Comparing gym contracts 2025: What’s the cost of getting fit?

It’s January already and of course one of the most common goals for the year is to hit the gym. What is the price of gym contracts in 2025?

COST OF GYM MEMBERSHIPS IN SOUTH AFRICA

VIRGIN ACTIVE

Virgin Active is one of the most popular gyms in South Africa with various branches in each province. Virgin Active has two categories to choose from Premier and Premier Select on a 12 month plan.

• Premier – R1 570
• Club rates for single clubs differ depending on location, you can take a look here.

If you have Discovery Medical Aid, you can also use it to only pay 25-50% of the amount, depending on who the primary holder is. While Momentum Premier members save 25% monthly.

GYM COMPANY

The Gym Company has branches in Durban and Gauteng.

• White card – R199 per month
• Black card – R299 per month
• Platinum card – R399 per month

Gym company is in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and KwaZulu-Natal.

PLANET FITNESS

Contracts reportedly start at R399. There are various branches across the country. Discovery medical aid holders get up to 75% off local club membership fee. Momentum members get up to 80% off.

VIVA GYM 

Viva Gym has seven branches across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng. It offers both month-to-month contracts, as well as 12-month contracts.

Contracts start at R199 per month. However, there are some flexible options – You could take a month to month contract and cancel or freeze your membership any time on their website.

ZONE FITNESS

Zone Fitness has 24 branches in the provinces of the Western Cape and Gauteng. Here is a breakdown of their gym membership packages.

• Single club access – R329 for 24 months
• Super club access – R385
• Single club access – R495 – month-to-month

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST-SUITED MEMBERSHIP

Many gyms offer discounted rates if you commit to a 12 or 24 month contract. However, many do not believe this is the best financial move. Therefore, you should look at the distance from gym to work or home to consider fuel, check the discounted rates you could receive from Discovery or Momentum and then decide which makes most financial sense for you.

Another determining factor would be the equipment off the gym and whether this meets your fitness needs. So, you can also get a day pass to check out the gyms around you.

WILL YOU BE JOINING THE GYM IN 2025?

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