Finding a gym you can actually afford as a student or young adult comes down to two things: knowing which brands offer student rates and asking local clubs for their location-specific deals. Here are 10 reliable places to look, with sources and quick tips to help you verify current offers near you.

1. YMCA: Sliding-scale and student-friendly memberships

• Why it’s great: Most YMCA associations offer income-based financial assistance and young adult/student categories, keeping monthly rates affordable.
• How to claim: Bring a current student ID (or proof of enrollment) and ask about student/young adult pricing or financial assistance.
• Find locations: https://www.ymca.org/find-your-y
• Sources:
  • YMCA locator: https://www.ymca.org/find-your-y
  • Example association financial assistance (programs vary by Y): https://www.ymcatriangle.org/financial-assistance

2. Your university campus recreation center (often included in fees)

• Why it’s great: Many universities include campus rec access in student fees, making it the best “near me” option if you’re enrolled.
• How to claim: Check your school’s rec site; bring your student ID.
• Example policy: UCLA states student memberships and eligibility details on its student page: https://recreation.ucla.edu/membership/student-memberships
• Source:
  • UCLA Recreation student memberships: https://recreation.ucla.edu/membership/student-memberships

3. City parks & recreation fitness centers

• Why it’s great: City- or county-run fitness centers are typically lower cost, and many offer youth/young adult rates.
• How to claim: Search “[your city] parks & recreation fitness center” and ask about student pricing.
• Example: Chicago Park District operates dozens of low-cost fitness centers: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/fitness-centers
• Source:
  • Chicago Park District fitness centers: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/fitness-centers

4. JCC (Jewish Community Centers)

• Why it’s great: Many JCCs run full-service fitness centers with student or young adult pricing; access varies by location.
• How to claim: Find your nearest JCC and ask about student memberships.
• Find locations: https://jcca.org/find-a-jcc/
• Source:
  • JCC Association directory: https://jcca.org/find-a-jcc/

5. Planet Fitness: Seasonal free teen access (High School Summer Pass)

• Why it’s great: Each summer, Planet Fitness has offered free access for high schoolers (ages typically 14–19) at participating clubs.
• How to claim: Watch for the “High School Summer Pass” program and register online; bring a legal guardian if required by age.
• Program info: https://www.planetfitness.com/summerpass
• Source:
  • Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass: https://www.planetfitness.com/summerpass

6. CorePower Yoga: Student discounts at most studios

• Why it’s great: CorePower notes that many studios offer a student discount; verification and amounts vary by location.
• How to claim: Present a valid student ID at your local studio or call ahead.
• Source:
  • CorePower Yoga FAQ (discounts vary by studio): https://www.corepoweryoga.com/faq/

7. CrossFit affiliates (ask about student rates; independent pricing)

• Why it’s great: CrossFit affiliates are independently owned and often create local student deals or off-peak rates.
• How to claim: Contact boxes near you and ask for student/young adult pricing or class packs.
• Find affiliates: https://map.crossfit.com/
• Source:
  • Affiliates are independently owned and operated: https://www.crossfit.com/affiliates/what-is-affiliate

8. Anytime Fitness: Local franchises often run student specials

• Why it’s great: Pricing is set by individual clubs, and many run student promotions—especially in college towns.
• How to claim: Call or visit clubs near campus; ask for student ID verification requirements.
• Find locations: https://www.anytimefitness.com/
• Source:
  • Pricing is set by individual locations (see FAQ): https://www.anytimefitness.com/faq/

9. Discounted gym networks via health plans (Blue365, Fitness Your Way)

• Why it’s great: Some student or family health plans provide discounted access to large gym networks—often a flat, reduced monthly fee.
• How to claim: Check your insurance portal for “gym discounts” or “fitness benefits” and enroll through the partner site.
• Examples:
  • Blue365 (Blue Cross Blue Shield member deals): https://www.blue365deals.com/
  • Fitness Your Way by Tivity Health (offered through select plans): https://www.tivityhealth.com/fitness-your-way/
• Sources:
  • Blue365: https://www.blue365deals.com/
  • Tivity Health Fitness Your Way: https://www.tivityhealth.com/fitness-your-way/

10. Climbing gyms: Student-rate memberships are common

• Why it’s great: Many modern climbing gyms are full fitness clubs (climbing, weights, yoga) and frequently offer student pricing.
• How to claim: Search “[your city] climbing gym student discount” or check membership pages; bring a student ID.
• Example chain: Movement Climbing, Yoga & Fitness lists membership options across locations: https://www.movementgyms.com/memberships/
• Source:
  • Movement memberships (see location pages for categories): https://www.movementgyms.com/memberships/

How to confirm a student deal near you in 10 minutes

Staying fit on a student budget is doable if you know where to look. Below are 15 gyms that offer student-priced memberships or seasonal deals, plus what you need to qualify and where to verify each offer.

