Planet Fitness Yay or Nay?

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Replies

  • rhonniema
    rhonniema Posts: 522 Member
    All I want is a machine & a tv, so PF is good for me.
    I got the black card so I can bring a guest with me every time I go, massage chair, & tanning.
    I don't care about classes.
    and the pizza monday's and bagel tuesdays (or whatever days they are) that people keep complaining about... it's once a month, you don't want it you don't eat it!
    In my experience, I've never partaken or even seen the food. Oh well.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Planet Fitness looks like it was cooked up for a Saturday Night Live skit.

    no grunting/breathing heavy.
    lunk siren.
    pizza bagels....really?
  • dmf711
    dmf711 Posts: 141 Member
    I never really cared for PF but it was the only gig in town at the time, and my membership was a Christmas present from my parents. I actually cancelled my membership yesterday because since moving back home, my closest PF is 45 minutes away and I've been to it before and they were very rude to my mom and I (I brought my mom along as a guest and they wouldn't let her in with me).

    As far as the "judgement-free zone" stuff...... TOTALLY felt judged whenever I was there. I think putting so much emphasis on being the "cool" gym where you can be your imperfect self just turned up the judging a couple of notches. I constantly felt like I had to put on a show while trying to complete my workout. Maybe it's just me.

    Pros:
    The place is pretty damn clean as far as gyms go and it's not some boring white washed gym with a couple of signs here and there. It's decorated very brightly and with vibrant purple and yellow colors. Massage chairs and unlimited tanning are nice perks.

    Cons:
    No classes, no sauna system, no pool.... also, I found when I would try to do some light weight work, the guys would always crowd up the weight area and stare at themselves in the mirror doing bicep curls. Maybe it was just my gym or their way to enforce the "no lunks" policy, but there was very little room to do free weights. Also, keep an eye on your credit card if you choose to have them automatically deduct your membership fees from your account! And keep a copy of your contract. You want to be sure you know what you're being charged for and if you have to back out of your membership, you will know what you need to do in order to avoid any issues with billing.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    My big gripe with PF was that they don't have much in the way of free weights, forcing you to do everything on machines which is an inferior way of training. That and silly rules telling you that you couldn't do deadlifts or squats or you would get kicked out. For that reason alone I'd tell anyone to stay away.
  • hjfischer
    hjfischer Posts: 250
    I like PF. It is a basic gym without the 'frills'. I go to the gym to lift and get the hell out. I don't use cardio machine, take classes or need a pool. If you want clean and basic, that is your place. As for the pizza and bagels, I have never seen or heard them being advertised at my facility. Maybe it is where I live. Also, most of the people in PF are thinner than me - again, it may be the demographics of my area.

    Join, if you don't like it, cancel your membership ;)
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Planet fitness is great. Low cost. All the basic facilities you need (bare bones but they work just as well) and a policy of acceptance and non judgment.
  • pheonixdown
    pheonixdown Posts: 15
    I say YAY! A new Planet Fitness just opened around my neck of the woods, and I signed up for the $10/month plan and have been going for close to a month now and I love it.

    :drinker:

    Mine isn't very crowded, but I tend to go in the mornings. Still, I like the "no pressure" feel about it, especially considering where I live is very body conscious, so it's nice to get away from the intimidation.
  • StarkLark
    StarkLark Posts: 476 Member
    I love having a PF membership. The cost is great and I use it to get a workout in when it is too nasty to be outside (heat, rain, snow) or when my regular fitness classes are cancelled. Also the one close to me is open 24 hours so I can go whenever I need to.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    so does the no grunting thing also extend to cardio? people breathe very loudly when they run too.

    anyway if you're new to the gym then it's a great way to do it. as you workout more then you might end up deciding that you want more from your gym but when you're just starting out and setting up a habit, cant go wrong with $10 a month
  • Blaqheart
    Blaqheart Posts: 235
    Yes!!! BIG YAY! I've been a member since the week before Mother's Day and it is great. This was my Mother's Day present best one I've ever gotten! :drinker: :heart: Some days they are busier than others, but once you start going you'll learn their least busy days.

    They do have classes Mon through Fri I'm holding their class chart right this minute. Chest, back, abs, 30 min circuit, arms, legs, shoulders just schedule for one. They are small available to first 5 people who sign up, but call ahead get on the list and you can get into one. :wink:

    We have a stretching room along with a 12 min abs circuit. Plenty of recumbent bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals. A locker room with showers and lockers you just bring your own lock.

    Yes there's squat racks, and bench presses.

    We also have personal trainer who will let you schedule and she will teach you everything you want to know about the machines and gym. She helped me set my seat settings and weight when I started. I let her know I want to train for strength and flexibility. She helped me create my training plan. I see her on the 16th of next month as a checkin. All I do is schedule my appt with her.

