Want to get active regularly, but a classic gym membership feels too rigid and just doesn’t fit your lifestyle? Then a sports membership plan could be exactly what you’re looking for. Below, we break down how the concept works, which providers are out there, and why Urban Sports Club stands out from the rest.
What exactly is a sports membership plan?
A “sports membership plan” (sometimes called a sports subscription) is a model where a single membership gives you access to a wide range of sports venues and classes – instead of tying you to one gym or one type of sport. The idea is simple: you pay a monthly fee and can check in at a variety of partner studios, swimming pools, yoga studios, climbing gyms, and more.
It’s a particularly attractive option for people who like variety in their workout routine, travel frequently, or are still exploring which sport is the right fit for them. Instead of a rigid annual contract that auto-renews, these memberships typically offer shorter terms and flexible cancellation options.
Which sports membership providers are there in Germany?
The market for sports membership plans has grown significantly in recent years. The best-known providers for individuals and companies in Germany are:
Urban Sports Club is the largest and most well-known sports membership provider in Germany and across Europe. With access to over 15,000 partner locations and more than 50 sports and wellness activities, Urban Sports Club is built for anyone who wants to fit sport into their everyday life – with variety and without long-term commitment.
ClassPass works differently from most other sports subscription providers: instead of a flat monthly fee with unlimited check-ins, you purchase a credit package that you can spend flexibly on classes at partner studios. The offering is aimed primarily at individuals.
Wellhub is an international company focused on holistic wellbeing. Its membership is exclusively available through employers and covers sport, fitness, mental health, nutrition, sleep health, and much more.
Hansefit started out in northern Germany and is now active nationwide. Its corporate fitness offering is exclusively for companies and their employees, covering over 50 sports and wellness activities. One standout feature: Hansefit’s “Activity Rewards” module rewards everyday physical activity like running or cycling.
EGYM Wellpass is another well-established corporate fitness provider, aimed at companies and their employees, with a dense network of over 8,000 sport and health facilities in Germany and Austria. It also offers an extensive digital programme with a wide range of online classes.
These providers differ mainly in the number of partner studios, available sports, pricing, and flexibility. Target audiences also vary considerably – only Urban Sports Club and ClassPass are available directly to individuals, without needing an employer. Wellhub, Hansefit, and EGYM Wellpass are exclusively available as corporate fitness benefits through your employer.
Urban Sports Club: The go-to sports membership
Urban Sports Club was founded in Berlin in 2012 and has since grown into Europe’s largest sports and wellness subscription. The idea: one membership, access to over 15,000 partner locations across Germany and Europe.
The offering has something for everyone:
- Gyms (from small boutique studios to large chains)
- Yoga, Pilates, and meditation
- Swimming pools and aqua fitness
- Climbing gyms and bouldering
- Dance studios and martial arts
- Padel, volleyball, and other team sports
- Wellness like saunas and massages
- EMS training and functional training
Everything runs through the Urban Sports Club app: find partner locations near you, book classes, and check in – all in one place.
Urban Sports Club: The go-to sports membership
Urban Sports Club was founded in Berlin in 2012 and has since grown into Europe’s largest sports and wellness subscription. The idea: one membership, access to over 15,000 partner locations across Germany and Europe.
The offering has something for everyone:
- Gyms (from small boutique studios to large chains)
- Yoga, Pilates, and meditation
- Swimming pools and aqua fitness
- Climbing gyms and bouldering
- Dance studios and martial arts
- Padel, volleyball, and other team sports
- Wellness like saunas and massages
- EMS training and functional training
Everything runs through the Urban Sports Club app: find partner locations near you, book classes, and check in – all in one place.
Urban Sports Club membership plans: Which one suits you?
Urban Sports Club offers several membership tiers based on how often and how diversely you want to train. For the latest prices and details, always check the Urban Sports Club website.
Essential
A great fit if you want to add sport to your life as an occasional extra. You get 4 check-ins per month and access to 2,700 partner studios.
Classic
With Classic, you can check in once per day at partner studios and get access to over 8,000 partner locations across Europe. It’s the most popular plan at Urban Sports Club.
