Is Planet Fitness worth it?

Rhynae
Rhynae Posts: 19 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on PF and whether or not it's worth it to join!

Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    It depends on what you want. As a general rule, they do not allow deadlifting and any form of grunting while get you declared a lunkhead, especially if you drop the weights. From what I understand, they have tons of cardio machines and some weight machines, but very limited free weights. Many people will come on here and defend PF and say that there PF allows deadlifting and heavy lifting, etc., but the company police disallows it, so you'd have to ask. I also find it odd that they offer pizza, bagels and cupcake with some regularity. but, if you can avoid temptation and all you care about is cardio, it might be a good fit for you. It's only $10/month, right?
  • redwngs13
    redwngs13 Posts: 194 Member
    I'm a member at PF. I think it really depends what your overall fitness goals are to whether or not this gym would suit your needs. I would say it isn't the greatest gym for hardcore bodybuilders, but it's pretty good for the beginner/intermediate lifter. For lifting, they have a big variety of isolation machines, along with dumbbells ranging from 5-65 lbs, some straight and "ez" curl bars from 20-60 lbs, smith presses, and some pulley machines with a variety of different handles you can attach. No squat or power racks. For the cardio junkie, there are tons of treadmills, ellipticals, and arc trainers galore!

    To me, it's totally been worth it. I'm a complete noob to lifting so the weight training equipment they provide has been more than enough for me to get into a good lifting routine. Overall, what more could you want from a gym that charges $10 per month??
  • risak
    risak Posts: 79 Member
    For $10 a month you get lots of cardio machines, cable weights, some free weights, and a locker room.

    There are no classes, no pool, no sauna, no towels. It's fantastic if you would be happy with those options.

    For where I live you can not beat $10 for a gym that offers what I want to use.

    It's definitely for your beginner to intermediate level gym rat.

    They do have Physical Trainers, but I'm not sure about their level of expertise....

    I just go to do my c25k and some weights
  • LB2812
    LB2812 Posts: 158 Member
    I haven't been there in a long while, but back when I was going to PF I loved it. Agree depends on what you are looking for, as a beginner/intermediate person, who didn't want to be surrounded by big, grunting, body building guys... I liked it. I felt very comfortable here. Like everyone was like me, just trying to get in shape and exercise... not judge others. I went to gold's gym for a while before PF and while it was a much bigger gym with more equipment, I felt more intimidated there and not as comfortable. I'd def go back to PF.
  • atrebor18
    atrebor18 Posts: 235 Member
    I now regret joining PF but thats because I recently converted to being a heavy lifting enthusiast. If your looking for a place to do cardio and free weights than its a good cheap place for that, they don't have oly bars or anything to do real squats and things with. Each one is a franchise so how strictly they follow the no lunk head rules differ. I've never heard the alarm at mine and the other location I've been to the men compete to see who can get it go off the most, haha. I'd visit it and take a look around and ask questions before deciding. The free food thing is stupid, btw. Its only like 2 days a month and the pizza mine gets is the five dollar kind which are gross, I rather go get a real pizza then eat that. haha
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    No. Any gym that makes fun of people for working hard for their bodies and bashes those who've earned what they get with the false assumption that they are a "judgement free zone" is disgusting.

    PF can go you-know-what it in my opinion.


    Oh, addtionally they DO NOT have a squat rack, bench press, etc. they only have smith machines and LIGHT barbells. If you start lifting heavy they'll sound an alarm on you and ask you to leave because it makes their fat/outofshape-unhappywiththemselvessoeveryoneelseshouldbeunhappytoo-members uncomfortable.
  • Rhynae
    Rhynae Posts: 19 Member
    I'm more or less just looking into cardio right now, so I won't be using much of the weights, if at all. I was just a little curious about how they run things there and whether or not their whole "no commitment" thing was real or just a scam. I think I'm going to check out one of their gym's and see first hand what it's like. Thanks for the answers!
  • Kiska77
    Kiska77 Posts: 24
    Definitely check it out. As people have said, it depends what you are looking for, but it sounds like you are looking for cardio which they have plenty of plus tv's with headphone ability if watching tv while you do your cardio will help motivate you.
    If you have a friend or two who might be willing to go with you, one of you could get the $20/month membership that allows you to bring a friend daily. Doesn't have to be the same friend.
  • aimforhealthy
    aimforhealthy Posts: 449 Member
    I live in New England where we regularly have miserable freezing weather 8-10 months out of the year. For me, it's worth it to have an indoor place where I can hop on a treadmill a few days a week no matter what the weather's like.
  • CharityGC
    CharityGC Posts: 499 Member
    For $10 a month, I think it would be worth it to try it. As long as they aren't one of those companies that you have to go through all kinds of hoops to cancel your membership.
  • Josalinn
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
    I was a member of PF but i didn't go very often. I decided I needed a little more structure, and wanted a gym with classes and a pool. I joined LA fitness at a discount of $30/month instead of $40.

    I treat my gym classes like i treat my school classes and go more regularly. I love Zumba! However if you don't need the structure of a class, then PF is great. Also at LAF you run the risk of personal trainers trying to bully you into working with them.

    At my PF, the showers and locker rooms were really clean and they had changing stalls. This is a great gym if you have to work weird hours since they are 24/7.
  • thecakelocker
    thecakelocker Posts: 407 Member
    Just gotta say. The big grunting meatheads or whatever that deadlift and use the squat rack have always been the friendliest and least judgemental people at the gyms I have been to. I say this as a short fat pregnant woman, I'm sure I take the prize for "looks the most out of place in the weight room".
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    I'm considering joining one. It's cheap (I tend to waste gym memberships), you can't beat the hours (almost 24/7) and the one I'm thinking of is quite clean. It would be fine for my needs, as I want access primarily for the cardio and cable machines. I assume they have an assisted pull-up and chin-up machine and a Captain's Chair. I don't lift heavy.

    But it is no frills.
  • ellen_kay
    ellen_kay Posts: 304 Member
    I was out of town last week and my gym (which has everything you could want) is part owner in the PF franchises in the area I was at. So I went and had a really good experience. I agree with everyone else, it depends on what you are looking for. I do the circuit and cardio and it was just great for me. If you are looking for heavy lifting , Yes, I would go someplace else. Contrary to some of the other post, the staff at the one I went to was amazing. The only draw back, was I did see one of the personal trainers with a group and he looked very disinterested in them. Go with what you feel is best for you.
  • Tabby1216
    Tabby1216 Posts: 56 Member
    I like it. They have fitness classes, personal trainers, great hours, many cardio machines (bikes, elliptical, arc trainer, treadmill), and a decent number of weight machines. With the black card ($20/mth membership), I am able to bring a friend with me any time and can also visit other locations up to 5 times a month. I can also get unlimited tanning and usage of the massage chairs. I don't really care about the tanning, but I do like sitting in a massage chair if I am a bit achy.

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