5 Best Gyms In Clifton – New York

Is it a surprise that Clifton doesn’t offer any gyms? This small town is known for its parks and trails, so probably not. But you do have options! As long as you’re willing to travel, these are the best gyms near Clifton worth your consideration.

The Best Gyms Near Clifton Are:

  • Planet Fitness Watertown – Best Budget Gym For Beginners & Casuals
  • Magrath Sports Complex – Best Pool & Sports Facilities
  • YMCA Watertown – Best For Seniors & General Fitness
  • 24 Fitness – Best Equipment & Gym Hours
  • BFitJunky – Best For Personal Training

All in all, there’s something here for everyone. And to help you choose, I’ve provided each gym’s benefits, drawbacks, and membership prices below, along with who should sign up and who should stay clear!

Does Clifton Have Good Gyms?

Unfortunately, the Town of Clifton NY doesn’t have any gyms. But if you’re willing to travel, you’ll find gyms near Clifton in Jefferson County, including popular gym chains, independent gyms, and local fitness centers.

Gyms In Clifton: 5 Best Options

1. Planet Fitness Watertown – Best Budget Gym For Beginners & Casuals

Planet Fitness Watertown - Best Budget Gym For Beginners & Casuals
  • Address: 21182 Salmon Run Mall Loop W, Watertown, NY
  • Hours: Monday–Thursday 24 hours, Friday 12am–9pm, Saturday–Sunday 7am–7pm
  • Price: $10/mo for Classic or $24.99/mo for PF Black Card
  • Sign up fees: $59 for Classic membership
  • No lock-in contracts: Available
  • Free trial: 1 day 
  • Group fitness: Limited

No matter where you are, you can always find Planet Fitness nearby! And although it’s not the best gym around, it’s still the cheapest, most accessible gym out there. This location’s large and well-equipped too, with 24-hour access four days a week.

What Are The Gym Benefits?

Just starting out? Planet Fitness Watertown has all the cardio machines, resistance machines, and free weights to help you lose weight and build muscle. It even has a pull-up corner with TRX straps, kettlebells, and resistance bands, ideal for functional training.

Small group classes (up to 3 people) are available too, covering upper and lower body, core, and circuit training. The best thing? Planet Fitness is a no-judgment gym since most members are new or casual visitors. All in all, it’s cheap, accessible, and inclusive.

What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?

Planet Fitness memberships are simple: pay $10/mo (Classic) to visit one Planet Fitness gym or $24.99/mo (PF Black Card) to visit any location with access to the facilities, which include massage chairs and tanning.

Just take note: Classic membership has a $59 sign-up fee and locks you in for 1 year – unlike PF Black Card which has no commitment. So PF Black Card is easier to cancel.

Both memberships have a $39 annual fee.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Don’t expect the best gym equipment at Planet Fitness. Weights also get left lying around a lot and you might find you have to wait for machines. Another drawback is that the choice of classes is limited.

Who Should Work Out Here?

Beginners and casual gym-goers. It’s also ideal if you’re on a tight budget (even the PF Card Black is cheap compared to most memberships). But if you want better resistance machines or more group classes, you’ll want to check out other gyms first.

2. Magrath Sports Complex – Best Pool & Sports Facilities

Magrath Sports Complex - Best Pool & Sports Facilities
  • Address: 10050 Tigris River Valley Road, Fort Drum, NY
  • Hours: Monday–Friday 6am–7pm, Sunday 8am–4pm
  • Price: N/A
  • Sign up fees: N/A
  • No lock-in contracts: Unknown
  • Free trial: Unknown
  • Group fitness: Limited

As you’ve probably guessed by the name, Magrath Sports Complex is big. This all-in-one sports facility boasts a 25-meter indoor lap pool and 400-meter running track (and that’s not all), making it a top choice if you like to do more than just work out in the gym!

What Are The Gym Benefits?

You can work out, swim, play sports, and recover at Magrath Sports Complex. Aside from the pool and track, it has a fully equipped gym, two saunas, a soccer field, and separate courts for tennis, racquetball, basketball, and volleyball. So for sports, there’s nothing better.

The gym even has weightlifting platforms, so it’s ideal if you’re into powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting. Group fitness classes are also available here (with cheap rates), plus personal training if you need one-on-one fitness and lifestyle coaching.

What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?

Unfortunately, membership options and rates aren’t provided unless you contact them or visit in person. What I can tell you is that class rates are $5 for 1 class, $25 for 6 classes, $35/mo for monthly classes, and $50 for 12 classes.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Not knowing the membership options without contacting/visiting them, for one. It’s also closed on Saturdays.

Who Should Work Out Here?

If you like to play sports as much as work out in the gym, then this one’s an easy choice. I’d also recommend the gym for people who are interested in weightlifting and powerlifting. But if you won’t use all the facilities, the membership price probably won’t be worth it.

3. YMCA Watertown – Best For Seniors & General Fitness

YMCA Watertown - Best For Seniors & General Fitness
  • Address: 119 Washington St, Watertown, NY
  • Hours: Monday–Friday 5am–9pm, Saturday 7am–2pm
  • Price: $37.50/mo or $450 for one year (for adult memberships)
  • Sign up fees: None
  • No lock-in contracts: Available
  • Free trial: None
  • Group fitness: Extensive

Watertown Family YMCA is a budget fitness center that, like most YMCA gyms, caters to casual gym users, seniors, and families. This location offers a gym, group fitness classes, a basketball court, and swimming pool, with affordable memberships for all ages. 

