Crunch Fitness Membership: Pros, Cons, & Is It Worth It? | PowerliftingTechnique.com (2024)

Crunch Fitness has over 300 locations in the US, Canada, and Australia. It’s known for providing a high-quality gym experience at a low price point.

I recently visited Crunch Fitness in Parsippany, NJ, to find out if a membership is worth it.

So, is a Crunch Fitness membership worth it? Yes, a Crunch Fitness membership is worth it. Whether you prefer strength training with machines or free weights, group fitness classes, or cardio, Crunch has it all. Plus, the Crunch membership cost is reasonable at most locations. However, not all amenities are included in all membership plans.

For anyone with at least a few months of training experience, Crunch Fitness is an excellent gym. But I don’t recommend Crunch Fitness for beginners because of how large it is and how much there is to choose from. It’s easy for a beginner to get overwhelmed.

In this article, I’ll discuss:

• Crunch Fitness prices and membership plans
• How much a Crunch Fitness membership costs
• What kind of equipment and amenities you’ll find at Crunch Fitness?
• Crunch Fitness’s policies
• Is personal training at Crunch Fitness is worth it?
• Tips for new Crunch Fitness members
• Common complaints about Crunch Fitness
• Crunch Fitness alternatives

My Experience Working Out At Crunch Fitness

I always assumed Crunch Fitness was your typical low-budget fitness center with mediocre equipment. I was happy to be proven wrong when I walked into the Parsippany location.

The staff member who helped me check in was friendly and polite. He showed me around the gym and told me about everything Crunch Fitness offers. He also explained the different Crunch Fitness prices and plans to me, but he wasn’t overly aggressive about getting me to buy a membership.

All of the machines and free weights were in good shape. The gym floor, locker rooms, bathrooms, and studio for group fitness classes were spotless.

The area around the Parsippany location is close to many corporate offices, so the clientele skews towards young professionals and middle-aged adults. I didn’t see many teenagers or senior citizens while there, but that could have just been due to the time of day I went.

This location tends to be busy no matter what time of day you go. Like most gyms, it’s busiest in the evenings, but it also gets crowded in the middle of the day. You can usually find a machine to use even if it’s busy, but you may have to wait for a squat rack or bench press station to become available.

I’ve visited a lot of gyms over the past few weeks, and I’d put this one in my top three. Even though it’s not a huge resort-style gym like Life Time Fitness, I felt like I could spend hours at Crunch and still not want to leave.

If I needed to buy a gym membership, I would strongly consider joining Crunch Fitness. I didn’t sign up after my visit because I already have a garage gym.

Remember that this review is based on my experience at Crunch Fitness in Parsippany, NJ. Each club will have a different clientele, equipment, and atmosphere. If you’re curious about Crunch Fitness, I recommend calling or visiting a location near you to see what it’s like.

Crunch Fitness Membership: Pros & Cons

As much as I enjoyed working out at Crunch Fitness, it’s not perfect. Below are some of its pros and cons.

Pros

• You get access to a ton of equipment and amenities. Crunch Fitness has a huge variety of cardio and strength equipment, group classes, and amenities for a reasonable monthly fee. Some of these things are only available with the most expensive membership, but it’s still less than what you’d pay at other gyms with fewer amenities.

• Crunch Fitness is known for its cleanliness and overall upkeep of its gym equipment. By and large, the gym floor and all of the amenities at Crunch Fitness are clean and well-maintained. If any machine breaks, it’s repaired or replaced quickly.

• Members like the personal trainers and group fitness instructors. Members tend to enjoy working with their personal trainers at Crunch, and they love the positive energy from the group fitness instructors.

• Crunch Fitness has a motivating and supportive atmosphere. The vibe at Crunch Fitness is very inviting and encouraging. The gym welcomes all different kinds of training, so you’ll fit in no matter what kind of workouts you prefer.

Cons

• Depending on which plan you get, you may have to pay a lot upfront. Crunch’s enrollment fees can be as high as $75. You may also have to pay a separate administrative fee at some locations when you join, which results in high upfront costs. There’s also an annual fee.

• Some locations are always busy. Evenings are busy for all gyms, but many Crunch Fitness locations are crowded no matter which time of day you go.

