Best Gyms with Free Weights near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hands down the best gym in the city. It’s more than a gym, with so many amenities such as basketball gym, golf simulators, pool, sauna, barbershop, cafe, rooftop lounges and more. The staff (especially Thea who gave us tours and helped with the sign up) is incredible. Fresh towels, clean, attentive and always saying good morning. Not sure where the negative reviews come from, never an issue with scheduling or getting on machines, always a healthy balance of people here but never overly crowded. Plus who would want a gym that no one’s at anyway?

I’m a new member but so far am really enjoying the facilities and classes. I haven’t found it difficult to get into yoga or Pilates classes (Admittedly, I’m taking them during the day.) The locker room, hot tub, and sauna are well-appointed.

I had a decent experience at The Sporting Club overall, but I recently cancelled my membership because it didn’t quite live up to expectations. One of the main issues that led to me leaving was the fact that the club’s membership has increased dramatically over the last six months. I understand that their incentive is to have as many members as possible, but this results in the club being very crowded during peak times. I was super excited about the fitness classes when I first joined, but the rapid membership growth resulted in it becoming very difficult to reserve a spot in any class that isn’t held during the workday. To get a spot, you essentially need to set an alarm for when a class opens each week, but even this doesn’t always work because of how much competition there is. The increase in membership also made it a lot harder to find a place to do some remote work during the day, since there are only ~15 comfortable seats near a power source. It was also (understandably) too loud to take calls, so I can’t really recommend it as a place to work remotely. I definitely lost some respect for the club when they refused to honor their membership policies. When I asked which section of the membership agreement states that a freeze can’t precede a cancellation, they were unable to answer and seemed very unhappy that I wanted to cancel my membership at all. Also, they charge a $25 fee just to freeze your membership, which is such an obvious cash grab. Considering how high the monthly fee is (not to mention the sign-up fee!), it didn’t feel great to have them try to wring as much money as possible out of me before I left. It’s worth mentioning that the facilities are very high quality. There’s a ton of space, the locker rooms and showers are super well-kept, and there’s a great rooftop area. I think it would be a good fit for someone with a very flexible schedule so you can avoid peak times, or if you really want a pool since that’s difficult to find at other gyms.

This is the BEST gym in Philadelphia!!!! They have everything you need for a successful workout. Basketball court, indoor track, hot tube, cold plunge, sauna, steam room, fitness classes 💪🏾, spin, trx, business area, game room, snack bar. The absolute BEST!!

Over the past four or five months, the club has seen a dramatic increase in members. Classes are more difficult to book (good luck getting into Pilates!) The pool and running lanes are perpetually full. The locker room is overcrowded and consistently out of towels. The remote work areas are always occupied. I loved the club when I joined a year ago, but the current reality does not justify the sky-high sign-up fee and monthly membership rate. I only give two stars instead of one because the reception and locker room staff are all incredible even through they are stretched thin. If you want to join, I encourage you tour during peak hours (4:00pm-7:00pm) to see what you're in for!

Try for yourself you won't be disappointed the gym has various machines spacious relaxing dress room kind staff and the overall ambiance is ideal especially for beginners.

Love this gym, the staff is so kind and friendly. The gym is so close to work I absolutely love it

The staff is extremely helpful and friendly! Great place to workout!

It's a nice sized gym in a beautiful building with friendly staff, all the equipment seems to work on a broad walk through, the bathrooms however were a little messy on my visit.

They don’t tell you when they’re closed so you show up to the gym looking like an idiot. Supreme ignorance going on just assuming people know when they’re closed I set up my whole day around going and took all this pre workout and than even tried calling the other planet fitness to see if they were open and no one answered, take urself seriously guys and provide some sort of communication with ur loyal customers seriously I’m not even joking

Overall, a really great experience here. I was initially greeted very kindly and felt extremely welcomed by all of the staff. I was at first a little nervous because of how amazing this place is. Having it be my first time at City Fitness, it definitely is a little overwhelming, but they provide you with so much of what you need/can use during a workout. And also, their locker rooms are completely clean and unforgettable. I know when I go to any gym, I like it when it’s kept nice and clean, especially if I use the showers. This place has it all: shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion, hairdryers, feminine products, hairspray, q-tips, makeup cloths, towels, the list goes on! If you’re looking for a convenient, clean, well-organized, professionally staffed, positive atmosphere gym then you are at the right place.

