planet fitness users

TGSgirl2017 · October 2013

any one else go to planet fitness? what is your program there? add me if you want

BunniTrulove · October 2013

I go to Planet Fitness, but I'm pretty much completely lost there. I signed up for one of their 'personal training' sessions where they help you 'create a routine'. But the "trainer" said since I am 5'2 and 195lbs I shouldn't concentrate on any resistance training because I should try to lose fat first. He instructed me to just do the treadmill for an hour 6 days a week and then in a month or two think about adding resistance training. That seemed a little strange to me since a cursory google search said that resistance training is good for fat loss. In any case, I've been hanging out on the cardio side for the last two weeks, but I think I'm going to try and come up with some kind of weight lifting routine on my own. I didn't find the "trainer" all that helpful. But I guess for the price, it can't be beat!

Rage_Phish · October 2013

im not a professional, but hat sounds like terrible advice

BunniTrulove · October 2013

im not a professional, but hat sounds like terrible advice

That was my thought too, but he looked so official in that purple shirt! :laugh:

JoRocka · October 2013

I go to Planet Fitness, but I'm pretty much completely lost there. I signed up for one of their 'personal training' sessions where they help you 'create a routine'. But the "trainer" said since I am 5'2 and 195lbs I shouldn't concentrate on any resistance training because I should try to lose fat first. He instructed me to just do the treadmill for an hour 6 days a week and then in a month or two think about adding resistance training. That seemed a little strange to me since a cursory google search said that resistance training is good for fat loss. In any case, I've been hanging out on the cardio side for the last two weeks, but I think I'm going to try and come up with some kind of weight lifting routine on my own. I didn't find the "trainer" all that helpful. But I guess for the price, it can't be beat!

That's terrible advice.

But it's planet fatness- they aren't interested in building atheletes or helping people change their lives- they are interested in keeping their 10$ a month clients.

And it's a BRILLIANT marketing scheme. Seriously it is.

But you are not going to get any sort of quality advice from that type of facility. I would only be a member of Planet Fitness to help suppliment my regular workouts- meaning- when I am up all night doing a project and I really need a break- pop over for a quick lift/run and come home.

I'd never in any universe consider it my 'base' gym.

Anyway- they have free weights up to about 70 lbs which get's the job done especially as a beginner.

Do some googling on squats, over head press, dead lift and bench pressing.

All of these can be done to some extent with DB's- you'll be limited because at some point it's just really fricking hard to move 140 lbs individually- Like- I can bench something 170... I am quiet positive that I couldn't put up 140 in the form of 2 seventy lb dumbbells.

So- yes it will work- but you are going to have to fight for it to an extent.

But check out compound lifting- it'll help you get a routine together that you can do there. machines are okay- but free weights are more better most of the time for most people in most applications. it's just more bang for your buck.

SJCon · October 2013

But the "trainer" said since I am 5'2 and 195lbs I shouldn't concentrate on any resistance training because I should try to lose fat first. He instructed me to just do the treadmill for an hour 6 days a week and then in a month or two think about adding resistance training. That seemed a little strange to me since a cursory google search said that resistance training is good for fat loss

Go for it, I belong to a PF because I don't go in for "Group" Session like my wife does, she belongs to a more full service club and loves group cycling etc. While in my opinion he is not really wrong I think he could have advised you better. If you want to lose weight as a primary goal then cardio is the way to go and it should be low level cardio, like the treadmill but resistance can help you tone as you lose weight you just wont build muscle while at a deficit. It will help you keep your current lean mass though.. I would do resistance one to two times a week and treadmill or elliptical the other days. Work in the lower heart rate zones. "Digifit" at www.digifit.com explains zones as does Polar and the Digifit and Polar Beat Apss are almost identical but Digifit syncs to MFP I think.
Caution when you start resistance your sore muscles will hold water to don't freak out and ensure you drink lots to flush toxins. The way PF is set up you can do a full round of all machines to get all your muscles or just do uppers and than next day lowers.

BunniTrulove · October 2013

Thanks for the advice JoRocka and SJCon!

