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Is A GoodLife Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)

• Amanda Parker
• Last Modified On January 16, 2024

Fact Checked By Benjamin Jenks (NASM-CPT)

GoodLife Fitness is the largest chain gym in Canada with over 200 locations across the country.

I worked out at a GoodLife Fitness with one of my friends recently to find out if a membership is worth it.

So, is a GoodLife Fitness membership worth it? A GoodLife Fitness membership is worth it because it has plenty of cardio and strength machines, free weights, group classes, and many amenities. Most locations also have equipment for powerlifting and functional fitness workouts. And since many locations are open 24 hours, you can work out at any time.

After reading this article, you’ll be able to determine if GoodLife Fitness is the right gym for you.

In this article, I’ll also talk about:

• My experience working out at GoodLife Fitness
• The pros and cons of a GoodLife Fitness membership
• GoodLife Fitness’s membership plans
• What equipment and amenities are available at GoodLife Fitness
• What the policies of GoodLife Fitness are
• Whether or not personal training at GoodLife fitness is worth it
• Tips for new GoodLife Fitness members
• Complaints about GoodLife Fitness and other gym alternatives

Gym Comparison Chart: How Does GoodLife Fitness Compare?

Table of Contents

My Experience Working Out At GoodLife Fitness

I’ve heard conflicting information about the quality of GoodLife Fitness gyms, but I enjoyed my experience there. Aside from my friend, I didn’t interact with the other members too much, but I didn’t notice anyone doing anything wrong or inappropriate. I was also impressed with the cleanliness of the gym, the locker rooms, and the bathrooms.

The clientele at GoodLife Fitness varies and depends on when you go. The people who go first thing in the morning tend to be middle-aged adults who like to keep to themselves, while people who go in the middle of the day are stay-at-home moms or older teenagers. Members who go in the evening are often more focused on socializing than working out.

Some members are judgmental,, and I’ve heard people say you’ll get strange looks when doing powerlifting or bodybuilding workouts. This isn’t indicative of every GoodLife location though, so I recommend visiting different locations to see which you feel most comfortable at.

GoodLife Fitness locations are, on average, at least 25,000 square feet, so it’s not difficult to find open machines even during peak hours. However, if you want to use a special piece of equipment and there’s only one available, you may have to wait.

I didn’t run into any issues with the staff while there, but I have heard some employees are rude. I think this will depend on the location and time of day.

I would purchase a GoodLife Fitness membership if I didn’t have my own garage gym. I was impressed with the number of amenities it offers, and I also liked that you can do nearly any kind of workout there .

It’s important to keep in mind that this is based on my experience at Edmonton’s Rabbit Hill Road and 23 Ave location. Other locations may have different pieces of equipment and amenities, so I recommend dropping into one near you to see how you like it.

GoodLife Fitness: Pros & Cons

Every gym will have its positives and negatives. Below are some of the pros and cons I noticed about GoodLife Fitness when I visited.

• You can use your GoodLife Fitness membership at any location. If you’re traveling, you can visit any other GoodLife location free of charge.
• The gyms are very clean. The location I visited was well-maintained. Everyone cleaned up after themselves and there was no trash left behind. The showers and locker rooms were also pretty much spotless.
• The memberships are affordable and there are no locked-in contracts. Since the memberships are month-to-month at most locations, you can cancel at any time.
• You can access the gym 24 hours a day. GoodLife Fitness gyms are open 24 hours a day. If you have a busy schedule or work odd hours, you can work out at any time that’s convenient for you.
• GoodLife has a lot of equipment. There’s a large selection of strength and cardio equipment as well as free weights, so GoodLife caters to a wide variety of individuals.
• The members and most of the staff are friendly. Although the other members kept to themselves while I was there, my friend who’s been attending GoodLife for five years says everyone is friendly and welcoming. The staff who were working while I visited were also helpful and made sure I had everything I needed for my workout.
• Unless you only have the basic membership plan, group classes are free. Some gyms charge additional fees per class or per month for group classes. Depending on what membership plan you have at GoodLife, you can take as many group classes as you want without having to pay extra.
• You may have to wait for a deadlift platform or squat rack during busy times. GoodLife Fitness only has a handful of deadlift platforms and squat racks, so it can be hard to find one that’s available during peak hours.
• The staff is very strict about following gym rules. While the fact that the staff enforces the gym’s policies isn’t a bad thing, the way they handle certain situations is. Some staff members can be rude and demanding, even when a gentle reminder about the gym rules would suffice.

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

How Much Does A GoodLife Fitness Membership Cost?

GoodLife Fitness offers three membership plans : Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Some locations offer a Performance plan instead of an Ultimate plan.

Below is an overview of the three plans available at the Edmonton Rabbit Hill Road and 23 Ave location. Although this location doesn’t offer a Performance plan, I included information about that plan below as well.

Essential Membership

The Essential Membership costs $29.99 every two weeks , not including tax. This is the most basic plan. With this membership, you get:

• Access to the Edmonton Rabbit Hill Road and 23 Ave location only
• Access to all strength and cardio equipment
• GoodLife rewards, which I’ll talk more about further down in this section

With this plan, you can also temporarily freeze your membership, but you’ll still need to pay a monthly fee of $10.

Premium Membership

This plan costs $31.99 every two weeks , not including tax. Like the Essential plan, it only offers access to the strength and cardio equipment and GoodLife rewards, but you can go to any GoodLife gym in Canada.

Ultimate Membership

The Ultimate plan costs $36.99 every two weeks , not including tax. With this membership, you get:

• Access to All Locations
• Group Fitness
• Strength & Cardio Equipment

GoodLife Rewards

• Family Add-Ons
• Free Membership Holds

mindDEN is a unique service at some GoodLife locations where members can practice meditation. Meditation sessions are available from 5 to 20 minutes at a time.

Performance Membership

As I mentioned earlier, some GoodLife locations offer this plan instead of the Premium plan. The Performance membership costs $54.99 every two weeks , not including tax, and includes:

• Performance Programming
• Empower HIIT

Empower HIIT, PEAK, and REGYMEN are specialized group-focused fitness classes that combine HIIT and strength training. 

The Empower HIIT and PEAK classes utilize Myzone heart rate monitors so you can receive performance feedback in real-time. REGYMEN classes are similar to CrossFit classes, but there’s no heavy barbell work.

While more generic classes such as Zumba and Pilates are included with some GoodLife memberships, the specialized classes cost extra. If you’re interested in taking them, I recommend the Performance plan if your location offers it, so you don’t have to pay separately for each class.

Joining Fees

There is a $50 joining fee for all membership plans.

GoodLife memberships include rewards for participating businesses throughout Canada. You can get discounts on meals, hotel rooms, apparel, supplements, and more.

Corporate Memberships

Some organizations in Canada partner with GoodLife Fitness to offer discounts of up to 50% on gym memberships for their employees .

In addition to the services I listed above, members with corporate memberships have access to exclusive virtual workouts. GoodLife also offers on-site services such as massages, meditation classes, and nutritional counseling.

Free Trials

GoodLife Fitness offers free trial passes for new members on its website.

Looking for a gym that offers free passes or trials? Check out our detailed guide: 14 Gyms With Free Passes & Trials .

