How Much Does the Washington Athletic Club Membership Cost?
The Washington Athletic Club, known as the WAC, opened on December 16, 1930. When the Great Depression had its bad effects on the club, various community members and civic leaders gathered together to save the club, and in the 1940s, the WAC gave its full support to the community by mobilizing several members to give their share of service for the WWII effort and troops for nine years.
Through the years, the WAC’s clubhouse expanded and had a total of 12 additional floors. Today, the club has a towering 21 floors and is considered a landmark.
How much does a Washington Athletic Club membership cost?
The cost of a Washington Athletic Club membership, as with most gym memberships, will greatly depend on the type of membership you sign up for. From what we researched, the costs of a family membership is about $350 a month, whereas an individual membership was closer to $249 a month. This didn’t include the one-time initiation fees, which, like most gym initiation fees, will greatly depend on the current promotion being held. These one-time fees, again, from what we researched, could range from as much as $2,500 for a family to as little as $1,000 for an individual. These fees will vary from individual to individual, so it is best to talk with the club directly to see what they will charge you for your scenario.
Other membership options, such as a non-resident membership, could cost as little as $70 a month, but in order to qualify, you would have to live at least 20 miles away, according to this BizJournals.com article. To help break it down, we included the options inside of our table below.
| Membership Class | One-time Initiation Fees | Monthly Dues |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Individual (34 or older) | $1,200 | $175-$240 |
| Resident Young Adult (18 to 33 years old) | $550 | $130-$190 |
| Resident Family | $2,400 | $220-$340 |
| Inside Non-Resident | $600 | $75 |
| Distant Non-Resident | $600 | $68 |
NOTE: These are the averages we found and cannot be deemed guaranteed. Again, talk with the club in regards to official pricing.
One reviewer on this Yelp review thread claimed she was quoted close to $334 a month for her family. Another reviewer, even though it was a few years old, was quoted close to $200 per month with a $550 entrance fee.
Washington Athletic Club overview
Athletic facilities, as per the website, include multiple weight rooms, cardio equipment, a dry indoor running track, a golf club, full-size basketball court, racquetball, squash, badminton, handball, volleyball, steam room, sauna, whirlpool, 25-yard swimming pool, more than 100 group fitness classes each week, and professionally trained fitness coaches. Five of the club’s 20 floors are dedicated to fitness activities.
Business development and travel amenities include 16 banquet/conference rooms, business networking programs, catering/meeting planning services and more than 200 reciprocal clubs for professional or personal travel worldwide.
Furnished guest rooms and suites with a concierge service if members and guests want to stay overnight or longer.
Recreation and rejuvenation amenities include a Spa, Wellness Center, four restaurants, a boutique hotel with 109 rooms and concierge, and more than 300+ yearly social events.
What are the extra costs?
Swimming lessons start at $40 to $70 per session.
Parking fees will apply, but value passes are available according to members. For example, a $100-value parking pass can be purchased for $80. Parking at the nearby garage can be upwards of $10 per visit.
Nutrition programs and weight loss programs can cost upwards of $800+
Personal training, individualized fitness classes and other fitness programs. As with most gyms, this will depend on what type of session you choose and how long you commit.
Overnight stays at the guest rooms and suites, while optional, should be budgeted for if planning on staying overnight. The average nightly rate, according to TripAdvisor, is about $200.
Locker rental fees may apply.
Tips to know
WAC’s first Olympic athlete was Helene Madison. She won three gold medals in swimming in the 1932 competition.
The club encourages applicant members to take a scheduled personal tour of the club and its facilities by getting in touch with their Member Services Team via the email indicated on their website.
BizJournals.com notes the club has close to 12,400 members, a third of which are under 35 years old.
How can I save money?
Take the opportunity to take the tour of the club. With any gym, there is a good chance they are running a promotion or even offering freebies.
Corporate discounts may apply for local employers. If you work with a larger employer, see if the gym works with them to offer discounted rates.
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Average Reported Cost: $0