    I'm a Black Card Member -$20.00 a mo includes all that, whole gym usage, tanning, Red Light Therapy with built in Vibrashape powerplate system, and Hydro Massage beds. Believe me it IS worth the extra just for the red light and tanning! Red light is super awesome. It's helping me shrink my scar on my tummy. I love the fact they're open 24/7 including holidays. I work out when I want to instead of keeping to some stupid schedule. I simply skip First Mon of month pizza night and first Tue of month bagel morning. I go straight in to do my red light, tan, and workout. On those Mon nights they also give away an Ipod!

    I love the Cybex machines. A few even go up 240lbs! They don't cater to bodybuilders because the free weights are low not something they would use, but this is a good thing. It allows someone like me to be able to use the gym without some wild person grunting and slamming weights around. VERY intimidating! (This is one of the reasons I wouldn't join any gym these guys are just too intimidating and scary. We visited one once and most of the guys there were doing this. My hubby worked with one and he was hormone sally! All the people he worked out at the gym took steroids so they were all scary and out of control. There were 9 of them). They (PF) have a name for these "lunkheads". I believe it is in good jest not something serious, but they feel like the rest of us normals feel - we want to work out and not be pushed or challenged to lift half the freaking room. No one does this there.

    (When we first went I was quite nervous that might run into some of these, but they don't come). I believe in their motto -"You belong" because it means everyone can use the gym not just body builders. It is about time there was a gym for people like me who is here to actually GAIN weight and muscle. So what if you're 100 lbs to 400lbs you really do belong at Planet Fitness because it is a judgement free zone.

    My gym everyone is respectful and polite. I have never seen anyone being rude to another. Now depends on how you're dressed if you're stared at or not. We do have our "half off maids and gents" every now and then. They do get stares, but this is what they're looking for because well their clothes are half off! o.O Fine for them to each their own, but not me I wouldn't dress this way just not my style. :laugh:

    Check them out if you're looking for a normal gym I do believe you will be satisfied.

    www.planetfitness.com

    From what I keep hearing from friends they say $20 a month or even $10 a month is a huge savings because they can't find a gym for anything under $75 a mo!
  • KiltFuPanda
    KiltFuPanda Posts: 574 Member
    If you're looking for treadmills, ellipticals, and weight machines, it's just fine.

    If you're looking for free weights, a place to lift heavy, or a personal trainer, I'd look elsewhere.

    I'm surprised I wasn't kicked out myself - I wouldn't grunt or anything, but having 400-500 lbs on the smith machine for squats and 800 lbs on the incline leg press got me some strange looks. Same thing when I asked for a spotter. They also only keep maybe 2 or 4 45-lb plates at each machine, so I would have to borrow from 3 other stations to get a workout. The largest dumbbells are either 65 or 70 (don't remember), so I couldn't get a good pull doing bent-over rows.

    If you can get away with a good workout without deadlifts, free weight squats, and don't need a lot of weight to do so, then it may be an option.
  • xMonroeMisfit
    xMonroeMisfit Posts: 411 Member
    Nay.

    Too many cardio machines, not enough of anything else.

    Cant lift or they will boot you..
  • Geeky_Girl
    Geeky_Girl Posts: 239 Member
    I belong to PF and I like it. Like everyone else has said, it's generic. Mine is pretty much judgment free; they have a lunk alarm, but lots of people are there lifting weights and the alarm never goes off. It's casual and no one bothers anyone else. I like to go and workout on the elliptical or do the 30 minute circuit and just leave it at that.

    I belonged to Gold's before this. It definitely offers more (mine had a cardio cinema, a ladies only room, rock climbing wall, courts for everything, nail salon, classes [spinning was awesome!] etc.) but it was awful trying to get them to cancel my membership (even after I got past the required 12 months). Gold's was about $50/month and you signed a contract. PF doesn't have a contract (as far as I know).

    So, all in all, it depends on what you need. If you want classes and some structure, more equipment and amenities, you'll want a more expensive gym. If you want an elliptical machine to use without actually having to shell out a couple thousand dollars, PF is great. :) Happy working out!

    Edit: I have to add that I go to PF because it's cheap and I can cancel quickly with no contract. I think it's inspiring to see people lifting weights. Some bodies are just perfect machines!!
  • xMonroeMisfit
    xMonroeMisfit Posts: 411 Member
    OH and another thing about all this "weight lifters intimidate" i personally find someone pushing big weight motivating


    :indifferent: but thats just me
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member
    One other nice things is the juiceheads tend to stay away - you dont see many steroid monsters. You do however have to deal with TONS of high school kids since its so cheap - you end up dealing with the wrestling kids trying to shed water weight, and the young school kids making it a hangout.
    Well that's because they are "judgmental" against juiceheads and muscle heads. Just look at there ads on youtube.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • mogriff1
    mogriff1 Posts: 325 Member
    I was a member of Planet Fitness in NJ....and although the price was right, I just could not get motivated there. So after 2 yrs of wasting my money I closed my account and joined LA fitness which I LOVE! I needed variety, I love classes (Spin, Zumba, Latin Heat Dance, Step Aerobics, Pilates, Cardio Kickoxing, Aqua Aerobics, etc) in addition to the cardio machines and weights. Planet Fitness just doesnt have that. So for me, I got nowhere and I was bored...so I didnt really go.

