Planet Fitness?

JustJennie1

I go to and like PF. It is perfect for my needs. I don't see myself benching 200lbs at any point in the near future so right now the amount of freeweights they have works well. I have also done deadlifts there WHILE the owner of the gym was there and didn't get in trouble for it. There are also very fit, big guys who work out at the gym and seem to be ok with the "lack of weights". For the price I'd say it's a decent gym.

And yes, they are independently owned so the rules and equipment at the different facilities will vary greatly. There are some PF"s around where I live that are a lot bigger than the one I go to and therefore they have more equipment: squat racks, free bars etc. and then there are smaller ones that can only have a small amount of equipment. I actually asked for them to add some equipment to the facility that I currently work out in and (it took a while) but they did.

As for limiting the amount of times you visit: Never heard of them -- or any gym -- doing anything like that.

contingencyplan

As I mentioned above, you are going to find that there are two kinds of Planet Fitness: There are people who basically pay money to join the franchise so they can use the name and are more or less PF in name only, and then there are the ones that follow actual corporate policy. If you google Planet Fitness, you will find a large number of complaints that specifically talk about the latter. As the people who posted above me have shown, though, there are a number of PF gyms out there that just pay money to use the name and share nothing in common with other PFs. Check out your local one and see what equipment they have. If you walk in and you don't see the following equipment there:

Squat rack
Bench
Barbells w/ plates

Turn around and never come back.

You will find, however, that one of the most common complaints about the chain stems from people being kicked out for doing deadlifts or squats. There have been numerous youtube videos parodying this, actually. There IS an official policy in place that prohibits these exercises and yes, individual owners often do not enforce it, but be aware that it is there and yours may be one of the unlucky ones run by a guy who adheres to policies by the book.

mbucchieri

It's great for cardio and light weight lifting (I go 5 days a week) . If you are looking for classes, or hardcore weight lifting, then I would go elsewhere.

K_Serz

It's 10 bucks a month, try it out yourself and see if you like it

^This. It's not for me, but you're not doing my workout. For $10 per month it can't be that wrong. Unless there's no free weights and/or squat rack, because then it wouldn't be worth $10. But with no contract, it's only $10 to find out

Ive heard they give away free pizza every week. If you arent eating your $10 worth of pizza a month and then working out for free then everyone is doing it wrong.

agggie550

I use to work out there... its a great cardio gym, lots and lots of cardio equipment, if you are looking to lift weight even on machines, the one I use to use was a little lacking. One of most machines maybe two of the more popular ones, and very very limited free weights. But its a good gym for cardio.

krouse83

My gym membership is with Planet Fitness. Its great for me since I'm just getting started with weightlifting and mainly using it for cardio. I think that if you are a serious lifter then it might not be the gym for you. They also do not have any classes, which I prefer, but some may want to have that option. I may have to change gyms in the future, but its perfect for me at this time. Plus the $10 monthly fee is a huge bonus.

contingencyplan

I use to work out there... its a great cardio gym, lots and lots of cardio equipment, if you are looking to lift weight even on machines, the one I use to use was a little lacking. One of most machines maybe two of the more popular ones, and very very limited free weights. But its a good gym for cardio.

The machines max out at absurdly low weights. Back when I first started as a beginner to strength training (bear in mind I had NEVER done any strength training before) I was able to max out the machines for my working weight, and the leg press machine maxed out at 290. Seriously, a 290 leg press. I started out being able to do more and most women I know surpass that after just a few times going to the gym.

leaellenj

I'm under the impression that PF is geared to be beginner friendly. Since it's so affordable and no contract, I think it's worth finding out. You may love it for awhile and then outgrow it and that's ok. This is all about finding out what you like and continuing to grow. I say give it a try!

contingencyplan

I'm under the impression that PF is geared to be beginner friendly. Since it's so affordable and no contract, I think it's worth finding out. You may love it for awhile and then outgrow it and that's ok. This is all about finding out what you like and continuing to grow. I say give it a try!

There is a contract.

TJ_Rugger

It’s a great gym to get started…. It was the first gym I ever joined.. It’s $10/month and for the most part it has a decent amount of equipment. After about a year I switched to Gold’s. But if you have never joined a gym before it’s a great place to start if you have the drive to work out on your own.. since they don’t have classes, and I don’t recall if they have trainers that you can regularly meet up with.

moxiecowgirl

I have been a member of Planet Fitness for nearly a year now. I think it accomplishes, as a franchise, exactly what its commercials portray: a welcoming, slightly quirky, non-judgmental atmosphere where someone not used to working out can "get their feet wet" with a minimum of intimidation. I have no real complaints about the place. I can get in, get on the equipment, and get out quickly and efficiently, and with the Black Card membership, I can treat myself to a massage and tanning post-workout. Not too shabby for $20 a month.

