Best Gyms in Waco: A Baylor Student's Complete Fitness Guide
Finding a gym in Waco as a Baylor student is easy on the surface — there are plenty of options within a few miles of campus. The harder question is which one is actually worth paying for. With the free Baylor SLC already available, the case for a commercial gym membership comes down to hours, equipment depth, and what kind of training you want. Here's a complete breakdown of every waco gym worth knowing about, with pricing, distances from 19Eleven on S 8th Street, and honest guidance on which membership fits which student.
Start Here: Baylor's Free Fitness Center at the SLC
Before spending anything, understand what you already have access to. The McLane Student Life Center (SLC) Fitness Center at 209 Speight Ave is included in your student fees — you're paying for it whether you use it or not.
The SLC covers 10,000 square feet across three levels: cardio equipment, weight machines, and a free weight floor. A semester FITPASS adds unlimited group fitness classes — yoga, HIIT, cycling, and more. The facility is about half a mile from 19Eleven, an easy walk or short bike ride from S 8th Street.
For most students, the SLC handles basic gym needs. The reasons to add a commercial membership are specific: 24/7 access when SLC is closed, heavier free weight equipment, or specialized programming the SLC doesn't offer.
The Commercial Waco Gyms, Ranked by Use Case
Planet Fitness — Best Budget Pick
Planet Fitness Waco at 300 N Valley Mills Dr is the default waco 24 hour gym for students who want constant access at minimal cost. The Classic membership runs $10/month (plus a one-time annual fee), or upgrade to the PF Black Card at $24.99/month for tanning, massage chairs, and guest privileges.
Equipment leans toward cardio machines and selectorized weight machines — no free weight heavy section by design. That's fine for most gym-goers; it's a dealbreaker if you're powerlifting. The 24/7 hours are genuinely useful for early-morning study-then-train sessions or late-night workouts when the SLC has closed. About 2.5 miles from 19Eleven.
Best for: Budget-conscious students who want 24/7 access and cardio-focused or machine training.
Crunch Fitness — Best for Group Classes
Crunch Fitness Waco at 575 N Valley Mills Dr starts at $9.99/month — the most affordable option for a commercial gym in waco tx. Like Planet Fitness, it's open 24/7. The major differentiator is classes: ZUMBA, HIIT, cycling, and yoga are all included at base tier.
Higher memberships add HydroMassage, tanning, red light therapy, sauna, and steam room. If group fitness is part of your routine and you don't want to pay for SLC's FITPASS on top of a gym membership, Crunch is a strong value. Also about 2.5 miles from campus.
Best for: Students who want both equipment access and group classes without paying separately.
Gold's Gym — Best for Serious Weight Training
If you're training seriously — powerlifting, Olympic lifting, or bodybuilding — Gold's Gym Waco at 250 N New Rd is the best-equipped gym near Baylor. Olympic platforms, plate-loaded machines, and a free weight section that goes well beyond what budget gyms offer. LES MILLS classes (BODYPUMP, RPM, BODYCOMBAT) are included in membership.
Hours are Mon–Fri 5am–11pm, Sat–Sun 7am–9pm — not 24/7, but the window is wide enough for most schedules. About 2 miles from 19Eleven. Pricing is by inquiry and runs higher than the budget chains.
Best for: Students with specific strength training goals who need proper free weight equipment and Olympic platforms.
Train Waco — Best for Coached Programming
Train Waco at 300 S Valley Mills Dr is the gym in waco for students who want structured programming over independent training. Think CrossFit-style workouts, hybrid athletic training, and coach-led sessions with built-in accountability. This isn't a facility you access on your own — class reservations are required.
Membership starts at $29.99/month, and they offer a free 3-day trial before you commit. That trial is worth taking if you're CrossFit-curious; it shows you quickly whether the format fits. Hours are Mon–Fri 5am–9pm, Sat 7am–7pm, Sun 10am–5pm. About 2.5 miles from 19Eleven.
Best for: Students who want coaching and community over equipment access — especially former high school athletes looking for structured training.
Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Club — Best All-Around
The WRS Athletic Club at 900 W Lake Shore Dr is the most complete facility on this list: 18 tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, group classes, and a Courtside Bar & Lounge. Hours are Mon–Thu 5am–10pm, Fri 5am–8pm, Sat–Sun 7am–6pm.
Drop-in runs $10/day, or $30 for a weekly pass — no long-term commitment required. If you want racquet sports alongside gym access, this is Waco's best option. About 2.5 miles from campus.
Best for: Students who play tennis or pickleball and want those courts built into their gym membership.
Anytime Fitness — Best for Students Who Travel
Anytime Fitness at 4700 Bosque Blvd Unit G gives you access to 6,000+ locations globally. If you travel frequently, go home for breaks, or spend summers elsewhere, the network coverage makes a single membership work year-round. 24/7 access, standard cardio and strength equipment. About 3.5 miles from 19Eleven. Pricing by inquiry.
Best for: Students who want consistent access at home and away from Waco without maintaining two memberships.
Gyms in Waco TX — Quick Comparison
| Gym | Price/Month | 24/7? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor SLC | Free (student fees) | No | Everyday training, free |
| Planet Fitness | $10 | Yes | Budget, cardio, machines |
| Crunch Fitness | $9.99+ | Yes | Budget + group classes |
| Gold's Gym | Inquiry | No | Serious strength training |
| Train Waco | $29.99+ | No | Coached CrossFit/hybrid |
| WRS Athletic Club | $10/day or $30/wk | No | Tennis, all-around |
| Anytime Fitness | Inquiry | Yes | Network + travel access |
How 19Eleven Residents Already Have a Head Start
Living at 19Eleven on S 8th Street means you already have an on-site sports court and indoor pool included with your rent — no membership required. The sports court handles basketball, volleyball, and casual pickup games. The indoor pool keeps cardio and lap swimming available year-round regardless of Texas heat.
For residents whose main fitness goals are staying active and cross-training, the on-site amenities cover the baseline without a monthly gym fee. A $10/month Planet Fitness add-on becomes optional supplemental access for weight training rather than a core expense. For students who want the full story on what's available at home, the amenities page has everything laid out.
This matters when you're comparing apartment options near Baylor. A building with no on-site fitness amenities makes a commercial gym membership a necessity. At 19Eleven, it's a choice.
Making the Decision
The cleanest approach: start with the Baylor SLC since you're already paying for it. If you find yourself wishing for 24/7 access, add Planet Fitness or Crunch at $10/month. If you're training seriously and need real iron, shift to Gold's Gym. If you want coaching, trial Train Waco's free 3 days before committing.
The gym near baylor that makes the most sense for you depends entirely on when you train, how you train, and what budget you're working with. None of these are bad options — they just serve different use cases.
For the broader picture of staying active near campus — including outdoor workouts, running trails, and sports courts beyond what 19Eleven provides on-site — see the staying fit near Baylor guide. If you're into yoga or Pilates alongside gym work, the Waco yoga and Pilates studio guide has the full breakdown. And for post-workout recovery, Waco's massage and spa options include on-campus massage therapy at the SLC starting at $45 — no drive required.
See What's Already at 19Eleven
If you're still deciding on housing near Baylor and wondering what comes included with rent, schedule a tour at 19Eleven to walk the sports court and indoor pool in person. Getting a gym covered by your apartment changes the math on commercial memberships — and it's worth seeing before you sign anywhere.
