An independent review of the Onefit app in the Hague

Share this post!

I recently started with Onefit, which is a popular Dutch fitness app, that is popular in the Hague. This is a review of the Onefit app to help you determine whether Onefit is right for you with pros/cons of using Onefit in the Hague.

I’m one of those people who takes out a gym membership for a year and doesn’t go after signing up for a twelve-month membership… You can imagine my concerns about joining an expensive fitness app as I was worried that Onefit would be wasted on this lazy entrepreneur who is happy to consider biking across town a form of exercise. I’ve been part of Onefit for a month now and I’ve been really surprised by it. I’ve been working out four times a week and I’ll be writing about my favorite fitness classes (with Onefit) soon.

Onefit is an app (and website) within the Netherlands where you can get access to 100+ gyms (within the Hague) simply by signing up. It costs 55 euros per month (at time of writing), which is certainly steep, however it’s comparable to other high-end fitness options with classes included. (You should expect to pay around ~40 euros per month for a nicer high-end gym that includes classes although you can pay less if you’re fine with BasicFit.) It is renewable each month, so you won’t be locked into a gym subscription that you’ll hate.

I would not recommend Onefit for gym rats who have a set routine and want to hit the gym every day at the same time, but I would recommend Onefit for those looking to vary up their workouts and who work out a few times per week. I

Unlike a traditional gym where you can generally go whenever there are classes and/or it’s open, Onefit requires that you check-in for classes that you sign up for and/or open sessions at certain gyms (that allow it). That said, you’re limited to four classes per gym for each month. The gyms are spread throughout the Hague although most gyms are closer to the center. If you’re considering signing up, I recommend looking for a Onefit discount code as it’s not so cheap at first… Click for my 20 euros off one-month Onefit discount code!

pros of onefit

For those interested in sampling classes or who gets easily bored with workouts at the gym, Onefit is a great option as you can simply browse the app (if you get up early) to check the class schedule at the various gyms throughout the day. Many classes are offered in the day-time although you’ll find some offered in the evenings and on the weekends. Technically, you can take more than one class via Onefit within a day if you plan well.

If you’re really keen on getting into a sport, Zumba and Yoga are offered at many gyms throughout the Hague. I personally have been doing Zumba about three times per week without any issues getting into classes, but some classes are quite competitive to get into with a substantial waiting list. (These are mostly Pilates and certain Yoga classes.) Some people who didn’t love Onefit were annoyed with the waiting list for popular classes, particularly in the mornings before work or in the evenings. If you work out day-time, you’ll find a lot more choice than those limited to before work or after work.

I like the flexibility as I’m often trying out workouts that I never imagined that I’d try out from belly dancing to lifting. I haven’t yet tried Barre or Pilates, but I’ve been prioritizing dance and climbing as my main workouts. Something to keep in mind about Onefit is that due to the limited attendance at each gym, you might want to limit yourself to your favorite class with your favorite teacher once a week.

The class offerings tend to skew a bit more feminine, but you’ll also find traditional workouts with a modern spin on the app as a class. I’ve found that it’s been a great way to practice various styles of yoga. As a beginner to yoga, I had no idea about the styles, but the app has been a great way to figure out which style (and sort of teacher) I prefer. I’ve also discovered that I love Zumba.

You’ll find a lot of interesting activities being added regularly to the app. I recently saw a surfing school in Scheveningen added, which was very intriguing. (You can rent their equipment, including wet suits, as part of Onefit.)

A friend of mine was curious about the spa/swimming pool at the Kurhaus as well as a number of other upscale “spas,” so if you enjoy swimming, you might find interesting swimming pools that you might not have thought about visiting.

downsides of one fit

Two of the only downsides about the app are the cancellation policies, which vary quite a bit from gym to gym and the clustering of gyms. Some gyms have an 8-hour class cancellation policy, so if something comes up and you can’t make it, you might end up paying the no-show fee (10 euros after the second time). Other gyms have a 2-hour policy. I sometimes hate waiting to see if someone will drop out of a popular activity so that I can get on the waiting list.

If you live in the Centre of the Hague, you’ll be spoiled for choice with Onefit. If you live further out, you might find that you need to cycle 10-20 minutes regularly in order to work out. Given that you often have a bit of a cycle throughout the Hague and need to arrive 5-10 minutes early, it can be a bit stressful going to a gym where you don’t know how things work. Some yoga studios charge you for using the house mats while others give them you for free, so be sure to read the fine print. Similarly, some gyms will lock the doors during classes due to limited staff, so if you’re running late, you might be able to check-in into OneFit, but be unable to get into the class if you arrive 5 minutes late.

Another downside of Onefit is the lack of a community. Although you can certainly see who else is coming and friends on the app, I find it harder to meet people if you’re moving between gyms often. I’ve felt a bit detached as someone often just trying out a class for the first time via Onefit. I sometimes chat with others who clearly are on the app, but if your goal is to make friends via fitness, you might be better off joining a gym with regular classes.

I’m hoping that more gyms will join Onefit and mostly, more activities will be supported. At the moment, there are a few climbing gyms, however only the bouldering wall is included. I found this frustrating as a climber myself as I was hoping to use my Onefit to save on the cost of climbing regularly (with my partner) as someone who is certified at a few of the local gyms in terms of technique.

I’m looking forward to testing out more gyms as I work out more in the Hague!