Sorry I hijacked your thread Cmorden!

awise19 · October 2013

Sounds like he just didn't want to do his job. I have never really heard the greatest things about PF... So I guess that adds to it.

No_Finish_Line · October 2013

for awhile, PF was my only excersize. I did a double split, in at lunch for 12 sets, after work for 12 sets and 30 min of cardio 3 times a week.

In the begining, my only complaint was that there was no squat rack (a big deal for a gym lol, although i've heard some do have them) and the DBs only go up to 75 lbs. then they took out the only incline barbel bench and the other flat bench. now there is one and only one barbel flat bench, and one and only one olymipc bar. yay!

Suprisingly i get that one bench pretty often, but i'm flexible as to what order i put it in my work out.

i get my real workout in at home now with beach body dvds. i was born and raised a fatty lol. i don't care what anyone says, MY body needs some muslce friendly cardio to stay in good shape, heavy lifting alone isn't going to cut it for me. Every now and then i cut it out and just do weights tho.

The 'trainners' are usually kids in or just out of highschool, that may or may not THINK they know what they are doing, but they dont' have the slightest credentials. this can be different depending one which one you go to tho. the first one i went to they had a real trainner. She had several post grad degrees in nutrition and exercise physiology outside of the permenant office she had. Then they redesigned the place, got rid of half the free weights and replaced them with cardio machines, got rid of her office and replaced her with a fat highschool kid.

oh, and they don't really want you to attend the gym, serriously. thats the only way that the 10 a month model works, like 50% or more of your clientel pays but never goes.

Shawshankcan · October 2013

Anyway- they have free weights up to about 70 lbs which get's the job done especially as a beginner.

Do some googling on squats, over head press, dead lift and bench pressing.

All of these can be done to some extent with DB's- you'll be limited because at some point it's just really fricking hard to move 140 lbs individually- Like- I can bench something 170... I am quiet positive that I couldn't put up 140 in the form of 2 seventy lb dumbbells.

So- yes it will work- but you are going to have to fight for it to an extent.

But check out compound lifting- it'll help you get a routine together that you can do there. machines are okay- but free weights are more better most of the time for most people in most applications. it's just more bang for your buck.

PF has banned deadlifts.

awise19 · October 2013

PF has banned deadlifts.
[/quote]

THEY BANNED DEADLIFTS?!
I would be so lost.

No_Finish_Line · October 2013

PF has banned deadlifts.

i guess this is techincally true at mine as well, there is a sign over the only bench, with the only full size barbell saying that you can't remove the bar from the bench!

you can do them on the smith machine, sorta. thats how i sort of do squats lol

Lofteren · October 2013

I go to Planet Fitness, but I'm pretty much completely lost there. I signed up for one of their 'personal training' sessions where they help you 'create a routine'. But the "trainer" said since I am 5'2 and 195lbs I shouldn't concentrate on any resistance training because I should try to lose fat first. He instructed me to just do the treadmill for an hour 6 days a week and then in a month or two think about adding resistance training. That seemed a little strange to me since a cursory google search said that resistance training is good for fat loss. In any case, I've been hanging out on the cardio side for the last two weeks, but I think I'm going to try and come up with some kind of weight lifting routine on my own. I didn't find the "trainer" all that helpful. But I guess for the price, it can't be beat!

So the trainer had no idea what he was talking about.... sounds about like planet fitness

tawanda6329 · October 2013

I joined planet fitness in September. I didn't realize they didn't have a squat rack until after the fact. They have Smith Machines at my gym. I met with a personal trainer once and had her show me how to use the Smith Machine to do the Strong Lifts 5X5 program. I injured my back/side after one week of using that machine so I stopped.

I searched on youtube for another program that I could do using the free weights. They have free weight bars that go up to 60lbs so that's what I use now. I'm currently on the 40lb bar. I figure by the time I'm ready to move pass 60lbs my membership will be up and I can switch gyms at that time.

You can click on profile to find the workout routine that I do.

