Wellness

I Tried This Gym Membership Alternative & I’m Low-Key Obsessed

by Erin Kelly

While pretty much everyone (and their doctor) agrees that working out is “good for you,” there’s no such thing as a universal fitness routine that works for everybody.

Even I — a fitness enthusiast, marathoner, and future healthcare professional — struggle with finding the motivation and the time to work out regularly. Some days, my wellness routine consists of squeezing in 10 minutes of solo core exercises on my bedroom floor during a lunch break, while other days I want nothing more than to sweat buckets in a crowded room full of other people during a high-intensity cycling class. There are mornings I love meeting up with a friend for a social run outdoors, and then there are evenings where I just need to take out my energy on the treadmill with music blasting in my ears.

Having a varied fitness routine is a personal preference of mine, but the concept may just be rooted in science! Research shows that adding variation and novelty to your physical activity can make you more committed to your workout regimen overall. As someone who thrives on trying new workouts regularly, but also loves falling back on familiar favorites, this totally makes sense — and explains my new obsession with the Active&Fit Now™ program.

Active&Fit Now™ is a new gym membership alternative that provides all the fundamentals of your basic gym membership while offering the flexibility and variety necessary to keep you motivated. Members can choose from a network of more than 7,500 gym memberships, plus 1,000+ premium studio options with the ability to easily change gyms when your life changes — without paying initiation or cancellation fees that normally accompany these perks.

How It Works

You can find gyms and studios within the Active&Fit Now™ network near your home, workplace, and even your upcoming travel destination by searching through the database using your preferred zip code. A standard membership will give you access to a variety of gyms in your area for just $29 per month. The enrollment fee is also $29, though sometimes there are promotions available that waive the fee completely, which are definitely worth keeping an eye out for. You also have the option to purchase a membership to a Premium fitness center location for an additional monthly cost.

While the differences between the gyms included in the standard network and premium network vary, Active&Fit Now™ makes it easy to sift through all of the amenities and services available at each location, so you know exactly what you’re buying into. I was surprised to see the amount of gyms included in the standard membership option that offer extras like group classes and pool access!

Why It Works

Right now, Active&Fit Now™ is perfect for me because it allows me to access multiple gyms on different coasts — all under one, nationwide membership. Let me explain: I normally live in Los Angeles, but am spending time on the East Coast this summer with my family. With this program, I didn’t have to cancel my current membership and search for another gym. Instead, I immediately had access to a variety of gyms in my new city. What’s more is that many of the fitness chains available through the program are bicoastal, so I have the luxury of dropping into the same spot in a new city if I feel like experiencing something familiar.

For those days when the weather is crappy or I just don’t feel like leaving my apartment, I can choose from over 6,000 on-demand workout videos available with my Active&Fit Now™ membership. Options include cardio, strength, dance, martial arts, cycling, and no-equipment workouts.

Everything Else You Should Know

Members also have the option of getting paired with a personal health coach, for no additional cost! Active&Fit Now™’s certified health coaches can support you in things like finding the tools to manage stress, improving your sleep, breaking exercise barriers, and sticking to a solid nutrition plan. With 15-minutes sessions (via phone, chat, or video), you can build trust and start achieving your goals with help from someone who gets it.

I’m still enjoying the novelty of the program, but if I ever do decide to become a one-gym woman, I’ll be able to make a well-informed decision after having the opportunity to try so many spots. For now, Active&Fit Now™ is a low-stakes way to level up my wellness routine, and keep fitness fun.

Try It For Yourself

What are you waiting for? Click here to get started today!

From now through August 31, use code SUMMERSAVINGS to waive the $29 enrollment fee.