Planet Fitness

245678

Replies

  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    planet fitness is for beginners and/or people who are looking to do cardio and some weights.

    this is enough for people who are just starting out, but i would never recommend this place to anyone who really wanted to make real gains but theyre mostly people who've been working out a while anyway.

    Fixed that for you.

    Plenty of women go to the gym for gains, thanks.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    My view is

    It doesn;t matter what machines etc the gyn has, it what you "put in" in the gym that counts

    It does for me, because my main goal is a 300lb+ deadlift and that's not going to happen in a gym that won't allow deadlifts, dropping of weights on the floor or grunting.

    Is PLanet Fitness = Globo Gym?

    Thats mental. My gym €29 a month, no contract, do whatever you want, hamemrs, tires, you name,

    dunno what globo gym is, but at PF they have a "lunk alarm" which they sound if someone drops weights or grunts. And they banned deadlifts, and they have a policy that excludes squat racks.

    Your gym sounds great :drinker:
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    I belong to PF as well and like it just fine. When I first joined deadlifting, bench presses and squatting was allowed. They have since done a major remodel and you can only do those things in a Smith Machine now which, I know, is not the same. Although I have to admit the remodel is awesome. All the equipment is new, the locker rooms are beautiful and we got the hydromassage beds and 4 tanning beds/booths. So while there is some lifting you can do there, it isn't going to meet your needs if you want to be a serious lifter. This gym is 1 1/2 miles from home and I can stop on the way home from work or ride my bike there so it is very convenient.

    I have heard that stupid lunk alarm go off (maybe once or twice a month), but who cares. The people working at mine are very nice and I don't see any judgment going on unless it is me drooling over the physique of someone who caught my eye or me mentally praising the tough workout someone else is doing that I wish I could do. As for the free food twice a month, I am not there at those times, but I eat pizza and bagels in my normal life so I don't see it as something bad.

    Another new gym opened up that is a bit farther away, but for $10 a month it does have benches and squat racks. I may join this one as well since I really want to start lifting again. The location isn't as convenient or I would just go there.

    You can get something out of Planet Fitness if you go and use what they have. If you want to lift heavy, it will most likely not fit your needs.
  • xiamjackie
    xiamjackie Posts: 611 Member
    I belong to Planet Fitness and I actually like it for the amount you pay. 10$ a month is hard to beat. I don't know where some of these Gold's gyms are that people are talking about but when I went to Gold's it was 20$ for a student, 30$ for an adult. The Y is 30 for student, Champs Fitness near me is 20$ per month, etc.

    They only have cable weighted machines, which is really all some people need. Not everyone is into heavy lifting with the olympic bar. I am one of those people that IS into it, so PF didn't really meet my needs that way. But for being open 24/7, having a HUGE cardio area, and free weighted dumbbells, I really couldn't argue the price.

    PF has a bad rep among meat heads because they don't really promote lifting heavy in their gym. Whatever, it's their company. Some pools don't promote swimming naked in their pools and again- whatever. It's their company.

    If you just want the basic cardio and cable weight machines and dumbbells, I don't see why it's not a viable option. Plus all the staff I have met at PF have been helpful and friendly.

    And I am a meathead. I like to lift heavy. I'm competing in my first Powerlifting meet in September... and PF still has my approval.
  • ldarlener
    ldarlener Posts: 79 Member
    A gym that has a tanning bed? Seriously? Come in get fit, and try for cancer at the same time?
    NO WAY.
  • xiamjackie
    xiamjackie Posts: 611 Member
    A gym that has a tanning bed? Seriously? Come in get fit, and try for cancer at the same time?
    NO WAY.

    There are tons of gyms that have tanning beds, not just Planet Fitness. It's not a new thing.

