Planet Fitness

Anyone have experience w/ Planet Fitness in MI or just in general anywhere?

I've pretty much only been in a gym a few times like 20 yrs ago, so total noob. I don't even work out at home. it's convenient to my job and I can go at lunch.

what's the best plan to get and are there any pitfalls? There's one by my house too, and if my hubs is interested I'll upgrade the plan to the black or whatever it is membership so he can "guest" with me.

Any experiences at all? tips for a noob?

Gina

I was a member almost three years ago here in SC (and it's still there, doing just fine). It was brand-new here at the time, so the down payment was all of $1, and it was $10/month. For $20/month you get unlimited tanning and something about guest passes (not sure if they're unlimited or not). Since I don't want skin cancer, I passed on that.

I found it to be fine - their equipment was always in good working order (broken machines were fixed quickly), and I just had to time it right so that I didn't arrive when all the treadmills were taken. They provided good locker room facilities, and they kept paper towels/cleaner readily available so that people would actually use them to wipe down machines (though some people didn't). They had lots of TVs, and you could plug your headphones into your machine to pick your channel, which was good during prime time - it made time go by quickly.

The only downside is that they don't have any classes. I think you can get personal training sessions, but most of the people who worked there looked super young, so I'm not sure how much experience they could possibly have doing that. (Hey, sometimes people surprise you, though.)

I ended up getting pregnant and just decided to cancel my membership, which was pretty painless. I kept good records, just in case they decided to continue charging me, but I never had a problem. After I had my son, I ended up running and getting into Spinning, which I do at a place that is exclusively Spinning. (It's more expensive than Planet Fitness, but it's what I love to do, and I'm consistent, so it's worth the money.)

Anyway, long story short, with Planet Fitness, it's good and inexpensive, and you'll get out of it whatever you put into it, like most things.

I have been a member of the PF near my house for 2 1/2 years now. I love that it basically costs me fifty cents every time I go! Ours just replaced all the treadmills in the past few months which is great (although these don't have individual fans on them anymore which was a negative). I love the circuit training area. I also use the free trainer. I am going to do a Warrior Dash in February so I decided I needed to get some upper body strength. I meet with him on Monday mornings and although it can be up to 5 people at any session, most times it is just me so i get more attention and help. The place is always clean and the staff is very helpful.

And since i have lost over 50 pounds since February, I look a lot different than the picture that comes up on their computer when I check in. For the past month or so, one girl who works there always sees the image on the screen, looks up at me and tells me how great I look. Then I go about my workout grinning like an idiot!

I use to go to PLanet Fitness but switched to Work Out World. For $20.00 a month you can take all the cardio classes they offer.

That would be worth it for the extra $10! Unfortunately in SC we do not have WOW (I'm from central NJ, where they have them).

I like mine. I wish they had a row machine, but they don't. They do have a little hallway area that leads up to their storage that I use to jump rope in, though, so that's nifty and I'm out of everyone's way.

They also have a Pizza Monday, where they have free pizza every first Monday of the month, which is kind of counter-productive but also kind of quirky and fun (I rarely partake in the eating part, though, but everyone gathers at the tables after a workout and socializes and it's nice).

[It is a nice gym. Wish we had them here.

You do, check again

Yeah this is about 30 min away. Not practical.. but thanks.

Howdy! I'm in Brighton!! *waves South East* lol Even though I have a full gym at home, I am a member at our local PF. Our gym is also hubby's office - so my time can be limited when using it. Plus, PF is on my way home from clients where I can easily bust out a routine and finish my day. (like today)

For the price, you cant beat it. Its always clean, the staff is friendly and they have equipment for the basic peep who wants to get fit. Yeah yeah, there's no squat rack or plated barbells but I've seen people accomplish their fitness goals just fine without using these tools. The only thing *I* dont like is I cannot bring in my TRX to use - "no outdoor equipment" Again, for the price you cant beat it.

I agree with contacting a trainer. They're free and can get you on the right track to achieve your fitness goals

My tip? Avoid Monday evenings!!! Everyone is working off their weekend!! Its ALWAYS packed at ours!! hahah

I like mine. I wish they had a row machine, but they don't. They do have a little hallway area that leads up to their storage that I use to jump rope in, though, so that's nifty and I'm out of everyone's way.

