Planet Fitness Comes to Canada

135

Replies

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    There is data proving that low gym prices lead to reduced levels of gym usage on a percentile basis from the paying userbase.

    Regardless of what you think. :)
  • Jacqadactle
    Jacqadactle Posts: 62 Member
    That's nice. Can you provide a link?
  • ThinLizzie0802
    ThinLizzie0802 Posts: 863 Member
    Planet Fitness has my vote because it's 1) Close to work 2) Huge and always has an available machine 3)Cheap for what I want to do there 4) Does not make me sign a contract. I can leave whenever I want if I feel it no longer fits my needs. I have not found one other gym in my town that does not make me sign a year long contract which I hate!
  • goddessofawesome
    goddessofawesome Posts: 563 Member
    My biggest beef with PF isn't that it's a gym, it's not that it has a judgemental 'judgement free' zone. It's not that they offer free pizza one a week or month. It's not the lunk alarm or that there are no free weights. It's not that the CEO doesn't use his own gyms and works out in his basement.

    My beef with PF is that they advertise themselves as a gym for people to get healthy when really, that's the opposite from their real goal. Their real goal is to lure people who don't go to the gym to give them $10/month, every month. There is one, count it: ONE Planet Fitness in Canada so far that opened not long ago. It already has 6000 members. That's $60k in their pocket EVERY MONTH. I'm willing to bet most of those people will only go once or twice, yet they will never cancel their membership.

    Planet Fitness isn't in the business to make you healthy. They're in it for the money.

    Which, frankly, is brilliant.

    Actually that's NOT 60k in their pocket every month. It's probably way less than that. They have to pay the employees, pay the building lease, utilities (water and electricity which is probably huge, satellite for the tv's, internet), whatever franchise fee they have to pay, pay whatever maintenance they have to do on the machines, probably pay the bill for all the equipment that they have purchased for the gym . . .so no, with one franchise location they're not bringing home a boat load of money. They'd be lucky if they break even.

    Now if they owned half a dozen franchises then they'd be making some change.


  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    edited January 2015
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    edited January 2015
    That's nice. Can you provide a link?

    Eh, I can't find the article anymore. I peeked around for it. Oh well.

    ETA - I will add: If you have at least a basic grasp of the fundies of econ, this paper is related and interesting.
    http://eml.berkeley.edu/~sdellavi/wp/gymempAER.pdf

  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    edited January 2015
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.
    I know I'm just a spectator for the sport, but... what equipment would that be?
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited January 2015
    I'd totally sign up for this if one of them opened up within an 8 minute walk from me (that is my main criteria for a gym). I can't use much equipment anyway. IF they haD a bike and a cable machine, I'd be good.

    More than good, I'd be SO HAPPY. The Y is $65/mo, my last membership at a community centre was $55, current membership at a no-frills private gym is $50. $10 would be AMAZING
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.
    I know I'm just a spectator for the sport, but... what equipment would that be?

    Well, for one, they don't have squat racks or Olympic benches. They have a 'no deadlift and clean & jerk policy' (stupid, I know). Two exercises that are big in the "bodybuilding" world. I believe the dumbbells only go up to 70 or so pounds.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.
    I know I'm just a spectator for the sport, but... what equipment would that be?

    Well, for one, they don't have squat racks or Olympic benches. They have a 'no deadlift and clean & jerk policy' (stupid, I know). Two exercises that are big in the "bodybuilding" world. I believe the dumbbells only go up to 70 or so pounds.
    A good cage will be sub 1k, a decent leg press is like what, 3k-6k? I saw a PF once that had 4 of those in one corner.

    If we're talking gear like that, it's fairly cheap stuff. Some folks claim there are actually barbells and cages at some PFs.

    that would be something to see.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomsarno wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I'd bet the number is sub 5%.