Premium
Premium also gives you one check-in per day, plus 4 Plus check-ins per month – including one massage. The perfect plan for active sports enthusiasts who also love a bit of wellness.
Max
Urban Sports Club’s most comprehensive plan: alongside your daily check-ins, you get up to 8 Plus check-ins per month. With a Max membership, you have access to the full partner network – up to 15,000 locations across Europe.
What makes Urban Sports Club stand out?
Beyond the unmatched size of its partner network, there are a few things that set Urban Sports Club apart from other sports providers:
No long contract lock-ins
Unlike many classic gym contracts that tie you in for a year or two, Urban Sports Club works with short terms. The monthly cancellable membership gives you the freedom to adjust your plan to whatever life looks like at any given moment.
Variety over monotony
With over 50 sports and wellness activities to choose from, you can build your own training routine and adapt it whenever your needs change. That keeps things fresh – and makes it much easier to stay active in the long run.
Train across Europe
If you travel a lot – for work or for fun – you’ll appreciate that Urban Sports Club is active in other European countries too. Partner locations are available in France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, so your training doesn’t have to stop just because you’re away from home.
Everything in one app
Finding studios, booking classes, checking in – it all happens through the Urban Sports Club app. Managing your membership couldn’t be simpler.
Who is an Urban Sports Club membership right for?
Not every sports offering works for every lifestyle. Urban Sports Club is particularly worth it if you:
- want to try different sports or mix things up regularly
- don’t want to be tied to a single studio
- travel frequently for work or leisure
- want to combine sport and wellness
- value flexible contract terms
- care about your overall wellbeing
- can get a discounted membership through your employer
It’s less ideal if you exclusively train at one specific studio and would never use the broader network. In that case, a direct membership there is often the more affordable choice.
Sports membership plan – yes or no?
The sports membership plan concept has established itself for good reason: it fits a modern, flexible lifestyle where people don’t want to be locked into one studio or one type of sport. Urban Sports Club is the largest and most well-known provider of this kind of subscription in Germany. You can explore all membership options and prices on the Urban Sports Club website. If you go with the monthly cancellable option, you can try it out risk-free and decide for yourself whether it’s the right fit. Take a look at which partners are available in your city: Sports membership Berlin, Sports membership Hamburg, Sports membership Munich, Sports membership Cologne.
Frequently asked questions about sports membership plans (FAQ)
What’s the difference between a sports membership plan and a regular gym membership?
A classic gym membership only gives you access to one studio or one gym chain – usually with a long contract term. A sports membership plan like Urban Sports Club’s gives you access to a wide range of partner locations and sports activities, with shorter terms and far more flexibility than a traditional membership.
How many sports and partner locations does Urban Sports Club offer?
Urban Sports Club gives you access to over 50 different sports – from classic gym workouts to yoga, Pilates, swimming, climbing, dancing, martial arts, tennis, and EMS training – across more than 15,000 partner locations throughout Europe. The exact range of partner locations varies by region. Check directly which partners are available in your city: Sports membership Berlin, Sports membership Hamburg, Sports membership Munich, Sports membership Cologne.
Can I cancel Urban Sports Club monthly?
Yes, Urban Sports Club offers memberships that can be cancelled on a monthly basis. That’s significantly more flexible than the one- or two-year contracts you’d typically find at classic gyms. You can always find the current terms and conditions on the Urban Sports Club website.
Can I use Urban Sports Club while travelling or on holiday?
Yes – and that’s one of the biggest advantages over a traditional local gym membership. Urban Sports Club is active in several European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. As an individual member, you can check in across Europe with your standard membership. If you have a corporate fitness membership, you’ll need to add the EuroAccess option to your existing plan.
Who benefits most from a sports membership plan?
A sports membership plan is especially worthwhile if you regularly want to try different sports, don’t want to be limited to one studio, or are often on the move. If, on the other hand, you train exclusively at one specific gym and don’t use any other offerings, a direct membership there is usually the more cost-effective option.
