Planet Fitness removing squat racks? Aroo?

Is it true they have pizza parties and bagels there? Being new to this (no, I'm not a resolutioner, I started in October and still at it ), I can't even imaging being tempted to eat junk at the place where I go to for healthy living.

Pizza and bagels are not junk! Don't be absurd!

There was a nice brick oven mom and pop pizza shop in my town that PF got pizza from and that's how I found them (Pizza shop)

They of course went out of business because people in my town won't pay extra for quality food when they can get crap/junk pizza from Dominoes.

My PF now gets dominoes, they still have some left at 9:00pm when I feel it's safe to go in on that night. Before then people come out of the woodwork to get free pizza. Generally I don't go into the gym on Pizza monday, not because I fear pizza but because I don't want to be tripping all over everyone who won't be there the rest of the month.

Dominoes is crap pizza for sure.

Did anyone else see this weird account of PF removing squat racks because people found them intimidating? That's just Reddit being garbage, right?
http://elitedaily.com/sports/planet-fitness-cuts-squat-racks-facilities-quest-become-worst-gym/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=planet-fitness-cuts-squat-racks-facilities-quest-become-worst-gym

its not a gym, its Planet Fitness!!!!!

I've been going for four years, there are at least 4 around me and saddly, none have ever had a squat rack.

We used to have two flat benches and one incline bench (with uprights for a barbell, there are plenty of dumbell benches), then they got rid of one of the flat benches and the only incline bench. A gym with one flat bench, wtf?

my PF is moving to a new location. I asked the guy behind the counter if they would get more equipment. He was like 'yea we are getting a ton of new stuff'. I asked if they would add more weight equipment. His response was 'we will have the same range'. a bit cryptic. so i ask 'will you get another flat bench'. he said 'no way man, if anything we are getting rid of that bench too!'

i'm 99% sure they are going to get rid of the three smith machines (i hate these but when there is no squat rack, and, indeed, no bar, you make do with what you can), the one bar and one bench they have left, as well as the leg press sled and ALL of the plates

And the "Lunk Alarm" is by definition being judgmental.

i know! every 15 min it comes over the PA system 'were a judgment free zone, which means we dont tolerate lunks'

you might as well say 'we dont judge you, UNLESS ....'

I have kind of a random work schedule, so I signed up at PF because they're 24 hours. Terrible mistake. With just a few months of consistent lifting I need larger dumbbells than they offer. Unfortunately, their ads that say "no contract" are kind of misleading. If you get the Black Card, you're locked in for a year. So now I'm paying for TWO gyms: one that has the equipment I need, and PF because it's cheaper to just ride out the 1-year commitment at this point than to pay the early termination fee.

There should definitely be a one month trial at PF so this kind of thing doesn't happen. Especially since they cater to a specific target demographic. That sucks to have to pay two memberships.

LOL Honey, what about 3-5 ppl have been desperately trying to tell you is that this should likely be EVERYONE's experience. MOST people who incorporate strenght training for it's obvious benefits will outgrow the weights provided there before the membership expires.

Oh Dear God. What I've been desperately trying to tell 3-5 people is that NOTHING applies to EVERYONE. My experience has been MY experience. I stand by the fact that PF was what I needed when I needed it. And what I have also DESPERATELY been trying to tell 3-5, and now 6 people, is that when the day comes that I become desperate to do deadlifts and I just absolutely HAVE to lift more than 65 pound free weights, I will go somewhere that allows me to do so.

I don't understand why its such a hard concept. If you find something beneficial TO YOU, you use it until its no longer useful TO YOU. Then, you move on to something else that is useful...TO YOU.

>>>>> Planet Fitness removing squat racks?

I wasn't aware they actually had them >____>

That's because most locations don't.

I have a black card here in CT. I I use 4 locations and only one has a squat rack. I am okay with that. Having been a member of many different gyms over the years, I don't miss the meat heads at all. PF fills a specific niche, which is people who just want to get a workout in without all the bs attitudes displayed in this thread. I slap on my yurbuds, get into my own world and get what I need to get done without a bunch of phony gym rats around. I have never heard the "lunk alarm" used and the atmosphere in the gyms I use are always friendly, clean and easy to use. So, all you "real" fitness and bodybuilding types feel free to hang out at golds and I will be happy to work out in my little PF world. It's okay.

so anyone who goes to a non-pf gym is a meathead or fake gym rat???? How unjudemental of you…

nope, I didn't say that..but whining about pf removing squat racks is just silly. If you don't like it, don't go there. And yes, I am being judgmental. I have no problem with that. That's the point of the thread, isn't it? I think PF's free weight arrangements are a joke. But they are not there for the folks who pick things up and put them down. They are very explicit about that. And, it is something that I really appreciate.