These passes are only good for one visit, but GoodLife sometimes offers 2-week or 4-week free trials. I recommend calling the location you’re interested in to see if they have any promotions available for extended trial periods.

If you're a student, membership costs might be cheaper. Check out our article Best Gyms With Student Discounts .

Gym Equipment

Like most chain gyms, GoodLife Fitness has a lot of resistance and cardio machines from Life Fitness and Hammer Strength , which are two of the most popular commercial fitness equipment suppliers.

The spin bikes are from Expresso, and they’re nice because you can turn the handlebars and follow virtual road tracks on the screen.

GoodLife Fitness has its own brand of round dumbbells and plates. The dumbbells go up to 100lbs. You can also find preloaded EZ curl bars and barbells that go up to 100lbs as well. At some locations, you can find trap bars or safety bars .

I was surprised to see that GoodLife Fitness has Eleiko barbells and bumper plates because not a lot of chain gyms have high-end equipment like this. However, at some locations, the Eleiko products are only available in the personal training areas.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Squat Racks?

The GoodLife Fitness location I visited had 6 squat racks. My friend said that it’s hard to secure one during the gym’s busiest hours, but they’re usually available if you go early in the morning or in the middle of the day.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Deadlift Platforms? 

The gym I went to had two deadlift platforms. Like the squat racks, they’re not always available during the gym’s peak hours, but they’re usually free in the mornings and afternoons.

Special Features & Amenities

Each GoodLife Fitness club will have different amenities, but based on my research, they are pretty standard across most locations.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Pool?

Most GoodLife Fitness locations have pools. You can swim on your own or take aqua classes.

Want our full list of gyms with pools? Check out our guide: 10 Best Gyms With Pools, Saunas, & Hot Tubs .

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Sauna?

Most GoodLife Fitness locations have saunas, but you may only be allowed to access them with certain membership plans.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Showers and Locker Rooms?

GoodLife Fitness has showers and locker rooms. It also has a free towel service with corporate memberships but an extra $10/month for all other members .

The lockers can only be used while you’re working out. You aren’t allowed to leave your belongings in them overnight.

Want our full list of gyms with showers? Check out our guide: 18 Best Gyms With Showers (Cleanliness & What’s Included) .

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Basketball Court?

Some GoodLife Fitness locations have full basketball courts , and others just have nets. Some locations have squash courts instead, but you may only have access to them with certain membership plans.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Childcare?

Many GoodLife Fitness locations have stopped offering childcare services within the past couple of years . Some locations still provide a childcare service called JUMP, but I recommend calling or visiting the location you wish to join to determine whether this service is available.

Want our full list of gyms with childcare? Check out our guide: 12 Best Gyms With Childcare (What To Expect, Rules, Cost)

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Tanning Beds?

Many GoodLife Fitness locations have tanning beds. Access to the tanning beds may be included with your membership or you may have to pay extra for a monthly tanning package.

Want a gym with tanning? Check out our guide: Best Gyms With Tanning (What’s Expected, Cost, How To Use)

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Yoga Studio?

GoodLife Fitness has yoga studios. You can take classes such as Vinyasa, Yin/Yang, and Power yoga. The yoga studios are also used for meditation sessions throughout the day.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Smoothie Bar?

GoodLife Fitness has a smoothie bar. You can get a post-workout smoothie for around $5 as well as protein bars, bottles of water, or sports beverages.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Massage Chairs?

HydroMassage chairs are available at most GoodLife Fitness locations.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Women’s-Only Area?

GoodLife Fitness has women’s-only areas with strength and cardio equipment as well as free weights. They also offer women’s-only group classes.

Some locations are strictly for women only. At these locations, members are notified if any men will be around at a particular time — for example, if repairs are being done inside the gym. You can decide whether or not you’re comfortable attending the gym during those times.

Does GoodLife Fitness Have Group Classes?

GoodLife Fitness offers a range of group classes that include cycling, aquatics, cardio, strength, yoga, Zumba, and Pilates . Group classes aren’t included with the Essential membership plan, but they are included with all other plans.

Some locations also offer a series of performance group classes that are a mix of strength and cardio. These classes utilize heart rate monitors to track your performance and your progress over time. The performance classes are included with the Performance membership plan, but all other members will have to pay extra to take them.

While they aren’t necessarily “group” classes, GoodLife Fitness also offers virtual classes that you can take in any studio if you can’t make it to a scheduled class.

Want our full list of gyms with classes? Check out our guide: 11 Best Gyms With Classes

Does GoodLife Fitness Have a Cardio Cinema Room?

Some GoodLife Fitness locations have a cardio theatre room so you can watch movies on a big screen while you work out.

Is GoodLife Fitness Open 24 Hours a Day?

Most GoodLife Fitness locations are open 24 hours a day. Even if your location isn’t open 24 hours, you can usually go to the gym early in the morning or late in the evening.

Who Does GoodLife Fitness Cater To?

GoodLife Fitness caters to various people, including bodybuilders, powerlifters, and general fitness enthusiasts . It has a huge selection of resistance machines as well as treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, and stair climbers. Most locations have squat racks and deadlift platforms.

Some clubs have turf areas where you can do functional fitness or HIIT workouts, making GoodLife an excellent gym for people who have done CrossFit or individuals who enjoy more intense training styles.

GoodLife offers a lot of group classes as well. This is a great perk for people who dislike using machines and prefer to follow instructor-led workouts.

I wouldn’t recommend GoodLife Fitness to anyone who’s only interested in working with a personal trainer. The personal training plans are pricey, and the quality of trainers is questionable, which I’ll discuss in more detail further down in this article.

For this reason, I also don’t recommend GoodLife Fitness for beginners. While you can always ask the staff or another member for help if you don’t know how to use a machine, I wouldn’t rely on the trainers for assistance with creating workout plans and nutrition guidelines.

Specific Information For Women

Most GoodLife Fitness locations are co-ed but have women-only areas. A handful of locations are specifically for women only. Some women-only gyms aren’t open 24/7, though, and there tends to be more cardio equipment than strength equipment. I’ve also heard some women say that the staff will scold them if they make too much noise while deadlifting.

I asked another friend if she feels comfortable working out at GoodLife, and she said she does. There’s usually a good mix of female and male members, so, rarely, there would only be one woman in the weight room. She said she may occasionally find a man staring, but it’s not as bad as other gyms she’s been to.

GoodLife Fitness Gym Policies

Policy on dropping weights, grunting, & chalk.

Based on my research, rules about the use of chalk vary by location. I asked the staff at the location I went to, and I was told that chalk isn’t allowed at all. I know people who go to other locations where chalk is allowed. If your location doesn’t allow powdered chalk, you can use liquid chalk.

I also asked about dropping weights, and I was told that it’s okay when the gym isn’t crowded , but I should avoid doing it when there are a lot of people around because some of the members will complain about the noise.

There are no strict rules about grunting, but I recommend keeping it to a minimum whenever possible. Members who don’t lift heavy weights may not understand why people do it, and I think it’s best to avoid conflicts with other gym-goers.

Cancellation Policy & Contract Length

At most GoodLife locations, contracts are month-to-month. Only a handful of locations offer one- or two-year contracts.

