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A Review of the top 6 gyms in the Santa Clarita Valley

March 13th, 2024 | 5 min. read

By Jen Azevedo

Sometimes working out on your own is the best. You can choose when you want to work out, for how long, and what movements — all the while listening to the music you love. Training at a gym gives you the flexibility you crave, working around the realities of your busy schedule. 

Gyms provide equipment for cardio training, weight lifting, and mobility work so you can customize your workout according to your needs and wants.

The Paseo Club is a private social club in the Santa Clarita Valley. We provide group fitness and personal training, tennis, pickleball, swimming, and gym facilities for solo workouts.

The Paseo Club is not the only gym in the Santa Clarita Valley. There are many great options. We want to help you make an informed decision about the best gym for you.

In this article, you will learn why people prefer gyms, the benefits of training at a gym, what to look for, and the reviews of the top gyms in Santa Clarita. 

pexels-william-choquette-1954524Why do people choose to work out on their own in a gym?

Exercise alleviates stress, boosts the mood, and enables better sleep. Finding which exercise you like most and where you want to do it is the key to consistent physical activity. For many people, the best choice is going to the gym.

Many people enjoy exercising at a gym because they keep long hours. People like making their own exercise plans, and with the variety of equipment you find at a gym, you can do almost any kind of workout. 

Although working out in a gym does not foster the same camaraderie as a group fitness class, many people enjoy being around others while they train. It can be motivating and inspiring to look around the gym and see everyone sweating it out together. 

comp_IMG_1775What are the benefits of training at a gym? 

There are several benefits to exercising at a gym.

  • Efficiency
  • Affordability
  • Flexible hours
  • Variety of equipment 
  • The opportunity to make gym buddies
  • Alone time to listen to your music and simply focus on yourself and your needs

What qualities should a person look for when choosing a gym?

When you are considering joining a gym, it is best to tour the facility with a staff member so you can check out the equipment, locker rooms, and any amenities they provide. Come prepared to ask questions and jot a few notes down.

It is best to tour the gym at the time of day you plan to exercise to see how crowded it is. Look around and ask these questions:

  • What hours is the gym open?
  • What amenities does the gym offer? 
  • Is the gym clean and the equipment up-to-date?
  • Do they have a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, or steam room? 
  • Does the gym offer mixers, pickleball, or karaoke to foster social connections among members?
  • Are you going to be able to use the equipment you want without having to wait too long during peak hours?  

comp_IMG_1776The top 6 gyms in Santa Clarita 

1. The Paseo Club


The Paseo Club is a private social club with tennis, pickleball, swimming, and fitness facilities. There are several amenities — child care, a youth tennis program, an onsite spa, a cafe, and a clubhouse. There are indoor and outdoor gym facilities with weight machines, cardio machines, free weights, a TRX suspension system, functional fitness equipment, and stretching and mobility areas.  

Pros: There are lots of wonderful options for movement and social activities. You can work out on your own, in a group class, or with a personal trainer — or all three!

Cons: The Paseo Club can get crowded during league matches at peak times. It is also more costly since it provides so many more services in comparison to most other gyms.
Cost: The monthly fees are $178 for a single person, $281 for a couple, and $326 for a family.
Bonus perk of the gym: There is something for everyone at the Paseo Club. Even if exercise is not your primary passion, you can hang out with friends at our social events, drink at our bar, and relax by the pool. There are excellent child care facilities for children three months to twelve years of age. 

2. Afterburn Fitness


Afterburn Fitness is a gym that caters to active athletes and has classes in strength and conditioning, HIIT, kickboxing, and cardio. They are currently offering a free 3-day trial membership so you can try their facility. 

Pros: Afterburn is a large gym, which is great for people who want to work out using a diverse array of equipment.
Cons: Classes can be large — sometimes with over 60 people. It can be difficult to get much coaching on form, which increases the chance of getting hurt.
Cost: Membership costs $105 per month for a two-year commitment, $135 for a one-year commitment, $155 for a six-month commitment, and $175 for month-to-month.
Bonus perk of the gym: Enjoy your recovery with the cold plunge and saunas. 