    That is why the don't want bodybuilders or "Lunks" joining. They target their advertisement to the type of person who will join and not show up. The low price is also factored in to likelihood of attendance. Most people don't feel compelled to use their membership if it is only a waste of $10. A higher price would bring in more money but more people would actually be showing up. Their business plan is a delicate balance of getting the most members to join without having to expand the size or number of facilities.

    Well, entering a new market the plan is to add a lot of facilities, but essentially... yes, what you wrote out is the strategy, and it's a good one.

    MAximize membership while minimizing actual facilities wear and tear costs by ensuring the cost is so low that no one goes.

    Essentially the members who are absent are paying for the members who do go.

    that's every gym, though.
  • ksuh999
    ksuh999 Posts: 543 Member
    ksuh999 wrote: »
    My biggest beef with PF isn't that it's a gym, it's not that it has a judgemental 'judgement free' zone. It's not that they offer free pizza one a week or month. It's not the lunk alarm or that there are no free weights. It's not that the CEO doesn't use his own gyms and works out in his basement.

    My beef with PF is that they advertise themselves as a gym for people to get healthy when really, that's the opposite from their real goal. Their real goal is to lure people who don't go to the gym to give them $10/month, every month. There is one, count it: ONE Planet Fitness in Canada so far that opened not long ago. It already has 6000 members. That's $60k in their pocket EVERY MONTH. I'm willing to bet most of those people will only go once or twice, yet they will never cancel their membership.

    Planet Fitness isn't in the business to make you healthy. They're in it for the money.

    Which, frankly, is brilliant.
    How is this different than every other gym?

    Simple. Other gyms offer equipment for someone who is more likely to frequent the gym, and other gyms are more like $50+/month, not $10.

    "More likely"? Can you give me a number? Like someone who goes to the Y is 43.56% more likely to go on Tuesdays? Or wut?
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

    Actually, it's the cardio equipment that's expensive. It probably takes the price of about 2-3 cardio machines to equip the entire free weight section of a PF.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

    Really? It sounds a lot like may of the PF defenders on this board, so I find it totally plausible. I guess that's me though.

    I know why they don't want fitness enthusiasts (let's quit with this whole "bodybuilder" thing). It's to take advantage the urban myth(s) of gyms full of people who are just there to judge you and that they're lined with only "bodybuilders", that many individuals who have never stepped into a gym believe. It's not rocket math.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.
    I know I'm just a spectator for the sport, but... what equipment would that be?

    Well, for one, they don't have squat racks or Olympic benches. They have a 'no deadlift and clean & jerk policy' (stupid, I know). Two exercises that are big in the "bodybuilding" world. I believe the dumbbells only go up to 70 or so pounds.

    A good cage will be sub 1k, a decent leg press is like what, 3k-6k? I saw a PF once that had 4 of those in one corner.

    If we're talking gear like that, it's fairly cheap stuff. Some folks claim there are actually barbells and cages at some PFs.

    that would be something to see.

    Yeah, no leg press at the PF I go to. Good thing my Y has two and my schools gym has one. My PF does have barbells but you can't remove the weight.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    My biggest beef with PF isn't that it's a gym, it's not that it has a judgemental 'judgement free' zone. It's not that they offer free pizza one a week or month. It's not the lunk alarm or that there are no free weights. It's not that the CEO doesn't use his own gyms and works out in his basement.

    My beef with PF is that they advertise themselves as a gym for people to get healthy when really, that's the opposite from their real goal. Their real goal is to lure people who don't go to the gym to give them $10/month, every month. There is one, count it: ONE Planet Fitness in Canada so far that opened not long ago. It already has 6000 members. That's $60k in their pocket EVERY MONTH. I'm willing to bet most of those people will only go once or twice, yet they will never cancel their membership.

    Planet Fitness isn't in the business to make you healthy. They're in it for the money.


    Which, frankly, is brilliant.

    Brilliant? Ummm.....everyone is in business for the money. That's why they call it business.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Oh noes. Just realized that one thing about this PF thing is that it will probably attract a lot of teenaged boys/college aged men and thus even more equipment hoarding, attitude, and grunting than usual... Although I still see that stuff at my gym, it would be worse, I would think. Steering clear of all that might be worth $40.