You can cancel your membership within 10 days of signing up and receive a full refund. You’ll have to submit a written cancellation request in person, and the notice must include the date of your request.

If you want to cancel a membership that you’ve had for longer than 10 days, you’ll need to notify the gym in writing at least one month in advance following the same stipulations above. You’ll also have to pay a cancellation fee that ranges anywhere from $75 to $100.

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

You can bring a guest during the hours that the gym is staffed or get a guest pass from your membership portal online. The guest may need to sign a guest agreement when they check-in. Some locations may offer the guest passes for free, but others may charge a fee of about $15.

Pet Policy: Can You Bring Your Dog To Workout?

Dogs are not allowed in GoodLife Fitness unless you have a disability and are accompanied by a guide or service dog. You may have to provide a doctor’s note or your dog’s certificate of training in order for him or her to be allowed in the gym.

Are GoodLife Fitness Memberships Transferrable?

GoodLife Fitness used to allow members to transfer their memberships, but they stopped offering this option several years ago.

Does A GoodLife Fitness Membership Work Anywhere?

The most basic membership plan only allows you to work out at the location where you initially signed up. All other membership plans allow you to visit any location.

Is There A Dress Code?

While there is no dress code stated in the contract, GoodLife Fitness expects its members to dress in appropriate workout attire. This means no jeans, sandals, dress shoes, or baggy clothing that can get caught on the machines.

I’ve heard of some locations frowning upon women working out in sports bras and booty shorts, but I’ve also heard of some clubs that are okay with it. I recommend checking with the staff or observing how the other women dress at your GoodLife location to get a sense of what’s allowed.

I recommend doing the same if you like to squat or deadlift barefoot . The employees at the location I went to didn’t seem to mind me deadlifting in just socks, but as I mentioned earlier, some staff members are sticklers about following the rules. Check with them before you take your shoes off to ensure you aren’t breaking any rules.

Can My Child Work Out at GoodLife Fitness?

Children who are at least 12 years old can work out at GoodLife Fitness. A parent or guardian will have to sign for minors, and all members under the age of 18 have to complete a Youth Starter program. This program is available at no extra charge and teaches teens proper gym etiquette and how to use the equipment.

Every summer, children and teens between the ages of 12 and 17 can also sign up for free access to virtual classes. Children who already have a GoodLife membership can choose to freeze their in-club membership for the summer.

Is GoodLife Fitness Personal Training Worth It? 

The decision to hire a personal trainer at GoodLife depends on your goals and your training history. It also depends on your budget since you’ll have to pay extra for your personal training sessions. However, in most cases, I don’t think GoodLife Fitness personal training is worth it.

GoodLife Fitness’s trainers are ranked by tiers based on how much education and experience they have. The cost of a personal trainer goes up or down accordingly. Sessions start at $60/hour for level I, II, or III trainers and can go up to $85/hour or more for level IV or V trainers.

Personal trainers at GoodLife must have certifications through the GoodLife Personal Training Institute™ or Canfitpro™, Canada’s largest fitness education provider.

These courses aren’t highly regarded, and both tend to have high pass rates, GoodLife personal trainers don’t need to have any additional education or training, so you’ll find some big disparities in the quality of trainers who earn these certifications.

I’ve also heard that the lower-level trainers only get to keep a small percentage of the money they bring in . It’s likely that some of them won’t put in as much effort when they know they’re not getting paid a lot of money.

When you sign up for a GoodLife personal training package, you have to agree to a minimum of six months. I think this is too long of a commitment regardless of how much experience you have. Beginners can usually pick up enough knowledge to train on their own within three months, and more seasoned gym-goers can learn new training methods within that same time frame.

If you try to cancel your personal training contract early, you’ll have to pay a penalty fee , and you don’t get a refund for unused sessions. I’d skip the personal training sessions at GoodLife. If you need guidance, you can work out with a friend, watch YouTube videos to learn proper form, or start with free training plans online.

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 Members

1. Think Carefully About Which Plan You Want Before You Sign a Contract

GoodLife Fitness offers three different membership plans that determine what you get access to.

Before you sign a contract, think about what you’ll realistically use the gym for. You don’t want to be stuck with an expensive membership when you only use the treadmills, and you don’t want to be stuck with the basic plan if you want access to other locations when you travel.

If you need to, you can change your membership plan by speaking to a staff member, but it’s easier if you choose the correct plan from the start.

2 . Make Sure You Understand All of Your Gym’s Rules

This may sound obvious, but since the GoodLife staff members have a reputation for being strict about following the rules, make sure you understand all of your gym’s policies before you work out. Some of the employees aren’t very forgiving, even for a minor faux pas.

3. Take Advantage of the GoodLife App

GoodLife Fitness members can download the GoodLife mobile app on Android or Apple devices. Through the app, you can look up exercise tutorials, view class schedules, and take virtual classes anywhere. The app also has a unique barcode so you can scan into any GoodLife location with your phone.

GoodLife Fitness Complaints

One of the biggest complaints about GoodLife Fitness is how difficult it is to cancel a membership . This is true of almost every chain gym, but most of the complaints I’ve seen about GoodLife seem like misunderstandings by the members.

For example, the contract states that you must submit a cancelation request in writing at the location where you initially signed up. Many complaints are from members who got upset after they couldn’t cancel their memberships over the phone.

Even though GoodLife is supposed to notify members 30-90 days before automatically renewing any contracts, some members have claimed that they never received these notifications .

Recently, GoodLife Fitness has suffered from staff shortages, and members have stated that its customer service is going downhill. When they try to contact the gym via email or phone, it takes days or weeks to receive a response.

While the location I went to was clean and the machines were well-maintained, I’ve also heard that cleanliness isn’t a priority at other locations and other clubs have a lot of broken machines.

Alternatives to GoodLife Fitness

GoodLife Fitness is the most popular chain gym in Canada, but there are plenty of other options if you don’t think it’s the right gym for you.

1. Gold’s Gym

In terms of amenities, Gold’s Gym is one of the most similar chain gyms to GoodLife Fitness. Gold’s Gym isn’t as popular in Canada, though. If there’s one near you, I recommend checking it out because you’ll find a similar amount of equipment and group classes. You’ll likely also find a similar clientele at Gold’s Gym.

Check out our complete review of Gold’s Gym .

2. LA Fitness

Like Gold’s Gym, LA Fitness offers similar amenities to GoodLife Fitness. It’s not a 24-hour gym, but it’s open early in the morning and late in the evening. An LA Fitness membership is cheaper than GoodLife Fitness, so if you can’t afford a GoodLife membership, LA Fitness may be more in line with your budget.

Check out our complete review of LA Fitness .

3. Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness is smaller than GoodLife and doesn’t offer quite as many amenities, but it’s less expensive and it’s also available 24 hours a day. Anytime Fitness gyms tend to be smaller than GoodLife Fitness, making it a good option for beginners and people who don’t need a ton of machines or equipment.

Check out our complete review of Anytime Fitness .