1. PureGym (UK) – Student Discount

• What’s the deal: Student discounts (often a percentage off or months free) at hundreds of clubs, typically verified through UNiDAYS or Student Beans. Offers vary by location.
• How to qualify: Verify student status via the official PureGym student page, then follow the instructions for UNiDAYS/Student Beans.
• Where to check: https://www.puregym.com/deals/student-discount/

2. The Gym Group (UK) – Student Membership

• What’s the deal: Student-specific pricing on flexible, no-contract memberships; exclusives often run via UNiDAYS/Student Beans.
• How to qualify: Confirm eligibility through The Gym Group’s student page; you’ll be prompted to verify student status.
• Where to check: https://www.thegymgroup.com/join-now/student-gym-membership/

3. JD Gyms (UK) – Student Pricing

• What’s the deal: Discounted rates for students at participating JD Gyms, frequently tied to UNiDAYS/Student Beans promos.
• How to qualify: Use the JD Gyms student page and complete the student verification steps provided.
• Where to check: https://www.jdgyms.co.uk/student-gym-membership/

4. Better (GLL) Leisure Centres (UK) – Student Membership

• What’s the deal: Reduced-price student memberships across Better’s UK network of gyms, pools, and leisure centres.
• How to qualify: Choose a Student membership and bring valid student ID when requested.
• Where to check: https://www.better.org.uk/memberships/student

5. Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Gyms (UK) – Student Membership

• What’s the deal: Student membership options with discounted rates at many Nuffield Health clubs.
• How to qualify: Select a Student membership online or in club; proof of student status required.
• Where to check: https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/memberships/student

6. Everlast Gyms (UK) – Student Discount via Student Beans

• What’s the deal: Exclusive student-only membership savings through Student Beans (offers can change throughout the year).
• How to qualify: Verify your student status with Student Beans to unlock the Everlast Gyms offer.
• Where to check: https://www.studentbeans.com/student-discount/uk/everlast-gyms

7. Snap Fitness (UK) – Student Discount via Student Beans

• What’s the deal: Student-specific discounts available for Snap Fitness UK through Student Beans at participating clubs.
• How to qualify: Verify with Student Beans, then follow redemption instructions for your local club.
• Where to check: https://www.studentbeans.com/student-discount/uk/snap-fitness

8. Anytime Fitness (UK) – Student Discount via Student Beans

• What’s the deal: Student-only savings offered by many Anytime Fitness UK clubs via Student Beans.
• How to qualify: Verify student status through Student Beans, then join at the discounted rate where available.
• Where to check: https://www.studentbeans.com/student-discount/uk/anytime-fitness

9. Total Fitness (UK) – Student Membership

• What’s the deal: Reduced student memberships across the Total Fitness club network (North of England and Wales).
• How to qualify: Join on the student tariff and present student ID as required by the club.
• Where to check: https://www.totalfitness.co.uk/membership/student-memberships/

10. Places Leisure (UK) – Student Membership

• What’s the deal: Student-friendly pricing at participating Places Leisure centres (gym, swim, and classes).
• How to qualify: Choose a Student membership online and provide a valid student ID when asked.
• Where to check: https://www.placesleisure.org/memberships/student-membership/

11. Blink Fitness (US) – Student Discount via UNiDAYS

• What’s the deal: Student-exclusive offers (e.g., reduced monthly rates or enrollment promos) via UNiDAYS; availability can vary by club and time of year.
• How to qualify: Verify with UNiDAYS, then redeem the offer at your preferred Blink location or online.
• Where to check: https://www.myunidays.com/US/en-US/partners/blinkfitness/view

12. YMCA (US – varies by association) – College Student Memberships

• What’s the deal: Many YMCAs offer discounted “College Student” or “Young Adult” memberships; specifics vary by association and branch.
• How to qualify: Enroll in the student category and show a valid student ID; some Ys also require current class schedule or .edu email.
• Where to check (example – YMCA of the Triangle): https://www.ymcatriangle.org/join/discounts/college-students

13. NYC Parks Recreation Centers (US) – Student Rates

• What’s the deal: New York City’s public recreation centers offer student memberships at a discounted annual rate.
• How to qualify: Provide proof of current student status when purchasing a membership.
• Where to check: https://www.nycgovparks.org/memberships

14. Planet Fitness (US) – High School Summer Pass (Seasonal)

• What’s the deal: Free summer gym access for high school students (typically ages 14–19) during the annual High School Summer Pass program; runs seasonally and requires a parent/guardian for minors.
• How to qualify: Register during the promo window on Planet Fitness’s official page; bring photo ID (and parent/guardian for minors).
• Where to check: https://www.planetfitness.com/summerpass

15. énergie Fitness (UK) – Student Discount via Student Beans

• What’s the deal: Student-only membership savings through Student Beans at participating énergie Fitness clubs.
• How to qualify: Verify through Student Beans and follow the redemption flow for your local club.
• Where to check: https://www.studentbeans.com/student-discount/uk/energie-fitness

How to qualify faster (and avoid surprises)