You want to work out in Amsterdam, but you don't want to commit to a yearly membership at a crowded gym costing 30 to 50 euros per month. Sound familiar? You're not alone. More and more people in Amsterdam are looking for flexible fitness options without long-term contracts. In this article, we break down the best alternatives.

Why skip the membership?

There are plenty of valid reasons to avoid a fixed membership. Maybe you travel frequently for work, have an irregular schedule, or want to explore different types of exercise before committing. Or perhaps you've experienced paying for months at a gym you barely visited.

The good news: Amsterdam offers an increasing number of ways to work out flexibly. From day passes at major chains to specialized concepts without contract obligations.

Option 1: Day passes at regular gyms

Most large gyms in Amsterdam offer day passes. Prices range from 8 to 20 euros per visit, depending on the location and facilities. This works well for occasional workouts but becomes expensive quickly if you train regularly. Plus, you still deal with crowds, wait times, and limited privacy.

Option 2: Punch cards and session packages

Some studios and gyms work with punch cards. You buy a bundle of 10 or 20 sessions and use them whenever you want. The advantage: you only pay for what you actually use. The downside: punch cards often have an expiration date and the per-session price can be higher than a membership.

Option 3: Pay-per-session apps

Apps like OneFit and ClassPass offer access to multiple gyms and studios in Amsterdam through a flexible credits system. You pay per session or class and get access to a wide variety. This is great if you enjoy variety. But keep in mind: popular classes fill up quickly and costs can add up if you train frequently.

Option 4: Open Gym — private training without a contract

A relatively new concept in Amsterdam is Open Gym: you book a private gym space for a set time and train independently with professional equipment. No crowds, no waiting, no distractions. At SculptClub, Open Gym operates on a 4-week cycle with no contract. You can cancel anytime and pay from just 5.75 euros per session.

What makes Open Gym unique compared to regular gyms:

Complete privacy — you train alone or with your training partner in a private studio.
Professional equipment — power rack, cable machine, dumbbells, assault bike and more.
Flexible hours — book sessions from 06:30 to 22:00, 7 days a week.
No contract — 4-week cycle, cancel whenever you want.
Door code access — book, receive your code, and train on your schedule.

Cost comparison per month

Let's compare costs for someone who wants to train 3 times per week (12 sessions per month):

Large gym membership — 30 to 50 euros per month (limited flexibility)
Day passes — 96 to 240 euros per month (12 x 8 to 20 euros)
Pay-per-session app — 60 to 120 euros per month (depending on credits)
Open Gym at SculptClub — 69 euros per month for 3x per week (popular plan)

Open Gym offers a private experience at a comparable price to a large gym membership, but without the crowds, wait times, and contract obligations.

Which option is right for you?

The best choice depends on your situation. Training irregularly and want maximum flexibility? A day pass or pay-per-session app is a solid choice. Training regularly and want privacy and quality? Open Gym offers the best value. And if you want guidance? Personal training without a membership is the answer.

At SculptClub, you can combine all these options. Train independently with Open Gym, book a personal trainer for guidance, or rent the studio for your own sessions. Everything without a contract.

Gym Without Membership in Amsterdam: Your Options