They also have a Pizza Monday, where they have free pizza every first Monday of the month, which is kind of counter-productive but also kind of quirky and fun (I rarely partake in the eating part, though, but everyone gathers at the tables after a workout and socializes and it's nice).

Mine has Pizza Monday, too (as well as a Bagel Tuesday, I think). I normally workout in the mornings on Mondays, so i had never been to one until a few months ago. It was FUNNY! I should preface that I live in S Florida with a lot of senior citizens. Somehow they all showed up when there was a free meal! I don't think any of them worked out that evening, but they definitely had some pizza!

I like mine. I wish they had a row machine, but they don't. They do have a little hallway area that leads up to their storage that I use to jump rope in, though, so that's nifty and I'm out of everyone's way.

They also have a Pizza Monday, where they have free pizza every first Monday of the month, which is kind of counter-productive but also kind of quirky and fun (I rarely partake in the eating part, though, but everyone gathers at the tables after a workout and socializes and it's nice).

Mine has Pizza Monday, too (as well as a Bagel Tuesday, I think). I normally workout in the mornings on Mondays, so i had never been to one until a few months ago. It was FUNNY! I should preface that I live in S Florida with a lot of senior citizens. Somehow they all showed up when there was a free meal! I don't think any of them worked out that evening, but they definitely had some pizza!

At $10 a month that is cheap for pizza 4 times a month.

LOL! Only the first Monday of the month. And I think the bagels are the second Tuesday of the month.

[It is a nice gym. Wish we had them here.

You do, check again

Yeah this is about 30 min away. Not practical.. but thanks.

You sure there isn't one next to the Starbucks? (note I have no idea where you actually live)

Well I am a member too and even though Laura and her husband and I go there sometimes together, I mostly do it by myself. It's 20 minutes from home and work, but there are no gyms by my house and the ones by my work are CRAZY overpriced. Plus my boss works at the one near my office. Can you say AWKWARD?

I don't get there as often as I should but I try to do more every time I am there!

The "Pizza Monday" and "Bagel Tuesday" ... I remember seeing that, and the "cupcake" thing (it's a Facebook thing) and asked the guy there, "Doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Oh well, only one day!

I either go running outside or late late on the pizza monday because the gym is PACKED with people you never see there the other 27-30 days a month. It was super convienient when I had to choose between cooking or going to the gym before I went out. Dinner that night was 2 slices of pizza and I got to the gym before I went out.

That being said, I have been known to grab a couple of slices on my way out to have for lunch on tuesday. Note I didn't say with lunch but rather for lunch. Two slices of cheese or pepper/onion pizza isn't horrifically bad for you. Now if you go in, eat 3 slices of the pepperoni or sausage&ham pizza and then go home and have dinner, well then you probably have other bad habits and won't cancel the gym membership you only take advantage of one monday night a month.

i like my PF. i like going early in the morning before it gets crowded. the price is good. just be aware that once a year they charge $39.99, your PF should let you know in advance what month they are doing it! i have a black card membership, i got it so i could tan at my gym. i've yet to venture to other PF's. but my bestie is opening one in chicago, so i'm hoping to get there next year!

It's a pretty decent gym, imo.

I prefer 24 hour fitness, and may switch in the near future, but that is because I like having the swimming pool, sauna and classes at 24 hour fitness.

Planet does not have group classes such as yoga, zumba etc.

However, they do have personal trainers to help you with learning the weights/coming up with a weightloss plan, etc. My gym is always really clean, and the people there are laid back. Plus, you get free pizza once a month. Who wouldn't want that?

I love my Planet Fitness (in MO). I go early (5am), and it's pretty empty, but at 6pm it's crazy-busy! Their big focus is cardio, and that worked great for me in the beginning, but I am starting to see their flaws now. No scales, no tape measures, and restrictions on weight lifting (no grunting, no deadlifts, only Smith Machines for benching, etc). If you think too much about their big "No Judgment Zone" motto you'll see the hypocrisy, but...it's just a gym. I try not to think about their silly "lunk alarm" too much and just be grateful for the $10/month gym that's close to my house.

And I'm a 5'4" girl with pigtails, so nobody's pulled the lunk alarm on me yet, even when I do grunt.

Oh and I love free food in any form. So you know...that's a win in my book.