Gym membership numbers hit new highs in 2025, and that surge means more options and more confusing choices for anyone trying to pick a place to train. This piece walks through what really matters in a gym beyond flashy extras, highlights what one New York-based trainer looks for when he rates fitness spaces, and calls out a handful of spots he recommends for different goals. Expect practical takes on culture, equipment, ownership, and why price doesn’t always buy results.
More people are joining gyms, and luxury clubs have pushed the price ceiling into the hundreds per month. The extra cost often buys pools, courts, towel service and spa-like perks, but those things don’t always move the needle on real progress. Choosing a gym feels less about features and more about whether the place helps you actually train consistently.
“A lot of people traditionally look at gyms [as if] they have to have all the bells and whistles,” he said. “Spa, bathrooms, all these things. For me, a gym is a gym. I go there for the equipment, I go for the culture, I go for the look and feel of the place.” That line of thinking flips the conversation from amenities to function and vibe.
He also put it bluntly about scale and budget: “You can have an incredible gym [that’s] a garage gym, and you can have an incredible gym [that] somebody could have built for $10 million.” In other words, quality isn’t priced only in dollars; it’s crafted by operators who care and by patrons who show up with purpose. The best spaces combine solid hardware with attention to detail and real ownership involvement.
“I think you could go and get in a sweat or a workout anywhere — but if the people are great, that’s what creates that great culture,” he said. A friendly, focused crowd turns a bare-bones facility into a place you want to return to, and culture is what keeps workouts from becoming chores. That social friction is often more valuable than the fluff found in glossy marketing materials.
“If you ask the average person who goes to most big-box gyms, the things they tell you they love about the gym are, ‘Oh, I love the showers. They have really nice towels.’ It’s nothing that actually pertains to the gym, and I believe that people should go to the gym to progress and get better,” he added. It’s a reminder that comfort features are nice, but they should not replace coaching, programming, and an environment that encourages improvement.
When it comes to specific recommendations, he gives props to Life Time and the executive leading it. He praised the founder and CEO for being involved across the brand, saying “[Bahran’s] mentality and belief system around the fitness space, I absolutely love.” Ownership that shows up daily tends to produce consistent experiences across locations.
He also noted Anatomy Fitness for building an appealing local product and culture. “It’s an incredible culture there, and I think that’s what they really push at that gym,” he said. “The way the gym’s set up, the cleanliness of it, the aesthetics – you walk in that place, and you want to train … and those are things you can’t just buy … You have to live it, love it and be involved in the day-to-day operations.” That hands-on approach shows in the layout and energy of the room.
For a classic iron-focused environment he’s been visiting Powerhouse Gym in New York City. “I just started going there, once or twice a week,” he said. “I really love the people and the culture.” Powerhouse leans into weight training, powerlifting space and boxing rigs, which appeals to anyone chasing strength and old-school intensity.
If group training and race-style fitness are more your speed, he recommends The Training Lab in New York, which offers Hyrox-focused programming. “The guys over at Training Lab are incredible,” he told Fox News Digital. “Another owner-operator who’s involved in the business, who partakes in everything. I think they’re another great gym.” “If you’re looking for group training, Training Lab’s a great space.”
On price versus value, his stance is clear: expensive memberships can be worth the experience, but you can get strong results without breaking the bank. “We need to restructure the way we think about health and wellness,” he said. “It’s all what you prioritize. I prioritize fitness,” he went on. “I belong to multiple gyms. I have a membership to TMPL Gym here in [New York City]. I have a membership to Renzo Gracie’s. That’s what I like to do with my money.”
Value, he argues, includes staff, community and atmosphere as much as machines. “If you want that elevated experience, you’re going to pay for that just like you would at a hotel or a restaurant or anything else,” he said. For many people, paying more buys a curated environment that supports consistency and enjoyment.
He wrapped his view on modern wellness with a simple line about routine. “It’s like you take a shower, you brush your teeth and you go to the gym,” he said. “I think those are three non-negotiables for almost everybody on a daily basis when it comes to your hygiene.”
