ATTN RVers! 5 Best Gyms for Travelers

Whether you want to hit the weights, take a class, do some cardio, or just take a shower, these are the best gyms for travelers…

Camping doesn't always equal physical activity. And many RVers must be mindful of their health while traveling, especially if they RV often or full-time.

It's too easy to over-indulge while RVing, thinking that short hike will make up for all the chips and soda you just consumed. But “vacation eating” can quickly outweigh “vacation exercise.”

Not to mention all the time spent sitting on the long road trips! Sitting disease is very real and can lead to serious health problems.

That's where a gym membership with many locations nationwide comes in!

Furthermore, gym memberships offer another big perk for RVers besides an exercise location: showers! Whether you're a van lifer, tall person, or just don't like your tiny RV shower, gym showers can keep you clean and refreshed wherever you travel.

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Why RVers Should Belong to a National Fitness Club

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As we’ve traveled across North America in our RV, in small towns and large cities, we find an Anytime Fitness. And while this is the club we’re members of, this video isn’t meant as a commercial for them. It’s meant as a tip that inspires you to join a place like this.

The RV Lifestyle is generally a very healthy one. All RVers love the outdoors. But getting to the outdoors is what causes the problem. All that sitting as you drive.

“Sitting Disease” is very real. When muscles—especially the big ones meant for movement, like those in your legs—are immobile for hours at a time, your circulation slows, and you run the risk of blood clots.

Too much sitting increases the odds of heart disease. It’s linked to chronic back pain and other health ailments. In fact, one expert says, “sitting is the new smoking,” meaning it’s a totally preventable health risk.

Top 5 Gyms For Travelers (Especially RVers)

As RVers, Jennifer and I travel all around the country about 3/4 of the year. So, it's really nice to be able to “take our gym” with us wherever we go by having a membership with a nationwide gym chain.

Jennifer, especially, likes to get in gym workouts whenever she can. Plus, since we usually travel in a small campervan, it's nice to take a roomy, full-size shower at the gym. This is a big plus for tall RVers, too.

(BTW, we have helpful articles on How to Take a GOOD Shower in an RV (Is It Even Possible?!) and Top 10 Tips for Buying the Best RV for Tall People. But gym showers are a great option!)

1. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is at the top of our list because it is tied for the most locations in the United States. It has nearly 2,400 locations nationwide.

Anytime Fitness (our next choice on the list) has nearly just as many, so there's another reason Planet Fitness gets the top slot. And that reason is its PF Black Card Plan.

The PF Black Card Plan gives you access to any club AND you can bring a guest every visit. So, if you have a travel partner, you can both go to the gym under this single membership.

The PF Black Card also includes use of tanning, massage chairs,  HydroMassage™, and 50% off select drinks, and more. So, even if you're traveling solo, the PF Black Card may still be worth it to you at only $25.

It's important to note that travelers must get the PF Black Card plan, not the Classic Plan! The Classic plan only gives you access to your home club.

2. Anytime Fitness

This is the gym membership we have. We chose it because one is close to our sticks and bricks house, and the chain has around 2,400 clubs nationwide. (They actually have 5,000+ gyms worldwide!)

The other reason we chose it is because all locations are open 24 hours. Some Planet Fitness gyms are, too, but there's a reason these are called ANYTIME Fitness. As RVers, having 24-hour access to the showers is a big plus.

Prices vary somewhat depending on your home gym location, but according to their FAQ, the average monthly membership cost in the US is $41.

Even though it's more expensive than Planet Fitness, the 24-hour access to showers & proximity of our home gym is what tipped the scale for us.

(By the way, 24-hour Fitness is another great 24-hour access gym, but it doesn't make our list since it only has 275 locations in 11 states. It may still be a good option if you travel primarily on the West Coast or the other states it's located.)

3. Crunch Fitness

Crunch Fitness has about 400 locations nationwide in 42 states. However, some states only have a couple of locations.

So, while this club is quickly growing, you'll need to look closer at gym locations near your favorite travel destinations. Unfortunately, they don't have a nationwide map of their locations, so you must look state-by-state.

If you feel like you “don't fit in” at gyms, then Crunch is designed for you. Their #NoJudgments philosophy is all about positivity and inclusivity.

Crunch has two plans that allow access to most of their Crunch locations. Crunch Select & Crunch Signature locations are the selections. Hours vary depending on the club.

The Peak membership is $25 per month and includes group fitness classes. The Peak Results membership is $30 per month and includes everything in the Peak plus HydroMassage®, tanning, and Advanced HIIT Classes.

4. LA Fitness

Despite its name, LA Fitness has nearly 550 gyms in the U.S. (and some in Canada). They have locations in 25 states plus Washington, D.C.

As you can see from the above map, most clubs are clustered together in certain areas. So, while this gym membership may work very well for snowbirds from the Northeast, it may not have enough locations for everyone.

Pricing is comparable to Anytime Fitness at about $40 per month after an initiation fee. Additional family members can be added at a discounted price.

5. Orangetheory

Orangetheory has approximately 1,300 locations throughout 50 states. Unfortunately, they don't have a nationwide map, so you must look location by location. Your membership does give you access to all locations nationwide.

As a boutique gym, Orangetheory is different from the others on our list as it only offers group classes. You can book the classes online.

For those suffering from travel decision fatigue, these structured classes are a great way to keep you fit. You just have to show up and do as your instructor says during your Orangetheory HIIT training (High Intensity Interval Training).

And don't worry. Even though the studios are much smaller than classic gyms, they still have a full locker room and showers.

Hours vary by location and don't go nearly as late as other gyms. So, this gym isn't ideal for RVers more concerned with showers & flexibility than workouts. However, it is a great option for those seeking a great workout near most places they travel.

As a boutique gym, the pricing is more expensive, ranging from about $60-$160 per month for 4 classes per month up to unlimited classes. But if you look at it as having a personal trainer (coach) at every session, it's a great deal.

Try Healthy & Delicious Camping Recipes

Our sister site, Camping Food Recipes, has a great selection of healthy recipes perfect for your next camping trip. They'll keep you full and fueled for your next adventure.

Here's a sampling:

• Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Kabobs (w/ Easy Marinade)
• Super Easy Shrimp & Asparagus Foil Packets
• Easy Taco Soup Recipe
• Squash Casserole Recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup
• Roasted Vegetable Medley (Omnia Oven)
• Easy Turkey Vegetable Stew Recipe (Slow Cooker)

Plan Your Next Adventure to Coastal Maine

By popular demand, we announce the publication of the latest in our library of RV travel guides – a 7-Day Adventure Guide to Coastal Maine.

With its dramatic rocky coastline, enchanting fishing towns, and windswept sandy beaches, Coastal Maine is a destination that should be on every RVers’ bucket list. 

We call these guides “7 days,” but they really are seven stops. They’re meant to be experienced at your own pace, a couple of days at one stop, a week at another, however long you want.

We have carefully curated this 66-page digital guide (not a printed book) so you can take in all Coastal Maine has to offer. We give you the routes to drive, the spot to stop, the places to eat, and the museums, excursions, hikes and adventures we think you will enjoy the most.

For an RVer, Coastal Maine has it all: stunning landscapes, short drives between stops, spacious campsites, that perfect small city and nature mixed with a seemingly endless variety of things to see and explore.