PE@PF Planet Fitness

_andreaaguilar

Looking to get people's experience with this program! I'm thinking of joining Planet Fitness to do it and I want to know how the process is really like. What do you get exactly????

Haven't seen any recent threads on this and I used the search feature.

JoRocka

You get a facility that has free weights- machines and a plethora of cardio equipment- I believe they offer a spin cinema (where you can bike and watch a movie at the same time)- and I am unsure if that is ALL or just a few.

There is usually a circuit space in the back- with a timer on it.

Sometimes there is tanning/massages chairs.

Starting is usually reasonably pain free- but there are some fees of which you should be aware- by the end of the first two months you'll be out about 100$ (40 start up- 40 maintenance and then the 10 for the monthly fee).

and the contract is for a year.

so if you break it- it's 60$- which is 6 months worth the gym.

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

but it's got it's limitations.

So just be aware.

slaite1

_andreaaguilar wrote: »

Looking to get people's experience with this program! I'm thinking of joining Planet Fitness to do it and I want to know how the process is really like. What do you get exactly????

Haven't seen any recent threads on this and I used the search feature.

PE at planet fitness is referring to the free "training" you get when you join. It includes free one-on-one time (scheduled) with a trainer, but this time is typically VERY limited. This usually entailed a few questions about your goals. Then they will write out a quick program, show you around, and give you a quick tour of the machines you will be using.

In addition to the one-on-one sessions, you can sign up for "classes". These are essentially body part primers. So if you sign up for a back "class" the trainer will walk you guys around and show you a few machines you can use for your back. If it's just you, and the trainers cool, they might take you through a short workout. Most likely it will be "let me show you the lat pull down machine and the row machine. And show you how to use our machines in general" and you will all take turns.

You can also sign up for the 30-minute circuit, which again if the trainer is cool they should give you guys a run down then help you through the circuit. Also, if you have a 360-DEFINITELY sign up for that class. It's the only thing PF offers that's an actual fitness class. It can be a lot of fun.

I worked as a trainer for PF for 4 months. I quit bc I was not allowed to actually TRAIN people. I was rushed and they wanted me to create cookie-cutter programs, and I simply couldn't do it. PF is full of people brand new to working out, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to actually teach. But I could not so I left. I kind of wish I had stayed and rocked the boat a bit more.

For you, just keep in mind this is free training, and it is NOT personal training. They are just there to show you the ropes, make sure you use the equipment properly (which is actually helpful) and so that they can advertise and SAY they offer free training (not free personal training mind you). If the trainer is nice, friendly and helpful-and you're completely new to this-it can be helpful as a starter gym. Just remember that it is limited and not exactly what it says.

WeepingAngel81

JoRocka wrote: »

You get a facility that has free weights- machines and a plethora of cardio equipment- I believe they offer a spin cinema (where you can bike and watch a movie at the same time)- and I am unsure if that is ALL or just a few.

There is usually a circuit space in the back- with a timer on it.

Sometimes there is tanning/massages chairs.

Starting is usually reasonably pain free- but there are some fees of which you should be aware- by the end of the first two months you'll be out about 100$ (40 start up- 40 maintenance and then the 10 for the monthly fee).

and the contract is for a year.

so if you break it- it's 60$- which is 6 months worth the gym.

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

but it's got it's limitations.

So just be aware.

I have a PF account, and I don't have a spin cinema room. There are 2 PF's in my town and neither have one. I also didn't get thet additional charges. Mine does have a 2 circuits, one for abs, and one that is traditional. The sneaky part about the PF's here is if you sign up online, like I did, the contract is for a year. If you sign up in person, it's only month to month.