Want to build a home gym easily? Check out the best all-in-one home gyms that can get you a great workout.

Crunch Fitness Membership Plans, Prices, and Discounts

Crunch Fitness Memberships

At most locations, Crunch Fitness offers three membership plans: Base, Peak, and Peak Results.

The Base plan is the basic membership. The Peak plan is the middle-of-the-road option, and the Peak Results plan is the highest-tier option.

Below is a table that shows everything Crunch Fitness offers for each membership:

To learn about the membership plans at a Crunch Fitness near you, check out the Crunch Fitness locations page.

How Much Is Crunch Fitness?

As you can see, you get a lot when you join Crunch Fitness. But how much is a Crunch membership?

It’s hard to provide exact details because Crunch Fitness prices vary by location. There are also signature clubs that have more expensive plans.

But to give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay, I included the Crunch Fitness prices as of 2022 at the Parsippany, NJ location (a regular club) and the Morristown, NJ location (a signature club) below. These prices do not include extra fees, such as the annual fee and enrollment fee. I’ll discuss that information in the following section.

Also, these plans are month-to-month, but I know of other locations offering term contracts.

Crunch Membership Cost: Standard

Crunch Membership Cost: Signature Club

Looking for a gym that offers free passes or trials? Check out our detailed guide: .

Does Crunch Fitness Have Hidden Fees?

Crunch Fitness fees are usually disclosed upfront. The only fees that may be hidden are administrative fees, which Crunch Fitness charges for things like transferring membership to another location. These fees are usually around $50.

There is a Crunch Fitness annual fee for all membership plans. The annual fee is around $42 at regular clubs and $64 at signature clubs. Note that the annual fee may be higher or lower in different regions of the US.

Similarly, there is a Crunch Fitness enrollment fee for all membership plans. This fee ranges from $25 to $75, depending on your plan. The Basic plan has the highest enrollment fee, while the Peak Results plan has the lowest. Like the annual fee, the enrollment fee may be different in your area.

However, even with the enrollment and annual fees, Crunch Fitness prices are still very reasonable.

Does Crunch Fitness Offer Discounted Memberships?

The number of discounts Crunch Fitness offers is limited. Most locations only offer corporate discounts. If your employer signs up for the corporate program, you can save on membership fees and join Crunch for as little as $10/month.

However, during special times of the year, Crunch Fitness offers promotions where you can get your first month for free.

Does Crunch Fitness Offer Student Discounts?

Crunch Fitness doesn’t offer universal student discounts. However, some locations offer short-term memberships (lasting about three months) that students can take advantage of during summer breaks.

Check out our article Best Gyms For College Students for other gyms that are great for students.

Gym Equipment

The cardio machines at Crunch Fitness are from Precor and Octane Fitness, two high-quality fitness equipment suppliers.

The spin studio had Schwinn spin bikes. There was also a Stairmaster HIITmill, a treadmill with farmer’s carry arms attached to it. I didn’t have a chance to use it, but it looked like a fun machine!

All of the cable and plate-loaded machines were from Hoist Fitness. In the free weights area, the dumbbells go up to 120lbs. Crunch also has colored bumper plates and rubber-coated grip plates. In addition to Olympic barbells, Crunch has trap bars, EZ curl bars, and preloaded straight bars that go up to 100lbs.

Crunch Fitness also has a large functional training area with kettlebells, punching bags, rigs, medicine balls, battle ropes, TRX bands, tires, Concept 2 rowers, agility ladders, Bosu balls, and hex dumbbells.

Does Crunch Fitness Have Squat Racks?

Crunch Fitness has squat racks, power cages, and/or half racks. The exact number of racks each club has will vary.

Does Crunch Fitness Have Deadlift Platforms?

Crunch Fitness has deadlift platforms, but like the squat racks, each club will have a different amount. You should be able to find at least two at most locations.

Crunch Fitness Benefits, Features, and Amenities

Some amenities are standard across all Crunch Fitness locations, but others are only available at signature clubs. Many amenities are also available with Peak or Peak Results memberships.

