Gyms with Childcare: The Complete 2026 Guide

If you're a parent, childcare might be the single most important gym amenity on your list—more important than a pool, a sauna, or even the equipment itself. Because without it, you're probably not going.

An IHRSA survey found that 34% of parents said they'd go to the gym more often if childcare were available. That tracks with what we see in our data: gyms that offer childcare tend to have stronger retention and higher visit frequency among family memberships. It's not a perk—it's the difference between working out and not working out.

We track 1,145 gym locations with childcare across 24 chains, and the availability breaks down along familiar lines.

Premium and full-service chains like Equinox and Bay Club offer childcare as part of their family-oriented membership experience. At Equinox, the service is branded as "Equinox Kids Club" and is available at select locations. Bay Club goes further, with dedicated children's programming spaces that function more like enrichment centers than babysitting rooms. Monthly dues at these clubs run $150 and up, and the childcare experience reflects that price point.

Mid-range chains are the bread and butter of gym childcare. LA Fitness operates "Kids Klub" at many of its locations, typically covering ages 6 months to 12 years. Gold's Gym offers "Kids Club" at select franchise locations, though availability varies by owner. Fitness Connection is a standout here—their Kids Club includes mini movie theaters, tablet stations, and craft tables, making it one of the more engaging childcare experiences in the industry.

High-value, low-price (HVLP) chains have made childcare a competitive weapon. EoS Fitness offers Kids' Club at most locations for children ages 2–12, with 30- to 120-minute time slots available. Chuze Fitness provides childcare for ages 6 months to 12 in a space they call "Kids' Club," staffed by CPR-certified attendants. VASA Fitness includes childcare access in their standard memberships at most locations. These chains prove you don't need a $100/month membership to get reliable childcare—prices often land under $40/month.

Budget chains are where childcare drops off. Planet Fitness does not offer childcare at any of its 2,500+ locations. Anytime Fitness and Snap Fitness, with their compact 24/7 formats, also skip this amenity entirely. Blink Fitness and Retro Fitness are similarly absent. If childcare is non-negotiable, these brands aren't going to work for you.

Boutique and class-based studios are a mixed bag. Big-box boutiques like Orangetheory and F45 don't offer childcare. However, some smaller studio brands like Burn Boot Camp and barre3 have built childcare into their model at select locations—worth checking if studio-style training is your preference.

Gym childcare isn't just convenient—it's a legitimate enabler of parental health. Research shows that parents with multiple young children engage in significantly less vigorous exercise compared to adults without kids. The barrier isn't motivation. It's logistics.

Here's what on-site childcare actually unlocks for parents:

Consistency. The number one predictor of fitness results is showing up. When you eliminate the babysitter variable—the cancellations, the scheduling conflicts, the cost—you remove the biggest obstacle between a parent and a regular workout routine. Gym childcare turns "I'll try to work out this week" into "I go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 AM."

Mental health. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, and parents are among those who need these benefits most. The postpartum period, the toddler years, the school-age juggle—each phase brings its own mental load. That 45 minutes on the gym floor isn't selfish. It's maintenance.

Modeling behavior. Research from the YMCA and other family-fitness organizations consistently shows that active parents are more likely to raise active children. When your kids see you prioritizing exercise, they internalize it. The gym becomes a normal part of life, not something reserved for New Year's resolutions.

Socialization for kids. Most gym childcare programs offer structured play, crafts, and interaction with other children outside of school. For younger kids especially, this exposure to new environments and peers is genuinely developmental—not just "parking" them somewhere.

Cost efficiency. Gym childcare typically runs $10–$30/month as an add-on, or is included in mid-tier memberships entirely. Compare that to $15–$25/hour for a babysitter, and the math is obvious. A family that works out three times a week saves hundreds per month compared to hiring outside childcare.

Based on our database of nearly 10,000 gym locations, here are the major chains where you'll find childcare:

LA Fitness / Esporta Fitness — "Kids Klub" is available at many LA Fitness and Esporta locations for children ages 6 months to 12 years. Childcare is typically offered as an add-on to your base membership, with both monthly and per-visit pricing options. Hours tend to be mornings and early evenings on weekdays, with limited Saturday availability.

EoS Fitness — One of the best childcare values in the HVLP space. EoS offers Kids' Club at most locations for ages 2–12, with flexible time slots ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Pricing is competitive, and the spaces are bright, well-equipped, and staffed by trained attendants.

Chuze Fitness — Chuze's Kids' Club accepts children ages 6 months to 12 years and is staffed by CPR-certified team members who have cleared background checks. The rooms are stocked with age-appropriate toys, crafts, and activities. Available at most locations.

Crunch Fitness — "Kid's Crunch" is available at select Crunch locations (primarily Signature clubs). Not every Crunch has it, so confirm before signing up. Where available, it typically covers ages 6 months to 12 years for a small monthly add-on fee.

