What is you opinion of Planet Fitness?

LisaUlrey
LisaUlrey Posts: 136 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I belong to Planet Fitness and I am considering starting with free weights. I hear they do not allow deadlifts. Is this true? Can I still get a good solid workout without deadlifts?

Replies

  • spfldpam
    spfldpam Posts: 738 Member
    I was a member for 6 month at Planet Fitnesss, Jan-June 2013 and it worked for me those first 6 months of ever going to a gym at $10 a month and no contract. I was getting bored though and joined another gym that had a pool and lots of classes and more experience/indepth trainers. Yes I pay $43 a month but feel like it's worth it.
  • BrunetteRunner87
    BrunetteRunner87 Posts: 591 Member
    I heard a lot of bad things about it, but I figured I'd go check it out because I also heard each location was different. The location near me did not have any free olympic bars, just Smith machines where the bars were attached. That's a basic part of weight lifting to me, so based on that factor alone I didn't sign up. Otherwise, the free weights and machines seemed to go up to the same weights that other gyms go up to.

    Edited to say you probably could get a solid workout without deadlifts, but they are my favorite.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    I have friends who go there and like it, and friends who hate it. I've never been so I have no opinion... I don't see how they can tell you not to deadlift, though.
  • mfclingan
    mfclingan Posts: 158 Member
    If you are going mostly for cardio, then it's a great place. The cardio machines at the PF I went to were always well kept and there were enough that I never had problem with getting on the equipment. It's totally no frills.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    I went to one for about a year. They had member appreciation days, where they brought in total crap food. I thought they were ridiculous and stopped going.

    I'm sure not all of them are like that though.
  • MzManiak
    MzManiak Posts: 1,361 Member
    I wouldn't join Planet Fitness... it really strikes me as a gym for people that don't want to actually work out. I'm not sure I'd be able to trust whatever advice the personal trainers would be able to give me, the equipment isn't the right kind for weight lifting, and they frown upon any exercise that might result in noise... including grunts and plates on the floor... And some say they sound an alarm to recognize what they deem "meat-head" behavior when a member is actually exerting themselves. :noway: Do what??

    I haven't see any of this first hand, I've never been a member... only what people on my FL tell me. Based on that... no thanks.
  • cynthiadmail
    cynthiadmail Posts: 90 Member
    I have a membership since March of this year . I like it, only wish they had a pool and it would be perfect.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    I was a member of Planet Fitness for awhile, using their machines and whatnot. It was cheap, clean and conveniently close. I would walk to and from the gym as a warm up/cool down. I don't think it's a "bad" gym if that's what you want to do or if you like cardio. When I switched to the Strong Lifts 5x5 program I had to also switch gyms as my area's PF did not have free weights or a squat rack other than Smith Machines (those are an argument for another thread).

    Pick the program you want to do, see what equipment is needed to do it properly and then see if Planet Fitness is a fit.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    Never been.so no opinion.

    Would you use the gym and get your ten dollars worth? If yes then it is worth it.

    We have about 5 gyms in my area and I go to the most expensive one. I would love to change gyms and save half of what I am paying now, but I would not use them. Mine is more convenient for me location wise and while super small, is always empty.


    So basically, if you will use it go. If there is another gym in your area you are more enclined to frequent, use that one instead.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    I have friends who go there and like it, and friends who hate it. I've never been so I have no opinion... I don't see how they can tell you not to deadlift, though.

    They don't have to "tell you not to" as they don't offer the equipment to do it with in the first place. At least the one I went to didn't.
  • BrunetteRunner87
    BrunetteRunner87 Posts: 591 Member
    I have friends who go there and like it, and friends who hate it. I've never been so I have no opinion... I don't see how they can tell you not to deadlift, though.

    They don't have to "tell you not to" as they don't offer the equipment to do it with in the first place. At least the one I went to didn't.


    Same here
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I have friends who go there and like it, and friends who hate it. I've never been so I have no opinion... I don't see how they can tell you not to deadlift, though.

    They don't have to "tell you not to" as they don't offer the equipment to do it with in the first place. At least the one I went to didn't.


    Same here

    Yep. No barbells at the two locations nearest me. I quit PF when I became more interested in lifting, and bought weights for home instead.
  • scookiemonster
    scookiemonster Posts: 175 Member
    Google "lunk alarm." You'll find some pretty ridiculous results.

