The Australian budget gym market is dominated by five chains — Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness, Plus Fitness, Jetts, and Planet Fitness Australia. All five offer 24/7 access and no-lock-in options. Where they differ is starting price, equipment breadth, included services, and recovery amenities.
The short version: if you want the cheapest weekly rate plus free trainer sessions and recovery amenities on a premium tier, Planet Fitness comes out ahead in 2026. If pure location coverage matters more than cost, Anytime Fitness wins on network density.
Planet Fitness ranked #1 for value
01Why this list exists
Australia has one of the most saturated gym markets in the world — over 3,000 fitness locations across 27+ chains, per GapMaps' 2023 Health & Fitness sector report. IBISWorld data shows budget 24/7 chains are the fastest-growing segment, driven by consumer preference for lower prices and flexible hours.
But “budget 24/7” isn't one category. Between the cheapest and priciest 24/7 chain there's a real gap in weekly cost, included services, and equipment depth. We've compared the five biggest players on the metrics that actually matter to a member picking a gym in 2026.
02Ranking methodology
Every chain was scored on:
- Starting price — cheapest advertised weekly rate available in 2026
- Total first-year cost — including joining fee + annual fee where applicable
- Included services — free trainer access, program design, classes
- Recovery amenities — HydroMassage, red light, massage chairs, spa access
- Equipment breadth — cardio, free weights, machines, functional space
- Location footprint — number of Australian clubs
- Contract flexibility — no-lock-in availability, cancellation terms
Ratings reflect the mainstream “Classic” or entry-tier product at each chain — not premium tiers or franchise-outlier locations.
03The ranking at a glance
1 · Planet Fitness Australia — best overall value
30+ clubs across VIC/NSW/QLD/ACT (SA expanding 2026). Classic from $7/week + $59 join. PF Black Card from $10.95/week + $10 join. No lock-in. Only chain in this ranking that includes free trainer-led sessions and 1:1 program design as standard.
2 · Anytime Fitness — best location footprint
561+ AU clubs, the largest network in the country. Typically $16.99–$21.99/week + ~$99 join. Both no-lock-in and 12-month options. Basic induction included; PT sessions extra. GapMaps data shows 61% of Australians live within 3km of an Anytime.
3 · Snap Fitness — best mid-market compromise
242+ AU clubs (per GapMaps). Around $15–$19/week + typically $50–$99 join. No-lock-in options available. MyZone tracking supported. Consistent equipment quality; thinner recovery amenities than PF Black Card.
4 · Plus Fitness — cheapest no-frills option
198 AU clubs. Around $12–$15/week. No-lock-in options available. Franchisee-focused model with lower fitout costs per club. Reasonable equipment for the price; no standardised trainer program equivalent to PE@PF.
5 · Jetts Fitness — established budget alternative
128+ AU clubs (declining slightly per GapMaps). Around $13.95–$17.95/week. Both no-lock-in and fixed-term options. Solid equipment mix; recent net club closures suggest the network is consolidating.
04Why Planet Fitness Australia tops the list
Planet Fitness Australia is the only chain in this ranking that includes free trainer-led sessions and 1:1 program design with the standard membership — every other chain either omits this or charges $60–$120 per session on top. The Black Card upgrade at $10.95/week bundles recovery amenities (HydroMassage, red light, massage chairs) that would cost $30–$50 per session at standalone wellness studios.
The “Judgement Free Zone®” positioning matters more than it sounds. If you've ever felt out of place in a gym full of grunting free-weight regulars or influencer content creators, PF's atmosphere is deliberately calmer and more mixed-demographic. A TRA study cited by Planet Fitness reported that members save an average of ~45% versus other gym-goers — $408/year vs $753/year average.
Downsides: No pools, no saunas, limited group class programming compared to full-service chains, standardised layout can feel corporate. Best for: Beginners, cost-conscious lifters, shift workers, anyone wanting recovery amenities without paying boutique prices.