Other Gym Reviews

• Is A Snap Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Planet Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Lifetime Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Equinox Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A YMCA Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A 24 Hour Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is An F45 Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Fit4Less Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A World Gym Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Blink Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Workout Anytime Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Onelife Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Crunch Fitness Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is A Youfit Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)
• Is An Orangetheory Membership Worth It? (Honest Review)

GoldLife Fitness Gym Comparisons

• GoodLife Fitness vs LA Fitness
• GoodLife Fitness vs Fit4Less
• World Gym vs GoodLife Fitness
• GoodLife Fitness vs Anytime Fitness

Final Thoughts

GoodLife Fitness is an excellent gym where bodybuilders, powerlifters, CrossFitters, and general fitness enthusiasts can all reach their goals. It has its flaws and it’s not the cheapest gym around, but considering all that you get with a monthly membership, the cost is worth it.

About The Author

Amanda Parker has a passion for competing and coaching in both powerlifting and weightlifting. She uses her knowledge from her Kinesiology Degree, CSCS, and Precision Nutrition certification to coach athletes and lifestyle clients for performance in training and nutrition. Connect with her on Instagram .

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LA Fitness vs GoodLife Fitness: Cost, Equipment & Amenities Compared

If this is the year you’re finally ready to get serious about your health and join a gym, you have a lot of choices ahead of you.

There are at least a dozen major international big box gym chains you can choose from, not to mention local clubs and boutique fitness studios.

The question is: How do you narrow them down?

It helps to set a rough budget and pick between options that are close to your home or office for maximum convenience.

If you live in Canada and are looking at a mid-range gym membership, chances are you’ll be choosing from LA Fitness and GoodLife fitness — two of the most popular options in the area.

What’s the difference between LA Fitness vs GoodLife?

GoodLife Fitness outdoes LA Fitness in most areas that count — more and better equipment, more classes, and larger facilities. However, GoodLife is also substantially more expensive.

If you can afford to join a GoodLife, chances are you’ll absolutely love it. But if LA Fitness is a better fit for your budget, it’s one of the best mid-range gyms you could possibly join and you’ll have no regrets!

Let’s take a closer look at these two and which one might be the better fit for you!

What is LA Fitness?

LA Fitness is my favorite mid-range gym and the one I personally use as of this writing.

What’s a mid-range gym? That’s a gym that costs somewhere around $30-50 per month and has better equipment, amenities, and class selection than budget gyms in the $10-20 range.

At gyms like LA Fitness, chances are good you’ll even have access to a pool or hot tub after your workouts.

With 700+ locations in the U.S. and Canada is also quite easy to find. Chances are you’ll have an LA Fitness not too far from your home or office.

What is GoodLife Fitness?

GoodLife is an extremely popular and well-respected Canadian chain of fitness clubs.

There are about 300 GoodLife Fitness locations across Canada — you should easily be able to find a convenient club.

These gyms fall into what I would consider the upper echelon of mid-range gyms, with some being closer to elite or luxury clubs.

Not only are they usually quite spacious with tons of equipment, they (often) have an excellent variety of group fitness classes, a pool and spa, and sometimes even massage chairs and other high-end amenities!

If you can find one of these clubs near you and you’re looking for a top notch gym experience, GoodLife is a great fit.

Before we go signing any contracts, we have to consider budget and what the cost difference is between LA Fitness vs GoodLife.

Keep in mind that the average gym costs around $30-50 per month in U.S. dollars, plus joining and annual fees.

Budget gyms run somewhere around $10-20 per month while high end clubs (like Equinox and Life Time ) can cost over $100 per month.

LA Fitness cost:

LA Fitness is usually quite affordable, falling right in the middle of the average gym membership cost.

I usually call it a “mid-range” gym because it has better equipment and amenities than budget gyms like Planet Fitness, but it still won’t break the bank.

Pricing at the different locations will vary but expect to pay $25-40 per month at LA Fitness. 

You can sometimes get a better deal by signing up for a longer contract, or you might pay more for a shorter one.

(Plus joining fees and annual fees, where applicable.)

Remember that, for every gym, pricing and membership options can vary by location. You’ll want to call your local club and negotiate the best deal.

GoodLife Fitness cost:

GoodLife comes in on the higher end, budget-wise, but is still more affordable than other luxury-type gyms.

Expect to pay about $50-60 per month for a basic membership at GoodLife, plus around $50 to sign up.

Prices go up from there if you want:

• Access to more than just your home club
• Family and guest passes
• Group fitnesses classes
• Access to squash and sporting courts

The cheapest way to join GoodLife is to get the equipment-only, single club membership — pay up front for the year if you can for the best deal.

However, doing so means you miss out on a lot of the perks of being a GoodLife member.

(Important note: GoodLife pricing online is often listed bi-weekly, so remember to multiply by 2ish to get the monthly price!)

When it comes down to pure dollars and cents, LA Fitness is a better bargain than GoodLife. But let’s find out a little more about what these gyms have to offer.

Most gyms keep generous hours, opening in the early morning for the before work-ers and staying open late into the evening.

But if you have specific needs, pay close attention to when your local clubs are open.

LA Fitness hours:

These clubs have mostly standard operating hours.

LA Fitness will usually open around 5am and close around 11pm during the week

On the weekends, expect the gym to be open from 8am to 8pm at most locations.

You won’t typically find any 24 hour LA Fitness clubs — though there may be exceptions.

GoodLife hours:

Good news here for you night owls:

Many GoodLife Fitness locations are open 24 hours.

(Currently, at this writing, many are closed due to public health concerns — but in normal times, expect a majority of them to be open at all hours).

It’s a mistake to assume all gyms are created equal when it comes to equipment.

Do they all have treadmills? Sure!

But can you lift heavy weights there? Do they have battle ropes, plyo boxes, and other specialty training equipment?

Both LA Fitness and GoodLife Fitness have an exceptional variety of equipment.

You’ll find plenty of:

• Cardio machines
• Resistance machines
• Dumbbells (up to 100 pounds or so)
• Olympic weight plates
• Power racks
• Smith Machines

GoodLife clubs also have some additional goodies, like a turf zone with functional training equipment. You may need a Premium membership to access some of this equipment.

Overall, GoodLife has the slight edge over LA Fitness since the clubs are usually larger, the equipment newer and higher caliber, and for the addition of the turf functional training zone.

Both LA Fitness and GoodLife are known as some of the best gyms around for group classes .

GoodLife gets the edge for better class variety and a fuller schedule — members absolutely rave about the group fitness studio and the incredible classes.

However, at LA Fitness all classes are included with your membership. At GoodLife you’ll only be able to take classes at the Premium membership level, which is much more expensive.

Here’s what’s on the schedule at LA Fitness

• Mat Pilates
• Bootcamps/Abs
• Spin & cycling

Here’s whats on the schedule at GoodLife:

• Mindfulness
• HIIT & Athletic

Pool/Spa Area

Swimming is one of the best workouts your body can get, but a lot of gyms try to keep space and prices down by not offering a pool .

How do LA Fitness and GoodLife stack up?

LA Fitness pool:

LA Fitness usually (but not always) has a pool and some basic sauna amenities.

The pool is typically works well for lap swimming workouts and any aquatic classes the gym might offer, but it’s not what you would consider a recreational pool.

LA Fitness will usually have a hot tub, sauna, steam room, or some combination thereof — but not every location is the same, so check your local club to find out for sure.