    The PF I go to actually has a lot of muscular guys, all pretty much in their late teens or early 20s as most of us can't afford anything when we get out of college. They probably go somewhere else for bench, squat, and dead, but they do a lot of accessory work on the cable machines and with the dumbbells, as I do. It really helps those overall lifts to do accessory work anyway and you don't need an oly bar to do that. I have never seen the lunk alarm pulled on anyone.
  • kaaaaylee
    kaaaaylee Posts: 398
    Most don't have bench press benches with bars on them, which sucks. Also the clientele varies.

    Otherwise, better than nothing.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I had a PFit membership for a while, until I moved. I got on a deal where it was "only $99 for the year"- but they didn't tell me there was about a $40 annual membership fee that they added once a year. And cancelling my membership when I moved was a bit of a pain, but if you plan on sticking with it, just be aware of the annual fee.

    Saying "PF is for ___" in my opinion is like saying "eating veggies is for ___". Some people have great luck, some don't. All of the tools you need to get fit are there- treadmills, weights, etc. so it certainly can work for you. It's all about what you do with the membership. If you go, exercise, and leave... you'll do just fine. I tend to be the quiet one at the qym, so as long as people don't bug me (and they generally don't), we're good. The only 2 things I found funny were:

    1) Free food on certain days. Seriously? It's a friggin gym
    2) They had tanning at the one I went to, so some people looked legit orange. Like they just came from the Home Depot spray paint aisle. So hard to not laugh.

    But it was kind of fun to people watch while I was there. The one I went to was full of a bunch of interesting characters.

    Actually, it doesn't have "all the tools", as some have pointed out......

    It's a great beginner gym, but saying it has all the tools is kind of preposterous.

    Crap, now I'm in.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    planet fitness is for beginners and/or people who are looking to do cardio and some weights.

    this is enough for women. (lol, not to be chauvinist), but i would never recommend this place to anyone who really wanted to make real gains but theyre mostly men anyway.

    I'm a woman and it's not enough for me... being not allowed to do deadlifts and the absence of squat racks is a major issue. And that if you accidentally grunt or drop a weight they sound that "lunk alarm"


    IMO a lot more women should be considering strength training/weight lifting as a way to get the physique they want... cardio does not result in the kind of body that many women want, but they're put off due to this stupid myth that they'll "get bulky" and so end up never achieving what they want to achieve. So your advice that PF is fine for women... well it's not. Yep some women like the look you get from a cardio bunny body, but I've seen so many women here complain that they *still* don't have the body they want after hours of cardio and a strict diet....... what they need to do is get in the free weights section and start lifting.

    I decided to check out the local PF that opened near me and came away with the same thoughts. It was actually suggested that I could deadlift on the...smith machine. Since I can do cardio at home, PF was definitely not enough for this chick.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    planet fitness is for beginners and/or people who are looking to do cardio and some weights.

    this is enough for women. (lol, not to be chauvinist), but i would never recommend this place to anyone who really wanted to make real gains but theyre mostly men anyway.

    Wut?
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    meh. I joined a PF about 1.5 miles away for the summer because my university gym has such craptastic summer hours.
    I'm a 49 year old woman, who doesn't do deadlifts (due to back issues), and only some, limited compound lifts.

    It's a gym. It's got cardio machines (which I don't use in summer, I'd rather run outside) and enough free weights for me and a chin up machine. Good enough for me for the summer.

    Staff is very nice. Place is very clean. TEN bucks a month. Good enough for now.

    Do what works for you.

    As for your question: its 10 bucks, with an annual fee that's cheap, but you have to quit IN PERSON. That's the primary thing to remember.
  • CookNLift
    CookNLift Posts: 3,660 Member
    I heard bad things about some PF being way too strict and over zealous with how people work out. The one I go to I enjoy and have had no issues doing deadlifts or compound lifting. What I don't suggest doing is powerlifting or wide range of motion workouts like power clean, full power clean, etc, just because I can see a person getting in trouble with that purely because it's usually so packed it's unsafe to do that so close in proximity to people.

