Planet Fitness?

Yes, I think in a very overt way...whereas Gold's and the like aren't exactly welcoming to beginners in a more subtle way. Not in all cases, of course. PF is just trying to create a space where beginners and less intense folks can workout. If someone is a "serious" workout fanatic, it just isn't a great place for them. I really think it just comes down to attitude and ego. People look down on PF, because it doesn't serve their needs and they don't understand why everyone can't be uber-serious lifters. My opinion is they offer a great product to people who would normally be too intimidated to go to a regular gym and they also offer a reasonable product for people who can't afford the more complete gym experience. Nothing wrong with that, imho.

And sorry about the "meat heads" comment...that was unnecessary. I apologize if anyone was offended.

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.

Fair argument. But it's judgmental toward a clientele outside their target market. Just like traditional gyms often use images of a more typical beginner PF customer in their advertising. I'm not saying it's right, but it happens on both sides of the coin.

*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!!

I think they probably mean that there's no judgment against those people who are a bit out of shape, older, don't know what to do and are basically intimidated to even step FOOT into the gym because they're afraid that there are going to be people staring, pointing and laughing at them. I'm guessing their trying to convey the fact that they're a "friendly" gym and that you won't find people who are going to be intimidating.

(Truth be told my husband and I judge the people at our PF all the time)

So it's like basically 99% of all the other facilities.

Apparently, I previously hit all the 1%, "bad example" gyms. Colossal bad luck on my part.

At over 300 lbs, I was certainly never welcomed with open arms at Golds, Bally, 24 Hour Fitness, Aspen Fitness, or even Mademoiselle, who claims to be friendly and female centered. I paid for memberships at one time or another in my life to all of the gyms I mentioned. At two of them, I was actually openly and rather rudely informed by staff that there was "nothing here on (my) level", and that I might be better suited to Curves. At one other privately owned gym, when struggling during a spinning class, I was asked by the instructor "do you need help?" and when I answered affirmatively, was told "then go see a shrink", accompanied by a derisive laugh and a turned back. Ironically, now that I've dropped a large percentage of the excess weight, one of those two major chain gyms has aggressively sales pitched me at more than one street fair where they had a booth. You couldn't pay me enough to set foot back in that place. Stuff like that tends to stick with a person.

I get that there are "good" and "bad" gyms. I just don't understand why so many people are so up in arms over a caricature of stereotypical behavior being called out in advertising. It's a common application in marketing, and happens all. The freaking. Time. What is it hurting you if you're not exhibiting that behavior yourself?

Thinking abut joining a Planet Fitness near me, but I've hear mixed reviews. Anyone have any input on the matter?

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.

Apparently so. I've been a member at two of the gyms you've listed, and other local ones and never observed such behavior.

It's not hurting me at all, I just find it ironic. Judgment Free Zone, but they have a "stupid person" alarm on the wall.

You know what I find ironic? How many times I've seen this argument made, that "if I don't see it, it must not happen". Especially when (dubiously) supported by claims like "we're all too involved with our workouts to notice what other people are doing"...really? So, by that argument, wouldn't the claimant be admitting that they just MIGHT be too preoccupied to notice if such a thing actually did happen? Not saying you do this...pretty sure you don't, because you seem intelligent enough to know better...it just brought up a thought.

It would be nice if gyms like PF didn't have to exist, but the fact of the matter is, not everyone is comfortable with the experiences they have in a traditional gym, and that's why they do what they do. For what it's worth, I don't think the Lunk Alarm at my local PF is even hooked up. I've seen the wires hanging loose behind it.

Stupid Oregon, the nearest Planet Fitness to me is 30 miles in all directions. I would love to go as I have physical limitations (severe) that prevents me from lifting and doing squats. I can do lots of cardio though. I live on a fixed income so this would be great for me. The gyms in my town start off at 100 bucks a month,and are catered to body builders, which sadly I cannot afford and I am not interested at my age to be a body builder. :sad:

the world is free to walk or jog in though

The walking part and low impact cardio (elliptical) I can do daily. Jogging is part of the physical limitation I have. I would like to go to a gym for companionship and hanging around people with common goals. I just don't want to go to a gym where body building is their focus.