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomsarno wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I'd bet the number is sub 5%.

    That is why the don't want bodybuilders or "Lunks" joining. They target their advertisement to the type of person who will join and not show up. The low price is also factored in to likelihood of attendance. Most people don't feel compelled to use their membership if it is only a waste of $10. A higher price would bring in more money but more people would actually be showing up. Their business plan is a delicate balance of getting the most members to join without having to expand the size or number of facilities.

    Well, entering a new market the plan is to add a lot of facilities, but essentially... yes, what you wrote out is the strategy, and it's a good one.

    MAximize membership while minimizing actual facilities wear and tear costs by ensuring the cost is so low that no one goes.

    Essentially the members who are absent are paying for the members who do go.

    that's every gym, though.
    To a lesser extent, yes.

    Every gym isn't based on that direct market approach. This is a smart flip of the dynamic.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.
    I know I'm just a spectator for the sport, but... what equipment would that be?

    Well, for one, they don't have squat racks or Olympic benches. They have a 'no deadlift and clean & jerk policy' (stupid, I know). Two exercises that are big in the "bodybuilding" world. I believe the dumbbells only go up to 70 or so pounds.

    A good cage will be sub 1k, a decent leg press is like what, 3k-6k? I saw a PF once that had 4 of those in one corner.

    If we're talking gear like that, it's fairly cheap stuff. Some folks claim there are actually barbells and cages at some PFs.

    that would be something to see.

    Yeah, no leg press at the PF I go to. Good thing my Y has two and my schools gym has one. My PF does have barbells but you can't remove the weight.

    Ah. Pre-weighted barbells, interesting. I don't think I've ever seen that.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited January 2015
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomsarno wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I'd bet the number is sub 5%.

    That is why the don't want bodybuilders or "Lunks" joining. They target their advertisement to the type of person who will join and not show up. The low price is also factored in to likelihood of attendance. Most people don't feel compelled to use their membership if it is only a waste of $10. A higher price would bring in more money but more people would actually be showing up. Their business plan is a delicate balance of getting the most members to join without having to expand the size or number of facilities.

    Well, entering a new market the plan is to add a lot of facilities, but essentially... yes, what you wrote out is the strategy, and it's a good one.

    MAximize membership while minimizing actual facilities wear and tear costs by ensuring the cost is so low that no one goes.

    Essentially the members who are absent are paying for the members who do go.

    that's every gym, though.
    To a lesser extent, yes.

    Every gym isn't based on that direct market approach. This is a smart flip of the dynamic.

    Yeah I do agree that the low monthly cost would act as a disincentive to actually go, to a lot of people.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    RGv2 wrote: »
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

    Really? It sounds a lot like may of the PF defenders on this board, so I find it totally plausible. I guess that's me though.

    I know why they don't want fitness enthusiasts (let's quit with this whole "bodybuilder" thing). It's to take advantage the urban myth(s) of gyms full of people who are just there to judge you and that they're lined with only "bodybuilders", that many individuals who have never stepped into a gym believe. It's not rocket math.

    Trust me, I know. It's dumb. However, you can't say any gym is totally judgement-free because there will always be people there who DO judge. Not everyone, but there's always a few in the crowd.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    RGv2 wrote: »
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

    Really? It sounds a lot like may of the PF defenders on this board, so I find it totally plausible. I guess that's me though.

    I know why they don't want fitness enthusiasts (let's quit with this whole "bodybuilder" thing). It's to take advantage the urban myth(s) of gyms full of people who are just there to judge you and that they're lined with only "bodybuilders", that many individuals who have never stepped into a gym believe. It's not rocket math.

    Trust me, I know. It's dumb. However, you can't say any gym is totally judgement-free because there will always be people there who DO judge. Not everyone, but there's always a few in the crowd.

