Best and worst gyms ranked 2026

Whether it’s lifting weights or running on treadmills, our unique survey insights reveal which gym chains are worth breaking a sweat for.

In September 2025, we asked nearly 6,500 gym goers (members of the Which? Connect panel and the public) about their experiences to reveal the UK’s best and worst-performing gym brands. Respondents could answer based on their experience with up to three gyms in the survey that they had a membership with since August 2023.

From David Lloyd to PureGym, users shared their opinions on facilities, classes, value for money and other aspects. Five brands impressed enough to be recommended, and two were deemed Great Value.

Best gyms in the UK

We asked fitness fanatics for their thoughts on their gym’s equipment, facilities and the range of classes on offer, as well as factors such as customer service and whether members felt they were getting value for money. 

All these star ratings and customer scores can be found in our table, where we reveal which brands excelled in our survey and passed extra assessments to be Which? Recommended or Great Value providers.  

Only logged-in Which? members can view our full results of the best gyms, based on a survey of Which? members and the public carried out in September 2025.

If you’re not yet a member, you’ll see an alphabetically ordered list of the gym brands included in our survey. To get instant access to the full rankings and all our reviews, join Which? today.

Anytime Fitness

• Locations Nationwide
• Average Price £39.99 per month (£26.99 - £65.95) 
• Key Features 24/7 access, extensive equipment and machine selection, brand discounts for members
• Cancellation One month's notice, dealt with by your local club or through the online cancellation request portal

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Anytime Fitness.

Bannatyne Health Club & Spa

• Locations 65 Nationwide
• Average Price £58.99 (£35.99 - £89.99)
• Key Features Swimming pools, spa baths and saunas at some locations
• Cancellation One month's notice in writing to your local club

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Bannatyne Health Clubs.

Better

• Locations Nationwide, mostly across England
• Average Price £40 per month (£19.95 - £95)
• Key Features Free access to the majority of locations and some online classes (standard membership) and a wide range of activities
• Cancellation 20 days' notice via online customer portal or the ‘manage membership’ button on the app 

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Better gyms.

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David Lloyd

• Locations Nationwide
• Average Price £144 per month (£62 - £329)
• Key Features Swimming pools, spas, studios, and mostly free parking
• Cancellation Three months' notice in writing as email to your club membership department or in your member portal

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of David Lloyd.

Energie Fitness

• Locations 50 across the UK, mostly in the South
• Average Price £29.99 per month (£19.99 - £44.99)
• Key Features Member onboarding session, signature Yard training space, live and on-demand online classes
• Cancellation One month's notice, using the online member area or by speaking directly to the team at the gym

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Energie Fitness.

Everlast Gyms

• Locations 60 Nationwide, mainly in the north west of England
• Average Price £30 per month (£20 - £90)
• Key Features Swimming pools at some locations, specialised studios, boxing-focused HIIT classes
• Cancellation One month's notice to your local club

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Everlast Gyms.

Everyone Active

• Locations Nationwide
• Average Price £34.99 per month (£14.99 - £52.49)
• Key Features Swimming pool, sports and activities at some locations
• Cancellation Must be cancelled before the 20th of the month, via your online profile

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F45 Training

• Locations 34, mostly in London
• Average Price £182.50 per month (£130 - £233)
• Key Features Unique team-training sessions, screen-guided workouts, body scans and trackers
• Cancellation One month's notice directly through your local studio

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of F45 Training

Fitness First

• Locations 26 in England and Wales, mostly in London
• Average Price £75 per month (£45 - £115)
• Key Features Swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms at select locations, specialised classes
• Cancellation One month's notice via the ‘my membership’ section online or by contacting member services

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Fitness First.

