Gym Prices in Oslo: Complete Comparison 2025
Navigating gym prices in Oslo can be confusing with different pricing models, hidden costs, binding periods, and campaign offers. This comprehensive price guide compares all major gym chains in Oslo: monthly memberships with and without binding, startup fees, administration fees, and what you actually get for your money. We cover budget-friendly alternatives like Friskis&Svettis (250 NOK/month), mid-range chains like SATS and Elixia (400-700 NOK/month), and premium luxury centers like SATS Elixia Premium and Elixir (700-1000+ NOK/month). In addition to direct price comparison, we explain when binding pays off, how to avoid hidden costs, best time of year to join (campaigns), student discounts, and negotiation tips to get best price. We also help you calculate total annual cost including all fees, and evaluate if premium price is worth it based on which facilities are actually important to you. All prices are updated for 2025 and include both budget and premium alternatives for all needs.
Complete Price Comparison
| Gym | Monthly price | Startup | Binding | What included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friskis&Svettis | 250 kr | 199-399 kr | 1 mo. notice | 400+ group classes, sauna, 15+ centers |
| Evo Fitness | 279-399 kr | 399 kr | 6-12 mo. | 24/7 access, sauna, intro program |
| Elixia Smart | 299-399 kr | 399-599 kr | 12 mo. | Technogym equipment, sauna, some group classes |
| SATS | 499-699 kr | 499-699 kr | 12 mo. | All group classes, sauna, many centers |
| Elixia | 599-799 kr | 599-799 kr | 12 mo. | Premium equipment, group classes, spacious |
| SATS Elixia Premium | 799-999 kr | 699-999 kr | 12 mo. | Pool, luxury sauna, spa changing rooms |
| Elixir | 799-999 kr | 799 kr | 12 mo. | Premium equipment, pool (some), prime location |
| SiO Athletica | 199-249 kr | 0-199 kr | Semester | Students only, basic facilities |
* Prices vary during campaigns and between centers. Startup fees often waived during New Year and autumn campaigns.
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Budget vs. Premium: What Do You Actually Get for the Money?
The difference between budget gyms (250-400 NOK/month) and premium centers (700-1000+ NOK/month) is significant, but not always worth the extra cost for everyone. Budget gyms like Friskis&Svettis and Evo offer: Basic modern equipment (cardio machines, strength machines, some free weights), sauna and shower, some/many group classes (Friskis actually has 400+ classes/week), functional facilities. Downsides: Can be crowded during rush hours (17:00-19:00), smaller changing rooms, older equipment at some centers, fewer premium facilities. Premium gyms like SATS Elixia Premium and Elixir offer: Pool (25-meter training pool + jacuzzi at best centers), luxury sauna and steam room with spa quality, spacious changing rooms with free towels and toiletries (some centers), newest high-end equipment (Technogym, Life Fitness), low member-to-machine ratio (less queue), premium group classes with certified instructors, calm atmosphere without overcrowding. Is premium worth 500-750 NOK extra per month? If these things are important to you: pool (for swim training or recovery), calm environment without crowds, spa experience after training, premium group classes, access to multiple locations. If not: Save the money and choose budget alternative. Many choose hybrid solution: Budget gym for daily training + drop-in at premium gym/spa 1-2 times/month when you want to treat yourself.
Total Annual Cost: The Math You Must Do Before Joining
Monthly price is only part of the story - always calculate total annual cost including all fees. Let's compare three realistic scenarios: Scenario 1 - Friskis&Svettis (budget): Startup: 199 NOK (campaign). Monthly price: 250 NOK × 12 = 3000 NOK. Administration fee: 0 NOK. TOTAL YEAR 1: 3199 NOK (266 NOK/month average). Scenario 2 - SATS (mid-range): Startup: 0 NOK (New Year campaign). Monthly price: 499 NOK × 12 = 5988 NOK. Administration fee: 99 NOK. TOTAL YEAR 1: 6087 NOK (507 NOK/month average). Scenario 3 - SATS Elixia Premium: Startup: 699 NOK. Monthly price: 899 NOK × 12 = 10788 NOK. Administration fee: 149 NOK. PT sessions (4 sessions × 800 NOK): 3200 NOK (optional). TOTAL YEAR 1: 11636 NOK (970 NOK/month) or 14836 NOK with PT (1236 NOK/month). Difference budget vs. premium: 8437 NOK per year = 70 NOK per day. Is pool, luxury facilities and calmer environment worth 70 NOK/day to you? For some: Absolutely. For others: No, they'd rather spend money on something else. Important calculator questions: How often will you actually train? If <2 times/week, maybe drop-in or punchcard is cheaper than monthly pass. If 3-5 times/week, monthly pass pays off big. Do you really need premium facilities, or is it "nice to have"? Budget alternative + spa visit once/month can be cheaper than premium membership.
