More Torontonians are opting for cheaper fitness options as gym prices appear to be soaring in the city.
Even though luxury fitness clubs like Sweat and Tonic, Altea Active, and recently UNITY fitness have gained popularity in the city, some Torontonians are concerned with their high prices.
Sweat and Tonic memberships range from $180 to $1,250 a month while Altea Active offers summer rates that start at $74.95 every other week.
Similar to other higher-end gyms in Toronto, UNITY offers a membership with open fitness space, unlimited group exercise classes, a saltwater pool, pickleball and basketball courts, a HIIT cardio area with 90-feet of performance turf, a cycling studio, a hot yoga studio, and a members’ lounge for $95 a month.
“This is an amazing price considering it gives you access to our 45,000 sq ft state-of-the-art fitness facility,” Head of Strategy and Operations at UNITY Fitness & Hospitality Adam Reynolds told Now Toronto in an email statement.
Although gyms seem to be getting more luxurious, more Torontonians seem to be shying away from expensive places to get a sweat on.
Fitness TikToker @chrispoletek posted a video earlier this year on how he left his $200 per month gym for Goodlife because he could never finish a solid workout due to how busy it was.
“It was a clout show. It was all just about fashion, the nicest outfits. Every guy is in matching Gymshark shorts…. [Goodlife] has everything you need. You don’t need a fancy gym to get a good workout in,” he said.
Goodlife is a common choice amongst Torontonians who want a fully-equipped gym without having to pay three figures a month.
Another Toronto TikToker (@vlad.zamriifit) posted a list rating Toronto gyms with Goodlife ranking as 8.5 out of 10.
Although Goodlife is considered to be a bit more affordable, it still ends up being over $50 a month for new members.
Smaller boutique gyms around the city, like Fuzion Fitness, offer a variety of fitness classes, full equipment, and even a designated women’s only area for $30 a month.
In the warmer months, plenty of affordable fitness groups in the city advocate exercising outdoors, such as Body Buster Fitness.
These classes are often more inclusive of all fitness levels and use more bodyweight exercises.
However, the most affordable gyms in the city are provided by the city themselves. FitnessTO has a year-long membership ranging from $190 to $300, which includes access to over 40 weight rooms and 30 indoor pools across the city.
There’s also an entire list of gyms with weight rooms, cardio machines, fitness classes, and public pools around the city that are free of cost to all residents.