Freedom Leisure

• Locations Over 90, mostly in the Midlands, the south of England and across Wales
• Average Price Approximately £46 per month (£26.75 - £59.95)*
• Key Features Racket sports and swimming pools available at some locations
• Cancellation One month's notice via membership cancellation request

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Fusion Lifestyle

• Locations 20, mostly in the south of England
• Average Price £40 per month (£33 - £46)
• Key Features Swimming pools, yoga & pilates sessions, free day passes 
• Cancellation One month's notice via online membership cancellation form

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Halo Leisure

• Locations 25, mostly across South Wales and Western England
• Average Price £37.50 per month (£12.75 - £40.25)
• Key Features Full-sized swimming pools, racket sports and other activities available at some locations 
• Cancellation One month's notice by completing Halo’s cancellation request form

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The Gym Group

• Locations Nationwide
• Average Price £23.99 per month (£12.99 - £37.99)
• Key Features Most locations open 24/7, free classes, standard short-term contracts
• Cancellation Completed at least four days before next payment through online members area or by cancelling direct debit with your bank (for monthly rolling contracts)

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of The Gym Group.

JD Gyms

• Locations Nationwide, mostly the north west of England
• Average Price £26.99 per month (£13.50 - £29.99)
• Key Features Free classes, saunas in some locations, standard short-term contract, Some 24/7 access locations
• Cancellation 30 days' notice via online cancellation form

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of JD Gyms.

Lifestyle Fitness

• Locations 22, mostly rural areas across UK
• Average Price £25.99 per month (£14.99 - £40)
• Key Features Sauna, steam room and sports facilities at some locations, easy parking by centres
• Cancellation One month's notice via email to the club

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Lifestyle Fitness.

Nuffield Health

• Locations 67 Nationwide
• Average Price £77 per month (£52 - £125)
• Key Features Swimming pool, spa, sauna, along with free classes and parking
• Cancellation One month's notice in writing to your local club

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Nuffield Health.

Places Leisure

• Locations Over 80 nationwide, mostly in the south of England
• Average Price £40 per month (£20 - £60)
• Key Features Swimming pools, sports halls and squash courts available at some locations, GP exercise referral programme 
• Cancellation 15 days' notice through membership change request form

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Places Leisure.

PureGym

• Locations Nationwide
• Average Price £24.99 per month (£10.50 - £49.99)
• Key Features Most locations open 24/7, free classes, standard short-term contracts
• Cancellation Completed at least four days before the next payment through the online members area or by cancelling the direct debit with your bank (for monthly rolling contracts)

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of PureGym.

Snap Fitness

• Locations Nationwide in England and Wales
• Average Price £33.99 per month (£23.50 - £47.99)
• Key Features Free Parking, 24/7 access, money-back guarantee if you're unhappy after the first month
• Cancellation 30 days' notice with your local club

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Snap Fitness.

Third Space

• Locations 13, all in London
• Average Price £252 per month (£245 - £325)
• Key Features Bespoke studios, luxurious amenities, performance treatments like cryotherapy, and on-site kitchens
• Cancellation One month's notice either via the Third Space member app or by email

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Third Space.

Total Fitness

• Locations 17, mostly the north west of England
• Average Price £56 per month (£36 - £72)
• Key Features Swimming pool, free classes, squash courts at some locations, ladies-only gyms
• Cancellation One month's notice via ‘My Membership’ on the app, or by emailing the member line

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Total Fitness.

Village Gyms

• Locations 35 nationwide 
• Average Price £63 per month (£50 - £95)
• Key Features Swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, member rewards and discounts on partnered brands
• Cancellation 90 days' notice via your online account

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Village Gyms.

Virgin Active

• Locations 30 mostly in London
• Average Price £119.99 (£69.99 - £299)
• Key Features Swimming pool, spa and sauna, free classes, studios, and lounge
• Cancellation One month's notice through the Your Membership tab on Virgin Active online portal

Log in or join Which? today to find out what users think of Virgin Active.

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Gym membership costs compared

'Two-thirds of the people we surveyed also said they used some form of introductory offer for their membership, so it's worth checking with brands you're interested in to see what’s available.'

- Jack Murphy, gym pricing expert

The cost of gym memberships can vary by hundreds of pounds, even for the same chain. It depends on the location, whether you go at peak or off-peak times, and extras such as premium facilities, classes and more.