What Are The Gym Benefits?

First, the gym here has all the basics for cardio and strength training. It’s a quiet gym too – a perk if you don’t like crowds. Some of the group classes are spin, Pilates, yoga, Zumba, tai chi, and boot camp, held 3-4 times a day (except Sunday) in a large separate studio.

There’s a recreation pool too, providing aquatics classes and leisure swims – great for both seniors and families. Another thing worth mentioning about YMCA Watertown is the practice basketball court, which also hosts weekday pickleball sessions.

What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?

Like all YMCA centers, there are separate membership prices for children, youths, young adults, adults, seniors, single parents, families – the list goes on. So to keep it simple, I’ll list the main membership prices.

For adults (ages 25-59), it’s $37.50/mo or $450 for one year paid in full. 

For seniors (age 60+), it’s $29.50/mo or $354 for one year paid in full.

For young adults (ages 18-24), it’s $23/mo or $276 for one year paid in full. 

All memberships provide full access, and you can cancel the monthly memberships by giving 30 days’ written notice.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

The gym only provides the basics and the equipment is older than what you’d find in other gyms (this is typical for most YMCA gyms). Also, the pool here is only an aquatics/recreation pool; it’s small and isn’t for lap swimming!

Who Should Work Out Here?

YMCA is ideal for casual gym-goers, seniors, and families, thanks to its basic gym facilities, pool access, group classes, and memberships priced by age. If you’re looking for a large up-to-date gym or lap pool, though, the better option is Magrath Sports Complex.

4. 24 Fitness – Best Equipment & Gym Hours

24 Fitness - Best Equipment & Gym Hours
  • Address: 26219 US Route 11, Evan Mills, NY
  • Hours: 24/7
  • Price: Memberships from $70/mo
  • Sign up fees: None
  • No lock-in contracts: Available
  • Free trial: None
  • Group fitness: None

24 Fitness Training is a boutique gym with premium equipment that seems to focus on functional fitness! It still provides all the essentials for cardio and strength training, however, with the bonus of 24-hour access and super flexible membership options.

What Are The Gym Benefits?

This 24-hour gym is great for functional fitness, boasting a pull up/monkey bar rig, TRX frame, and a turfed circuit training area with sled pushes and tires. It’s also good for general cardio and strength training, as it even has stair climbers and bumper plates for weightlifting.

So 24 Fitness is good for all training styles. It has a supplement store too and a snack vending machine for refueling, plus lockers and showers for both men and women. The memberships also provide a variety of options based on your level of commitment!

What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?

Gladiator is the base membership that gives you 24/7 gym access and a free t-shirt. The prices are $70/mo for 1 month, $180/mo for 3 months, $300 for 6 months, $480 for 12 months, or $540 for 18 months.

Spartan membership is the next level up, which gives you the bonus of personal training and free laundry service (yep, they offer that too) for $125/mo.

Centurion is the top membership, providing 2 free t-shirts, personal training, laundry service, and 10% off at the onsite shop for $175/mo.

Day passes are also available: $15 for adults (18+) and $10 for ages 14-17.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

It’s not budget-friendly. And although it offers a wide selection of equipment, it’s a medium-sized gym that might get busy at peak times.

Who Should Work Out Here?

Looking for a premium gym with 24/7 access? 24 Fitness Training is definitely one to consider – especially if you like functional fitness. But if your budget is tight or you want a large gym that has more than one of everything (to avoid waiting), this one isn’t for you.

5. BFitJunky – Best For Personal Training

BFitJunky - Best For Personal Training
  • Address: 1222 Arsenal St #2B, Watertown, NY
  • Hours: Monday–Friday 5am–7pm, Saturday 9am–12pm
  • Price: N/A
  • Sign up fees: None
  • No lock-in contracts: Available
  • Free trial: None
  • Group fitness: None

BFitJunky is a private personal training studio run by certified PT and nutritionist Brandie Freeman and her team of experienced personal trainers. So if you need expert help with your goals, workout routines, and diet, this is the place to go!

What Are The Gym Benefits?

Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or even improve your lifestyle on the whole, the personal trainers here will help you see results. You can even train specific styles here, as the gym is fully equipped – even boasting equipment for CrossFit and weightlifting.

Since BFitJunky is private, it’s also ideal if you’d prefer to train in a small, quiet gym without many people around. There are weekly boot camp classes too, plus a massage service from a local licensed massage therapist – perfect for rehab and recovery.

What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?

This is a private personal training service, so how much it costs will depend on your goals, needs, and the length of your program. The good thing with personal training is that you can discuss your commitment level and budget to come up with a plan that suits you.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Not having an idea of the price until you book a consultation. It’s expected for this service, but it’s still a drawback if you’re worried about your budget.

Who Should Work Out Here?

If you struggle with motivation, nutrition, gym workouts, or even getting the results you’re after, I fully recommend BFitJunky. If you’re not yet ready to commit to a personal training program, though, I’d settle for group classes or a cheap gym membership instead.

Other Gyms In New York Worth Talking About

Avi Silverberg
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