Gym for 1 month: all options in the Netherlands (2026)

You want to exercise, but you don’t want to sign a year-long contract. Perhaps for a month’s holiday, an event coming up next month, or simply to try out whether going to the gym is for you. Here are all the options for a gym membership of 1 month in the Netherlands — with prices, pitfalls and what you can realistically get out of it.

What options do you have?

There are broadly five ways to exercise for 1 month without being tied in for long:

1. Flex membership (cancellable monthly) at a large chain
2. Day pass or week pass
3. Starter Kit / 1 month prepaid
4. 14-day statutory cooling-off period (for memberships taken out online)
5. Local boutique gym with short contracts

Which is best? That depends on: how often you plan to exercise, what budget you have, and whether you really only want to go for 1 month.

Option 1 — Flex membership at a large chain

Since the WAMCA legislation (2022), Dutch gyms are no longer permitted to renew contracts by tacit renewal. All major chains therefore offer a monthly cancellable option. The price is usually €8–€10 per 4 weeks higher than the annual contract.

See the full Basic-Fit price guide for all variants.

Advantages:

• Access to all equipment and group classes
• 1 month registration fee (often ~€30) is a barrier
• You can simply use it and cancel after trying it out in month 1

Disadvantages:

• Registration fee makes 1 month effectively more expensive (€37 + €30 = €67)
• You must cancel before the end of month 1

Option 2 — Day pass or week pass

More practical if you really only want to exercise 1–3 times:

• Basic-Fit Day Pass: €11.99 per day
• SportCity Day Pass: €12.50–€15 (depending on location)
• Boutique gyms: often €15–€25 per class or day
• Swimming pools (municipal): from €4–€8 per visit

1 month at 2× per week = 8 days. 8 × €12 = €96. More than a flex membership (€67), so only worthwhile for occasional visits.

Option 3 — Starter Kit / 1 month prepaid

Some chains offer a prepaid package of 1 month with no ongoing membership. Popular options:

• Basic-Fit Starter Kit — 1 month prepaid, no registration fee, ends automatically
• Kickstart packages at boutique gyms — 4-week intro, often including PT sessions

This is often the best option if you really only want 1 month: no surprises, stops automatically.

Option 4 — Use the statutory cooling-off period

If you take out an annual contract online, you have a 14-day statutory cooling-off period. You can therefore:

1. Sign up online
2. Train for 14 days
3. Cancel in writing within 14 days, invoking the cooling-off period

Note: this only works for online sign-ups and is a one-time option. Signing up at the club in person does not give you a cooling-off period. Also: you cannot repeat this each year — most chains keep track of this.

More detail: Cancelling Basic-Fit per month and can I try Basic-Fit just once?.

Option 5 — Local boutique gym

Many local gyms and boutique studios offer:

• Monthly membership without registration fee (negotiable)
• Introductory weeks for €19–€39
• 10-visit cards that you can use up within 1 month

This offers the most flexibility and personal attention. Search via Gymsearch.nl for your city: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Eindhoven.

What is the cheapest route for 1 month?

Ranking (for 8 visits/month):

1. Starter Kit (Basic-Fit or local): ~€25–€45 total
2. Flex + cancel in week 4: ~€37–€47 (without registration fee) or ~€67–€77 (with registration fee)
3. 10-visit card locally: ~€70–€100
4. Day passes: ~€96
5. Premium boutique: €100–€180

What can you realistically achieve in 1 month?

We go into this in more depth in can you get fit in 1 month?. Short version:

• Week 1–2: more energy, better sleep, initial muscle soreness passes
• Week 3: noticeably more strength and fitness
• Week 4: first subtle visual changes (posture, definition)

In 1 month you will not become a different person, but you will build a foundation. Importantly: if this is your introduction, continuing afterwards is essential. Check how many times per week to exercise for what comes next.

What to watch out for when signing up for 1 month?

1. Registration fee — quickly makes 1 month €30 more expensive
2. Notice period — make sure you cancel in time (with a flex membership)
3. Cooling-off period — only applies to online sign-ups
4. Automatic renewal — since 2022 this is no longer permitted, but check the terms and conditions
5. Summer break / pause — some chains offer a pause instead of cancellation

Compare everything on Gymsearch

On Gymsearch.nl you can find all gyms per city with filters for chains and facilities. Useful for short-term memberships: Basic-Fit, SportCity, TrainMore, Anytime Fitness.

Further reading: Cancelling Basic-Fit per month · Trying Basic-Fit just once · Getting fit in 1 month · Price guide Netherlands