    Can you confirm or deny my idea that a lot of teen /young adults like PF?
  • RhythmGypsi
    RhythmGypsi Posts: 79 Member
    I've used Planet Fitness off and on for the past 8 years, and I can't say that I have too many qualms with it. It was easy to cancel my membership whenever I needed to, and I didn't come in to work out on the days when the free pizza and bagels were available because I didn't want be in a severely crowded place.

    LA Fitness, on the other hand, has given me one of the best and worst experiences of my Life. Canceling with them is enough to send you into a fit of rage, and they do pressure you a lot when you are signing up with them to take on a trainer. When I canceled my trainer package after a few months because I couldn't pay the cost due to having lost my job, I had to pay the rest of my year's contract. That charge got put on a credit card that took me a couple of years to pay off :(

    This gym bought a chain called "Urban Active", which is the gym that I used while going through my 30+ pound weight loss back in 2012. I've never felt better about myself in my Life. Now back at this gym, though it is an LA Fitness branch location, I pay $32 a month for my membership here, but half of it is comped every month by my employer, so $16 a month at a major chain gym isn't that bad. Way cheaper than the doctor bills I'm trying to avoid in my future :\
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.
    I know I'm just a spectator for the sport, but... what equipment would that be?

    Well, for one, they don't have squat racks or Olympic benches. They have a 'no deadlift and clean & jerk policy' (stupid, I know). Two exercises that are big in the "bodybuilding" world. I believe the dumbbells only go up to 70 or so pounds.

    A good cage will be sub 1k, a decent leg press is like what, 3k-6k? I saw a PF once that had 4 of those in one corner.

    If we're talking gear like that, it's fairly cheap stuff. Some folks claim there are actually barbells and cages at some PFs.

    that would be something to see.

    Yeah, no leg press at the PF I go to. Good thing my Y has two and my schools gym has one. My PF does have barbells but you can't remove the weight.

    Ah. Pre-weighted barbells, interesting. I don't think I've ever seen that.

    Welcome to PF. Don't get me wrong, it is nice for some exercises (primarily curls and lunges for me). Just not convenient for them all.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    edited January 2015
    tomatoey wrote: »
    RGv2 wrote: »
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

    Really? It sounds a lot like may of the PF defenders on this board, so I find it totally plausible. I guess that's me though.

    I know why they don't want fitness enthusiasts (let's quit with this whole "bodybuilder" thing). It's to take advantage the urban myth(s) of gyms full of people who are just there to judge you and that they're lined with only "bodybuilders", that many individuals who have never stepped into a gym believe. It's not rocket math.

    Trust me, I know. It's dumb. However, you can't say any gym is totally judgement-free because there will always be people there who DO judge. Not everyone, but there's always a few in the crowd.

    Can you confirm or deny my idea that a lot of teen /young adults like PF?

    Well, I think PF appeals to teens/young adults primarily because it's cheap. If a teen/young adult is independent of his/her parents, they will want to choose the cheapest gym because they have other expenses as well.

    At the PF I go to, there's not many teens. Young adults? Yes. But there's also plenty of middle-aged men and women too. It's a balance.

    ETA: My PF is quiet. No one hoards equipment and there's no grunting (remember, it's against the rules LOL).
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    I might go there to check it out. See if they have what I need. It would be nice to go to a gym that would leave me with some fitness subsidy for other things.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited January 2015
    tomatoey wrote: »
    RGv2 wrote: »
    RGv2 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    There's no reason for all the bashing against PF.

    Would you still say that if they were to ridicule fat people instead of bodybuilders in their ads? This is a serious question.

    Bodybuilders intimidate some people. Many people feel self-conscious enough when going to the gym- add bodybuilders to the mix and people may feel even more out of place. They may be going about it the wrong way but I think PF is trying to eliminate that feeling of intimidation.

    PF is a gym for individuals who are there for exercise- not for bodybuilding. PF is cheap because they don't need to spend the money on very expensive equipment and weights that bodybuilding requires.

    Even if PF didn't have a "No bodybuilder policy", bodybuilders still wouldn't go there because the gym isn't suitable due to the lack of equipment that clientele requires.