Save Money: Campaigns, Negotiation and Insider Tips
Never pay full price for gym membership - with right timing and negotiation you can save 1000-3000 NOK per year. Best campaign times: January (New Year campaign): All chains run aggressive campaigns - 0 NOK startup, free month, reduced price first 3 months. This is absolutely the best time to join. September (autumn campaign): Almost as good deals as January. Black Friday (end of November): Discounts on annual memberships, sometimes 20-30% discount for 12-month prepayment. Negotiation tips that work: Startup fee: "Can you remove the startup fee?" Works in 70% of cases, especially if outside campaign period. Switch discount: "I'm member at [competitor], what can you offer to get me to switch?" Many chains have competitive switch offers. Re-join discount: "I was member before, is there re-join discount?" Often yes. Longer binding: "If I bind for 18-24 months, do I get better monthly price?" Can save 50-100 NOK/month. Bring-a-friend: "My friend also wants to join, do we get discount together?" Some centers give 10-20% discount. Patience: If they say no first time, come back another day or talk to different salesperson. Price often varies based on who you talk to. Insider tips: ALWAYS wait for campaign (January or September). Never join April-June (worst deals). Negotiate startup fee even during campaign - you can often get even better deal. Read entire contract before signing - some chains have auto-renewal clauses that are difficult to cancel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gym Prices
What does a gym cost in Oslo on average?
Average monthly price ranges from 250 NOK (Friskis&Svettis) to 1000+ NOK (premium centers). Breakdown: Budget (250-350 NOK/month): Friskis, Evo, Elixia Smart. Mid-range (400-700 NOK/month): SATS, standard Elixia. Premium (700-1000+ NOK/month): SATS Elixia Premium, Elixir. Additionally, startup fees of 300-600 NOK often apply. Average Norwegian pays approx. 450-500 NOK/month for gym membership.
Which gym has best price-quality ratio?
Friskis&Svettis (250 NOK/month) gives best value: unlimited access to 15+ centers in Oslo, 400+ group classes/week, sauna, no binding. It's 1/4 the price of SATS Premium with many of the same facilities. Evo Fitness (279-399 NOK/month) is second best for solo training with modern equipment and 24/7 access. For premium segment: SATS Elixia Colosseum (900 NOK/month) justifies price with pool, luxury sauna, and comprehensive facilities.
What are hidden costs of gym membership?
Common extra costs beyond monthly price: Startup fee/enrollment: 300-600 NOK (one-time cost, often waivable during campaigns). Administration fee: 50-150 NOK/year at some chains. Binding period penalty: Must pay out entire period if you want to quit early. Personal trainer: 600-1200 NOK/hour (not included). Punchcard group classes: 200-400 NOK/class at boutique studios. Towel rental: 30-50 NOK/visit (no gyms in Oslo include free towels). Group class extra cost: Some specialized classes cost extra. Always read the fine print!
Is it worth binding for 12 months?
It depends on: If you're 80%+ certain to train for 12 months: YES, save 600-1800 NOK per year. If beginner or uncertain: NO, 67% of beginners quit within 6 months - choose no binding and pay 50-150 NOK extra/month for flexibility. If experienced trainer with 2+ year history: YES, binding gives best value. Math example Evo: With binding 279 NOK × 12 = 3348 NOK. Without binding 349 NOK × 6 months (then you quit) = 2094 NOK. Without binding SAVES 1254 NOK if you quit early.
Do gyms offer student discount in Oslo?
Yes, several offer student discount: SiO Athletica (only for students at Oslo universities): 199-249 NOK/month, best student price. Evo Fitness: Student price from 249 NOK/month (vs. 279 NOK standard). SATS: Student campaigns periodically, usually 399-449 NOK/month. Friskis&Svettis: No special student price (already cheap). Elixia: Student discount 50-100 NOK/month. Requirements: Valid student ID. Best student alternative: SiO if you qualify, otherwise Evo or Friskis.
When is it cheapest to join a gym?
Best times for campaigns: January ("New Year campaign"): 0 NOK startup fee, reduced price first 1-3 months, sometimes free month. September ("autumn campaign"): Similar offers as January. Black Friday (November): Discounts on annual memberships, reduced startup fee. Summer (June-August): Fewer campaigns, but lower demand = more negotiation room. Worst time: April-May (high demand before summer = fewer deals). Tip: Always wait for campaign, never pay full startup fee. If no campaign, ask if they can remove startup fee anyway.
What does the price include at different gym segments?
Budget (250-400 NOK): Basic access to equipment, sauna, shower, some group classes. Smaller changing rooms, sometimes crowded rush hours. Example: Friskis (many classes), Evo (24/7 access). Mid-range (400-700 NOK): All group classes included, better equipment, larger centers, more spacious changing rooms, some have pool. Example: SATS, standard Elixia. Premium (700-1000+ NOK): Pool, luxury sauna/steam room, spa-like changing rooms, free towels (some), high standard equipment, low member-to-machine ratio, premium group classes, calm atmosphere. Example: SATS Elixia Premium, Elixir.
Can I negotiate the price of gym membership?
Yes, there is often negotiation room! Best negotiation techniques: 1) Startup fee: Almost always negotiable, especially outside campaign periods. Say: "Can you remove the startup fee?" 2) If you're switching from competitor: "I'm member at [competitor], what can you offer to get me to switch?" 3) If you've trained there before: "I was member previously, is there a re-join discount?" 4) Buy longer period: "If I bind for 24 months instead of 12, do I get better price?" 5) Bring-a-friend: "My friend and I want to join together, do we get discount?" Big example: Startup fee (400 NOK) + first month (500 NOK) = 900 NOK. After negotiation: 0 NOK startup + 99 NOK first month = 99 NOK. Saved 801 NOK in 5 minutes!