Planet Fitness / Bally's

David1178

What can anyone tell me about Planet Fitness, in general. Pros / Cons. I know one pro is the price - you cannot beat the price, but I know one of the cons are some of the silly rules they have.

I have come down to the decision of either joining Planet Fitness for $150 / year or join Bally Total Fitness for $130 / year. Bally's reputation alone has me going towards Planet Fitness, but if anyone can give their experiences with either gym, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

jillyt85

I've been going to Planet Fitness for a few weeks now and it's great for what I need it for. I can get there by 4:30 am and get in my workout for the day. That's a big perk to me, the hours that they're open for the price! I have noticed a couple things that bother me though. They have tootsie rolls at the front desk for everyone so I asked why they have them. The girl said, "it's just a nice treat for people and they don't really have any calories." Ok they obviously don't hire people with a general idea of fitness/nutrition to work the front desk. They also have pizza night on the first Monday of every month. Nothing screams healthy like a good workout followed by a slice of grease. I'm also not a fan of the alarm they have when someone makes a loud noise. I personally don't care if someone grunts...sometimes it helps get you through the set! Other than that though, I really only need a place that has the equipment and is open when I need them to be and they have that for an amazing price.

Nopedotjpeg

What are your workout goals? Do you have a routine you plan to do? These are things that you should mention.

If you like barbells and doing floor lifts, depending on the franchise, you might not like Planet Fitness. I know some don't even have free weight barbells, and others won't let you do a host of different lifts.

ak_in_ak

It really depends on what you want, yeah they have pizza, but it is also their busiest night of the month so people obviously enjoy it! It is your choice if you want to eat it or the tootsie rolls. Every gym is different, the lunk alarm has only gone off a few times and it was all in good fun, small town so the regulars know the people who work there well. You should be able to test it out for a day and see what you think. I can't say anything about Bally's. Every PF is different, some people say theirs doesn’t have certain things that mine does so that is something to look at.

Jennicia

I didnt join Planet Fitness because they don't offer and cardio classes (like zumba, yoga etc) I was also a little miffed at the every monday night pizza thing too! :noway:

ask4itall

I'm a Planet Fitness member...and my only reason I'm at PF (Planet Fitness) is...it cost $10/month...which is well below the market prices in my area.

PROS:
1.) Cost
2.) Ample equipment.
3.) No contract...that is...month to month.

CONS:
1.) Limited free weights. For example...no Dumbbells > 75lbs; no Barbells > 60lbs; no Free Squat or Bench racks; etc.
2.) They want to attract clients who are not fitness aware and will never get into shape.
2.) The stupid LUNK alarm. I've never set it off...but please...give it a break.
3.) Free candy as you leave; free pizza every Monday.
4.) The entire staff at my PF are over-weight...with one boarding on being obese. Not a good example in my humble opinion.

I listed a lot of CONS and only three PROS...but understand that PF is ample for me. I've been able to adapt and overcome.

Good luck!!!


http://www.facebook.com/fitwithfig

solman66

Like others said it depends what you want to get out of it.
I've never even heard of the lunk alarm and I've been going to PF for quite a while now. Not sure what other "silly rules" they have. I just go there get my workout and leave. No muss or fuss.

The one I go to doesn't have a ton of free weights, but they have a fair amount of machines and a LOT of cardio machines.

It's a friendly and clean atmosphere. The staff always makes a point to say hello/goodbye. I just wish the one I go to had better weekend hours. 7-7 on sat/sun doesn't always fit my schedule.

mstoya7

I think it really depends on what your looking for. I belong to Planet Fitness and I happen to like them. They are much cheaper than any gym I have joined and they have all the equipment I need. Yes they have the candy and pizza nights as well but I choose not to eat either one when I go. To me intead of using that as a complaint like some people have just don't eat it and then your problem is solved. My one complaint is what another member mentioned and that's the lack of classes (zumba, step, bootcamp etc) Other than that I still feel like i get a good workout in. Ballys which by the way is now owned by Planet Fitness is a very nice gym and you do get all the ementies such as a pool, racquetball/basketball room and possibly more weights but you will also be paying for that as well each month. I think their rate now is $39.99 a month, last time I checked. Again it's all about what your looking for, I would take a tour of both so you see what's being offered and make your decision from there.

