Lifetime Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness are national gym chains that offer many extra amenities and features. Both companies pride themselves on their large, open, state-of-the-art facilities. They both offer a plethora of extra activities such as aerobic classes, boot camps and personal training. However, each gym does have its own niche features that set it apart.
Locations
More than four hundred 24 Hour Fitness gyms are spread out across the U.S., mostly in large cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Houston. The gym chain saturates a city with its presence, placing several fitness clubs in each area. The majority of clubs are located in the South and Western U.S.
Lifetime Fitness has one-quarter the amount of clubs with 90 gyms in 19 states. The majority of gyms are in the middle of the country with a few locations in the South and East.
24 Hour Fitness Niche
24 Hour Fitness is more sports-oriented than Lifetime Fitness. Several of the 24 Hour Fitness gyms are sponsored by an athlete, usually one associated with that area. Austin, Texas, has several Lance Armstrong clubs, California has Magic Johnson clubs and Las Vegas features Magic Johnson clubs.
24 Hour Fitness offers several types of clubs. The basic gym offers strength and cardio equipment. The Sport, Super Sport and Ultra Sport gyms vary in their amenities. Most locations offer classes, steam rooms and whirlpools. Some of the clubs have basketball courts, swimming pools, functional training areas or racquetball courts.
Lifetime Fitness Niche
Lifetime Fitness specializes in offering huge, well-kept, state-of-the-art facilities. They market their clubs as providing you with a slew of choices in classes, personal training and amenities. Lifetime Fitness targets families with children more than 24 Hour Fitness. They offer programs for kids, including a child center, summer camps, swimming lessons and youth sports. Some of the locations have a water park for children.
Bottom Line
The best club for you is the one that offers what you need at a reasonable price. Lifetime Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness offer free trial memberships. Take advantage of these offers and try out the club for a week. One club may have more amenities and a bigger selection of equipment, but if you won't use any of that, you may be more comfortable at a different club. Both gyms offer the basics. Try out each one, if you have both in your area, and decide what amenities and extras are most important to you.
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