It is just a discussion …the point being that "newbies" will never get the benefits of training with squats and deadlifts which are two essential lifts with great benefits for strength and fat loss…i wish I had started squatting and deadlifting years ago ...

I don't disagree in the least...but the point of the thread is to make fun of PF, is it not? It's thirteen or so pages of being judgemental. Trust me, the folks I see on a regular basis at PF are not missing a squat rack. They are folks who would never walk into a "real" gym. Personally, I think they have hit a on an unfilled niche and have an excellent business model. Why people care about whether they have a squat rack or not is beyond me. Don't go there...it's really very simple. It's strictly a beginners place...they have to start somewhere. And, yes, not having a bunch of gym rats around makes for a more welcoming environment. I don't really care if that's judgmental or not.

I think they - myself included - were making fun of the idiocy of having no deadlifting and squat racks because only "meatheads" do that, and then at the same time saying you are an un-judmental gym…slightly ironic...

so, it appears we are both being judgemental. For the record, I completely agree with your point. PF advertises themselves in very judgemental way. That's unfortunate. But, it does get the message across and I appreciate the atmosphere that is created as a result.

I have a black card here in CT. I I use 4 locations and only one has a squat rack. I am okay with that. Having been a member of many different gyms over the years, I don't miss the meat heads at all. PF fills a specific niche, which is people who just want to get a workout in without all the bs attitudes displayed in this thread. I slap on my yurbuds, get into my own world and get what I need to get done without a bunch of phony gym rats around. I have never heard the "lunk alarm" used and the atmosphere in the gyms I use are always friendly, clean and easy to use. So, all you "real" fitness and bodybuilding types feel free to hang out at golds and I will be happy to work out in my little PF world. It's okay.

so anyone who goes to a non-pf gym is a meathead or fake gym rat???? How unjudemental of you…

nope, I didn't say that..but whining about pf removing squat racks is just silly. If you don't like it, don't go there. And yes, I am being judgmental. I have no problem with that. That's the point of the thread, isn't it? I think PF's free weight arrangements are a joke. But they are not there for the folks who pick things up and put them down. They are very explicit about that. And, it is something that I really appreciate.

It is just a discussion …the point being that "newbies" will never get the benefits of training with squats and deadlifts which are two essential lifts with great benefits for strength and fat loss…i wish I had started squatting and deadlifting years ago ...

I don't disagree in the least...but the point of the thread is to make fun of PF, is it not? It's thirteen or so pages of being judgemental. Trust me, the folks I see on a regular basis at PF are not missing a squat rack. They are folks who would never walk into a "real" gym. Personally, I think they have hit a on an unfilled niche and have an excellent business model. Why people care about whether they have a squat rack or not is beyond me. Don't go there...it's really very simple. It's strictly a beginners place...they have to start somewhere. And, yes, not having a bunch of gym rats around makes for a more welcoming environment. I don't really care if that's judgmental or not.

Individuals being judgmental on a forum is slightly different than a business being hypocritically judgmental about it. I, for one, have never said I operate in a "judgment free zone."

Also, yes, everyone has to start somewhere...but the problem that some of us have with this decision is that PF is taking away one of the tools...nay, one of the most important tools...to help individuals graduate from beginner to advanced beginner (and beyond). I can't necessarily blame them from a business perspective as that progression almost certainly necessitates them leaving the "gym" at that point, but from a personal development perspective, it doesn't sit well with me.

Many of my "brothers and sisters in iron" started with a few minutes on a treadmill...or with a tiny stack on a smith machine...but eventually discovered the scary free weight section with its one or more squat racks, and learned that there was more to fitness...more to their personal development...than they had experienced before.

Relax, my opinion on this won't matter one bit, because I'm not PF's target market. Nonetheless, I'll still express my opinion on this matter here in the forums. It's okay if you don't agree with me. I won't judge you for it.