That said, I think I'm getting close to outgrowing them as a gym. I'm looking for a wider range of available equipment options, some classes, and heavier weights. But I really believe that I wouldn't have developed the healthy habits I have in place now if it weren't for PF and places like it. If you're looking for a good place to start, it's worth a try.

PS: To the person who asked about a limit on how many times you can go, I work out there every day, and have sometimes split that into two sessions to save time, and I've never been told I can't. So I'd say it's probably not true, although your mileage may vary at your location.

Keladelphia

I think it really depends on the particular Planet Fitness you join, My boyfriends is terrible, very tiny, few free weights, always crowded. My Planet Fitness is like a huge warehouse and I never have an issue with it being too crowded even at peak times. For $10.00 a month it certainly serves my purpose, running a few miles a few times a week, arc trainers, lots of medicine balls to help with my ab workouts, high enough weights on the weight machines to get a good chest and back workout in, however I usually use the free weights I have at home. I think it is the perfect gym for a beginner gym goer who has the motivation to look up a workout routine and adhere to it. Do not join if you are looking for fun classes, personalized attention or any of the other stuff that comes along with nicer gyms.

Witchdoctor58

I have been to several PF gyms. They are franchises and vary. There are two w/in a block of each other near my job. One has a great layout with everything I could want, and the other has a crappy weight section with limited weights and benches. I have also been to a few others and for the most part they have been well-stocked and laid out, and not too busy to access your choice of equipment. Music in the background ranges from rock to pop, at varying volumes. You can't escape the TVs, but the volume is off and close-caption is on.

The answer to your question? It depends. For $10/m and no contract for single gym membership, it's certainly worth joining for 1 mo to try it out. I have read that it can be very difficult to cancel, though, so make sure you are aware of that policy before you join.

moxiecowgirl

For $10/m and no contract for single gym membership, it's certainly worth joining for 1 mo to try it out.

I forgot to mention that this is a nice perk of the Black Card, too...the ability to use your membership nationwide. My boyfriend lives in Seattle, so it's nice to be able to work out when I'm there, but as I understand it, you can get reciprocity at a lot of gyms.

JustJennie1

For $10/m and no contract for single gym membership, it's certainly worth joining for 1 mo to try it out.

I forgot to mention that this is a nice perk of the Black Card, too...the ability to use your membership nationwide. My boyfriend lives in Seattle, so it's nice to be able to work out when I'm there, but as I understand it, you can get reciprocity at a lot of gyms.

I like the fact that with the black card you get to take a guest for free (I would be the guest). My husband used to work out at a big gym in town. It had every piece of equipment anyone could want. My sister is the manager there and I would go with him maybe 4 times a month (I had my own gym where I worked that I used) and this was on my work at home days or a day off. Even though my sister worked there I still had to pay the $15 day pass. That's a LOT of money for a pass that I was going to use for a couple of hours and three to four times a month that money adds up quick. Not to mention the fact that my husband was paying $40/month for his membership (and the memberships don't include classes which is an additional chunk of change) and although he was lifting rather heavy at the time he wasn't there all the time and it was just an expense that made no sense. He/we switched to PF several years ago and it works fine for us. Yes sometimes he gets bummed that the dumbbells only go up to 65 lbs however he wasn't nor will he be a power lifter. The gym works well for us. Will there come a point when I "out grow" the equipment? Maybe but so far I haven't.

iecreamheadaches

I'm a PF member and I honestly love the one in my town. I mean I haven't really dived into the world of lifting yet (as I'm juvenille-y afraid of it, something that I'm working on). The staff are nice, its clean, and the other members are all nice, and not bothersome in the least.

BEERRUNNER

It's 10 bucks a month, try it out yourself and see if you like it

^This. It's not for me, but you're not doing my workout. For $10 per month it can't be that wrong. Unless there's no free weights and/or squat rack, because then it wouldn't be worth $10. But with no contract, it's only $10 to find out

Ive heard they give away free pizza every week. If you arent eating your $10 worth of pizza a month and then working out for free then everyone is doing it wrong.

I am yet to hit that Pizza station! I need to get in gear and make an appearance on that Monday!:bigsmile:

RGv2

I think it accomplishes, as a franchise, exactly what its commercials portray: a welcoming, slightly quirky, non-judgmental atmosphere where someone not used to working out can "get their feet wet" with a minimum of intimidation.

Isn't the explanation of a "Lunk" that is posted in all PF's judgmental?

Just say'n.

