Let's be real for a second. If you live anywhere near the Brooklyn neighborhood or Southeast Portland, you’ve definitely driven past that massive building on the corner of SE McLoughlin Blvd. You know the one. It has that distinct, slightly corporate look of a 24 Hour Fitness Super-Sport, and you've probably wondered if it's actually worth the membership fee.
Finding a decent gym in Portland is weirdly difficult right now. Some spots are too expensive. Others feel like you're working out in a dungeon. The 24 Hour Fitness McLoughlin Blvd location sits in this strange middle ground—it’s big, it’s accessible, and honestly, it’s got a bit of a reputation that isn't always fair.
The Reality of 24 Hour Fitness McLoughlin Blvd
People love to complain. It's basically a hobby in 2026. If you check Reddit or Yelp, you’ll see folks talking about the locker rooms or the "lake" that occasionally forms in the sauna. But here’s the thing: compared to the smaller "Sport" locations in the Pearl or Downtown, the McLoughlin site is a beast.
It is officially a Super-Sport club. That’s a specific tier in the 24 Hour Fitness hierarchy. Basically, it means more square footage and more toys.
I’ve been in there during the 5:30 PM rush. It's loud. It’s crowded. You’ll probably have to wait three minutes for a squat rack. But because the building is so vertical and spread out, you don't feel like you're breathing down anyone's neck. Plus, they have underground parking. In Portland, where your car windows are basically just suggestions to thieves, having a covered, designated lot is a massive win.
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What You're Actually Getting
The equipment here is mostly Precor. They’ve got rows of treadmills, ellipticals, and those stair-climbers that everyone hates but uses anyway.
- The Turf Zone: This is where the "serious" people hang out. It's great for sled pushes or just stretching without someone accidentally hitting you with a dumbbell.
- The Pool: It’s a three-lane lap pool. It isn't Olympic-sized, but for a city gym, it’s a luxury.
- Basketball Court: It's regulation-sized. You’ll often see pick-up games going on late into the night.
- Recovery Area: They recently converted the old spin room into a recovery zone. We're talking massage chairs and specialized tech. Just know that depending on your membership level (Gold vs. Platinum), you might have to pay extra to sit there.
Is It Actually 24 Hours?
This is where the confusion starts. A few years ago, corporate started pulling back hours at a lot of locations. For a while, even the "24 Hour" gyms were closing at 11 PM.
As of right now, the McLoughlin 24 Hour Fitness is back to its namesake schedule. It is open 24/7. This is a huge deal because the Pearl and SW 4th locations still have restricted hours. If you’re a night owl or you work a graveyard shift at the hospital, this is basically your only reliable option in the inner SE area.
The "Ick" Factor and Maintenance
We have to talk about the cleanliness. Or lack thereof.
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Look, it’s a high-traffic gym. Thousands of people cycle through those doors. Some members treat the locker rooms like their own personal mudrooms. I’ve seen the same piece of athletic tape on a stretch cage for a week.
Management seems to struggle with the maintenance of the wet areas. The sauna and steam room are notorious for going out of commission. If you are a "spa person" who primarily wants a clean, quiet place to steam, you might be disappointed. But if you're there to lift heavy things and leave, it’s perfectly functional.
Pro Tip for New Members
If you’re thinking about signing up, do not just walk in and pay the sticker price. They almost always have a 3-day free pass on their website. Use it. Go at the exact time you plan on working out. If you hate the crowd at 6 PM on a Tuesday, you’ll hate it even more after you’ve committed to a year-long contract.
Costs and Fine Print
Membership prices fluctuate like the stock market. Usually, you’re looking at anywhere from $30 to $60 a month.
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- Silver: One club only. Usually just weights and cardio.
- Gold: Access to most clubs and classes.
- Platinum: This gets you the "Buddy Pass" (bring a friend for free every time) and the recovery zone access.
Watch out for the annual fee. It’s about $60 and usually hits about two months after you join. People always forget about it and then get mad when their bank account drops unexpectedly.
The Verdict: Who is this for?
If you want a boutique experience with eucalyptus towels and someone to hand you a cucumber water, go to a club in the West Hills. You won't find that at McLoughlin.
This gym is for the person who needs 24/7 access and a wide variety of free weights. It’s for the person who wants to play a game of hoops after work or swim a few laps without paying $200 a month for a social club membership.
It’s rough around the edges. The staff is usually friendly but overworked. The locker rooms are... a choice. But the sheer amount of equipment and the convenience of the location make it the "old reliable" of the Portland fitness scene.
Actionable Steps:
- Check the app: Download the 24GO app before you go. It shows you how busy the club is in real-time so you can avoid the 5 PM madness.
- Lock your stuff: Even with the underground parking, don't leave a bag in your seat. Bring a high-quality padlock for the locker room—not those cheap ones you can snip with a pair of pliers.
- Ask about the Buddy Pass: If you have a roommate, splitting a Platinum membership via the Buddy Pass is the smartest way to save money.