Reliable shower access is one of the things that separates comfortable van life from rough van life. In Los Angeles, the best solution most van lifers have found isn't a campground or a truck stop — it's a gym membership. For $10–$30/month you get a clean shower, a locker, and often Wi-Fi, all in a network that covers the entire city.
Here's the breakdown of every major gym option in LA, ranked for van life utility.
Why Gyms Beat Every Other Shower Option in LA
Campground showers in LA County are mostly pay-per-use and require you to drive to a campsite. Truck stops are sparse in the LA Basin. Public beach showers are cold outdoor rinse stations — fine for saltwater, not great for a real wash.
Gym memberships give you:
- Consistent, clean private showers
- Lockers for your toiletries
- Often 24/7 access
- A reason to work out (not nothing)
- Multiple locations across the metro so you shower near where you parked
Planet Fitness — The Van Life Standard
Cost: $10/month (Classic) or $25/month (Black Card)
Planet Fitness is the default recommendation for van lifers and for good reason. The Black Card membership ($25/month) gives you access to all Planet Fitness locations nationwide — not just your home club. In LA, there are dozens of locations spread across the metro.
Why it works for van life:
- Black Card = use any location, every day
- Most LA locations open at 5 AM, many 24 hours
- Clean facilities with private showers (not open locker room style at most locations)
- No contracts, cancel anytime
- Bring a guest — useful if you're van lif-ing with a partner
Van lifer tip: Rotate between 3–4 different Planet Fitness locations week to week. Going to the same one every day can occasionally draw questions from staff.
LA Locations with confirmed van lifer use:
- Hollywood (1 E Hollywood Blvd)
- Burbank (601 N Victory Blvd)
- Hawthorne (11629 Aviation Blvd — near LAX, open 24 hours)
- Long Beach (multiple locations)
- Van Nuys (7060 Van Nuys Blvd)
Find LA Planet Fitness locations →
24 Hour Fitness — More Locations, Higher Cost
Cost: $30–$50/month depending on tier
24 Hour Fitness has more LA locations than any other chain and, as the name promises, many are actually open 24 hours. The facilities are generally nicer than Planet Fitness — better equipment, larger locker rooms.
For van life: The multi-club access tiers (typically "Sport" or "Active" membership) let you visit any location in California. Worth it if the locations are more convenient to where you park.
Downside: Contracts and cancellation fees can be an issue. Read the terms carefully.
24 Hour Fitness LA locations →
Crunch Fitness — Good Middle Ground
Cost: $10–$25/month
Crunch has solid LA coverage and a multi-club membership that works similarly to Planet Fitness Black Card. Facilities tend to be cleaner than budget gyms. Their "Peak Results" tier ($25/month) includes all locations and a guest pass.
Good option if Planet Fitness locations aren't convenient to your parking spots.
LA Fitness — Higher End, More Amenities
Cost: ~$30–$35/month
LA Fitness locations are typically larger with pools, racquetball courts, and group classes. The showers are generally excellent. Single club membership is cheaper, but the multi-club option lets you roam.
Worth it if you want the best shower experience and the locations work for your routes.
Gold's Gym — Venice Specific
Cost: $30–$50/month
If you're spending time near Venice Beach, Gold's Gym Venice is iconic and has excellent facilities. More expensive and less location-dense than the chains above, but if you're in that area regularly it's worth knowing.
Equinox — When You Need a Splurge
Cost: $200+/month
Not a daily option for most van lifers, but worth knowing for clients, meetings, or the occasional "I deserve this" day. Equinox showers and locker rooms are genuinely spa-level. Multiple LA locations. Day passes are sometimes available.
The Van Life Gym Kit (What to Keep in Your Van)
With gym access figured out, your daily kit needs to be efficient:
Shower bag: A dedicated toiletry bag you can grab and go. Keep it stocked at all times — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor. Refill it weekly. A hanging toiletry bag (like this from Amazon) works best in gym lockers.
Microfiber towel: Takes up a fraction of the space of a regular towel and dries in 30 minutes. The Rainleaf microfiber towel ($15–$20) is a van lifer staple.
Flip flops: For gym showers. Non-negotiable. A cheap pair of Havaianas or Crocs slides live in your shower kit permanently.
Change of clothes: Keep tomorrow's clothes ready to go when you shower. Pre-planning this the night before makes mornings smooth.
Lock: A small combination lock for the gym locker. Most gyms have lockers but not locks.
Supplementing With Other Shower Sources
Gyms handle 90% of your shower needs in LA. For the other 10%:
Campground showers: When you're at a state park or private campground, use their facilities. Often included in your camping fee.
Truck stops: Flying J and Pilot Travel Centers sell shower credits (typically $12–$15 for a clean private shower with unlimited time). The closest to LA are in the San Bernardino area heading east on I-10. Good for road trip legs.
The "navy shower" in your van: If you have a portable shower setup (Nemo Helio Pressure Shower or a solar shower bag), a quick outdoor shower at a dispersed campsite is completely viable. In the Angeles National Forest, you're not bothering anyone.
Beach outdoor showers: Many LA County beaches (Zuma, Leo Carrillo, Dockweiler, Hermosa) have outdoor rinse showers. Free, but cold and not private. Good after surfing or swimming, not as a primary shower.
The Optimal LA Gym Strategy for Van Life
The setup most LA van lifers land on:
- Planet Fitness Black Card ($25/month) as your primary — works everywhere, affordable, reliable
- Rotate 3–4 locations to avoid becoming a "regular" at one spot
- Go in the morning (6–9 AM) when facilities are freshest and less crowded
- Use it as your daily anchor — gym in the morning, then plan your day from there
Some van lifers also use the gym's Wi-Fi as their morning work session space. Sitting in the lobby or café area with a laptop after a shower, before the day gets going, is a surprisingly productive routine.
FAQ
Can you just use a gym for the shower without working out?
Technically you're paying for full membership access, so yes. Many van lifers don't work out every time they visit — they just shower. Gyms don't police this in practice.
Does Planet Fitness Black Card really work at all locations in LA?
Yes. The Black Card specifically unlocks all-club access. The standard $10 membership is single-club only. Make sure you sign up for Black Card if you want to roam.
Can I use the gym as a mailing address?
No. Gyms don't accept mail. For a mailing address, van lifers typically use a UPS Store mailbox, a family member's address, or a mail forwarding service like Traveling Mailbox or Anytime Mailbox.
What if I'm near a beach with no gym nearby?
Most LA beaches have outdoor rinse showers. Not ideal for a full wash, but workable. Your closest Planet Fitness is rarely more than 15 minutes anywhere in the LA metro.
Is 24 Hour Fitness actually 24 hours?
Some locations are, some aren't — the name is aspirational at this point. Check the specific location hours before you count on a 3 AM shower.
New to van life in LA? Download the Free LA Vanlife Starter Guide → — covering parking, showers, water, internet, and everything else you need to know.