Harness the Power of Local Indoor Fitness Centers in NWA

Photo by Arkansas UREC

Being new to Northwest Arkansas doesn’t mean you have to skip out of your fitness goals by any means. Along with the amazing opportunities to get active outdoors, NorthWest Arkansas offers top notch fitness centers, so you dont ever have to miss a workout even on the cold days. Looking for a place to break a sweat indoors? Look no further, there are a variety of gyms and fitness centers in the area for all different workout styles and schedules. Whether you are a student trying to be active with tons of homework or just a newcomer to the area looking for a gym that feels like home. There are plenty of options to choose from. In this post we will highlight 3 excellent gyms that might be right up your alley - like Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness , and on campus gym, UREC - With that being said, let's dive right in, and start hitting your goals. 

First let's look into the most obvious gym for those readers who are students at the University of Arkansas. The UREC ( University Recreation Center), this is a fantastic option for students, because your membership is already included in your tuition. Which can save you a few dollars, by not having to pay for a separate gym membership. The UREC is also a great option for those students living on campus (especially those that might not have vehicles in NorthWest Arkansas). It offers a wide range of workout equipment, indoor track, swimming pools, basketball courts, and various fitness groups/classes you can join. As well UREC offers a smaller gym right in the heart of campus or more space and convenience, at the union UREC. One down side of the UREC that most students are not a fan of and is the gym is not 24 hours and often closes around 8-9pm. This issue alone leads some students to look at gyms off campus that better work with their schedules and lifestyles. 

Another popular option in NorthWest Arkansas or a good workout is Crunch Fitness, which is conveniently located in the NWA Mall. Crunch is a spacious 55,000 square foot facility, and is well known for its “ no judgement” motto. Crunch takes it a step up from the UREC offering 24 hours of operation during Monday - Thursday, Friday until 11pm, and Saturday/Sunday 7am-7pm. This gives people more time to get a workout in even if they are busy throughout the day. Crunch is also not associated with campus and therefore not exclusive to just students but the NorthWest Arkansas community as a whole. Crunch also offers a few different membership plans to choose from based on what you're looking for as an individual. Base membership which starts at just $9.99 a month, which gives up access to full use of cardio equipment, weights, machine, and locker rooms. Peak membership which starts at $24.99 a month for all base membership benefits plus access to fitness groups, tanning, hydromassage, and nationwide access.

Finally there is the Peak Results membership which is $29.99 a month, which includes all of the previously mentioned perks plus hot yoga, ride classes, HIIT advanced workouts, guest privileges and kids babysitting services. Crunch has a little bit for everyone, if you are college student or a parent, they have got you and your obstacles covered so you can get that workout in with a peace in mind. 

Lastly, We are going to discuss Anytime Fitness, where members can enjoy a true 24/7 gym. That's right this gym is open ALL the time, which is what appeals to many people who enjoy working out in the late night / early morning hours. Anytime Fitness also has over 5,000 locations worldwide, ensuring flexibility for any schedules. Anytime Fitness, wants its customers to succeed and even creates a tailored plan to guide members on their fitness journey if they are feeling lost getting started. As well they have an app that members can utilize for personalized workouts, scheduling, and to connect with the community. Another amazing opportunity Anytime Fitness does is they work really well with college students, offering discounts and back to school promotions targeting students. Anytime Fitness has a unique bi-weekly payment plan, offering a 24 month plan of $26 bi-weekly or a 12 month plan with $23 bi-weekly payments. This is a pricer option compared to the last two gyms discussed but this is the only gym you are going to get that true 24 hour operation and the worldwide access. You may be thinking that “worldwide access” won’t ever get used but over the summer I traveled to London, Paris, and Rome and was pleasantly surprised to have found Anytime Fitness to workout at in London and Rome. How’s that for world wide access?

No matter where you or what your goals are, it shouldn’t be overwhelming to start or even just upgrade your fitness journey. Finding the right gym can make all the difference. There are many more options across NorthWest Arkansas, but I believe I have highlighted some of the best ones in this article. Whether you want the budget friendly option and want to give UREC a try or maybe you need a babysitter while you work out with Crunch, or even if you are just looking for somewhere to workout at 3am. There is a place for you here in the NorthWest Arkansas fitness community. Prioritizing fitness isn’t just about looking good, but about feeling strong, staying healthy, and building habits that will benefit you for years to come. So, take that next step to a better your and explore these options right here in NWA.