24 Hour Fitness vs Hey Telo

About

24 Hour Fitness is an American fitness club chain operating approximately 280 gyms across the US — providing members with 24/7 access to cardio and strength equipment, group fitness classes, swimming pools (at select locations), and personal training services at mid-market membership pricing. Founded in 1983 by Mark Mastrov in San Leandro, California, 24 Hour Fitness has undergone significant restructuring — the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 during COVID-19 (closing approximately 130 locations permanently) and emerged as a leaner operation, currently controlled by private equity.\n\n24 Hour Fitness offers multiple club types: Active (standard gym with cardio and strength), Sport (adds pools and basketball courts), and Ultra Sport (largest format with full amenities). The 24-hour access model serves shift workers, early-morning exercisers, and night owls who can't access gym facilities during conventional hours. Membership pricing ranges from $30-60/month depending on access tier and location, positioning it above Planet Fitness but below boutique fitness concepts.\n\nIn 2025, 24 Hour Fitness competes with LA Fitness, Planet Fitness (the dominant low-cost gym), Gold's Gym, Crunch Fitness, and regional fitness chains for gym membership market share. The company's post-bankruptcy footprint is concentrated in California, Texas, and other Western states where it retains significant presence. The recovery strategy focuses on club quality improvements at retained locations (new equipment upgrades, facility renovations), digital fitness integration (app for class booking and member engagement), and stabilizing membership rates at pre-pandemic levels. Competition from boutique fitness (ClassPass, SoulCycle, OrangeTheory) continues to pressure traditional gym retention.