City Fitness is the quintessential gym in Center City but the real hidden gem is their Thrive Program. Christian, one of the trainers, is simply the best. He has the perfect combination of motivating you while pushing you to be your best self. I would recommend it a million times over.

Just signed up for this gym and so far am impressed! You get a lot of value for your money and the staff is really friendly. Definitely one of the best gyms I've ever been to, if not the best.

I want to thank City Fitness for taking the time to truly listen to my concerns and for addressing an issue I experienced with great care and professionalism. After a misunderstanding regarding a Thrive membership, John the Director went above and beyond to acknowledge the situation and worked to correct it. As someone who has been a loyal member since 2017, I’ve always appreciated and respected City Fitness for their dedication to providing a great experience for members. Mistakes happen, but it’s how a business responds that truly matters. Thank you to John and Marc M for all of your help in turning a frustrating situation into a positive resolution. Absolute class acts.

I love this gym!! It’s fully stocked, only crowded from 4:30-7:30 pm, open late, and - my favorite part - it has a sauna and steam room. The locker room even has a diffuser for curly haired girls. I spend like 2-3 hours here at a time and leave feeling like a new person.

I was really nervous to join a gym because I was concerned about the sometimes toxic masculine culture around working out, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how welcoming City Fitness is. The Old City location is perfect. It’s mostly working professionals and the layout of the gym feels intimate and not like some giant open warehouse where everyone is on display. I signed up for Thrive personal training and Jake is so patient and kind. I’m glad I joined this gym and would recommend it to anyone who may be hesitant to start working out.

Excellent experience. I bought a day pass for 45 N 3rd Street. What a gym! All the equipment you could ever ask for and an abundance of all types. Most importantly, staff member, Kambridge was exceptionally welcoming and helpful! I am looking forward to visiting Philly & going to the gym again. The members are fortunate to have such a great fitness center!

Friendly staff and well maintained. The place is immaculately clean. Equipment out of order is a rarity . The other members seem serious about what they’re doing , so it’s not a social club. Very happy with my membership.

Always a great experience at City Fitness. Staff is friendly, locker rooms are clean, and never too busy. They have any equipment you’d need to get a great workout with.

Edit: Ron, who is now the manager, talked to me informed he will purchase new equipment. The manager from my review was another one that worked there in April 2023. ———————— As an experienced weightlifter with over 10 years of 6x a week training, I can confidently say that when some of the equipment Planet Fitness has is better, it’s not a good sign. Before joining this gym, I did a trial and asked if they could improve the low quality lat pulldown attachments. They gave me the email of a manager to discuss it further. I sent an email and spoke with him in person, explaining the issues with the current attachments. He assured me they would purchase new ones, but a year later, nothing has been done. Additionally, they don’t have a decline bench at all. The layout is also strange, with leg machines and the leg press on opposite sides of the gym, and the same goes for the bench press and chest machines. The only reason I go to City Fitness is because it’s very close to home. Otherwise, on days that the routine I’m doing allows me to out at Planet Fitness (like back day, for example), I just go there instead.

Nice staff (esp. Anthonia), clean gym, and very respectful and quiet community there.

Great range of equipment. Clean. Modern. They have a whole section for abs. Plenty Cardo equipment. And traffic wasn't bad after work hours on a Wednesday. Just wish they had heavier free weights but a great gym location nonetheless.

I love the location, it’s always clean and the staff are super nice. I wish you were 24hrs like before 🥹

It’s clean and never that crowded. Great customer service as well!

The customer service is amazing. They set the tone. When you walk in you get a big smile and hello. The gentleman the last two days has gone above and beyond to help me with some concerns. He is the first person you see an d he does an amazing job. Friendly, helpful and humble. Thank you.