JoRocka

I personally wouldn't go to Planet Fitness because I think they're premise is exclusionary and judgmental, and I feel like they don't actually want their clientele to improve.

THIS THIS THIS

Planet Fatness will never get my buisness.

Any "so called fitness facility that holds pizza parties for it's members doesn't care about them.
They don't want them to actually get better- they want EVERYONE to be mediocre. It's sad.

I'd never go there- nor would I ever recommend anyone going there. EVER. It's sad- and shameful.

contingencyplan

I personally wouldn't go to Planet Fitness because I think they're premise is exclusionary and judgmental, and I feel like they don't actually want their clientele to improve.

THIS THIS THIS

Planet Fatness will never get my buisness.

Any "so called fitness facility that holds pizza parties for it's members doesn't care about them.
They don't want them to actually get better- they want EVERYONE to be mediocre. It's sad.

I'd never go there- nor would I ever recommend anyone going there. EVER. It's sad- and shameful.

Well well well. Fancy running into you here Jo =P

JoRocka

I was wondering if I knew you from somewhere- bikes and what not.

long time no chat. how's it going... Feeling better about the working out bit?

new bike I see too NICE

contingencyplan

I was wondering if I knew you from somewhere- bikes and what not.

long time no chat. how's it going... Feeling better about the working out bit?

new bike I see too NICE

It's pretty intermittent. I have days I feel like I can do anything and days where I struggle with stairs. I can't keep to any set schedule but I do it when I can.

2006 ZX6R, the one with the 636 engine It acquired some battle scars since that pic was taken and it'll be all black soon.

JoRocka

that's all that matters.

Iv'e been going ham for the last year... but I'm struggling through a plethora of injuries at this point- so I'm really slowing down and wildly aggravated.

Doing something is better than doing nothing though!

JustJennie1

It's 10 bucks a month, try it out yourself and see if you like it

^This. It's not for me, but you're not doing my workout. For $10 per month it can't be that wrong. Unless there's no free weights and/or squat rack, because then it wouldn't be worth $10. But with no contract, it's only $10 to find out

Ive heard they give away free pizza every week. If you arent eating your $10 worth of pizza a month and then working out for free then everyone is doing it wrong.

*rolls eyes*

Yes. And if you don't participate they taunt you and throw it at you as you're trying to work out. If that doesn't work then they grab you, hold you down and force the pizza down your throat. Forget about trying to complain. Apparently it's corporate policy that you MUST eat the pizza that they offer as well as the bagels. Why I've been chased off of the premises many times by pizza throwing employees because I don't participate. I have the burns on my back to prove it. I haven't brought a suit because I'm too ashamed. I was also hospitalized and almost died from the bagel they shoved down my throat.

True story!!

ClevaFeatha

I go to Planet Fitness and I LOVE IT!! I am a very self concious person and dont wanna feel like im being judged or watched and i have been going to this gym for a couple months and have never once found i feel uncomftorable.:happy:

ClevaFeatha

Im shocked by the negativity im hearing about the facility. Im in Oklahoma and have always had nothing but posotive experiences.... I hope if you decide to go you have the same.

ThinLizzie0802

Completely underwhelmed by the one in my town. Everyone who works there is around 22 and more interested in tanning and flirting than training or helping customers. It just was more about meeting people to date than working out.

ClevaFeatha

I heard that they have a limit as to how often you can visit. Is this true?

The only limit ive been givin is being able to only tan once a day.... However why would anyone wanna tan more than that lol.

contingencyplan

Im shocked by the negativity im hearing about the facility. Im in Oklahoma and have always had nothing but posotive experiences.... I hope if you decide to go you have the same.

The bottom line is this: PF is a franchise and each one is individually owned. Corporate policy discourages owners from stocking their gyms with the kind of equipment needed to take anyone beyond a beginner level as bringing in customers who operate at a more intermediate to advanced level would, they feel, not mesh well with their whole "judgment free zone" sales pitch. It is up to individual gym owners whether or not they choose to go the extra mile for their customers, which means technically going against corporate policy. I had the misfortune of belonging to a PF that was 100% compliant with corporate policy. Things you will see at a PF location that complies 100% with corporate policy are:

Lunk alarm going off every 10-15 minutes
No free weights beyond dumbbells. Machines only.
If you use the Smith Machine for deadlifting or squatting, you are warned by the sounding of the lunk alarm. Continued violations may result in being kicked out.
Grunting or dropping weights result in the sounding of the lunk alarm. Doing it again will result in being kicked out.

ryry_

Personally, I would not join because of the lack of free weights. That being said, there is no reason you can't get in great shape using only machines.