Healthiest Gym review. This club is known for its cleanliness, extensive amount of cardio and strength-training equipment, and an impressively trained staff. Fitness expert Kim Lyons raves about the extensive workout programs offered at Equinox. "An excellent variety with a unique touch taught by knowledgeable trainers earns them a double thumbs-up!" she explains.
Life Time Fitness
Another top finisher, Life Time Fitness clubs provide a variety of fitness equipment, workout programs and childcare. Climb the rock wall, shoot some hoops or sign up for personal training. Life Time Fitness clubs also feature indoor/outdoor lap and leisure pools, many of which come with water slides. Refuel afterward with a variety of nutritional choices in the LifeCafe. "This club understands the importance of good nutrition," says Christine Avanti, a nutritionist in the Health Magazine study.
Curves
This popular women-only fitness club might not look as fancy as the first two on this list but this no-frills approach makes for an affordable fitness club membership. Curves, the largest fitness franchise in the world, receives top honors as another Healthiest Gym for being accessible, no matter what your age, size or fitness level. Curves welcomes first-timers with its free, on-site weight management classes as well as CurveSmart, a state-of-the-art personal coaching system placed in every piece of equipment to provide up-to-the-minute stats on your weight loss progress.
Planet Fitness
If you're new to working out, check out Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness offers a fitness club at its simplest level -- cardio and strength training equipment without the cafe, free wi-fi and juice bars. It makes up for the lack of those amenities with an energetic and respectful workout environment that features a Lunk Alarm that goes off whenever members grunt, drop weights or curse loudly.
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