Moving to Washington Heights? It’s a great place to live, with one of Manhattan’s friendliest neighborhoods.
Among its photographic parks and streets are enough gyms to satisfy most people, and I’ve hunted down the best ones for you to choose from today.
The Best Gyms in Washington Heights are:
- Planet Fitness – Best for Affordability & Value
- Drip Sweat – Best for Class Packages
- Hudson Pilates – Best for Pilates & Women’s Fitness
- His and Hers Boot Camp NY – Best for Personal Training
- Outdoor Fitness J. Hood Wright Park – Best for Free Bodyweight Exercise
What each gym is best for isn’t the only reason I chose them, so make sure to check out the benefits, drawbacks, membership prices, and gym audience below for all the key facts to consider before you make your decision.
Does Washington Heights Have Good Gyms?
Washington Heights might not be the most exciting neighborhood in Manhattan but it’s definitely affordable, picturesque, and friendly.
There’s enough gyms here to satisfy most – just don’t expect to have multiple options if you’re into a particular training style.
How Did I Pick The Best Gyms In Washington Heights?
1. Affordability
Washington Heights is known for being one of Manhattan’s most affordable neighborhoods.
It’s categorized as middle class, but that doesn’t mean there is no working class here. For this reason, I made sure to round up the best gyms for a low to midrange budget.
2. Training Styles
Some prefer working out with their headphones on, some prefer energetic group fitness classes. Others prefer a specific training style! Still, whatever you’re about, I found the best choice of Washington Heights gyms to cater to everyone.
3. Sense Of Community
It might be the parks, it might be the picturesque riverside location, but Washington Heights is definitely a friendly neighborhood. To reflect this sense of community, the following gyms I’ve listed are inclusive, welcoming, and judgment-free.
Gyms In Washington Heights: 5 Best Options
1. Planet Fitness – Best For Affordability And Value
- Website: https://www.planetfitness.com/
- Address: TWO locations in Washington Heights: 3799 Broadway and 4168 Broadway
- Hours: Mon–Thu 24 hours, Fri 12am–10pm, Sat–Sun 7am–7pm
- Price: $10 per month for Classic membership, $15 per month for No Commitment membership, and $24.99 per month for PF Black Card membership
- Sign up fees: $1 for PF Black Card, $49 for Classic, and $59 for No Commitment
- No lock-in contracts: Available
- Free trial: 1 day
- Group fitness: Limited
Planet Fitness? Hey, it might not have the best equipment, but it’s cheap and ideal for beginners and casual gym-goers.
That’s the first reason I chose it, and the second reason is because there are two locations in Washington Heights – and even more around Manhattan.
What Are The Gym Benefits?
For newbies and casual gym-goers, Planet Fitness has everything you need for a cheap price. Planet Fitness Washington Heights (at 3799 Broadway), in particular, is spacious across two floors and actually not as busy as your average Planet Fitness gym.
With the PF Black Card membership, you can access any location. There’s another Washington Heights branch at 4168 Broadway and plenty more around Manhattan, which is ideal if you travel around or want to avoid crowds. PF is also 24/7 Monday to Thursday.
What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?
Classic membership is $10 monthly with a $49 startup fee and 12 months’ commitment. No Commitment membership is $15 monthly with a $59 startup fee, but you can cancel at any time without paying the Classic fee.
PF Black Card is $24.99 monthly, giving you access to any Planet Fitness location and its facilities, the option to bring a guest, select discounts, and a next to nothing startup fee of $1. Each membership has an annual fee of $39.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
If you like group fitness classes, they’re available here but pretty basic in what they offer (core, circuit, upper body, lower body – you get the picture).
Planet Fitness crowds are typically newbies, so that’s another drawback if you don’t like unracked weights or equipment hogging.
There’s also Planet Fitness’s lunk alarm, which sounds whenever someone grunts or drops weights. I’m not a fan of the annual fee, either.
