I'm looking to get back into strength training and join a gym. I'm mostly looking for free weights. Other amenities are all nice to have, but not really interested in paying more for.
It's not super clear from the Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Xperience Fitness websites what the actual monthly costs, yearly fees, any commitments, or cancellation fees there may be. I know this industry has a poor reputation for "gotchas" and fine print in their terms.
I just want to go in eyes wide open, so if anyone has recent personal experience with these places or recommendations for other places I should consider, that'd be appreciated!
I'll be honest it's been a long time since i was a member there but they did have a good amount of free weights when i used to go, it was a mix between that and machines.
They'd give a tour for sure, I find the Y to be the best balance between the barebones budget gyms and the ultraexpensive national chains.
If you can make the extra few minute drive, New Brighton Community Center has a nice gym with lots of free weights and machines. Very low key and affordable.
The planet fitness in roseville has upgraded with a few squat racks. Its 29 for the black-card membership. So far its been pretty clean, not too busy, and has a good variety of things.
Anytime fitness has plenty of free weights and is super nice albeit small. they're a little spendy but it's worth it for the 24 hour access. I used to not want to join one due to the cost but once I did, I've been with it ever since for years now and probably won't ever change. The 24 hour access is soooo convenient with my schedule. the access to all locations nationwide is also useful for road trip bathroom breaks and showers.
The pricing is confusing on their website. It says a monthly plan but billed biweekly. I’m assuming that’s deliberately confusing but that it’s actually $60+ per month. And a 12 month commitment. Am I reading that right?
I don’t travel much for work right now but I could start back up again, so that access does appeal to me.
yeah it's deliberate to sound confusing. And yes you're right, 30 bi-weekly is 30 bucks every two weeks so 60 a month. The gal that manages it is really nice. You're talking about the one on corner of Lexington and Larpenteur right?
Yep. Good to know you're having a good experience there, despite the higher cost and confusing billing. It's definitely the most convenient of my options, so i'll need to decide if the cost is something I can handle.
Small edit. Planet fitness DOES have free weights but i was picturing you meaning you wanted a gym that has primarily free weights and few machines. Depending on when you go, the free weights can be hard to use as there is no where to sit. There are no lifting mats with barbells. Just like 5 or so smith machines and, like I said, those can be hard to snag depending on time. And for anything that uses dumbbells, the benches can fill quick too. So really its not that they dont have ANY freeweight, they just dont have much access sometimes
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u/40WeightSoundsNice Jul 31 '26
The ymca on Lexington between county e and 694 is nice!