The table below shows the amenities that are included with Crunch Fitness prices:

If you’re looking for a gym with amenities that Crunch Fitness doesn’t offer, check out our guides below:

• Best Gyms With Basketball Courts
• Best Gyms With Childcare (What To Expect, Rules, Cost
• Best Gyms With Tanning (What’s Expected, Cost, How To Use
• Best Gyms With Classes

Crunch Fitness Hours

Each location has different hours, but I provided the hours for Crunch Fitness in Parsippany, NJ, to give you an idea of when the gym is open:

To get the hours of operation for your local club, visit the Crunch Fitness locations page to search for the one closest to you.

Who Does Crunch Fitness Cater To?

In my experience, Crunch Fitness is for everyone. By joining Crunch, you can access a well-stocked fitness center with enough strength training and cardio equipment to suit various training styles.

With Crunch memberships, you get access to a large assortment of free weights, benches, machines, squat racks, and lifting platforms. Because of this, I’d recommend it to powerlifters and bodybuilders.

I’d even recommend Crunch Fitness to CrossFitters. The HIIT/functional training area has rigs with wall ball targets, medicine balls, kettlebells, bumper plates, and rowers. You can easily do a metcon there.

Crunch Fitness is also a good fitness center for people who like group fitness classes, want to hire a personal trainer or have weight loss goals. Crunch Fitness offers various classes (including a fun cardio body training class), personal training packages, and tools to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals.

However, I wouldn’t recommend Crunch Fitness for beginners because of the size of the gym and how much equipment there is. Someone new to fitness can easily get overwhelmed there.

I recommend that newbies get their feet wet in a gym such as Snap Fitness or Anytime Fitness first. These gyms aren’t as large as Crunch, so you can get used to working out and using different machines in a smaller facility. As you get stronger and develop more of a routine, you can give Crunch Fitness a try.

Is Crunch Fitness Safe for Women?

Even though Crunch doesn’t have a women’s-only section, it’s a safe gym for women.

I felt comfortable working out there. Nobody bothered me, and I didn’t see anybody doing anything inappropriate. Most people were too busy watching TV on the cardio machines or staring at their phones in between sets as they were strength training.

Crunch prides itself on creating a safe workout space for everyone. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to speak to a staff member.

Want a gym that allows kids & teens? Check out our guide:

Crunch Fitness Policies

Policy On Dropping Weights, Grunting, and Chalk

Each Crunch location has its own rules about dropping weights and using chalk. I wasn’t allowed to use chalk at the Parsippany fitness center. I was told it was okay to drop weights, but only if I had to.

There are no rules against grunting, but members are asked to be considerate of other people working out around them.

How To Cancel a Crunch Fitness Membership and How Much It Costs

Crunch Fitness offers term contracts and month-to-month contracts. Some locations may offer both or one or the other. The cancellation process for each type of contract is the same, but the fees associated with each vary.

You can also freeze Crunch memberships if you have an illness or injury that prevents you from working out.

To Cancel a Month-to-Month Contract:

You can cancel a month-to-month contract at any time. You must submit a written letter in person or mail a certified letter to your home club and provide 10 days’ notice.

There is no cancellation fee.

To Cancel a Term Contract:

You must also submit a written letter in person or mail a certified letter to your primary location.

Crunch Fitness charges an administrative fee of around $50 to cancel a term contract. You may also have to pay a portion of the unused time left on your contract.

To Freeze a Crunch Fitness Membership:

Each club has its own freeze policies, but you can generally freeze your membership for at least three months. You may have to show a doctor’s note to prove you have a medical reason for being unable to work out.

Guest Policy: Can You Bring A Friend or Wife/Husband?

Crunch Fitness offers guest benefits to all members with a Peak Results membership. Guests must be at least 18 years old. They’re allowed to use any equipment but can’t take group fitness classes unless they pay a small fee.

Pet Policy: Can You Bring Your Dog To Work Out?

Only dogs that are certified service animals are allowed at Crunch Fitness.

Are Crunch Fitness Memberships Transferrable?

Crunch Fitness memberships cannot be transferred to another person.

If you want to transfer your home club to another location, you can submit a written request to your current location. You’ll have to pay an administrative fee of around $50 and then have to start paying the current rates at your new club.