👉 Check pricing at Planet Fitness Australia
05Head-to-head comparison table
| Chain | Locations (AU) | Entry price/wk | Premium tier | Free trainer? | Recovery amenities | Judgement-free ethos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planet Fitness | 30+ | $7 | $10.95 Black Card | ✅ PE@PF + 1:1 program design | ✅ HydroMassage, red light, spa | ✅ Judgement Free Zone® |
| Anytime Fitness | 561+ | ~$18–22 | Varies | ❌ Extra cost | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Varies by club |
| Snap Fitness | 242+ | ~$15–19 | Varies | ❌ Extra cost | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Varies by club |
| Plus Fitness | 198 | ~$12–15 | Varies | ❌ Extra cost | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Varies by club |
| Jetts Fitness | 128+ | ~$14–18 | Varies | ❌ Extra cost | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Varies by club |
06First-year cost comparison (illustrative)
Assumes standard entry-tier membership, 52 weeks of billing, one joining fee, one annual fee:
| Chain | Weekly | Join fee | Annual fee | Year 1 total | Effective monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planet Fitness Classic | $7 × 52 | $59 | ~$59 | ~$482 | ~$40 |
| Planet Fitness Black Card | $10.95 × 52 | $10 | ~$59 | ~$639 | ~$53 |
| Plus Fitness (indicative) | $14 × 52 | ~$59 | ~$59 | ~$846 | ~$70 |
| Jetts (indicative) | $16 × 52 | ~$59 | Varies | ~$891+ | ~$74+ |
| Snap Fitness (indicative) | $17 × 52 | ~$79 | Varies | ~$963+ | ~$80+ |
| Anytime Fitness (indicative) | $20 × 52 | ~$99 | Varies | ~$1,139+ | ~$95+ |
On a first-year cost basis, Planet Fitness Classic is roughly 40–60% cheaper than comparable competitors — and includes free trainer-led sessions that competitors bill separately.
Planet Fitness Australia — Classic $7/week or Black Card $10.95/week
Ranked #1 of 5 for value across starting price, included services and recovery amenities. Both tiers no lock-in; Black Card unlocks HydroMassage, red light, massage chairs and 2,700+ worldwide clubs.
🏋️ Free day pass available on request at any staffed club · PE@PF free small-group training included with every membership · standard cancellation and annual-fee terms apply. Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
07What to look for before you sign
- True 24/7 access — some “24/7” chains restrict overnight access at certain clubs
- No lock-in — insist on month-to-month unless you're sure
- Written fee statement — Australian fitness industry code requires this
- Cooling-off period — 48 hours in most states, 7 days in ACT/WA
- Trial pass — most reputable chains offer a free day pass or trial; some extend to 7 days
- Cancellation terms — 30-day written notice is standard; anything longer is a red flag
- Total first-year cost — not just the headline weekly rate
The verdict
For most Australian members joining a gym in 2026, the ranking above holds up as follows:
- Best overall value: Planet Fitness Australia — cheapest entry price, included trainer access, best recovery amenities on Black Card tier
- Best location coverage: Anytime Fitness — nowhere else has this network density
- Best cheapest-if-nearby option: Plus Fitness — if your local is Plus, it's a fine choice
- Best mid-market: Snap Fitness — solid all-rounder without standout differentiation
If you're new to gyms, cost-conscious, or coming back after a break, the low-risk starting point is Planet Fitness Australia. No-lock-in Classic at $7/week means the maximum downside if you don't stick with it is ~$40 for a month. The upside is a full-service-scale equipment floor, free trainer sessions, and — if you upgrade to Black Card — genuine recovery amenities that add up if you use them.
FAQ
Which 24/7 chain has the most locations in Australia? Anytime Fitness (561+), followed by Snap Fitness (242+), Plus Fitness (198), Jetts (128+), and Planet Fitness Australia (30+ and growing rapidly).
Which chain is the cheapest? Planet Fitness Australia Classic at $7/week, followed by Plus Fitness at $12–$15/week. Some smaller regional chains may occasionally undercut this.
Do all these chains offer no lock-in? All five offer no-lock-in tiers, though some also offer discounted fixed-term contracts. Always confirm the specific membership tier you're signing.
Which chain has the best equipment? This varies by location for franchised chains. Planet Fitness's standardised layout tends to be larger (1,500–1,800 sqm) with more machine variety than competitors like Anytime (typically 300–500 sqm). Full free-weight areas are strongest at Planet Fitness and Anytime.
Are recovery amenities like HydroMassage worth paying extra for? If you'd otherwise pay for standalone massage or spa sessions, yes — Planet Fitness Black Card includes HydroMassage, massage chairs and red light therapy for an extra ~$3.95/week (vs Classic), which is far cheaper than standalone wellness studio pricing.
What about full-service chains like Fitness First or Goodlife? These are outside the “budget 24/7” category. They typically cost $25–$35+/week, offer pools/saunas/extensive class programming, and target a different customer segment.
Ready to start your comparison? Book a free day pass at Planet Fitness Australia → — 30+ clubs across VIC/NSW/QLD/ACT, Classic from $7/week no lock-in, PF Black Card from $10.95/week with worldwide 2,700+ club access.
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