Who Should Work Out Here?
Beginners and casual gym-goers on a budget. If you travel about or want to avoid crowds at peak times, PF Black Card membership is worth it for accessing all locations. Despite that, avoid if you want better quality equipment and don’t want to be surrounded by newbies.
2. Drip Sweat – Best For Class Packages
- Website: https://www.dripsweatny.com/
- Address: 2178 Amsterdam Ave, Washington Heights
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 10am–4pm
- Price: $180-200 monthly memberships or $25-180 for drop in classes and class packages
- Sign up fees: None
- No lock-in contracts: Available
- Free trial: None
- Group fitness: Extensive
There are several group fitness studios in Washington Heights, but Drip Sweat NY stands out for the great value its class packages offer. Classes are diversified as well, with around four to six classes to choose from per day.
What Are The Gym Benefits?
This is a modern boutique fitness studio, so the workout space is inviting, enjoying a small community where you’re sure to make friends.
Classes include HIIT, kickboxing, cardio, yoga, zumba, total body, and ninja courses, led by a team of friendly in-house instructors.
So, it’s ideal for outgoing people who like to mix things up. The top membership also gives you unlimited class access, which delivers superb value if you, of course, take advantage of it. Choose classes (spots for up to 15 people) by simply booking via their website.
What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?
First of all, one class is $25. The 5 Class Pass is $95 and the 10 Class Pass is $180. Cheap, if you ask me, but the better options are the monthly memberships.
Unlimited Drip is $180 a month for unlimited classes with 6 months’ commitment. Monthly Unlimited is $200 a month without commitment.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
Although monthly memberships give you unlimited classes, you’re limited to one a day. Unless you’re a fitness class junkie who doesn’t believe in resting, this won’t be a drawback, however.
Who Should Work Out Here?
People who enjoy group fitness classes and like to mix things up. It’s also great if you want to be part of a close-knit fitness community. Otherwise, this place just isn’t for you.
3. Hudson Pilates – Best For Pilates & Women’s Fitness
- Website: https://www.hudsonpilates.com/
- Address: 854 West 181st Street, Washington Heights
- Hours: Class-based
- Price: Private or group single classes and class packages from $50 to $850
- Sign up fees: None
- No lock-in contracts: Available
- Free trial: None
- Group fitness: Extensive
What’s more middle class than Pilates? Joking aside, this is the best Pilates and Zumba studio in Washington Heights.
Classes, all taught by knowledgeable female instructors, incorporate fitness and rehabilitation, held in an invitingly serene space with premium Pilates equipment.
What Are The Gym Benefits?
Hudson Pilates offers Pilates, ballet mat, Zumba, yoga, and postnatal classes targeted at women. The studio is stunning—”rustic” and well-lit—equipped with premium reformers, Pilates suspension straps, a ballet barre – you name it. You can join a class or enjoy one-on-one training.
This is an intimate studio, so the classes are welcoming, personalized, and informative. There are no memberships either, so you can pay by the class or buy in bulk. Overall, if you’re looking for an all-in-one place for women’s fitness and health, this is it.
What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?
As mentioned, there are no memberships here; just single classes and class packages. Classes include Duet (bring a friend), Mat, Pilates Suspension, Private, Reformer, Zumba, and Virtual Private. You can purchase 1 class, 5 classes or 10 classes. The list of rates is extensive, but ranges from $50 to $850.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
You might like the idea of no memberships, but it does mean that attending on a regular/long-term basis will get expensive.
Who Should Work Out Here?
Women who want to improve their fitness through a mixture of Pilates, Zumba, mat ballet, and yoga, or recover postnatally, at an intimate studio with expert female instructors.
If you’re on a budget, however, you might want to look elsewhere. There’s also nothing to say men aren’t welcome here, but expect to be on your own.