GoodLife Fitness pool:

GoodLife locations usually have spacious and well-kept pools, ideal for lap swimming and regular aqua fitness classes.

Typically, you’ll also find a hot tub and dry sauna for further post-workout relaxation.

And, here’s a fun thing you don’t find at most gyms: Almost all GoodLife locations have massage chairs available for members!

Now that’s luxury.

Showers & Locker Room

Both LA Fitness and GoodLife Fitness have spacious, clean, and well-maintained locker rooms with private showers.

(Can you believe there are some gyms that don’t have showers ?!)

No worries here for the commuter crowd.

For many parents, the ability to drop off the kids at in-gym childcare is a make or break feature.

Without it, they may not be able to work out at all.

LA Fitness childcare:

LA Fitness is known as one of the best gyms with childcare around.

You can add recurring care to your monthly membership for around $10-15 per child per month (varies by location), or pay per visit.

Certified childcare experts will entertain your kiddos at the Kids Club for up to 2 hours at a time, as long as you stay on campus.

GoodLife Fitness childcare or child minding:

GoodLife offers a childcare program called Jump! at some locations.

Kids from 6 weeks to 12 years can be cared for by expert staff while parents workout. You may be able to add this service on to your membership or pay on a per use basis.

In recent years, GoodLife has eliminated the Jump! childcare program at some of its key locations — so ask your local club explicitly if it’s still offered before you join.

The Verdict

These are both great gyms and if you’re a Canadian looking for a fantastic place to workout, either would make a good choice.

You might prefer LA Fitness if:

• You want to keep your overall fitness budget down
• You need childcare at the gym (and your local GoodLife cut the service)

You might prefer GoodLife if:

• You’re willing to pay a little more for higher-end classes and luxury amenities (like massage chairs)
• You like a more spacious gym with more modern equipment

Again, you can’t go wrong with either!

But before you go, you might find some of these guides helpful:

• What to do if you can’t afford your gym membership anymore
• How to have an amazing first day at the gym

Hope this helps!

• Join CHOICE

Gyms and gym membership

Choosing a gym membership

Want to join a gym here's how to get the most out of your membership..

We all know someone who's joined a gym so they can get fit or lose weight, with a vague plan to "use the equipment". They go a few times, lift some random weights and then stop going after a few months. They try to get out of their contract, only to find they're pretty much locked in, leaving them out of pocket – poorer but not fitter!

This doesn't have to be you. With a bit of planning and shopping around, you can make a better choice and get more out of your membership.

On this page:

Which gym should I join?

Types of membership, what's in the contract, gym ts & cs, can you transfer gym membership, what if your gym closes down, gym membership costs and cancellations compared, australia's source of unbiased reviews.

• No fake reviews
• No advertising
• No sponsorships

Before choosing a gym, there are some basic practicalities to consider.

Types of gym

A standard gym usually includes weight-training equipment (free weights and machines); cardio equipment, such as treadmills, exercise bikes and rowing machines; and workout space for classes. If you're new to gyms, thinking about what will interest you is a good start.

Other offerings may include a women-only gym, a 24-hour gym, or a gym with a pool and aqua classes. If you're already active and looking for a new challenge, something a little different – such as CrossFit or mixed martial arts (MMA) – could be worth looking into. 

Where the gym is will make a real difference in terms of when and how often you'll use it. The harder it is to get to, the more excuses you'll find to not go.

Opening hours

Will it be open when you're most likely to want to exercise?

Fitness support

Does the gym offer a fitness assessment for new members, and an individualised program from a good personal trainer?

Child minding

If you need this service, find out the times it's available, costs and the booking process.

User experience

The atmosphere and clientele of a gym can make a big difference to your comfort and enjoyment. It may help to visit at a time you're likely to be attending and check out the scene.

• What's the attitude of the staff – are they pleasant and helpful, or rude and pushy? Are there staff on the floor, supervising the weights area?
• Is it very crowded? Are classes heavily subscribed? Are there queues for equipment?
• Is the ambience (e.g. music, lighting and TV monitors) to your liking?
• Will you feel comfortable among the clientele?
• Check out the atmosphere: is it hot and sweaty, stuffy, air-conditioned, has open windows onto heavily trafficked streets, airy and spacious?
• Is the equipment clean and well-maintained? Are towels required when working out (and is this enforced)?
• What COVID-safe practices are in place and how well do the staff enforce compliance?
• What are the showers and change rooms like?
• Is drinking water available on the gym floor?
• Are safety and security measures adequate? This applies particularly for 24-hour gyms (and gym parking) which may not be staffed at all hours.
• Are there enough lockers available during peak times?

Check out the atmosphere of the gym before you sign up.

Casual membership

For beginners, a casual membership (pay-per-visit sessions, or buying a 10-visit pass, for example) gives you an opportunity to try it out a few times before making a larger financial (and time) commitment. Not all gyms offer a casual membership – especially chain gyms, or 24-hour gyms that give you access cards.

Short-term membership

A short-term membership – such as a one-month special, or three months – is another way for newbies to test the waters. You may also benefit from members' services such as a fitness assessment, induction (instruction on how to use the gym equipment correctly) and having a program devised for you.

'No-contract' memberships

These do in fact usually involve contracts – that is, you sign a contract to join up and authorise direct debit payments, but there's no fixed term. However, before you sign, be sure to check that there are no conditions or fees for cancelling your membership.

Fixed-term and ongoing memberships

Paying upfront for a 12-month membership can get you a good deal – typically much better than a monthly debit arrangement. However, if the gym goes broke, you'll most likely lose the lot.

If you sign up for 12 months and pay month by month, you're still locked into a 12-month contract – and if you want to leave after six months or so, you'll still have to pay for the rest of the year, or at least pay a (perhaps substantial) penalty for breaking the contract.

Also, even if you sign a 12-month contract, membership may continue beyond the 12 months, and your fees will still be deducted until you cancel it – this is called an 'ongoing membership'. Check the contract to determine whether you're agreeing to a fixed-term or an ongoing agreement before signing.

Gyms that follow the Fitness Australia Code of Conduct should not accept more than 12 months' fees at a time, so don't pay more than this. Some get around this by offering a 12-month contract with an extra six months 'free', making the 18-month membership look like a better deal financially.

If you're new to gyms, and aren't sure what a contract will look like and the sorts of things it covers, see if you can find the contract for the gym you're interested in online. You can then have a really good look at it.

If you can't, at least try looking at contracts for other gyms to see what sorts of things to look out for – google 'gym contracts' or 'gym terms and conditions'.

Don't tolerate pushy sales tactics

Tell them you want to take the contract home and look at it carefully. If they say the offer is 'today only' or similar – and gyms do legitimately offer specials for a limited time – this should be clearly advertised.

Do the maths

Work out how much it will cost per week, how many times per week you're planning to go, and whether the cost is worth it. Would you be better off going as a casual (if possible), at least at first?

Look for added fees

This could be anything on top of basic membership fees, such as joining fees, fob/access card fees, monthly administration, direct debit fees, late or dishonour fees, cancellation, transfer or exit fees.