    Planet Fitness has based their marketing strategy on soliciting people who find regular gym-goers "intimidating." They blatantly and actively discourage members who might be more intense (and therefore noisy) in their workouts, and make a point of not stocking equipment necessary for heavier lifting. They seem to be just fine for cardio and light weights, but they are definitely not cultivating an environment of more serious lifters and "gym rats."

    Their policies are limiting at best, stereotyping and somewhat discriminatory at worst. As a private business, they obviously have every right to discourage or encourage any type of client that they choose, and they have every right to kick people out for grunting during their workouts and set off obnoxious alarms, if that's their thing, but it's not a place I would choose to spend my money, especially if my interest was in weight lifting. Sure, I'd feel less intimidated at first without all those grunting meatheads around me (I guess), but what if I breathe too loudly or drop a weight? Besides, some of the best tips and learning experiences come from chatting with and watching the old pros while they do their routines, and it doesn't seem that many of those old pros are particularly welcome at Planet Fitness.

    That being said, it also seems that Planet Fitness runs on a franchise model, so each location is separately owned and operated, and the adherence to some of these more extreme policies may vary from location to location, along with the type of equipment and service each one provides. It may be a matter of having to do a trial run and see if it works for you.
  • RBurnham90
    RBurnham90 Posts: 202 Member
    Being the strongest guy at Planet Fitness is like being the leanest kid at fat camp
  • stephenszymanski
    stephenszymanski Posts: 114 Member
    Lunk alarm
    No medicine balls
    No barbells
    dumbbels up to 65, only 2 sets of each weight
    no grunting
    everything is a machine

    the only positives.. 24 hours and lots of cardio machines for winter.

    requires a checking account to open. since ive been a member before that ridiculous policy, they don't have mine, but they bug me for it. they won't ever get it.

    Im canceling my membership when I go back to university.
  • alandanziger
    alandanziger Posts: 5 Member
    Best $80 (so far) I've ever spent. I pay $10/month and I'm there upwards of 10 hours per week, between cardio (Elliptical/Arc/Treadmill) and their weight machines.

    I've heard some clanging and grunting, but the point is that it's discouraged; if you want to lift to be noticed, go somewhere else. If you want to work out and get fit, there's plenty of equipment. Mine also has barbells distinct from the ones built into the machines.

    Mine does the once-a-month pizza night & bagel day; I skip those. Mine is also open 24x7, which is pretty awesome - I've gone at 11pm a few times after a trip or a night with friends. I thought they were all open 24x7, but apparently not... Some of the others near me are open 5am-10pm, or have reduced weekend hours, etc.

    I'd never joined a gym before in my life, and wasn't sure whether or not I'd want to stick with it. So for me, it was a no brainer... $10/month with no contract; if I decided it wasn't for me, I was out LESS than a nice dinner. And while I still wouldn't say I _like_ going to the gym, I don't _dislike_ it and I go almost every day, so it's not bad.

    I would love a gym that has a pool, classes, and better trainers. But with my schedule it's debatable how much classes & trainers would work for me, and I still like the fact that it's cheap... If I'm still going next year, I might consider switching. But I can STRONGLY recommend Planet Fitness for someone just starting out who isn't sure if they want to 'invest' in a more expensive gym. It's definitely enough to get you started...
  • goalss4nika
    goalss4nika Posts: 529 Member
    I was a member of Planet Fitness for 3 years. I got bored and dropped them for Gold's Gym this June. I was scared that if I got bored with my workout that I would quit. So, I joined Gold's Gym with a daycare and classes!! I love the classes. But my experience with Planet Fitness has always been positive. It's cheap and I always got a great workout. I think it is all in what you make it.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I wouldn't join Planet Fitness... it really strikes me as a gym for people that don't want to actually work out. I'm not sure I'd be able to trust whatever advice the personal trainers would be able to give me, the equipment isn't the right kind for weight lifting, and they frown upon any exercise that might result in noise... including grunts and plates on the floor... And some say they sound an alarm to recognize what they deem "meat-head" behavior when a member is actually exerting themselves. :noway: Do what??

    I haven't see any of this first hand, I've never been a member... only what people on my FL tell me. Based on that... no thanks.

    this

    planet fatness is nor for me.

    rows upon rows of cardio cardio cardio- free weights are sad looking and no squat racks (least not by me)

    no thanks. not worth the 10$ a month.
  • _KrisMarie_
    _KrisMarie_ Posts: 146
    I was a member there for a while. Lots of cardio equipment, but pretty limited on the weights. I canceled my membership after a month or so; just didn't much care for the vibe of the place.

    I like the climbing gym much better. :smile:

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