So I was looking for a new gym at like 2am this morning. This is great travel wise from where I live and was worth it as well. It definitely is upgraded I would consider this a luxury gym. I currently going to switch over in the next week. Every thing was clean and accessible , staff was friendly , very relaxing. Price point is worth it def fits for my wallet.😊 the only thing I can say is it needs to be a little bit warmer in there to really build up a good sweat but I enjoy it😊

I really like CityFitness located on Market Street. The place is very big, clean, comfortable, complete facilities, trainers and all the employees there are very friendly and kind. I recommend this place.

Very nice, I spontaneously walked in to take a tour since I was in the area and signed up right away! I feel like I just received a quality of life upgrade 😁 And now several months later, I am still satisfied. Great choice for me!

My experience, but the gym has been awesome. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I definitely love my training sessions I and the classes that I’ve taken it’s a beautiful gym

During my recent business trip, I needed a solid workout. I stumbled upon a fitness facility that exceeded my expectations. The spacious layout was thoughtfully designed, allowing for plenty of room to move around without feeling cramped. The high-quality equipment gleamed under the bright lights, inviting me to put it to good use. Plus, the immaculate cleanliness of the space reassured me and created a welcoming atmosphere that made exercising a pleasure rather than a chore.

Best powerlifting gym in the area. They have competition equipment. Always clean. Friendly staff. Plenty of parking.

I’ll be competing here at DCF on April 20th and Dan kindly allowed me to use the gym to get used to the equipment. First impression was that the gym was very clean and organized. Great equipment and plenty of it! It’s a surprisingly big space and the pictures don’t do it justice. The art work on the walls really is a nice touch and fun to look at. Highly recommend to give this gym a shot if you’re in the area. Everyone I met was very friendly and inviting. Will definitely be switching here full time in the near future!

Been going to Dan Campos Fitness since 2018. It is “THE” best gym ever! I go to the 5:30 am classes mostly but if I can’t make it I go to the 6pm class, or sometimes I do both because I love it so much. Dan the owner is very creative with his workouts we do something different every time. He has the coolest equipment, you won’t find it at any other gyms. You don’t have to be a athlete or a pro to do his classes he makes it were he will Modify it for you. He makes the classes fun and exciting, I never leave there disappointed. #teamdcf🙌

Beautiful gym, high end equipment, lots of variety and things to do. During powerlifting meets they accommodate athletes with the use of awesome equipment really impressed with how clean, organized and the overall environment of this gym.

This is by far the best gym I have ever been to! The best equipment around! Dan campos is passionate about fitness and health and you can definitely see he loves what he does! He is always bringing in New workout equipment to change things up and always keep the workouts interesting and fun! Lots of options for membership. Boot camps are the best around! Highly recommend this gym!

I began training here at the end of summer and was initially very pleased with the facility, which prompted me to pay for an entire year in advance. However, I have noticed that some ongoing issues remain unaddressed over time. Specifically, a leak near the squat/barbell rack has persisted for over six months. Today, I was trying to squat and the floors were all wet; if I or someone else gets injured by the negligence of the non-existent gym manager, I will sue. The other day, one of the Female trainers had an open class with two women. She had the audacity to play music so loud that even with both of my AirPods, I could not only enjoy my music but not only that, I could not longer work out close to the speakers as the music was so loud that I thought I could need a hearing aid. I left the gym at the moment. The next day, the same female instructor had another class, and she left all the equipment in the middle of the gym. Putting weights back is encouraged for us members but not for employees. The disrespect I get from these people is unbelievable sometimes The front desk is operated by a couple of teenagers who don’t manage the building. They always seem to hang out as if this was a social event instead of working. I will attach pictures to this review showing equipment that has been broken for months now. The gym also gets very dirty. Not enough people are working to make this place decent. It would be a good idea to stop with the constant promotional offers when the place is clearly getting way too big management/employees to handle. Even on Sunday you will find yourself waiting for equipment. This will be a fire code violation waiting to happen Will not be renewing my membership, I highly discourage anyone from paying up front in an attempt to save money. These people will not care to address anything once they are paid

This place just continues to get worse and worse so I’ve decided to leave for good. 1. The soap dispensers in the men’s bathroom have been broken for months. So assume all men’s are not washing their hands. There’s not even a temporary bottle in there. This has to be some health code violation. 2. None of the paper towel dispensers worked so instead of fixing them they just removed half of them. 3. About a 1/4 of the machines are broken or feel like they are so you can’t even use them. Broken machines will sit for 3-6 months it seems. 4. The staff just hangs out. No one is really there to help with anything that’s broken and they are almost never at the front desk. I assume their only responsibility is to sign people up.