Good luck

TGSgirl2017 · October 2013

its ok

thanks for your input, and yeah id add some resistance training

TGSgirl2017 · October 2013

thanks for all your posts

katrn05 · November 2013

I just joined Planet Fitness for the winter. I work midnights and the mornings I have off I am usually up early around 5am so I figured I could get a workout in before taking a nap before work. I've only went one day so far but I just joined this week. The cardio equipment is pretty good. It's the same equipment that Lifetime Fitness has. The weight equipment is pretty medicore gym equipment. I don't use it. I do go to another gym that happens to be a CrossFit gym but they offer martial arts training and kickboxing too. I did CrossFit for a few months but I developed bursitis or tendonitis in my elbow from all the heavy repetition so I stopped going to CrossFit classes. I do go to open WOD though and do the StrongLifts routine. I stick to bench press, push press, squats and deadlifts. Planet Fitness is mediocre at best. I don't buy into that Judgement free zone crap that they advertise. But I needed something to supplement my workouts during winter and logistically they were more convenient.

Tetesandra · November 2013

I joined PF In June and the pt there I thought was great with what advise he gave me. He told me to do 30-40 minutes of cardio 3-4 times a week. Then gave me a workout with weights for a 4 day rotating which was what I asked for verses 3. It works for me and I can get it done in a resonable amount of time as well as a lot I can do at home if I dont have a lot of time to spend at the gym.

just_Jennie1 · November 2013

I go to Planet Fitness and love it. I've been going there for quite a few years now. I don't intend on benching 300 lbs so the fact that the dumbbells "only" go up to 70 is fine with me.

Yes, they have the bagels and coffee on the second Tuesday of the month and pizza the first Monday but guess what? YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT! Nope! You really don't!! It's incredible and amazing how that works!!

Yes, there are people there who are overweight and don't work out hard and just don't care but there are also those who are in great shape (at mine there are). You'll find the same thing at any gym. You'll have the people who go there daily just to say they went and those who workout hard. I am one of the people who goes to PF and works my butt off. I lift heavy, I lift to failure and I'm in pretty da*n good shape.

As for the equipment and what they do and don't allow since they are independently owned it depends on the person who owns the gym. For example I went to one in Providence and they had a squat rack, Olympic bars for benching, and a ton of weight plates. My PF doesn't have any of that. I can also do dead lifts at my gym and have done them while the manager and the owner was walking by. No one said a word to me.

Now to address the OP's question:

I go to the gym every day. I do 30 min. of cardio -- running 4x a week; arc trainer 1x a week -- and lift every day. I focus on one muscle group per day and alternate abs and legs.

While I've never used any of the PT's there, the PF I go to does require the personal trainers to be certified. The gal who just quit studied kinesiology as well as anatomy and physiology as well as her PT "certificate". She quit because she was studying to be a nurse. Right now I don't think they have any PT's there, just this one guy who does the 'gym class'.

kramalicious · November 2013

Anyway- they have free weights up to about 70 lbs which get's the job done especially as a beginner.

Do some googling on squats, over head press, dead lift and bench pressing.

All of these can be done to some extent with DB's- you'll be limited because at some point it's just really fricking hard to move 140 lbs individually- Like- I can bench something 170... I am quiet positive that I couldn't put up 140 in the form of 2 seventy lb dumbbells.

So- yes it will work- but you are going to have to fight for it to an extent.

But check out compound lifting- it'll help you get a routine together that you can do there. machines are okay- but free weights are more better most of the time for most people in most applications. it's just more bang for your buck.

PF has banned deadlifts.

WTF on the deadlifts? I guess they don't want anyone to get hurt (or "fit" LOL). No reason a gym with real personal trainers would not let anyone deadlift. Heck,, it's YOUR routine and it 's a legitimate exercise (even a good one.)
These tales of Planet Fitness make me glad I joined my local Y. But even then it took me a while to find a trainer who I was in sync with . JMO I am not a fitness expert, just an exerciser, but it sounds like you aren't going to get quality instruction there from the guy you worked with-- check out every trainer there and see if there are any that seem more "clued in". Find out the most popular trainer there and figure out why they are most popular and worth your time. If you really want to stay with PF but they have all crappy trainers where you are, it would be worth your $$ to hire a very good independent PT to work with you a few weeks and develop a plan for you, then you can go to PF on your own. Otherwise , read the weight lifting advice here from people who have gotten real results, and also check out Nerd Fitness website.