Gold's Gym — Kids Club availability varies by franchise owner. Larger Gold's locations are more likely to offer it, typically for ages 6 months to 12 years. Hours and pricing are set at the franchise level.

VASA Fitness — Childcare is included in most VASA membership tiers, making it one of the best value propositions in the industry. Their KidCare program is well-regarded and available at the majority of their locations.

Fitness Connection — Their Kids Club stands out for going beyond basic supervision: mini movie theaters, tablet stations, craft tables, and homework areas. Available for Plus members at most locations.

Equinox — Kids Club is available at select Equinox locations. The experience is premium—think enrichment activities and dedicated spaces—but it's only at a fraction of their clubs.

UFC GYM — Select locations offer childcare services as part of their family membership options.

We also track childcare at Amped Fitness, Bay Club, City Sports Club, Edge Fitness, Esporta Fitness, Fitness 19, Fitness Factory, Genesis Health Clubs, Las Vegas Athletic Club, Mountainside Fitness, NYSC, O2 Fitness, Onelife, Tru Fit, and YouFit Gyms.

Some of the largest gym brands in the country don't offer childcare at any of their locations:

Planet Fitness — The biggest gym chain in the US by location count has no childcare at any of its 2,500+ locations. Their model is built on low dues and minimal staffing, and childcare simply isn't part of the equation.

Anytime Fitness — As the largest franchise gym brand in the US, Anytime Fitness focuses on 24/7 key-fob access and compact layouts. The typical footprint (5,000–10,000 sq ft) doesn't support a childcare area.

Snap Fitness — Same model as Anytime—small boxes, minimal staff, no childcare.

Blink Fitness — Budget-focused with a modern aesthetic, but no family-oriented amenities.

Retro Fitness — Despite a growing focus on wellness amenities like red light therapy, childcare isn't currently offered.

24 Hour Fitness — Notably, 24 Hour Fitness discontinued their Kids' Club program. If 24/7 access and childcare are both priorities, this chain won't check both boxes.

If childcare is a must-have, your best bets on a budget are EoS, VASA, and Chuze—where you get reliable Kids' Club at prices that compete with budget chains.

Enter your ZIP code in our search tool above and we'll show you every gym within 10 miles that has childcare.

A few things to keep in mind before you sign up:

Confirm hours and age ranges. Childcare hours vary significantly—some gyms offer mornings and evenings on weekdays only, while others include weekends. Age ranges also differ: some accept infants as young as 6 weeks, while others start at 6 months or even 2 years. Call the location directly to confirm.

Ask about the membership tier. At many chains, childcare isn't included in the base membership. You may need a mid-tier or premium plan, or it may be an add-on fee of $10–$30/month. Understand the full cost before committing.

Visit during childcare hours. Use a free trial or day pass to see the childcare area firsthand. Look at the cleanliness, the staff-to-child ratio, the toys and activities available, and whether your child seems comfortable in the space. Ask about staff certifications—CPR, first aid, and background checks should be standard.

Check the time limits. Most gym childcare programs cap visits at 1.5 to 2.5 hours per session. If you need more time (say, for a workout plus a shower plus a smoothie), make sure the window works for your routine.

Ask about reservations. Some gyms are drop-in; others require advance booking. During peak hours, popular childcare programs fill up fast.

How many gyms have childcare?

We currently track 1,145 gym locations with childcare across 24 chains in the United States.

What ages do gym childcare programs accept?

Most programs accept children from 6 months to 12 years old, though this varies. Some chains accept infants as young as 6 weeks (like some YMCAs and Life Time locations), while others start at age 2 (like EoS Fitness). Always confirm with your specific location.

Is gym childcare included in my membership?

It depends on the chain. At VASA Fitness and some Fitness Connection locations, childcare is included in standard memberships. At others (LA Fitness, Gold's, Crunch), it's an add-on fee, typically $10–$30/month or $5–$8 per visit.

How long can my child stay in gym childcare?

Most programs allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours per visit. The parent or guardian must remain on-site at the gym during the entire session.

Is gym childcare safe?

Reputable gym childcare programs employ staff who are CPR-certified, background-checked, and trained in child safety. Secure check-in/check-out procedures are standard. That said, quality varies—always tour the facility and ask about staff qualifications before enrolling your child.

What if my child has special needs?

Most standard gym childcare programs are not equipped for children with significant developmental or physical needs. If your child requires specialized care, contact the gym directly to discuss accommodations before signing up.

Gym amenity data sourced from gymstracker.com's proprietary database of nearly 10,000 gym locations across 40+ chains. Health information referenced from the Mayo Clinic, YMCA.org, and IHRSA industry reports. Amenity data is verified through official gym websites, direct outreach, and member reports. Last updated April 2026.