4. His & Hers Boot Camp NY – Best For Personal Training
- Website: https://www.hhbcny.com/
- Address: 605 West 158th Street, Washington Heights
- Hours: Mon-Thu 9am–8pm, Fri–Sat 9am–2pm
- Price: $75-1000 class packages
- Sign up fees: None
- No lock-in contracts: Available
- Free trial: None
- Group fitness: Limited (virtual only)
HHBCNY is run by Brandon Matthews, a certified trainer who believes in ethical personal training for women. That’s not to say men aren’t welcome, though. It’s a class-based boot camp for all, focused on tailored private sessions incorporating athletic training methods.
What Are The Gym Benefits?
Want one-on-one personal training from Washington Heights’ best PTs? HHBCNY is worth considering. Expect no judgment or disrespect here, and a personalized training program to help you achieve your goals in the shortest amount of time.
The gym itself is bright, spacious, and well-equipped. It has strength training equipment and cardio machines, so you’ll be doing different exercises to build muscle and lose weight.
There are no in-person memberships, so classes are priced upfront and commitment-free.
What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?
There are three different class plans here: Personal Training Sessions, Boot Camps Class Packages (group classes), and Buddy Personal Training.
Personal Training Sessions are $400 for 5 classes, $500 for 8, and $600 for 10. 5 Boot Camps Class Package is $75, 10 Boot Camps Class Package is $140, and 15 Boot Camps Class Package is $200.
Want to train with your friend or partner? 5 Buddy Personal Training Package is $600, 8 Buddy Personal Training Package is $800, and 10 Buddy Personal Training Package is $1000.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
It’s not cheap, but you’re getting arguably the best personal training classes in Manhattan.
Who Should Work Out Here?
Individuals and couples who want the best personal training service in the area. If you’re on a budget, though, it’s just too expensive.
5. Outdoor Fitness J. Hood Wright Park – Best For Free Bodyweight Exercise
- Website: None
- Address: 351 Fort Washington Ave, Washington Heights
- Hours: Anytime
- Price: Free!
- Sign up fees: None
- No lock-in contracts: Available
- Free trial: None needed
- Group fitness: Technically!
Like working out outdoors and don’t want to pay for a gym? Head to Outdoor Fitness J. Hood Wright Park. Yes, it’s a calisthenics park, but don’t let that dissuade you if you’re yet to try bodyweight training. This facility is free and ideal if you like to work out with others.
What Are The Gym Benefits?
Outdoor Calisthenics Gym J. Hood Park features pull-up bars, dip bars – essentially everything you need to train your upper body gymnastics-style. It’s also modern and well-maintained, being part of J. Hood Wright Recreation Center.
Expect to make friends here who will happily give you workout advice. And if you find weightlifting boring, calisthenics is worth trying – it’s fun, effective at building upper body muscle, and you’ll learn some impressive skills that most gym-goers can’t do.
What Do You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Membership?
It’s totally free – no memberships, no entry fees.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
This facility is for bodyweight training (calisthenics). As a result, you’ll need to create your own bodyweight workouts. There are no free weights or machines, which won’t help your leg workouts. For cardio, your only option is HIIT.
Who Should Work Out Here?
Like calisthenics or want to start? This park is all you need. If you don’t care for levers, planches, or human flags, however, this place isn’t your scene.
It’s also not the best place to get an effective leg workout and, if you’re female, you might not like the idea that most visitors here will be young males.
Other Gyms In New York Worth Talking About
- 5 Best Gyms in Arlington – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Astoria – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Bayside – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Belmont – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Brooklyn – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Bushwick – New York
- 5 Best Gyms In Forest Hills – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Georgetown – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Glendale – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Long Island City – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Manhattan – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Queens – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in SoHo – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Staten Island – New York
- 5 Best Gyms in Williamsburg – New York
- 5 Best Gyms In Killeen – Texas - December 17, 2022
- 5 Best Gyms In New Braunfels – Texas - December 17, 2022
- 5 Best Gyms In McKinney – Texas - December 17, 2022