    Because it's worth linking to again, so "bodybuilder" can be put in cotenxt and because it's hilarious. You know, the "animals can go in this cage..." Do you think she even knows what "lunk or lunk head" even means? What percentage of ANY facility uses it for bodybuilding?

    http://milkandcookies.com/link/267592

    IMHO, PF is feeding the intimidation and judgment stigma of other gyms with "bodybuilders" that doesn't exist. I think I've seen 1 bodybuilder and 3 pro football players in about 15 years of gym going to multiple facilities. But hey, that's what they want. Feed on the false judgment that the novice believes occurs in every other facility and fill that membership base, when in turn they can perform all the judgment they want....as long as you fit the fitness enthusiast description.

    PF doesn't spend money on expensive equipment? Which facilities are they using to film their commercials?

    In my opinion, that video is completely staged. It looks fake, it sounds fake, and it seems as though the "actors" memorized the lines the producer(s) typed on the script.

    I didn't say they don't spend money on expensive equipment. I said they don't have to spend the money on super expensive equipment that bodybuilders use.

    I don't agree with their philosophy. I simply provided an explanation for why they don't want bodybuilders in their facilities.

    Really? It sounds a lot like may of the PF defenders on this board, so I find it totally plausible. I guess that's me though.

    I know why they don't want fitness enthusiasts (let's quit with this whole "bodybuilder" thing). It's to take advantage the urban myth(s) of gyms full of people who are just there to judge you and that they're lined with only "bodybuilders", that many individuals who have never stepped into a gym believe. It's not rocket math.

    Trust me, I know. It's dumb. However, you can't say any gym is totally judgement-free because there will always be people there who DO judge. Not everyone, but there's always a few in the crowd.

    Can you confirm or deny my idea that a lot of teen /young adults like PF?

    Well, I think PF appeals to teens/young adults primarily because it's cheap. If a teen/young adult is independent of his/her parents, they will want to choose the cheapest gym because they have other expenses as well.

    At the PF I go to, there's not many teens. Young adults? Yes. But there's also plenty of middle-aged men and women too. It's a balance.

    Of course it's because it's cheap :) Yeah sorry, I'm old enough now that I sometimes can't tell the difference between teens and early 20 somethings.

    Curious about how this influences the culture. At the community centre I went to, the young guys were the most annoying. They'd go in groups, take over like 5 pieces of equipment en masse and refuse to let anyone else work in, just acted bratty all around. There were ALSO a few very polite young men who would share if required, wiped down their equipment etc., but honestly they were in the minority.

    actually they were probably teens.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Planet Fitness has my vote because it's 1) Close to work 2) Huge and always has an available machine 3)Cheap for what I want to do there 4) Does not make me sign a contract. I can leave whenever I want if I feel it no longer fits my needs. I have not found one other gym in my town that does not make me sign a year long contract which I hate!


    This sounds exactly like the gym I go to, with the following caveats:

    a) It's close to home, not work. Good, as it's easy to go, even on the weekends.
    b) I can do pretty much whatever I want there. Deadlifts, squats, oly lifts? Yep. Cardio? Yep. Machine weights? Yep.
    c) We have a higher membership fee ($30) if we want to take classes, but access to all of the things mentioned in part b is $10/mo, with no contract.

    While there is a "no dropping the weights" rule, they realize that - occasionally - grips slip and the like. As long as you're not purposely dropping/throwing/slamming them, or constantly dropping them, you're fine.

    There's also a "no chalk" rule. F that - a few of us bring it in and just clean up after ourselves.

    We have a few bodybuilders, a few powerlifters, and a bunch of people there for general fitness. I haven't witnessed any judging there. I (powerlifter) have helped one of our bodybuilders with deadlifts. He wanted to add them to his routine, but it never felt right - he just needed a small tweak to his form. He's helped me out with front squats - I had a hard time with the barbell on the front delts - he helped me get a better placement.
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