Based on the brands covered in our survey, the average gym membership price is currently £40 per month. The cheapest chain we compared was The Gym Group at £23.99 a month, which was more than 10 times cheaper than the most expensive brand, luxury group Third Space, at a gut-busting £252 per month.

Some gyms offer discounts for groups such as students, seniors and occasionally NHS workers too. Two-thirds of the people we surveyed also said they used some form of introductory offer for their membership, so it's worth checking with brands you're interested in to see what’s available.

Of course, there's no point going for a cheap gym that doesn't have the facilities you need. Check out the Great Value recommended gyms in our reviews for the brands that keep customers happy without compromising on cost.

If you're looking to build a home gym, see our expert advice on the best treadmills and best walking pads.

What to consider when choosing a gym

Jack Murphy, Which? gyms expert, says:

'Selecting the right gym for your fitness goals can sometimes feel a bigger exertion than the workouts themselves. It’s important to know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so keep a variety of factors in mind before tying yourself down.

• Are premium extras a must? Look at budget gyms if you only expect to use weights, machines and cardio equipment. If you're looking for extra facilities such as a swimming pool, external sports and saunas, you'll probably have to pay a premium for them.
• Check different locations  Prices can vary based on the location you choose - even within the same chain. While a convenient location is handy for building a sustainable gym routine, it’s worth checking prices at gyms near you or at places you regularly travel to, like the office, to see if you can save by taking a slight detour. 
• What’s your routine? Opening hours vary between gym brands, so be aware if you prefer working out at a less conventional time. If that sounds like you, think about getting an off-peak membership to save money. These differ from gym to gym, but usually permit access on weekends, late nights and during work hours. 
• Don't get locked in unless you're committed Despite the savings they bring, you shouldn’t rush into long-term contracts, especially if you're less experienced in the gym, as you may find what you've chosen isn’t suitable for you. Try free day passes of gyms where available to get to grips with new surroundings, and limit memberships to monthly contracts until you’re happy with your choice.'

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What annoys people about their gyms?

Fees

When customers were dissatisfied with their gym memberships, a common theme in their responses was the cost of their membership or recent price increases. 

One respondent told us they thought that their ‘membership is very expensive and doesn’t offer value for money'. Another said, ‘If there was an alternative gym nearby at a reasonable price, I would probably give it a try’.  

Equipment

Another gripe some experienced, particularly in cheaper gym chains, was not being able to access certain areas or equipment. 

For some, this was due to faulty machines that were not being repaired quickly enough. One disgruntled member said they felt that ‘the process to fix the machines is unacceptably long’.

Crowds

Other people had their gym’s equipment working fine, but it was constantly in use. 

There was also frustration with finding classes overbooked or, in some cases, frequently cancelled. But gyms being too busy and regularly feeling crowded was a common issue.

The best ways around this are either avoiding peak times when going for your workouts, or looking for a slightly more out-of-the-way - or bigger - gym where possible. 

How we uncovered the best gyms

Our customer scores are based on results from our survey of 6,498 adults (Which? members and the general public) who had been gym members in the past two years, conducted in September 2025.  Respondents could answer based on their experience with up to three gyms in the survey that they had a membership with since August 2023. 

We asked respondents to rate their gym membership across a range of factors, including customer service, company communication, equipment, core and premium facilities, cleanliness, class range and quality, and value for money.

We also run a pricing analysis to work out which brands represent the very best value for customers and work out which brands we can name as Great Value, so you can easily find the best and cheapest gyms near you.

Brands needed to receive a minimum of 40 responses to be included in our results.

To be a Which? Recommended Provider, a gym chain needed to:

• Have an overall customer score of 70% or higher
• Be rated three stars or above in all categories

To be a Great Value gym, a chain needed to:

• Have an overall customer score of 65% or higher
• Be rated three stars or higher in customer service, gym equipment, changing facilities and cleanliness
• Be significantly cheaper than the market average.