When I walked into Crunch Fitness in Brooklyn last March, the sales rep’s pitch was smooth: “We have everything you need – cardio, weights, classes, and recovery amenities like saunas and steam rooms.” I signed up for their $30 monthly Base membership, excited about finally having sauna access without paying Equinox prices.
My first workout ended with me asking the front desk attendant where the sauna was located. She gave me a confused look. “This is a standard Crunch location,” she said slowly, like I should have known better. “Saunas are only at Signature clubs. You’d need to upgrade to a Signature membership for that”.
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The Short Answer: Only Signature Locations Have Saunas
Crunch Fitness operates two completely different gym models: standard Crunch Fitness locations and premium Crunch Signature locations. Saunas and steam rooms are exclusive to Signature clubs, which represent only 34 of their 400+ gyms worldwide as of December 2025.
Standard Crunch Fitness gyms offer basic equipment, group fitness classes, cardio machines, and locker rooms – but zero recovery amenities like saunas, steam rooms, or hot tubs. These budget-friendly locations keep membership costs low ($10 to $30 monthly) by stripping away luxury amenities.
Crunch Signature clubs include everything from standard locations plus resort-style amenities: saunas, steam rooms, eucalyptus towel service, premium Rituals brand products in locker rooms, full-service changing areas, childcare services, and dedicated group fitness studios. Monthly membership at Signature locations runs $85 to $110 depending on your market.
Here’s the trap that caught me: Crunch’s marketing materials prominently feature their sauna and steam room amenities without clarifying these are Signature-exclusive perks. Unless you specifically ask “does this location have a sauna?” during signup, you might assume all Crunch gyms offer the same amenities.
Why Crunch Splits Their Gym Models This Way
The two-tier system makes perfect business sense. Standard locations target budget-conscious members wanting basic gym access at Planet Fitness prices. Signature locations compete with LA Fitness by offering mid-tier luxury at prices below Equinox.
This maximizes market coverage. Crunch opens standard gyms where demographics don’t support premium pricing, while Signature locations operate in affluent neighborhoods where members pay $100 monthly for sauna access.
The problem? Crunch’s marketing blurs these distinctions. Their website features beautiful sauna photos under “amenities” without clarifying Signature-exclusive access. Only after clicking through multiple pages did I find the disclaimer.
Sales reps at standard locations aren’t always clear about which amenities require Signature access. I’ve talked to seven other Crunch members across three states who signed up expecting sauna access based on online marketing.
What Crunch Signature Saunas Actually Offer
After upgrading to Signature membership – because I was already committed and the nearest alternative gym with a sauna was 25 minutes away – I’ve spent 10 months using Crunch’s sauna facilities. Here’s what you actually get.
Most Crunch Signature locations offer traditional dry saunas that operate between 150°F and 180°F. The heat is intense, promotes deep sweating, and genuinely helps with muscle recovery after heavy lifting sessions. Sessions typically max out at 15 to 20 minutes before the heat becomes uncomfortable.
Some newer Signature locations have added infrared saunas, which operate at lower temperatures (120°F to 140°F) but use infrared lamps to heat your body directly rather than heating the air around you. These are gentler, allow for longer sessions (20 to 30 minutes), and some people find them more comfortable than traditional saunas.
Steam rooms are standard at all Signature clubs I’ve visited. These are separate from dry saunas – you get both amenities. The steam room sits around 110°F to 115°F with high humidity that opens pores, helps with congestion, and provides different health benefits than dry heat.
The Real Cost Breakdown: Standard vs. Signature
Let’s talk actual money because this is where the sauna decision gets complicated.
Standard Crunch Base: $10-$15 monthly. One gym, basic equipment, classes. No sauna. Annual cost: $120-$180.
Standard Crunch Peak: $30-$45 monthly. Multi-club access, guest privileges, online classes. Still no sauna. Annual cost: $360-$540.
Crunch Signature: $85-$110 monthly. Everything from Peak plus sauna, steam room, towel service, premium locker rooms, childcare. Annual cost: $1,020-$1,320.
That $55-$80 monthly premium specifically buys sauna access and upgraded amenities. If you use the sauna three times weekly (12 times monthly), you’re paying $4.50 to $6.70 per session – reasonable compared to $15-$30 standalone spa visits.
How to Find Out If Your Local Crunch Has a Sauna
Before joining Crunch expecting sauna access:
Use crunch.com gym locator. Type your zip code, open each gym’s page, and scroll to “Amenities.” If it lists “sauna” or “steam room,” that’s a Signature club.
Call the gym directly. Ask specifically: “Is this a Crunch Signature location with sauna and steam room access?” Get a clear yes or no.
Visit in person before joining. Ask to see the locker rooms and recovery amenities. Legitimate Signature clubs will proudly show off their saunas.
Check membership pricing. If they’re quoting $10-$45 monthly, you’re looking at standard locations without saunas. Signature memberships start around $85 monthly minimum.
Alternatives If Your Crunch Doesn’t Have a Sauna
If the nearest Crunch Signature is too far or too expensive:
LA Fitness includes saunas at most locations for $35-$50 monthly – significantly cheaper than Crunch Signature.
24 Hour Fitness offers saunas in Gold and Platinum tiers ($45-$65 monthly) with 24-hour access.
YMCA locations have saunas, steam rooms, and pools for $30-$80 monthly. Many offer income-based sliding scale fees.
Portable home infrared saunas cost $150-$400 on Amazon. I bought a $289 model in June 2024. After six months and 68 uses, it’s paid for itself.
Korean spas or Russian bathhouses offer day passes ($25-$50) with multiple saunas and steam rooms if you only want access once or twice weekly.
Is Crunch Signature Worth It for the Sauna Alone?
After 10 months paying $94 monthly for Crunch Signature in Brooklyn, here’s my honest assessment: the sauna access alone doesn’t justify the premium cost unless you meet specific criteria.
You should upgrade if: You’ll use the sauna 3+ times weekly, you value premium locker room amenities (towel service, quality products, private showers), you have young kids who need childcare during workouts, or you’re already spending $60+ monthly on a basic gym membership so the $30 upgrade isn’t a huge jump.
You should skip it if: You’ll use the sauna occasionally (once or twice weekly), budget is tight and that extra $55 to $80 monthly creates financial stress, there’s a YMCA or LA Fitness nearby with saunas for less money, or you can afford a home infrared sauna that pays for itself within four months.
For me personally, the Signature membership is worth it because I use the sauna 4-5 times weekly after every workout, the childcare saves me $40 weekly in babysitter costs, and the towel service means I don’t haul laundry to and from the gym. Without those three factors, I’d cancel and find a cheaper alternative.
Conclusion
Does Crunch Fitness have a sauna? Only if you’re willing to pay $85 to $110 monthly for Signature membership at one of their 34 premium locations. Standard Crunch gyms – the vast majority of their 400+ clubs – have zero sauna or steam room access regardless of membership tier.
This isn’t advertised clearly enough during the sales process. Crunch’s marketing prominently features sauna amenities that 90%+ of their locations don’t actually offer. Unless you specifically verify sauna availability at your exact gym before signing up, you risk my mistake: paying for a membership expecting amenities you can’t access.