It's not nice being called a lunk and the lunk alarm is just wrong. But even for their targetted demographic their coddling of irrational fears isn't going to do anyone any favours. If someone's afraid to go to a gym because they feel intimidated by people who look fit or make noises when lifting weights, then really that's something they should get over, because there's no reason to feel intimidated by that, and the vast majority of already fit gym users actually like to see beginners getting in the gym and demonstrating that they have the staying power to stick at it and get fit, and in fact many find it inspiring. And the fatter you are when you start, for most people, just makes it all the more inspiring. It's depressing how many new years resolutioners just drop out after less than a month, so anyone who goes in there and shows they have the determination to stick at it no matter how unfit they are at the start, is going to get the respect of the majority of gym users. Planet fitness however does the opposite, it has its lunk alarm and strongly gives out the message that new gym users are in danger from experienced gym users and need to be protected from them. By coddling the fear, you actually make the fear worse, rather than dissipating it...... but I'm sure that's what their business model is based on. By keeping people afraid of going to other gyms, they get a loyal clientele. Maybe I'm being extremely cynical, but it seems like giving people free pizza and removing all the equipment that's likely going to make them develop muscles, they're trying to keep them from ever becoming fit and strong looking enough that they'd be considered a "lunk". And then there's all the people who pay membership and don't go.... even better.... they want people to keep on paying for their membership but never actually get fit enough to get sick of the "lunk" BS and go and join another gym.

again, who cares what they do? it's a free country, don't go there. done. hang out with your brothers and sisters in iron at golds. everyone is happy. )

that's exactly what I will do should I ever live in the USA

as for who cares.... actually I do care about gym noobs being sucked into their BS fear and hatred of regular gym users. I hope Golds and other gyms with a much more healthy attitude are doing what they can to attract noobs who want to overcome those fears and become the kind of fit strong regular gym users that PF teaches people to hate

This isn't about some kind of magnanimous caring about the "noobs", It's just the usual looking down at people who aren't "real" gym users. It's tedious and boring. I don't miss the "lunks" even a little bit and I am grateful to have a convenient place to work out at a decent price. If folks start to become more advanced, they'll move on.

yeah, having experienced the ****ty attitudes of some of the gym rats hanging around the free weight areas, I don't mind being judgemental. It's a two way street. It's not a matter of hate, just a matter of not having to deal with the crap.

again, who cares what they do? it's a free country, don't go there. done. hang out with your brothers and sisters in iron at golds. everyone is happy. )

that's exactly what I will do should I ever live in the USA

as for who cares.... actually I do care about gym noobs being sucked into their BS fear and hatred of regular gym users. I hope Golds and other gyms with a much more healthy attitude are doing what they can to attract noobs who want to overcome those fears and become the kind of fit strong regular gym users that PF teaches people to hate

I see what you are saying, but I think you are overstating the lunk thing. Find one commercial that has someone you feel like you are like. They even name some of the 'lunks' (yeah, I know). So which one are you (and everyone else who feels targeted by that)?

I would apparently be the yoga gal, but if you notice, the looks they give the non-yogi are incredibly condescending. I'd never do that in a yoga class! So they don't mean me. I also don't really talk about toxins I don't know why folks take it all so personally.

http://youtu.be/IXiQ4zGIrUw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQfmpXsLV_4

That is me. I'm not ashamed to say I sit around with other friends and discuss how good/hot we're looking. What of it? Is that a crime? I'm working damn hard after all.

I guess this means PF is against looking good/being proud of looking good/Daring to speak about how good those around you look?

LOL! Those are the ones to be, I think, except for their awful voices Those girls weren't mean at all.

I thought the ad was funny, though. I don't know; I just don't get offended by ads like that. The people are overdone in a humorous way.

again, who cares what they do? it's a free country, don't go there. done. hang out with your brothers and sisters in iron at golds. everyone is happy. )

that's exactly what I will do should I ever live in the USA

as for who cares.... actually I do care about gym noobs being sucked into their BS fear and hatred of regular gym users. I hope Golds and other gyms with a much more healthy attitude are doing what they can to attract noobs who want to overcome those fears and become the kind of fit strong regular gym users that PF teaches people to hate

I see what you are saying, but I think you are overstating the lunk thing. Find one commercial that has someone you feel like you are like. They even name some of the 'lunks' (yeah, I know). So which one are you (and everyone else who feels targeted by that)?

I would apparently be the yoga gal, but if you notice, the looks they give the non-yogi are incredibly condescending. I'd never do that in a yoga class! So they don't mean me. I also don't really talk about toxins I don't know why folks take it all so personally.

http://youtu.be/IXiQ4zGIrUw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQfmpXsLV_4

That is me. I'm not ashamed to say I sit around with other friends and discuss how good/hot we're looking. What of it? Is that a crime? I'm working damn hard after all.

I guess this means PF is against looking good/being proud of looking good/Daring to speak about how good those around you look?