    There are some positives:
    1. it's cheap
    2. they've got plenty of beginner friendly equipment with pictures to tell you what each machine is working out.
    3. they have circuit areas that are pretty nice for some that don't want to go and lift or run.
    4. the management / staff (in my experience) are very friendly and welcoming.
    5. you won't feel like you are the weakest person at the gym, - not that it matters or that you should be judging anyone else but the big bonus is that there are a LOT of beginners to working out that go there, so you feel like you're not alone in the journey, whereas at some gyms ive been to before it was filled with guys that could bench press two of me and was very intimidating.

    Cons:
    1. Limited barbbells / dumbbells / specific machines. - especially bc it's so busy , I have to usually wait for someone else to be off of the (I believe 2 or 3) bench press, squat, or any of the universal machines and the dumbbells are almost always being used by the ppl over in the area - they've got plenty of 30+ but very few 20's 15's and 25's

    2. It's packed most of the time - I cannot stress how busy they can get at most places - specifically from experience I wound up going early in the morning rather than in the mid to late afternoon, as many people know at other gyms - it's very busy with people around those times - and with the limited number of machines and increased amount of people lifting, cardio tends to be the only way to get a work out in aside from waiting 5-10 minutes for a machine to open up,

    3. Cardio equipment is meh - I was specifically looking to use a stairmaster to do my pre workout warm up but when I go upstairs, it tends to be flooded with people using the ellipticals and treadmills (I dont get the whole elliptical thing - I'm not coordinated enough to use them, but it looks a little goofy and has an unrealistic motion to it for my taste)

    4. You have to wait to use a machine most of the time. I know i said this already, but it really can be annoying if you go during peak hours.
  • romancefan1983
    romancefan1983 Posts: 88 Member
    I think each franchise location is different in terms of how strict they are. I'm a member of Planet Fitness and my gym is very relaxed. Girls wear stomach showing tops, people do deadlifts and squats (me included). My gym will do the lunk alarm for extremely loud weight drops (they understand that it does happen even when we're not meaning it too).

    While my location is awesome I know others really suck. I say try your location out and see what you think.
  • thebigcb
    thebigcb Posts: 2,210 Member
    My view is

    It doesn;t matter what machines etc the gyn has, it what you "put in" in the gym that counts

    It does for me, because my main goal is a 300lb+ deadlift and that's not going to happen in a gym that won't allow deadlifts, dropping of weights on the floor or grunting.

    Is PLanet Fitness = Globo Gym?

    Thats mental. My gym €29 a month, no contract, do whatever you want, hamemrs, tires, you name,

    dunno what globo gym is, but at PF they have a "lunk alarm" which they sound if someone drops weights or grunts. And they banned deadlifts, and they have a policy that excludes squat racks.

    Your gym sounds great :drinker:

    This is my gym

    http://www.flyefit.ie/

    TRX up, punch bags, indoor green area, two 20metre running tracks. More weight than anyone could lift. open 24/7
  • DeeVanderbles
    DeeVanderbles Posts: 589 Member
    hey guys.
    Anybody here a member of the planet fitness gym? Id recently been seeing their ads around saying that you could join their gym for only $10 a month so i did some checking around on their website to see if there were any catches. From what i could tell their were none. aide from their annual fee that i believe gets charged every october and even that isnt expensive, they gym membership really is only $10 a month.

    That is a killer deal for a gym considering others charge like $80 a month which is the reason i never joined a gym cause i could never afford to.
    My question is though, to you people that are members of the gym already is it a good place to go? I know the term is "You get what you pay for", or dont pay for in some cases, but what do you guys think personally about it from your own experiences?

    I believe the only "catch" is that it's a 12 month commitment. If you don't want to be committed for 12 months, it's like $15 per month instead. Still totally reasonable.

    I go to Planet Fitness and haven't had any issues. Their free weights/dumbbells only go up to a certain weight (say 80lbs, I don't remember what it actually is), but if I ever get there, it's going to take a while. Planet Fitness has everything that I need/want for my workouts. Maybe they don't fit everyone's needs but that's okay. If it works for you and is cheap, go for it.
  • CoolDad67
    CoolDad67 Posts: 324 Member
    I am a member of Planet Fitness. For me, it's what I need at a good price.