Also look out for terms around fee increases. Some ongoing contracts automatically increase your fees every year after the conclusion of the period you committed to when signing up.

Check the cooling-off period

There are minimum cooling-off periods that apply to all gyms for long-term contracts (more than three months) that are members of the industry association Fitness Australia: generally 48 hours in most states, and seven days in the ACT and WA. 

Gyms may have their own cooling-off period exceeding this. There may still be fees that apply, such as administration fees, or 'guest' fees if you've used the gym within the cooling-off period.

Find out what their holding, freeze or deferral periods are

If you're away on holiday, or sick or injured for a long time, you may be able to get the time added to the end of your contract or pay a reduced fee for the duration. However, some notice – check how much – is required, and minimum and maximum periods may apply.

Check the cancellation policy

How much notice is needed, and what do you have to do? Regardless of what's stated, you should always cancel in writing on a dated form or letter, and also tell your bank you have cancelled.

And under what circumstances can you terminate your contract without penalty? Moving more than a certain distance from the gym (and relevant affiliates) or long-term sickness or disability are typical reasons.

If you don't want to or can't continue your membership, can it be transferred to someone else?

Don't rush to sign your contract and make sure you understand the cancellation terms.

Tricky cancellation terms

If you're not used to gym contracts, you may find that cancelling a membership – even after the conclusion of the period you signed up for – can be trickier than you expected. 

This is because the majority of gym memberships are classified as 'ongoing' agreements. 

For example, you may assume that your contract will automatically terminate 12 months after you sign up for a yearly membership. But if you signed an ongoing contract, your membership will automatically continue unless you actively opt out by cancelling your membership. 

Giving notice

Most gyms also require a notice period of about one month to cancel a contract, even after the conclusion of the period you committed to when signing up (referred to in the contract as the 'Minimum Term'). 

This means that if you actually want your yearly membership to end after 12 months, you'll need to cancel your membership in writing one month before the agreement is due to end.

In fact, ongoing gym contracts work similarly to most residential lease agreements. Although you may sign up for a 12-month lease, you'll still need to give your real estate agent notice in advance if you actually intend to move out after 12 months. If no notice is given, it's assumed you are continuing the rolling agreement until you 'give notice' that you intend to move out. 

Pre-paid and fixed-term agreements

The exception to this is prepaid or fixed-term agreements. 

If you pre-pay for a specified period, the contract will probably terminate automatically at the conclusion of the pre-paid term unless you renew, but it's still worth checking your contract to confirm. 

 Fixed-term agreements will also usually terminate at the end of the term.

How to get a good deal on your gym membership

• Shop around. Find out what nearby gyms are offering, and use that as a bargaining tool.
• Don't be too eager to sign – say you'll think about it.
• Negotiate in person – it's harder for salespeople to say no to a customer sitting right in front of them.
• Can you reduce the price by opting out of things you don't want (crèche, classes, pool access etc) or by going during off-peak times?
• Keep an eye out for specials such as 'Spring Special', or 'New Year, new you!' offers in January.

It's no secret that gym contracts can be hard to understand and tricky to terminate. In fact, in 2017, NSW's Department of Fair Trading received 550 consumer complaints relating to gym membership cancellations, cooling-off periods and refunds (or the lack of them). 

The ACT, Queensland and Western Australia have implemented a mandatory Code of Practice for the fitness industry to offer consumers better protection – but most states haven't, leaving many people unsure of their rights. 

In 2017, NSW Fair Trading received 550 consumer complaints relating to gym membership cancellations, cooling-off periods and refunds

In 2011, the ACL banned unfair terms in consumer contracts. This means contracts should be fair and you may be entitled to remedies if the service you paid for doesn't meet consumer guarantees. 

Before signing a gym contract, make sure to read it thoroughly, and if important information (including cancellation fees, notice periods etc.) is not included, make sure you ask for this information first. You may also want to consider signing up with a gym that complies with the Fitness Australia Code of Practice if you're not in a state with a mandatory code of practice.

Fitness Australia is an industry association that exists to create professional standards throughout the fitness industry. 

They have produced a National Fitness Industry Code of Practice but only ACT, Queensland and Western Australia have made all elements of the National Code mandatory. 

In NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, the Code of Practice is voluntary. South Australia has made some parts of the National Code mandatory, while other elements remain voluntary.

Regardless of where they are, gyms that are accredited members of Fitness Australia must comply with the Code of Practice . So it's worth checking if the gym you're considering joining is a member of the association.

Key requirements of the Code include:

• Transparently disclosing the full price of the service (including joining fees, late fees, termination fees).
• Pre-paid agreements must not be longer than 12 months and ongoing agreements must not have a minimum term greater than 18 months.
• Minimum 48-hour cooling-off period.
• Cancellations can be in writing or email.
• Contracts can be cancelled if the consumer is unable to use the service due to permanent sickness or physical incapacity (medical certificate is required).
• Supplier must pay the refund to the consumer within 14 days after receiving notice of termination of the contract.
• Cancellation fees must be what is stated in the agreement.

Tightening contract terms: WA and VIC

Western australia.

WA's Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety updated its code of practice for the fitness industry in July 2021, with some key changes that aim to make contracts more transparent and fair for consumers. New requirements for gym contracts include:

• Disclosing fees more transparently, including breaking down fees by fortnightly and monthly costs, disclosing any extra fees, the minimum term for the contract and the total minimum cost for the contract.
• Clearly outlining how to cancel a contract, including an option for electronic cancellation. Cancellation must be done by giving written notice (email or hard copy), but does not have to be on a specific form.
• Letting members cancel any time during a seven-day cooling off period. 

The code also explicitly prohibits some specific practices considered unfair to consumers including:

• Requiring someone to cancel a membership in person.
• Continuing to accept direct debits after a membership is cancelled.
• Expecting the consumer to separately cancel a third-party direct debit contract set up by the fitness provider.
• Requiring an excessive notice period.
• Charging fees not related to financial loss incurred due to the cancellation.

Although the Fitness Australian Code of Practice is not mandatory in Victoria, Consumer Victoria has been asking the industry to remove or modify a number of unfair terms that have been sneaking their way into gym contracts including terms that:

• resulted in the automatic renewal of memberships without the opportunity to cancel at the conclusion of a minimum term
• allowed the health and fitness centre to vary its services without notice
• penalised consumers for terminating memberships
• penalised consumers for breach of contract.

Cancelling a gym membership before the minimum term can often involve hefty fees, so transferring your membership instead can be a clever alternative. 

If you're moving house, transferring your membership to a different club location will usually be cheaper than cancelling an existing membership and signing up again in your new location. 

Alternatively, if you're looking to get rid of your membership altogether, selling your remaining membership to another person could save you a significant sum in cancellation fees.

Gyms are not legally required to let you to transfer your membership (either to a new branch for yourself, or to somebody else) but a number of the bigger chains do allow it, although policies can vary from one location to another. 

Transferring to a new location

Transferring your membership to a club at another location within the same franchise may come with some fees (such as an administration fee and/or a new access card fee). And remember membership fees can vary from one location to the next, even within the same franchise, so if you're moving to a new club, you may need to pay higher membership fees.

