Quick answer
To join Anytime Fitness, pick a club with the official gym finder, try it on the free pass, then sign up online or at the desk. Bring photo ID and a card or bank account.
On signup day you’ll usually pay the first dues, an enrollment fee unless a $0 promo is running, and a key fob fee.
Anytime Fitness is a 24/7 gym franchise founded in Minnesota in 2002. Buying an Anytime Fitness gym membership makes one club your home club, and that club holds your membership from then on.
On this page
What you need to join Anytime Fitness
You don’t need much, so this part is quick. Have these ready and signup takes about 15 minutes at the desk, or less online.
- A valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license
- A credit card or bank account for recurring dues
- Your home address, since some offers are for local residents only
- A parent or guardian on the agreement if you’re under 18, where the club allows minors
- Your employer or insurance details, if you’re asking for a discount
Try Anytime Fitness first with a free pass
Use the free pass before you pay anything. Anytime Fitness offers a free 1-day or 7-day pass depending on the club, for local residents and new customers aged 18 or older.
Some clubs also run a 7-day group training pass, which covers the club’s scheduled group sessions for seven calendar days. A 14-day pass exists too, but it needs a 12-month membership.
Visit twice on the pass: once at the time you’d normally train and once late at night. You’ll learn how busy it gets and whether 24/7 access feels safe to you.
How to join Anytime Fitness step by step
These steps cover both online and in-person signup. Start with the free pass so you only pay once you know you like the club.
- Find your clubOpen the official Anytime Fitness gym finder and choose the club closest to home or work.
- Claim the free passRequest the free pass on the club page and visit with your photo ID.
- Get a written quoteAsk for the plan options, dues, billing cycle, enrollment fee, key fob fee and any annual fee.
- Ask about discountsCheck for $0 enrollment, employer, insurance, student, senior or military rates.
- Read the agreementCheck the cancellation notice, buyout and freeze rules before you sign anything.
- Sign up and payJoin online through the club page or at the desk, and pay the first dues and one-time fees.
- Set up accessCollect your key fob and log in to the Anytime Fitness app for app access and workouts.
Join online or at the club?
Joining at the club is better if you want to negotiate. However, online is fine if the club lists a clear price and you’ve already used the free pass.
| Question | Online | At the club |
|---|---|---|
| Can you negotiate fees? | No | Sometimes |
| Staff tour and fitness consult | Book later | Same day |
| Key fob | Pick up on first visit | Handed over right away |
| Speed | About 10 minutes | About 15 to 30 minutes |
| Cancelling later | Online sign-up can help in states like California | Usually in person or by mail |
That last row matters. California law says a business that lets you sign up online must let you cancel online, so an online signup can make leaving easier there.
What you’ll pay on signup day
Expect a bigger first charge than your regular dues. Here’s a typical US example on a $45 monthly plan with no promo running.
| Charge | Typical amount | Paid when |
|---|---|---|
| First month’s dues | $45 in this example | At signup |
| Enrollment fee | $0 to $99 | At signup, waived during promos |
| Key fob | $20 to $50 | At signup |
| Annual fee | $0 to $60 | Later in the year at some clubs |
Anytime Fitness says payment timing depends on your join date. Ask whether the next charge is prorated so you’re not surprised by a second bill two weeks later.
For ways to lower these numbers, see our guide to the cheapest Anytime Fitness membership.
Questions to ask before you sign
Most regrets about an Anytime Fitness membership start with a question nobody asked at signup. Luckily, these five cover nearly all of them.
- How many days’ notice do I need to cancel, and how do I send it?
- What’s the buyout if I leave the contract early?
- Can I freeze, and what’s the monthly hold fee?
- When does access to other clubs start?
- Is billing monthly or every two weeks?
Then get the answers by email. Our membership plans and options guide explains which plan fits each answer.
Your first week as a new member
Ask about a fitness consultation. Some clubs give new members one free, others charge, and some add an Evolt 360 body scan.
New US members can get up to 3 months of Apple Fitness+. Set a reminder, because it moves to $9.99 a month afterward unless you cancel it through Apple.
Finally, keep your fob on your keys. There’s no tailgating, and if you lose it, your home club sells a replacement for a small fee.
Visiting other clubs comes a bit later. See whether your Anytime Fitness membership can be used anywhere and when that access starts.
Joining Anytime Fitness FAQ
Can I join Anytime Fitness without a credit card?
Yes. Anytime Fitness accepts bank drafts from a checking account as well as credit cards for recurring dues.
What is the minimum age to join Anytime Fitness?
There’s no national minimum age. Each club follows local law and its own policy, while free passes are limited to people 18 and older.
Can I join Anytime Fitness with a friend or partner?
Many clubs sell joint or family memberships where the second person pays less. Ask when you get your quote, since not every club offers them.
Can I join if I’ve used the free pass before?
Yes. The free pass is limited to new customers, but joining isn’t. You just won’t get a second free pass.
Can I start training the same day I join?
Usually, yes. If you join at the desk, you get your fob right away. Online joiners may need to pick up the fob during staffed hours.
Independent guide. We aren’t affiliated with Anytime Fitness or its franchise owners. Passes, fees and promos vary by club, so confirm everything with your chosen club before you pay.
Sources: Anytime Fitness membership page, Anytime Fitness offer terms, Anytime Fitness FAQs, Davis Wright Tremaine on California AB 2863.
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