    Like a lot of other posters, I think it is probably very dependent on the franchise location. Ours isn't super crowded and I can get a decent workout without paying for a lot of extras that I probably wouldn't use.

    As for Pizza Night and Bagel mornings. Who cares. Nobody forces anyone to participate. If you never eat pizza or bagels outside of there, why would having it there hurt you?

    The lunk alarm?? I've only heard it a couple times at our location.
  • Dont ever expect to dead lift or squat...apparently they dont allow people who do anything else besides run on a treadmill...and I even think running is not allowed, as it may intimidate others.

    I am a member and squat 3x a week and deadlift 1 or 2x and have never had an issue. I have heard of people having problems if a weight is dropped it sets off the "lunk alarm". Otherwise I've never had an issue but i keep to myself there and get in and get out.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    My view is

    It doesn;t matter what machines etc the gyn has, it what you "put in" in the gym that counts

    It does for me, because my main goal is a 300lb+ deadlift and that's not going to happen in a gym that won't allow deadlifts, dropping of weights on the floor or grunting.

    Is PLanet Fitness = Globo Gym?

    Thats mental. My gym €29 a month, no contract, do whatever you want, hamemrs, tires, you name,

    dunno what globo gym is, but at PF they have a "lunk alarm" which they sound if someone drops weights or grunts. And they banned deadlifts, and they have a policy that excludes squat racks.

    Your gym sounds great :drinker:

    This is my gym

    http://www.flyefit.ie/

    TRX up, punch bags, indoor green area, two 20metre running tracks. More weight than anyone could lift. open 24/7

    That looks like an excellent gym... shame I live 4000 miles away :laugh: but yeah would probably join that gym if I lived locally...
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    My view is

    It doesn;t matter what machines etc the gyn has, it what you "put in" in the gym that counts

    It does for me, because my main goal is a 300lb+ deadlift and that's not going to happen in a gym that won't allow deadlifts, dropping of weights on the floor or grunting.

    Is PLanet Fitness = Globo Gym?

    Thats mental. My gym €29 a month, no contract, do whatever you want, hamemrs, tires, you name,

    dunno what globo gym is, but at PF they have a "lunk alarm" which they sound if someone drops weights or grunts. And they banned deadlifts, and they have a policy that excludes squat racks.

    Your gym sounds great :drinker:

    This is my gym

    http://www.flyefit.ie/

    TRX up, punch bags, indoor green area, two 20metre running tracks. More weight than anyone could lift. open 24/7

    D.A.M.N.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    hey guys.
    Anybody here a member of the planet fitness gym? Id recently been seeing their ads around saying that you could join their gym for only $10 a month so i did some checking around on their website to see if there were any catches. From what i could tell their were none. aide from their annual fee that i believe gets charged every october and even that isnt expensive, they gym membership really is only $10 a month.

    That is a killer deal for a gym considering others charge like $80 a month which is the reason i never joined a gym cause i could never afford to.
    My question is though, to you people that are members of the gym already is it a good place to go? I know the term is "You get what you pay for", or dont pay for in some cases, but what do you guys think personally about it from your own experiences?

    I believe the only "catch" is that it's a 12 month commitment. If you don't want to be committed for 12 months, it's like $15 per month instead. Still totally reasonable.

    I go to Planet Fitness and haven't had any issues. Their free weights/dumbbells only go up to a certain weight (say 80lbs, I don't remember what it actually is), but if I ever get there, it's going to take a while. Planet Fitness has everything that I need/want for my workouts. Maybe they don't fit everyone's needs but that's okay. If it works for you and is cheap, go for it.
    The early cancelation fee is $59 right now, fwiw.
  • turpenoid
    turpenoid Posts: 73
    I stopped going to PF as soon as I realized that...
    1) Almost everyone in the weight section never cleaned off the machines at my location
    2) They would set off that awful alarm as soon as someone remotely fit challenged him or herself to lift heavier than anyone else in the area.