That said, the PE isn't very great. You get a quick basic run down of the equipment and how to use it, as well as a quick one on one discussing what your personal goals are. I used to have a YMCA membership that I ended becuase it was a lot more money. However, I hardly ever us my PF membership. It just doesn't get me excited to workout like the Y did. The Y has a 1 time free training session that gave me much more than PE@PF ever did. I am going to be buying out my PF membership, and reinstating my Y membership. I used to go to the Y 7 days a week. 6 days working out, and the 7th day enjoying the open swim time with my kids. I just don't feel it at PF.

That said, do your research and talk to someone at your PF before getting a membership, if you do. Make sure to ask about hidden fees, etc.

spartan_d

JoRocka wrote: »

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

I'll agree that it can be a decent secondary (i.e. supplemental) gym, and that the 24-hour access is convenient. As I often say though, I disagree that it's good for beginners. Beginners need proper guidance, and you won't get that at Planet Fitness. In fact, they teach a lot of things (e.g. "Bench pressing and deadlifting are for bodybuilders only") that can prevent novices from reaching their goals efficiently.

slaite1

spartan_d wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

I'll agree that it can be a decent secondary (i.e. supplemental) gym, and that the 24-hour access is convenient. As I often say though, I disagree that it's good for beginners. Beginners need proper guidance, and you won't get that at Planet Fitness. In fact, they teach a lot of things (e.g. "Bench pressing and deadlifting are for bodybuilders only") that can prevent novices from reaching their goals efficiently.

I'll argue that this really depends on the gym. The commercials suck and the vibe of PF overall sucks. However, my particular gym was good about this and we had tons of student athletes that used our equipment and the mentality was definitely not anti-body builder. We actually had a number of body builders. The limiting factor of course was the equipment (no barbells, just smith). There are two others in the area, one has similar equipment and one has nothing for lifting except small dumbbells.

Just like any gym, tour the facility and speak with the trainer.

stanmann571

WeepingAngel81 wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

You get a facility that has free weights- machines and a plethora of cardio equipment- I believe they offer a spin cinema (where you can bike and watch a movie at the same time)- and I am unsure if that is ALL or just a few.

There is usually a circuit space in the back- with a timer on it.

Sometimes there is tanning/massages chairs.

Starting is usually reasonably pain free- but there are some fees of which you should be aware- by the end of the first two months you'll be out about 100$ (40 start up- 40 maintenance and then the 10 for the monthly fee).

and the contract is for a year.

so if you break it- it's 60$- which is 6 months worth the gym.

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

but it's got it's limitations.

So just be aware.

I have a PF account, and I don't have a spin cinema room. There are 2 PF's in my town and neither have one. I also didn't get thet additional charges. Mine does have a 2 circuits, one for abs, and one that is traditional. The sneaky part about the PF's here is if you sign up online, like I did, the contract is for a year. If you sign up in person, it's only month to month.

That said, the PE isn't very great. You get a quick basic run down of the equipment and how to use it, as well as a quick one on one discussing what your personal goals are. I used to have a YMCA membership that I ended becuase it was a lot more money. However, I hardly ever us my PF membership. It just doesn't get me excited to workout like the Y did. The Y has a 1 time free training session that gave me much more than PE@PF ever did. I am going to be buying out my PF membership, and reinstating my Y membership. I used to go to the Y 7 days a week. 6 days working out, and the 7th day enjoying the open swim time with my kids. I just don't feel it at PF.

That said, do your research and talk to someone at your PF before getting a membership, if you do. Make sure to ask about hidden fees, etc.

I paid 20 up front, and pay 20 a month. There's an annual fee that accrues additionally, but It was only another 20 or so..

Honestly, I look at it as a $250 a year inclement weather insurance policy.