Does a Crunch Fitness Membership Work Anywhere?

Members with Peak and Peak Results plans can visit other Crunch Fitness locations except for signature clubs.

Does Crunch Fitness Have a Dress Code?

Crunch Fitness isn’t strict when it comes to the dress code. Its membership agreement only states that “proper athletic attire is required.” I saw a few women working out in just sports bras while I was at the Parsippany location, but I was told that men have to wear shirts at all times.

I asked about lifting barefoot (in socks) and was told I could do so. Each location will have its own rules about this, though. I recommend checking with your local club to ask about its policies regarding barefoot lifting.

Can My Child Work Out At Crunch Fitness?

Children between 12 and 14 are allowed on the gym floor if an adult accompanies them. Children who are at least 15 can work out independently with permission from a parent or legal guardian. However, only individuals who are at least 18 can sign a contract.

Is Crunch Fitness Personal Training Worth It?

Crunch Fitness prices do not include personal training sessions. However, Crunch Fitness offers personal training for an additional cost.

Personal training sessions at Crunch can cost as much as $100/hour, depending on your location. However, you can save money by buying sessions in bulk. You can get 10 sessions at some locations for as little as $400.

You’re also entitled to one free session when you sign up, so it’s a great way to test a trainer and see how you like working with him or her.

Crunch Fitness requires its trainers to be certified through an accredited personal training institution, but it prefers the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Crunch also prefers that its trainers have degrees in exercise science or kinesiology. Therefore, you’ll likely find that the trainers at Crunch are highly qualified and have extensive fitness knowledge.

However, they can be pushy. Some of them make low base salaries, so they’re more likely to hit you with aggressive sales pitches to increase their commissions. And most personal training contracts will lock you in for six months to a year.

So while I would say that personal training at Crunch is worth it, I’d also recommend that you think carefully before hiring one, and don’t be afraid to say no if you’re not willing to commit to it.

Want our list of gyms with a personal trainer? Check out our guide: 9 Best Gyms With Trainers (And, How Not To Get Ripped Off)

Tips For New Crunch Fitness Members

1. The Online Nutrition Program Isn’t Worth It

The nutrition program at Crunch is offered in partnership with dotFIT. After learning more about it, I wouldn’t recommend it to most people.

When you register, you have to answer questions about your medical history and activity levels. Its calorie calculator then provides a daily calorie goal depending on whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, maintain weight, or improve performance.

I chose the weight loss option, which gave me a really low-calorie goal of almost 1,000 calories less than my maintenance calories.

This low of a deficit isn’t sustainable, and I wouldn’t suggest it as part of a long-term weight loss strategy. There are better resources out there, such as Precision Nutrition’s calorie calculator, that offer more reasonable approaches to dieting.

If you’re a female, check out our guide on the female powerlifting diet. Even though it’s geared towards powerlifters, many of the principles in this guide can also be applied to other training styles.

2. Know the Differences Between Standard and Signature Clubs

Crunch Fitness has standard and signature clubs. The signature clubs are usually larger and have more amenities. This also means they cost more, but their differences are sometimes minor.

For example, in my area, the Crunch Fitness prices for a signature club that’s only a few miles away from a standard club are $30 more per month. The annual fee is also about $20 higher.

However, the only difference between the two is that the signature location has a pool. A pool wouldn’t be a necessity for me, so spending the extra money wouldn’t be worth it.

The signature clubs are great if you have a large budget or will use the amenities you can’t find at a standard club. But if you can’t afford the higher Crunch Fitness prices, I’d recommend sticking with a regular club. You don’t want to get stuck paying for extra amenities you’ll never use.

3. You Can Ask a Manager About Signing a Short-Term Contract

If you only want a membership for a short time, you can negotiate your contract. Depending on your situation, the gym may be able to offer short-term contracts for just a few months.

This will allow you to avoid the headache of canceling your membership if you want to back out early. However, you should ensure your club doesn’t try to automatically renew your plan once the contract ends.

Crunch Fitness Complaints

Crunch gym reviews tend to be positive, and members have good experiences there. You’ll find most complaints about how difficult it is to cancel a membership. The process is inconvenient, and sometimes, it can cost you a lot of extra money.