    Also, someone brought a large water bottle (probably around 45-60 oz?) into the weight area and the alarm was set off & they were told to leave because they were "showing off". Sorry hydration is intimidating to you...?
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I stopped going to PF as soon as I realized that...
    1) Almost everyone in the weight section never cleaned off the machines at my location
    2) They would set off that awful alarm as soon as someone remotely fit challenged him or herself to lift heavier than anyone else in the area.

    Also, someone brought a large water bottle (probably around 45-60 oz?) into the weight area and the alarm was set off & they were told to leave because they were "showing off". Sorry hydration is intimidating to you...?
    Wow. Srsly? Sounds like your PF was ridiculously stupid. I've been a member twice (two summers). Never had anything like this sort of absurd experience. Thank goodness.
  • turpenoid
    turpenoid Posts: 73
    I stopped going to PF as soon as I realized that...
    1) Almost everyone in the weight section never cleaned off the machines at my location
    2) They would set off that awful alarm as soon as someone remotely fit challenged him or herself to lift heavier than anyone else in the area.

    Also, someone brought a large water bottle (probably around 45-60 oz?) into the weight area and the alarm was set off & they were told to leave because they were "showing off". Sorry hydration is intimidating to you...?
    Wow. Srsly? Sounds like your PF was ridiculously stupid. I've been a member twice (two summers). Never had anything like this sort of absurd experience. Thank goodness.

    Yeah it was really disappointing. As someone who isn't at a high level of fitness, I did enjoy the gym initially. I liked that the machines were self-explanatory and that I could hang around as long as I wanted to without feeling "judgement". Although, I've never been to a gym otherwise, so I'm not sure if there would be judgement to begin with. I'm happy your location has been a good experience for you. :)

    I think ours was just poorly managed and had staff with very mixed attitudes about the location while I had a membership. Some people who worked there were just amazing and helpful, others were there so they could work out for 5 hours a day at their job. To each their own! Just sent out a bit of a strange vibe to me as a customer.

    tl;dr I'm really glad your experience is better than mine! Best wishes
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I stopped going to PF as soon as I realized that...
    1) Almost everyone in the weight section never cleaned off the machines at my location
    2) They would set off that awful alarm as soon as someone remotely fit challenged him or herself to lift heavier than anyone else in the area.

    Also, someone brought a large water bottle (probably around 45-60 oz?) into the weight area and the alarm was set off & they were told to leave because they were "showing off". Sorry hydration is intimidating to you...?
    Wow. Srsly? Sounds like your PF was ridiculously stupid. I've been a member twice (two summers). Never had anything like this sort of absurd experience. Thank goodness.

    Yeah it was really disappointing. As someone who isn't at a high level of fitness, I did enjoy the gym initially. I liked that the machines were self-explanatory and that I could hang around as long as I wanted to without feeling "judgement". Although, I've never been to a gym otherwise, so I'm not sure if there would be judgement to begin with. I'm happy your location has been a good experience for you. :)

    I think ours was just poorly managed and had staff with very mixed attitudes about the location while I had a membership. Some people who worked there were just amazing and helpful, others were there so they could work out for 5 hours a day at their job. To each their own! Just sent out a bit of a strange vibe to me as a customer.

    tl;dr I'm really glad your experience is better than mine! Best wishes
    I've actually been a member at 2 different ones. The first: the staff was rather lax. Not the cleanest place, so I did my own cleaning before and after. But otherwise it was fine.
    The one I'm at this summer, is light, airy, NOT crowded, very clean (I see them cleaning stuff while I'm there), and the staff and members are friendly. Nothing weird at all. It's not the best for weights, but it's fine for me this summer.
    My university gym, which has great racks etc, is dirty, loud, hot, and has horrible LOUD music. So, it's a trade off.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    planet fitness is for beginners and/or people who are looking to do cardio and some weights.

    this is enough for women. (lol, not to be chauvinist), but i would never recommend this place to anyone who really wanted to make real gains but theyre mostly men anyway.

