Generally the NYSC and the 24 hour fitnesses are the same. There usually is some sort of start fee and then a monthly. Those amounts vary though. There are specials they run, there are corporate discounts and you can haggle to get a better price.

Then there are the Sport Club LA type of gyms. Those run big fees to start ($1000+ and then $200—$300 a month).

There are still some smaller independant sports/fitness club that might be cheaper. For example, on 96th and west end there is a small club called Paris which is $80 a month , and you can go month to month with no contract. It’s actually pretty nice—they have a pool, steam room, sauna, etc. But it’s an older crowd, not full of yupppies and hipsters, so it depends if you want a social gym or just a place to work out indoors to avoid the cold.