Was a promising location with good potential a couple month back but sadly they grew too fast and only care about $$. Multiple leg machines have been broken for weeks. Absurdly crowded at practically all times, staff just hangs out and cracks jokes up front

Since June ive been there n i go alot..the amount of equipment they have is better than most places the locker rooms always clean the staff knew my name pretty fast and continues to treat me great If Paper towels are a complaint ya probably shouldn't be working outif its empty go to the next one n get one burn a calorie. Im happy with the team there

One star for the personal training experience. The trainer manager will talk a good game about how great the trainers are. Professional, flexible hours etc. The trainer I got was none of that. After you cancel your training sessions and gym membership, you will be charged even after the 30 days. Very average gym, just wouldn’t recommend the training sessions

Good equipment, modern design, and never crowded. This gym is seriously a hidden gem for LEHB members!

PRIVATE!! This is a beautiful and modern gym, but it's for LEHB members only.

Friendly attendant. Very clean. Good variety of equipment. Music had a good beat and was not overly loud. Lots of cleaning supplies available. Not crowded at all. Overall, really great.

First visit and found the staff helpful. It was a clean, quiet place to work out...how refreshing.

Clean, friendly people, and a whole bunch of different machines.

I must say it's one of the better fitness clubs. I don't know if it's just because it's new but it seems like a very well oiled machine. They definitely know their business model and are milking everything out of it, and the HQ takes it seriously. People are mostly nice, but everyone keeps to themselves. It would be nicer if people were a bit more outgoing and interacted, but that's ok. I guess that's all the gyms nowadays. Equipment is more or less pretty new and good quality, and plenty of it. I'm not sure if I go here because of the price or the facilities available and/or the distance from home, but it gets the job done.

Love this gym! I’ve been going to edge for a couple years now as a guest under my mom’s account and I decided to finally get a membership of my own. Ree had helped me pick out the best membership plan according to my routine and needs as well as something that would be most cost efficient for me. She went through every detail with me about how payments work, what I would have access to with different membership types and answered every question I had no matter how many times I repeated the same thing. She was truly a kind and informative person to talk to about finding something that works best for me!

All the staff is very friendly!! I really like that this gym offers personal training, I have learned so much from working with Harry who is an awesome trainer. I would only point out that at night the parking lot is super dim, I think a light it out and with the icy conditions that would be dangerous.

Honestly, I would take Planet fitness 😂😂 over this gym any day. Gym is always packed, no matter what time you come always packed, even finding parking spots you’ll park far from the entrance. They will get you in a 1 year contract where you are always going to be paying until the 1 year is over. So when your about to cancel you have to go to them, cancel there and then they will tell you your going to have to pay 70$ to cancel for annual fee and monthly fee. Even though when you sign up they will charge you for first and last month which is INSANE. Also keep in mind, there is only one Edge location in NE Philly, so next location is in cherry hill. Barely any gym equipments, their protein shake bar costs an arm and a leg, and they close it before the gym even closes. Equipments are not clean, and i never ever recalled going in the bathroom with it even being remotely clean, went Monday seen trash in one stall, next day seen the same exact trash.The money isn’t the issue, it’s the principle, it’s the promises they tell you then fail. I go to LA fitness now it costs more but it has multiple locations, nothing about the membership is complicated they have pools and hot tubs. Edge has neither…

Best gym ever!!! Everyone is friendly, kind, helpful. Feel very comfortable whenever I workout. No judgement. I definitely recommend.