    So... Women can't lift heavy? Is that what you're saying?
  • KameHameHaaa
    KameHameHaaa Posts: 244 Member
    hey guys.
    Anybody here a member of the planet fitness gym? Id recently been seeing their ads around saying that you could join their gym for only $10 a month so i did some checking around on their website to see if there were any catches. From what i could tell their were none. aide from their annual fee that i believe gets charged every october and even that isnt expensive, they gym membership really is only $10 a month.

    That is a killer deal for a gym considering others charge like $80 a month which is the reason i never joined a gym cause i could never afford to.
    My question is though, to you people that are members of the gym already is it a good place to go? I know the term is "You get what you pay for", or dont pay for in some cases, but what do you guys think personally about it from your own experiences?

    I believe the only "catch" is that it's a 12 month commitment. If you don't want to be committed for 12 months, it's like $15 per month instead. Still totally reasonable.

    I go to Planet Fitness and haven't had any issues. Their free weights/dumbbells only go up to a certain weight (say 80lbs, I don't remember what it actually is), but if I ever get there, it's going to take a while. Planet Fitness has everything that I need/want for my workouts. Maybe they don't fit everyone's needs but that's okay. If it works for you and is cheap, go for it.
    The early cancelation fee is $59 right now, fwiw.

    I think it must depend on the location because my membership was $10 a month, no contract, no cancellation fee. There was no $15 option, it just went straight to the $20 black card from there.

    ETA: That's the current offer they got going at ours, no fee unless you're a black card member. Room mate is a PF trainer by night, max muscle rep by day lol.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    hey guys.
    Anybody here a member of the planet fitness gym? Id recently been seeing their ads around saying that you could join their gym for only $10 a month so i did some checking around on their website to see if there were any catches. From what i could tell their were none. aide from their annual fee that i believe gets charged every october and even that isnt expensive, they gym membership really is only $10 a month.

    That is a killer deal for a gym considering others charge like $80 a month which is the reason i never joined a gym cause i could never afford to.
    My question is though, to you people that are members of the gym already is it a good place to go? I know the term is "You get what you pay for", or dont pay for in some cases, but what do you guys think personally about it from your own experiences?

    I believe the only "catch" is that it's a 12 month commitment. If you don't want to be committed for 12 months, it's like $15 per month instead. Still totally reasonable.

    I go to Planet Fitness and haven't had any issues. Their free weights/dumbbells only go up to a certain weight (say 80lbs, I don't remember what it actually is), but if I ever get there, it's going to take a while. Planet Fitness has everything that I need/want for my workouts. Maybe they don't fit everyone's needs but that's okay. If it works for you and is cheap, go for it.
    The early cancelation fee is $59 right now, fwiw.

    I think it must depend on the location because my membership was $10 a month, no contract, no cancellation fee. There was no $15 option, it just went straight to the $20 black card from there.
    Yup. That's what mine was last time. This (as far as I know) is the *current* offer (for the OP who's considering joining now). I joined again about a month ago. cheers
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    They're a gym which body shames people and have parties in which they serve doughnuts and pizza.

    It's mostly the same as any other gym - you get what you put into it. As long as you're not too skinny for their standards, and not too interested in working out, you'll be fine.
  • Sarahliquid
    Sarahliquid Posts: 201 Member
    I would love it if my gym had pizza! I always need extra calories with the carb and protein mix after I work out. If your trying to gain muscle pizza and bagels can be your friend. Because SOME women lift for gains.
  • freddi11e
    freddi11e Posts: 317 Member
    I GO TO PLANET FITNESS AND DEADLIFT AND SQUAT. IT'S A GYM. GO.