Gym comparison
LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness
LA Fitness and Planet Fitness can both work, but they solve different problems. This comparison focuses on cost, amenities, classes, guest access, cancellation friction, and who each gym usually fits best.
Published July 6, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026 by James Fisher
Which gym is better for amenities?
LA Fitness is usually the stronger choice for amenities if your local club offers pools, courts, group fitness, cycling, sauna, personal training, or broader facility access.
Planet Fitness can be a better fit for simple workouts, but it is not usually positioned around premium amenities. Compare your exact local clubs because facility quality and availability can vary.
Which gym is cheaper?
Planet Fitness is often cheaper for basic access, while LA Fitness may cost more because it can include broader amenities, larger clubs, classes, and access options.
Do not compare only the monthly number. Compare annual fees, startup fees, cancellation requirements, guest privileges, and the amenities you will actually use.
Who should choose each gym?
LA Fitness fits people who want a fuller health club experience. Planet Fitness fits people who want simple, budget-focused workouts without needing many classes, courts, pools, or premium services.
If you train heavily, swim, play basketball, take classes, or want multiple amenities under one roof, LA Fitness may justify the higher cost. If you need a clean place for cardio and basic machines, Planet Fitness may be enough.
Which gym is better for guest access?
Guest access depends on the exact membership tier and club rules, so neither brand should be treated as automatically better for bringing someone.
Compare whether the guest must be with you, whether ID or a waiver is required, which amenities the guest can use, and whether the guest benefit is included in the plan you are actually buying.
Which gym is easier to leave later?
Cancellation should be compared before joining because each brand, location, membership type, and payment setup can create different steps and timing rules.
Read the cancellation method, notice timing, billing cutoff, annual-fee timing, and proof requirements. A cheaper gym is less attractive if the plan is hard to change when your routine stops working.
Side-by-side
LA Fitness vs Planet Fitness at a glance
| Decision factor | LA Fitness | Planet Fitness |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Broader amenity and class users | Budget-focused basic gym users |
| Equipment | Strength, cardio, functional areas; selection varies | Cardio and general strength; selection varies |
| Classes | Group fitness is common at participating clubs | Traditional instructor-led class selection is generally more limited |
| Pools and courts | Available at selected clubs | Generally not the core offering |
| Guest access | Depends on plan, pass, and club rules | Depends on membership tier and current rules |
| Location choice | Single-club, regional, or broader access may be offered | Access depends on the selected membership tier |
| Best comparison | Full first-year cost and usable amenities | Full first-year cost and the features of the selected tier |
Practical checks
What to do with each detail
FAQ
Quick answers before you decide
Is LA Fitness better than Planet Fitness?
LA Fitness is better if you will use broader amenities. Planet Fitness can be better if you mainly want a lower-cost basic gym.
Is Planet Fitness cheaper than LA Fitness?
Planet Fitness is often positioned as the cheaper option, but compare full yearly cost, startup fees, annual fees, and what each membership includes.
Which gym is better for classes and a pool?
LA Fitness is more likely to fit that need at a participating club, but confirm the exact location's pool and class schedule before joining.
Which gym is better for a simple low-cost workout?
Planet Fitness may fit a basic cardio and strength routine, while LA Fitness may justify more cost when you use its broader amenities.
References
Sources for details that can change
These links support time-sensitive facts or provide the current account route. The explanation, calculations, comparisons, and practical guidance on this page are independently written.