Good selection of machines, moderate free weights. Several Smith machines. Several rowers. Lots of treadmills, cycling, etc. Clean and bright. A few vending machines. Oddly, the lockers are mostly in the main workout room and along open hallways (better for security?) The showers, are in private rooms. Nice for privacy but logistically a bit tedious waiting for one to be available at peak visit periods. Black Card membership upgrade allows access to massage chairs, tanning, and a guest can accompany you. The guest needs to log in on the PF app. Black Card members also can use any PF.

I’m not too fond of the new location. I mean, it’s good to go to at night when there’s NO ONE there. But it’s just way too small compared to the old location. I hate that the treadmills are by the windows and not to mention, there’s WAY less treadmills. I don’t know why they switched locations. But I think I’m gonna look for another spot that’s way more spacious because this new spot ain’t it.

I would give 0 stars if I could. The new location is the biggest downgrade I have ever seen. I never wrote a review before, so this is how passionate I feel about this new location. Do not like the open space for bathrooms / showers / dressing rooms. Lack of privacy between genders, while before there were separate locker rooms. Also there is not enough seating area to get ready in the open space Machines are stacked on one another & during peak times, they are all occupied. I never had an issue getting on a treadmill before, now people are waiting in line to get on a treadmill Too hot. Fans are too small & there are no window shades blocking the beating sun. Not a fan when you are already exerting energy by working out

The other location at red lion was sooooo much better. It was bigger and had multiple machines. I do like that the shower is individual but the dressing room/locker room was huge. I don't like the new location wish they didn't move. This is more like one big room everyone is on top of each other. The other location felt like a gym. I might have to take the longer drive to another location.

The worst, most obnoxious, horribly designed, inefficient locker "room" bathroom concept I've ever seen at any gym in my life. Lockers are in thr gym, only 2 small benches, then a few separate individual "rooms" 2 of which are changing only and 2 or 3 are bathroom sink AND showers, one at a time use! Absolutely stupid. Always a wait, can't just go wash your hands without occupying an entire bathroom, instead of 8, 9 or 10 being able to use a restroom at once, you've got 3 or 4 maybe MAX. Showers make the restroom rooms hot and humid. Nowhere to just sit your stuff, unless it's a changing room. On and on. I will never go back to this gym and if it's a new concept at all of pf locations, I'll change gyms. Whatever PhD MBA focus group consultant came up with this proves that ultra educated book smart people make terrible practical decisions.

This Anytime Fitness location is excellent! Plenty of equipment, there are trainers from 10 am - 4 pm daily, they offer several classes and personal training as well. The location is well maintained with very good equipment for strength building and cardio. They also have a selection of crossfit type equipment and an area specifically for these types of cross training workouts. I love this gym 🏋🏻‍♂️

This place is awesome. They have all the equipment you would ever need. The atmosphere is inviting and friendly. The staff is epic, and the trainers are amazingly accommodating. They work around the people suggesting personalized alternative exercises if the group ones don't fit a body type/age. The management is also stunning. Someone left their inhaler at the gym, and the staff called everyone who was there for that period to track the person down. 20 years carrying an inhaler, and nobody has ever done that for me before. This place is super warm and exciting and a great place to get introduced to exercise and driven people.

- They didn’t have the one machine I wanted, the simplest one: a stationary bike. They only have the weird ones that you lean way back in or the ones with the giant handle bars that go back/forth. - The gym was clean, well lit, and the music wasn’t blaring like some others. - The bathroom was cleanest AF bathroom I’ve ever seen. - The shower head is apparently not allowed to be adjusted…? - The shower leaked water all over the floor and into the hallway. Sorry about that. Poor installation of the shower tiles. I’m just passing through town, so I won’t be returning.

Best gym I ever joined. Always very clean, engaged and kind staff, Health eval every 6 weeks included in membership, 24/7 access. If you like to work out whenever your schedule allows in a comprehensive gym setting thats affordable with 24/7 access, this is the spot!

Anytime fitness is amazing never crowded that's wroth 3/5 alone and then the equipment is up to date and it's just so convenient no excuses always open they don't have any calf machine not a fan of that but so far, I like it.