Some members have also complained about funds being withdrawn from their bank accounts for several months after they canceled.

Former personal training clients have also reported being tricked into signing lengthy, expensive contracts. However, you can avoid this by asking many questions and reading your contract carefully before signing it. Other complaints are minor and tend to be location-specific, such as the saunas not being warm enough or the music being too loud.

Alternatives to Crunch Fitness

1. Blink Fitness

Blink Fitness is similar to Crunch Fitness regarding price but has a more laid-back atmosphere. It caters to people who enjoy cardio workouts, but you’ll also find barbells, squat racks, and other strength equipment.

Check out our complete review of Blink Fitness

2. 24-Hour Fitness

Like Crunch, 24-Hour Fitness has squat racks, lifting platforms, and high-quality barbells and bumper plates. You’ll find similar amenities such as saunas and pools at 24-Hour Fitness. However, it also has basketball courts.

Check out our complete review of 24-Hour Fitness

3. Gold’s Gym

Gold’s Gym has fun group classes, many cardio machines, and a great selection of free weights. You can usually find squat racks and deadlift platforms at Gold’s, and it also has a large functional training area.

Check out our complete review of Gold’s Gym

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Crunch Membership Easy To Cancel?

A Crunch Fitness membership isn’t very easy to cancel. You have to mail a certified letter or submit a written request in person and provide at least 10 days’ notice. It’s also common for the fitness center to continue charging you after you cancel. Therefore, you have to follow up with them frequently.

Are Crunch and Planet Fitness the Same?

Crunch and Planet Fitness are not the same. Crunch offers a lot more equipment, group fitness classes, and amenities. It also has more lenient policies regarding dress codes and dropping weights. However, the Crunch Fitness membership cost is more expensive than Planet Fitness.

Why Did Crunch Charge Me $50?

Crunch Fitness charges fees such as enrollment and annual fees. The Crunch annual fee at your location may be $50 (the annual fee varies by location), which is why you got charged. Crunch could have also charged you a $50 administrative fee if you tried to cancel your membership or transfer to another location.

How Much Is a Crunch Fitness Guest Pass?

A Crunch Fitness guest pass is $10 at regular clubs and $35 at signature clubs (prices may vary by location). However, if you have a Peak Results membership, your Crunch membership price includes guest privileges. With this plan, you can bring a guest for free.

Can I Freeze My Crunch Fitness Membership?

You can freeze a Crunch Fitness membership. Some locations allow you to do it online, but others require you to submit your request in person. You may also have to provide a doctor’s note saying you can’t work out for health reasons. You can freeze your membership fees for up to three months at a time.

Final Thoughts

So, is Crunch Fitness good? And is a membership worth it?

A Crunch Fitness membership is worth it whether you have strength-based or endurance-based goals. The staff is friendly, the group fitness instructors are motivating, and you can do almost any kind of workout there.

Crunch membership prices are also reasonable, even if you join a higher-end signature club. A basic membership may be all you need if you just want access to free weights and cardio equipment. Still, the higher-tier memberships are worth looking into if you want access to special amenities.

Other Gym Reviews

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• Is A Goodlife Fitness Membership Worth It?
• Is A Planet Fitness Membership Worth It?
• Is A Lifetime Fitness Membership Worth It?
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• Is A Equinox Membership Worth It?
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• Is A Fit4Less Membership Worth It?
• Is A World Gym Membership Worth It?
• Is A Workout Anytime Membership Worth It?
• Is A Onelife Fitness Membership Worth It?
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Crunch Fitness Gym Comparisons

• Crunch vs Planet Fitness
• Anytime Fitness vs Crunch

About The Author

Amandais a writer and editor in the fitness and nutrition industries. Growing up in a family that loved sports, she learned the importance of staying active from a young age. She started CrossFit in 2015, which led to her interest in powerlifting and weightlifting. She's passionate about helping women overcome their fear of lifting weights and teaching them how to fuel their bodies properly. When she's not training in her garage gym or working, you can find her drinking coffee, walking her dog, or indulging in one too many pieces of chocolate.