    Once I joined LA fitness, I lost the 18 pounds I needed to reach my goal in 4 months, so it was a win-win!
  • Anaconda62
    Anaconda62 Posts: 181
    I like it. It's basic. There are plenty of fairly muscular guys at the one I go to. Plus, it's not REALLY a pizza party. They just have it available should you want it. I have never eaten it and don't feel compelled to.
  • enchantedeskape
    enchantedeskape Posts: 121
    FWIW, I really like PF. I just re-upped my membership with them.

    Mine is clean, has tons of equipment (their weight area is as big as the cardio area), offers free physical trainers, and I *Love* the express workout area.

    PF is a good fit for me b/c I don't really care for classes or the pool. My kids are now old enough they stay home, so I don't need a gym with a daycare. Also, for $10/month, I don't feel guilty when I decide to run outside instead of using the gym.

    If you:
    Want a pool
    Want classes
    Need daycare

    Then PF isn't a good fit for you.

    Also, the pizza night (at mine anyway) is only once a month, and they don't force it on you. If you can't walk into a building w/pizza in it without controlling yourself...then you have a bigger problem than PF offering pizza once a month. Don't blame the gym on "keeping people fat".

    *Keep in mind that the Black card membership does have a contract.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    What part of the world are you all living in where you can't do squats, dead lifts, heavy lifting etc. at Planet Fitness? My husband and I go there. We do squats and dead lifts. I lift very heavy -250# my personal best on squats -- and I never got told to leave. I have never been "forced" to use the weight machines. Yes the free weights only go up to 60#'s but chances are good I won't need more. Also there are some very fit, muscle guys at my gym, some are more than likely juicers. They seem to like it and they don't get kicked out either. They have the Lunk Alarm which they don't like to use but will when someone is being obnoxious like this one guy who sounds like he's having an orgasm while he's squatting his 50 lbs.

    As far as the equipment goes since they are independently owned franchises it depends on the gym and what they have. I know that some of the gyms in other towns have barbells and squat racks but mine doesn't.

    It's an affordable gym, I get to go as a guest for free and it suits my needs. My husband went to a meat head gym and didn't use half the equipment there. This works better for us.

    To each their own. I say if you want an affordable gym then go there. It's perfectly fine.
  • epcorne
    epcorne Posts: 59 Member
    I <3 PF!

    My boyfriend and I go almost every morning to either lift weights or do cardio. It is not crowded in the mornings and no one tells us we CAN'T do anything.

    As far as the bagels and pizza go, I don't think it is a problem. You are supposed to "cheat" now and again. Spike days boost metabolism and satisfy cravings. Turn it down if you don't want it, but don't be rude about it!
  • Easywider
    Easywider Posts: 434 Member
    It used to be an outstanding value (the one around me that is) until they watered the fundamentals of a gym down and replaced it with some sort of...passive, restrictive, 'judgement free' rubbish.

    They stripped all the free weights and hammer strength machines for more cable driven equipment. Then that air raid siren of an alarm? Really?
  • Darrell916
    Darrell916 Posts: 110 Member
    The Planet Fitness near me I am not a fan of. Like everyone said there are no trainers and no classes. Me and my wife signed up when they opened here and got the black membership so we can both take a guest but what they didn't tell us at the beginning is that there was no child care and not a big fan of a gym that serves pizza on certain nights.
  • morninglilli
    morninglilli Posts: 194
    I really like PF. I have been working out at my local PF for a few months now, and feel very welcome, and have never felt judged, or disapproved of for lifting weights. If anything every once in a while I will have a trainer encourage me! :)
    If you are doing some serious weight training I can see why it wouldnt be the place for you, but I am beginning New rules of lifting for women, and I can do all of the training layout at the PF here.
    I like that there arent a lot of frills to preoccupy me. I get in, get it done, and get out!
  • mcw1976
    mcw1976 Posts: 47 Member
    I have been a member of Planet Fitness (Chicago Area) for about 6 months now. For what I need it is a great gym. I have lost almost 60 pounds so far between the weight training and cardio. To change things up, I alternate between regular weight training and the 30 minute workout. The staff is friendly and helpful. As far as the pizza and bagels go, I think it's OK.

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