Fitness Expert Kenny Santucci Shares Top U.S. Gym Picks Amid Record Memberships

Gym memberships in the U.S. reached a record high in 2025, according to the Health & Fitness Association. That gives consumers more workout options and more choices when selecting a fitness space.

Many gyms and fitness clubs charge hundreds of dollars per month, depending on access levels and amenities.

Kenny Santucci, a New York City fitness trainer, gym owner and host of the "Strong New York" podcast, outlined the qualities of a great gym in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"A lot of people traditionally look at gyms [as if] they have to have all the bells and whistles," he said. "Spa, bathrooms, all these things. For me, a gym is a gym. I go there for the equipment, I go for the culture, I go for the look and feel of the place."

He added, "You can have an incredible gym [that's] a garage gym, and you can have an incredible gym [that] somebody could have built for $10 million."

Santucci visits new gyms nationwide and shares his experiences on social media. He seeks a balance of aesthetics, equipment quality and "great people."

"I think you could go and get in a sweat or a workout anywhere — but if the people are great, that's what creates that great culture," he said.

"If you ask the average person who goes to most big-box gyms, the things they tell you they love about the gym are, ‘Oh, I love the showers. They have really nice towels.’ It's nothing that actually pertains to the gym, and I believe that people should go to the gym to progress and get better," he added.

Santucci listed some of his top-rated U.S. gyms.

Life Time Fitness runs a chain of luxury health clubs with indoor courts, swimming pools, saunas and group fitness classes. Santucci praised founder and CEO Bahram Akradi as a "very hands-on owner and operator" who oversees hundreds of locations.

"[Bahram’s] mentality and belief system around the fitness space, I absolutely love," he said.

"I give a lot of credit to the guys who are owners and operators," Santucci added. "They’re in the space, they're making sure things are going really well. I think if you're going to be in the gym business, you should be one of those people."

Anatomy Gyms in Florida drew praise from Santucci for co-founder and co-CEO Marc Megna. "It's an incredible culture there, and I think that's what they really push at that gym," he said. "The way the gym’s set up, the cleanliness of it, the aesthetics – you walk in that place, and you want to train … and those are things you can't just buy ... You have to live it, love it and be involved in the day-to-day operations."

Santucci has started visiting Powerhouse Gym in New York City once or twice a week. The New York- and New Jersey-based chain emphasizes weight training and bodybuilding, with powerlifting rooms and boxing rigs. "I really love the people and the culture," he said.

For group fitness and Hyrox training, Santucci recommends The Training Lab in New York City. Hyrox is a global fitness racing brand with affiliated gyms and training clubs. "The guys over at Training Lab are incredible," he said. "Another owner-operator who's involved in the business, who partakes in everything. I think they're another great gym. If you're looking for group training, Training Lab's a great space."

Some premier gym memberships cost more than $300 a month. Santucci said high spending is not required for results, though it can provide more of an "experience."

"We need to restructure the way we think about health and wellness," he said. "People aren't going out as much anymore. They're not spending as much on alcohol. It's all what you prioritize. I prioritize fitness. I belong to multiple gyms. I have a membership to TMPL Gym here in [New York City]. I have a membership to Renzo Gracie's. That's what I like to do with my money."

Santucci said his payments cover more than equipment, including staff, community and atmosphere. "If you want that elevated experience, you're going to pay for that just like you would at a hotel or a restaurant or anything else," he said.

The expert called wellness a "third form of hygiene."