A guide to cheap gyms in Toronto

Cheap gyms in Toronto are increasing in number, just as the grumbling over exorbitant gym fees is increasing in volume. It's a common tale: You throw down the dough for a gym membership, promising yourself you'll get your money's worth, then let that card sit in your wallet all year long. (Maybe you even thought spending all that money would motivate you to work out. You masochist, you.)

Of course, high hopes and good intentions are no match for a busy lifestyle - and heck, maybe you really are a workout junkie, but don't want to have to pay for an on-site masseuse and a raw kombucha bar when a couple of cardio machines will do just fine. Whater camp you fall into, these cheap and low-commitment gyms will help you get your butt and your bank account in shape.

Striation 6

Commitmentphobes, take note: This brand-new gym near Yonge and Davisville offers pay-as-you-go workouts: You just show up, plunk down your $6, and get to use their array of workout machines. If you actually end up following through on that vow to work out three times a week and come back 10 times in a month (for a total of $60), all subsequent workouts are free.

Hone Fitness

Billing itself as "Toronto's first $10 gym," Hone at Yonge and Isabella is already earning itself some steady buzz around town. You can either spring for the $10 monthly package, which gets you access to their 170 pieces of training equipment, or the $20 membership, which gets you unlimited tanning/massage, a 30-minute health assessment, and half-price drinks at the front cash (ooh). Mercifully, neither package requires a membership.

Fit 4 Less

Goodlife's little-sister chain of budget gyms is making inroads into the GTA, with locations in North York, Mississauga, Scarborough and one more on the way to Etobicoke. They're also making a name on a $10 monthly membership fee, which requires a one-year membership commitment; their $20 tier comes without a contract and allows transferring between family and friends.

World Gym Scarborough

World Gym is part of the sister chain to Gold's; their Scarborough location is open 24 hours and features weights and cardio machines, a basketball court, and extras like a smoothie bar and child care. They currently have a no-frills membership available at just $10 a month, and a $20 all-access tier (plus a $79 registration charge and a $19 card fee - apparently, even cheap comes at a price).

Did we miss any? Leave your favourite place to work out for $30 or less a month in Toronto in the comments.

Photo by Jesse Milns

by Natalia Manzocco via blogTO