Penthesilea514

I joined PF for a couple of months then cancelled my membership. I started out with the "no commitment" contract at around 20 bucks a month because I knew I would be moving relatively soon and I just wanted to try it out. I was not a fan. The PE was rushed and like stated above, not personalized at all (my trainer was horrible, I ended up lodging a complaint with management). Beyond that, it served its purpose pretty well for my short term needs (no wait cardio machines, open whenever, decent weight machines for my needs). But I won't be back anytime soon. Mine also didn't have a cinema, but it did have most everything else that comes with PF. I currently have a membership to a small, local gym and I am much happier there.

spartan_d

slaite1 wrote: »

spartan_d wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

I'll agree that it can be a decent secondary (i.e. supplemental) gym, and that the 24-hour access is convenient. As I often say though, I disagree that it's good for beginners. Beginners need proper guidance, and you won't get that at Planet Fitness. In fact, they teach a lot of things (e.g. "Bench pressing and deadlifting are for bodybuilders only") that can prevent novices from reaching their goals efficiently.

I'll argue that this really depends on the gym. The commercials suck and the vibe of PF overall sucks. However, my particular gym was good about this and we had tons of student athletes that used our equipment and the mentality was definitely not anti-body builder. We actually had a number of body builders. The limiting factor of course was the equipment (no barbells, just smith). There are two others in the area, one has similar equipment and one has nothing for lifting except small dumbbells.

Just like any gym, tour the facility and speak with the trainer.

Well, I suppose that if it's one of those PFs that doesn't enforce the rules (e.g. doesn't forbid deadlifting) and doesn't tell people that certain exercises are only for bodybuilders, then that would be different. Obviously, the signage and free fattening foods would still be problematic, but that's consistent with what you said about their commercials and overall vibe.

JoRocka

spartan_d wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

It's kind of sneaky.
It's good for a starter gym.
It's good for a second gym.
It's good if you have to work late at night (they are 24 hours)

I'll agree that it can be a decent secondary (i.e. supplemental) gym, and that the 24-hour access is convenient. As I often say though, I disagree that it's good for beginners. Beginners need proper guidance, and you won't get that at Planet Fitness. In fact, they teach a lot of things (e.g. "Bench pressing and deadlifting are for bodybuilders only") that can prevent novices from reaching their goals efficiently.

I agree. IMHO- good lifting begins with the big three.

Being said- I know very few people who would be considering PF who are going to go out of their way to learn to do the big three at a conventional gym.

I'm team "something is better than nothing"

spartan_d

That is certainly a valid point, JoRocka. Yeah, a lot of beginners wouldn't know any better.

I guess my point is that I'm not happy with the idea of a gym feeding such misinformation to its newbies. This sort of thing can seriously derail someone's fitness efforts. It's bad enough that a lot of women, for example, think that lifting weights is bad for them. They don't need a gym to be reinforcing that notion.

JoRocka

spartan_d wrote: »

That is certainly a valid point, JoRocka. Yeah, a lot of beginners wouldn't know any better.

I guess my point is that I'm not happy with the idea of a gym feeding such misinformation to its newbies. This sort of thing can seriously derail someone's fitness efforts. It's bad enough that a lot of women, for example, think that lifting weights is bad for them. They don't need a gym to be reinforcing that notion.

Agreed- I'm not a HUGE fan of planet fitness quiet frankly- I find it insulting that they consider themselves "judgment free" and are the single most judgmental and exclusive "gyms" around.

But- that doesn't mean it doesn't serve a purpose.

(I mean- hell- if you get 2 free whole pies every month- that's 100% worth the 10$ membership- ordering PICK up is 15$ minimum for me- take out is like 20$)

blondeandfeistyAF13

I joined a PF around Thanksgiving when one opened in my town. It was $0 to join and $10 a month. There was a yearly fee that was changed in February that I believe was $39. So overall not a bad price - especially since I wasn't sure how often I was going to use it . . . I didn't want the "fat person tax" to be astronomical. With that being said - it is very very basic. Lots of cardio machines, some nautilus machines, some free weights; but really no guidance to speak of. I am a newbie, and while I can work all of the nautilus machines I do find the free weights daunting. Also I have no idea what to do with them. PF was a good place to start; but I do feel like you reach a point and then you need some additional guidance. If that makes sense.