MrsLVF

Good Luck, they're all about the same be very careful with a the ballys contract...
I have(had) a lifetime Ballys ,membership since 1998 & they sold the memberships to to LAfitness so i went there & they said sure we 'll honor that and wanted to charge me 4x what i was paying. I checked out planet fitness, cardinal, and another one. But they all just didn't seem worth it, so instead we assessed the equipment we already had (free weights/bench, tower of power,punching bag, yoga stuff, workout dvds) and added an elliptical & recumbent bike & Bam we have a home gym

Nopedotjpeg

I think it really depends on what your looking for. I belong to Planet Fitness and I happen to like them. They are much cheaper than any gym I have joined and they have all the equipment I need. Yes they have the candy and pizza nights as well but I choose not to eat either one when I go. To me intead of using that as a complaint like some people have just don't eat it and then your problem is solved. My one complaint is what another member mentioned and that's the lack of classes (zumba, step, bootcamp etc) Other than that I still feel like i get a good workout in. Ballys which by the way is now owned by Planet Fitness is a very nice gym and you do get all the ementies such as a pool, racquetball/basketball room and possibly more weights but you will also be paying for that as well each month. I think their rate now is $39.99 a month, last time I checked. Again it's all about what your looking for, I would take a tour of both so you see what's being offered and make your decision from there.

Last I checked, Bally's is owned by LA Fitness.

David1178

Well, mostly I am going to be looking to workout on free weights. I do all my cardio at my house, so I am going to be using the gym stricly for weight training. My PF stays open 24 hours which is great for my work schedule, but the other cons that ask4itall mentioned is exactly why I have not joined up yet.

Being a past member of Bally's from years ago, I just recieved a $99.00/year membership offer. I think L.A. Fitness just bought out most of the Bally's except for the east coast. All the reviews I have read on Bally's though are horrible. The only good thing Bally's has going for it in my book is that it is 5 minutes up the street, where PF is about 15-20.

matthewparmenter

I've been a member at Planet Fitness for 3+ years and I find it works great for what I need it for... which is as a fill in when my regular workouts (at a local independent gym) are cancelled or I just have the urge to log a couple extra miles on the treadmill or get my heart rate going.

The pros for me are obviously the price... $10 a month is a small price to pay for what is a great back-up option for me. Another pro is that they are open 24/7 which is great. My only con would be the high turnover rate of the staff sometimes results in employees that just don't care about their job as well as poor/incompetent personal training and instructional sessions. But since I don't use those services it doesn't really bother me. Pizza once a month and tootsie rolls at the front desk don't bother me, although i can see how that would annoy some. I've also somehow never heard the lunk alarm go off!

As another poster said, identify what you need and compare it to the feedback here... and of course go and check out each gym in person (talk to the employees, ask for a tour etc) Good luck!

matthewparmenter

Well, mostly I am going to be looking to workout on free weights.

I've known several people who have left Planet Fitness because the free weights are insufficient for their needs. Make sure you go check out your local franchise in person!

Nopedotjpeg

Well, mostly I am going to be looking to workout on free weights. I do all my cardio at my house, so I am going to be using the gym stricly for weight training. My PF stays open 24 hours which is great for my work schedule, but the other cons that ask4itall mentioned is exactly why I have not joined up yet.

Being a past member of Bally's from years ago, I just recieved a $99.00/year membership offer. I think L.A. Fitness just bought out most of the Bally's except for the east coast. All the reviews I have read on Bally's though are horrible. The only good thing Bally's has going for it in my book is that it is 5 minutes up the street, where PF is about 15-20.

Have you toured both facilities? Also, are both of them contracts? If you're looking to use free weights, and have a specific routine, you need to ask each gym if they have any lifts/exercises they don't allow. I'm saying this from experience. I was a member of PF for 2-3 years. I began barbell training, and was trying to learn to Power Clean with an empty bar. I was told by their "trainer" that I was no longer allowed to do any lift using the barbells in the squat rack besides squats, and no floor lifts or overhead presses. I quit later that day because those lifts constituted 3/5 of my workout.