JoRocka · November 2013

yay nerd fitness

Pinkranger626 · November 2013

But the "trainer" said since I am 5'2 and 195lbs I shouldn't concentrate on any resistance training because I should try to lose fat first. He instructed me to just do the treadmill for an hour 6 days a week and then in a month or two think about adding resistance training. That seemed a little strange to me since a cursory google search said that resistance training is good for fat loss.

As a personal trainer myself, that makes me so sad. It's a total load of crap! There are many studies that have proven that people with more weight to lose actually see more benefits and feel better about their progress when they incorporate strength training into their routines.

The fact that he works at Planet Fitness should speak volumes though..... apparently they're not focusesd on hiring people that know what the f$*% they're talking about.

KeithAngilly · November 2013

any one else go to planet fitness? what is your program there? add me if you want

i have a black card and I find the gym fits my needs.

it is:

affordable, convenient, cheap

it is not good for:

free weight lifters; those in need of personal trainers, classes, etc; and people who are full of themselves

I use it mainly when I can't get outside (often the case in the winter), mostly for the treadmill and the stationary bike. The locations I have used here in CT have generally been clean and the equipment in good working order. PF is very much a cheap no-frills kind of place. If you are need of people to guide you along the way, in terms of setting up a program and keeping you moving along, I would look elsewhere.

Good luck!

hbrittingham · November 2013

LOL @ the PF haters.

You can get out of PF what you want to get out of it. It's a $10 gym. To me, that's a great investment. I go to run one day a week after work, I do my other two days of running outside on the weekends. Two more days I go to PF to do the ARC trainer for 30+ minutes and the I work out with the free weights. I don't have the time or inclination to be a big time weight lifter. If I did, then maybe I would join another gym instead of PF. But for the 5 years I've been going there, I've gotten what I've needed out of it.

KeithAngilly · November 2013

LOL @ the PF haters.

You can get out of PF what you want to get out of it. It's a $10 gym. To me, that's a great investment. I go to run one day a week after work, I do my other two days of running outside on the weekends. Two more days I go to PF to do the ARC trainer for 30+ minutes and the I work out with the free weights. I don't have the time or inclination to be a big time weight lifter. If I did, then maybe I would join another gym instead of PF. But for the 5 years I've been going there, I've gotten what I've needed out of it.

PF thrives because of the attitudes present by some in this thread and every other PF thread that comes up. Personally, I don't miss the so-called "real" fitness and lifting folks at all. I do my thing and go about my business and that seems to be what most of the other people working out there do, as well. It's not perfect, but I am in the same boat. I get what I need from it.

katrn05 · November 2013

I'm not sure but I highly doubt any of the "trainers" at PF are certified. I would be quite hesitant to take any advice from them. The "only cardio burns fat" thing is a total myth. I stick with basic lifts such as squats, deadlifts, overhead press (or push press), and bench press. I think those are the lifts used from StrongLifts. And to add to that, I don't lift at PF. If you don't like the equipment at PF, I would recommend getting a kettlebell for home. I have a 25lb kettlebell that I'll use if I can't make it to the other gym for open WOD.

CipherZero · November 2013

WTF on the deadlifts? I guess they don't want anyone to get hurt (or "fit" LOL).

That was the nogo for me. Yes, it's convenient and $10 a month, but I can't do even a beginner program without being able to at least ATTEMPT big compound lifts. OHP, Deads, squats NOT in a smith machine - these are core exercises in any decent program.

GBPack93 · November 2013

As long as we are on this topic, has anyone had any success gaining mass at planet fitness. I lift there 4 days a week and have found it good for isolation but I can't seem to gain any mass or any considerable base strength. Switching gyms isn't an option right now so I would love some advice.

planet fitness users

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