3. LA Fitness


LA Fitness is a large box gym that caters to hundreds of people. They have a free weight room with dumbbells, barbells, plates, and other types of resistance training equipment. Their stretching room is designated for warming up, cooling down, and mobility. The cardio area has several types of machines to use. 

Pros: LA Fitness is more affordable than many other gyms in the area.
Cons: LA Fitness is very crowded, and it can be hard to get on the equipment. There are a lot of youth that train there.
Cost: It costs $39.99 per month with a $75 initiation fee or $49.99 per month with no initiation fee. There is an annual membership fee of $59.
Bonus perk of the gym: They offer a free fitness assessment upon joining the gym. 

pexels-pixabay-2603524. Gold's Gym


Gold's Gym is a large chain gym that caters to many people in the Valencia/Santa Clarita community. They have been in operation since 2012. They have a cardio cinema with treadmills and bikes, an outdoor pool, an outdoor exercise area, resistance machines, and more. 

Pros: Gold’s Gym is located conveniently in the town center. They stock their pro shop with snacks, drinks, and clothing.
Cons: Finding parking can be challenging.
Cost: A membership to Gold's Gym is $34.95 per month with a $49.99 annual fee
Bonus perk of the gym: They have tanning rooms onsite.

5. Crunch Fitness 


Crunch Fitness is a large box gym that offers gym space for free weights and weight and cardio machines. They also have classes available to members led by trainers. They embrace a no-judgment philosophy and promote positivity, inclusivity, and fun.

Pros: Crunch is a very affordable gym.
Cons: It can get crowded.
Cost: The cost for membership is $9.99 for use of the gym only and at one location. $24.99 gives you access to multiple locations and classes. $29.99 is for access to more classes, certain amenities, and unlimited guests.
Bonus perk of the gym: Members can receive online nutritional advice. 

6. Henry Mayo Fitness and Health


Henry Mayo Fitness and Health is a large gym in a medical/physical therapy setting. Their gym is equipped with strength training and cardio apparatus. Henry Mayo also has a Pilates room, aquatic facilities, locker rooms, a basketball court, a spin room, a yoga room, and a childcare space.

Pros: They provide the most up-to-date equipment, and all the training staff are certified in kinesiology.
Cons: Henry Mayo’s clientele tends toward an older demographic. Many members are there to rehabilitate injuries. 
Cost: They do not publicize their pricing. That information is shared once contact is initiated.
Bonus perk of the gym: Henry Mayo is Southern California’s only medically-integrated health and fitness facility. It is very focused on physical therapy and rehab.

comp_IMG-3040Choosing the best gym in the Santa Clarita Valley for you

Time in the gym can be the best medicine after a long day of work. You get to set aside your worries, listen to your music, and focus exclusively on yourself and the training in front of you. 

Finding the right gym for you matters. Each gym has its own culture and “vibe.” Make sure to choose the one that most suits you. Review their equipment and amenities to see if that is what you are looking for.

In this article, you learned why people prefer gyms, the benefits of training in a gym, what to look for in a gym, and what the best gyms are in Santa Clarita.

Although the Paseo Club has over 10,000 square feet of gym space, it is so much more than a gym. The Paseo Club functions as a community hub with classes, tennis, pickleball, and swimming. 

We have several social events every month. Come to Wine Down Wednesday, a charity pickleball tournament, or karaoke — there is something fun for everyone.

If you would like to see what all the excitement is about, schedule a tour of the Paseo Club. A staff member will show you all eight acres of the club and you can meet members and instructors. Contact us today!

Schedule a Tour

Jen Azevedo

Jen Azevedo is a tennis professional, pickleball professional, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and the general manager of the Paseo Club. She loves the community at the Paseo Club and that it is also a safe and fun place for her daughter. Jen’s favorite activities are joining her tribe for trail races or her partners for tennis matches. Occasionally Jen slows down to relax with a book — she reads over 100 a year!