If your current gym membership lets you visit any of the gym's club locations for free, keep in mind that if you start attending a new location more frequently than your designated 'home club', you may have your membership automatically transferred to that club, which may come with fees or higher membership rates.

If you're moving and your new home will be too far away from any branch of your current gym, you may be able to cancel your membership without penalty (Fitness First and Anytime Fitness allow for this if you are moving more than 15km away from any of their gyms.)

Transferring membership to another person

If your agreement allows it, transferring your membership to another person will usually be subject to a number of conditions. 

You may have to have a certain amount of time remaining on your contract and the new member often can't be somebody who has recently held a membership at the same gym. 

Most gyms will charge either a transfer fee or the initial start-up fee charged to new members when transferring a membership to a new person.

In a competitive marketplace, with new gyms opening regularly, existing gyms may close down, leaving members in the lurch. And with the current COVID-19 pandemic forcing many gyms to close their doors for extended periods, it's possible that more and more gyms will be forced to close their doors permanently. 

Your gym may have contingencies in place for clients if it closes down. The contract for the Virgin Active chain of gyms, for example, states that if your home club closes, you have the choice of transferring your membership to another club, or terminating your membership on the day the home club closes.

Some gym closures have left members no choice but to go to other branches, which may not be very convenient. For example, when Lifestyle Fitness in the Sydney suburb Carlton closed down, members were told they could use the gyms in two other suburbs. Judging by the comments on the gym's Facebook page (which was quickly taken down) this wasn't a popular option and, in any case, those branches also closed down shortly afterwards.

Some gym closures have left members no choice but to go to other branches, which may not be very convenient

If you're lucky, nearby gyms not affiliated with the facility that has closed may offer to take on members as a goodwill gesture. But you may be required to agree to a membership with that gym when your current contract expires.

If you're not happy with the solutions offered by the gym, you can at least stop the direct-debit payments by contacting your bank.

If you've paid upfront, you'll have to try to recoup your money from the company or its liquidator. Contact your state's fair trading department for advice.

If you've paid with a credit card, you may be able to use a chargeback to get a refund, although this only works for a limited time after you've paid.

As COVID lockdowns continue to affect a number of states, many gyms have been forced to close their doors. But do you have to keep paying for your membership fees during government-mandated gym closures? 

The Australian Consumer Law says that you can't be charged for a service that's not being delivered, but it also has a caveat for when a service is stopped by the government and not by the business itself, as is the case with COVID closures. 

This means that a gym can legally continue charging you membership fees during forced closures, although the actual policy will vary from gym to gym. 

Most gym owners will still have a number of ongoing costs during enforced closures, including franchise loan repayments and ongoing leases, and they may or may not be receiving assistance from the government to help cover these costs. 

A gym can legally continue charging you membership fees during forced closures

Many of the larger gym franchises offer membership 'freezes' during temporary closures. Others may offer refunds or credit notes for future use. Smaller businesses may offer other solutions such as charging members a half rate during the closure to cover their ongoing expenses.

If your gym has frozen your membership during the government-mandated closures, keep in mind that this may extend the length of your membership. So if you're on a contract with a 12-month minimum term, but your membership is frozen for three months, the minimum term of your contract will increase to 15 months. 

For example, Fitness First requires 28 days' written notice to cancel a membership after the minimum term. But their terms and conditions also specify that if you give this notice during a membership freeze due to a government-mandated closure of your gym, the 28-day notice period won't start being counted until the day the gym reopens.

Making a complaint

Fitness Australia has various resources to help people with complaints about their gym . 

• Start by writing a letter to the business concerned (whether it's a gym or a personal training service or something else). 
• If that doesn't work, and your gym is a member of Fitness Australia, submit your complaint to Fitness Australia. 
• If it still doesn't get resolved, take your complaint to your state's fair trading office.

We compare the costs and cancellation policies for eight of the biggest gym franchises in Australia by market share according to IbisWorld.

Note: Minimum term refers to the length of the agreement outlined in an ongoing contract. For example, if you sign a yearly ongoing contract the minimum term will be 12 months.

Basic membership: Blue. 

Joining fee: $99.

Cost: From $17.99/week

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes, for direct debit memberships of 12 months or more that are within the minimum term. Fee is $99.

Fee increases after minimum term? : Yes, 4% increase after conclusion of minimum term and then every year.

Cancellation policy 

Cooling-off period: 7 business days.

Cancel if permanent sickness or physical incapacity?: Yes.

Cancellation fee (within minimum term): $245 if more than 6 months remains on the minimum term. $195 or the amount of the future membership fees payable if less than 6 months remains.

How to cancel (after minimum term): Give 30 days' notice.

Basic membership: 24/7 Gym Access.

Joining fee: $89 plus $79 Access Pass Fee.

Cost: From $14.95/week. 

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes, $50 fee.

Fee increases after minimum term?: No, not stated.

Cancellation policy

Cooling-off period: 10 business days.

Cancellation of weekly direct debit memberships: Terminate at any time by giving written notice.

Cancellation of paid-in-advance memberships: No option to cancel during the prepaid period (except in case of permanent sickness/incapacity). Agreement will automatically terminate at the end of the term if you do not actively renew your membership.

Basic membership: Passport or 24/7 Access.

Joining fee: $49.

Cost: From $25/week.

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes, but must pay a transfer fee equivalent to the start-up fee.

Fee increases after minimum term?: Yes, 2% after conclusion of minimum term and then every year.

Cooling-off period: 14 days (but your joining fee won't be refunded).

Cancel if permanent sickness or physical incapacity?: Yes

Cancellation fee (within minimum term): Must pay out the remaining term of agreement, less 10% of the total owing. Exemptions for sickness/incapacity, bankruptcy or moving more than 15km from any Fitness First (proof required). But you'll be charged an exit fee equal to 20% of the remaining contract value on your membership.

How to cancel (after minimum term): Give 28 days' notice.

(All figures are recommended prices only. Each club sets its own pricing, so costs will vary.)

Joining fee: $99 plus a $69.95 access card/fob key fee.

Cost: Metropolitan Clubs $15.68/week ($815.40 a year or $67.95 a month).

Sydney Metropolitan Clubs: $16.37/week ($851.40 a year or $70.95 a month).

Regional Clubs: $14.99/week ($779.40 a year or $64.95 a month).

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes. But new member must pay fob key fee and joining fee.

Fee increase after minimum term?: Possibly. Fee increase is allowed after the minimum term but is not specified.

Cooling-off period: 7 days.

Cancellation fee (within minimum term): Pay 50% of the balance due for the minimum term, or 30 days of membership fees, whichever sum is more. Exemptions for permanent sickness/incapacity or if you move more than 15km away from any club, as long as you give 30 days' notice (proof required).

How to cancel (after minimum term): Give 30 days' written notice.

Basic membership: Offerings vary from gym to gym. This information is based on an F45 Athlete Membership (3 months) at F45 South Melbourne.

Joining fee: None.

Cost: $66/week.

Fee increase after minimum term?: No, not stated.

Transfer membership to another person?: There's no official policy stated, but the representative we spoke to said it's at the gym owner's discretion and he would allow it (no fee).

Cooling-off period: Not stated.

Cancellation fee (within minimum term): 50% of the balance of your fees for the remainder of the the minimum term.

