Hot Springs is a small city known for its beautiful natural surroundings, and its log cabin library fits right in. The cozy building’s stone fireplaces and large windows look out onto the surrounding hills — the perfect reading environment. Read more...

As one of the most popular places to workout in Chicago, this gym offers members both high-quality exercise equipment and an exceptional atmosphere. The facility was founded over 35 years ago by two friends in search of a no-nonsense workout space. Their goal was to create a gym where members could simply “lift weights and get stronger” and current members Read more...

Previously located in Wyckoff, N.J., DeFranco’s is no typical gym, it’s a finely tuned training space, building some of the strongest athletes out there. The pro clientele includes 13-time world champion of the WWE Triple H, linebacker for the Houston Texans Brian Cushing, and pro rugby player Alex Corbosiero, among many others. The hardcore gym has also been featured in Read more...

You probably know this chain of gyms better by their regional names—Town Sports International owns Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York Sports Clubs, and they also operate three fitness centers in Switzerland. Starting at $40, all facilities offer group fitness classes and select locations offer basketball courts, pools and saunas. Read more...

In addition to up-to-date facilities, personal training services, and other typical gym amenities like group fitness classes and smoothie bars, what’s most impressive about Retro Fitness is its affordability. For just $19.99 a month members gain access to every single Retro Fitness facility across the country, many of which feature extra amenities like cardio movie theaters, physical therapy, and P90X Read more...

Blink Fitness thinks of everything, right down to the colors of the walls in their gyms. They say the colors used are scientifically proven to enhance your workout, the music selection is carefully chosen to boost motivation, and their staff puts mood above muscle to give you the best possible experience. Starting at $15 a month, Blink Fitness has more Read more...

Three locations in Massachusetts round out the line-up for this fitness brand, proving that less is sometimes more. The team at Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning includes an in-house physical therapist, five massage therapists and a team of professional training staff, ready to take care of whatever you need. Whether recovering from injury or just looking to get in the Read more...

More than 2,400 locations worldwide and you can access any of them with a basic membership—that really sets this gym apart. Anytime Fitness is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with clean and secure facilities. The average cost of membership is $39 and based on the sheer number of locations in 19 different countries, this membership might Read more...

One of the country’s most popular big-box gyms, our readers wrote in to acknowledge LA Fitness for its convenience and affordability, also noting that many locations offer a wide variety of fun group exercise classes to choose from. “They have great group exercise class options and affordable memberships that allow you to attend multiple locations,” one reader said. Read more...

This Maryland-based private gym prides itself on offering members a unique experience different from the “endless, boring cardio routine” that many gym-goers grow accustomed to. With a focus on weight loss and sports performance, the gym provides everything from youth and adult training programs to team camps designed for athletes who want to stay on top of their game during Read more...