* These details may vary depending on membership type and gym location.

Basic membership: Pricing varies from gym to gym. This information is based on a month-to-month membership at Melbourne CBD. 

Joining fee: Access card fee $69.95

Cost: $31.90/fortnight ($15.95/week)

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes, at the club's discretion, but new member must pay joining fees.

Fee increase after minimum term?: No, no automatic increase.

Cooling off period: 48 hours or 7 days in the ACT

Cancellation fee (within minimum term): 25% of the monthly fees remaining after the notice period, and may charge a 10% fee if cancelled during the cooling off period.

How to cancel (after minimum term): 30 days' written notice.

Basic membership: 12 or 18 months, ongoing.

Joining fee: Varies according to location. Ranges from about $99 to $249.

Cost: Varies according to location. Ranges from about $20-35 a week depending on length and flexibility of membership.

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes, $90 fee.

Cooling-off period: 48 hours.

Cancellation fee (within minimum term):

• 18-month membership: $300
• 12-month membership: $200
• 6-month membership: $100
• 3-month membership: $50

These fees are charged on top of two further direct debits from the date of cancellation.

It also costs $75 to cancel due to "permanent sickness or physical incapacity" and $50 if cancelled in the cooling off period – and you have to pay for any services and sessions if you've used any in this time.

How to cancel (after minimum term): Cancel in writing. Two further direct debits will be taken after the date of cancellation. Since billing is fortnightly, this means you'll need to give at least a month's notice if you don't want to be charged after you've stopped attending the gym.

Cost: Ranges $9.99 to $16.95 a week.

Transfer membership to another person?: Yes.

Fee increase after minimum term: Minimum term doesn't apply, as these are rolling fortnightly memberships. Fees can increase at any time with 30 days' notice.

Cooling-off period: 7 days (must be done in person).

Cancel if permanent sickness or physical incapacity?: Yes. In fact, the clause is slightly more generous than for other gyms, letting you cancel for "medical reasons" if you present a medical certificate.

How to cancel: Plus Fitness offers rolling fortnightly memberships. To cancel, you must give 14 days' written notice.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

Is GoodLife Fitness month to month?

No. GoodLife Fitness is typically not a month-to-month membership.

There’s an opportunity that some clubs have memberships that are month-to-month. If you are interested in an annual subscription, make contact directly with them.

GoodLife Fitness Hours

GoodLife Fitness Locations 

Can I cancel my GoodLife Fitness membership at any time?

The standard cancellation notice period for GoodLife Fitness is 30 days. There may be a penalty charge if you terminate your membership before the end of your contract term.

Related posts:

Fitness is my passion, and I have worked as a personal trainer in popular gyms for the past six years. And love to explore different gyms and their features. As a result, I decided to create a blog that tells people about the various clubs and their memberships, pricing, etc. More About Ryan Jons

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Donald Trump was convicted on felony charges. Will he go to prison?

A New York jury's historic conviction of Donald Trump on felony charges means his fate is now in the hands of the judge he has repeatedly ripped as "corrupt" and "incompetent."

Two experts told NBC News that it's unlikely Trump will be imprisoned based on his age, lack of a criminal record and other factors — and an analysis of thousands of cases found that very few people charged with the same crime receive jail time. But a third expert told NBC News he believes it is "substantially" likely Trump could end up behind bars.

Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records , a class E felony that is punishable by a fine, probation or up to four years in prison per count. During the trial, Judge Juan Merchan threatened to put Trump behind bars for violating his gag order, but it’s unclear whether the former president will face similar consequences now. It's expected that any sentence would be imposed concurrently, instead of consecutively.

Former federal prosecutor Chuck Rosenberg, an NBC News analyst, said it's unlikely that Merchan would sentence Trump, 77, to any jail time, given his age and his status as a first-time, nonviolent offender. "I’d be very surprised if there's any sentence of incarceration at all," Rosenberg said. “Of course, he did spend a good bit of time insulting the judge who has the authority to incarcerate him.”

The next step for Trump at this point is his sentencing, which is set for July 11. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would not comment Thursday on what type of sentence he’d seek, saying his office would do its speaking in court papers in the weeks ahead.

Arthur Aidala, a former prosecutor in the Brooklyn district attorney's office who's now a defense lawyer, said the judge will most likely use some of the time before sentencing to research similar cases to determine what the median sentence is.

"He wants to know before he sentences someone what the typical sentence is," Aidala said, and would consider other factors, like Trump's age and lack of a criminal record, while also taking into account the lack of injury caused by the crime. Aidala said he believes whatever punishment Merchan comes up with would be "a non-jail disposition."

An analysis conducted by Norm Eisen, who worked for House Democrats during Trump’s first impeachment, found that roughly 1 in 10 people who have been convicted of falsifying business records are imprisoned and that those cases typically involved other crimes.

Ron Kuby, a veteran New York criminal defense lawyer, took a different view.

“Judge Merchan is known for being a harsh sentencer when it comes to white-collar crimes committed by people who have wealth and privilege and power,” he said.

Kuby added he believes "it is substantially likely Judge Merchan will sentence Trump to jail or prison time," despite the logistical and practical complications that locking up a person with Secret Service protection would entail.

Kuby said that's because the criminal scheme went on for over a year and included a number of bad acts on Trump's part.

“It’s an entire course of conduct he was involved with — not just one bad decision,” he said.

Trump, however, most likely doesn't have to worry about missing the Republican National Convention, where he's expected to accept the party's nomination, even though it's taking place just days after his sentencing. Kuby said he'd most likely be able to remain free while he appeals the conviction.

Trump's behavior during the trial, including his flouting Merchan's gag order by making comments about witnesses and the jury, isn't likely to be a factor in the sentencing decision, Kuby said. It's also highly unlikely that comments that appeared to be aimed at sidestepping the gag order by Republican officials who attended the trial as Trump's guests will figure into Merchan's reasoning, Kuby added.

"If the judge is smart, he'd stay away from that," Kuby said. "The best way for judges not to get reversed in a sentencing is to stick to the facts and circumstances of the crimes and conviction."

Rosenberg said that despite Trump’s frequent criticisms of Merchan, which he likened to “a batter who’s been yelling at the umpire from before the first pitch,” Merchan appeared to run “a clean and fair trial.”

Rosenberg and Kuby agreed that Trump would appeal the verdict. Kuby said that could delay Trump's serving whatever punishment Merchan doles out for years, even if the appeal is ultimately unsuccessful.

His first appeal will be to the state Appellate Division, a midlevel appeals court, and it will almost certainly not decide the appeal until after the November election, Kuby said. If he loses there, he could then appeal to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals. A loss there would be followed by a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

If all that fails, Kuby said, he could then try turning to federal court in another attempt to eventually get the case before the Supreme Court.

The appeals process typically takes a long time — Kuby said he had one client who staved off prison time for six years — but there's another potential complicating factor in this case.

"If he becomes president of the United States, he cannot be incarcerated in a state prison" while he's in office, Kuby said, because it could prevent him from fulfilling his constitutional duties. If he lost his appeals, "by the time he leaves office — if he leaves office — he'd be ready to be incarcerated," he said.

Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.

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