Why does Planet Fitness get a bad rap?

People are always going to say there gym is better do this or do that, Personally I go to PF and i'm fine with it they do have a lack of weights for lifting but once im ready for that stage in my journey ill see what exercise are compatible with what they have. I like it i see people work out there in the same outfit as previous gyms i went to and i still haven't seen this lunk alarm go off yet

I've been working out there since last October. I've yet to hear the lunk alarm go off either.

It's because "lunks" aren't allowed. Guaranteed if I worked out there, you'd hear it because I'd hit some heavy deadlifts that would cause a grunt here and there.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I only pay $19 a month for a gym with free weights. I went to a Planet Fitness to walk around and give it a chance but when the people tried to explain to me that a smith machine and free weights are the same I left.

As mentioned, if it's a "judgement free zone" then it should be judgement free from ANYONE. That's simply not the case. If they are going to say "no lunks, gym bunnies, etc." then just come out and say that they are a gym for the health improvement. Calling themselves Planet Fitness and dissuading some really fit individuals to attend is hypocritical.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I had no idea they single out fit people. That seems counterproductive. I know I have gotten excellent advice as a beginner from people that spend a great deal of time at the gym. I always wondered why people that are really into the gym make fun of PF. Now I know!

People are always going to say there gym is better do this or do that, Personally I go to PF and i'm fine with it they do have a lack of weights for lifting but once im ready for that stage in my journey ill see what exercise are compatible with what they have. I like it i see people work out there in the same outfit as previous gyms i went to and i still haven't seen this lunk alarm go off yet

I agree, it doesn't have anything under the sun but it does have a variety of machines to get your started and keep you going. I see people wear shorts and tank tops and nothing has ever been said to them. Haven't seen anyone walking around with their shirt off or with just a sports bra.. that might get you kicked out.

They didn't "get" a bad rep. They earned one

Intentionally. And they embrace it. Every time a fit person posts something negative about PF, it supports their approach. They want the legions of unfit people who are afraid of being around fit people.

So, even when solicited, we're not allowed to share our rationales for not choosing to spend our money at PF and instead spending it on other facilities?

I was referring more to the general backlash against PF on forums like this one from people who don't go to PF (and never have), but they damn sure love to talk about it and create snarky gifs mocking the people that do go to PF (like the one shown in the OP). There's typically a PF thread every week where people love to chime in about "but you can't deadlift there!" and on and on, when the reality is most people that workout don't want to deadlift and no one's forcing you to pay the $10 to join PF. With most of these threads it goes well beyond sharing a reasoned opinion when solicited and it's really more of a PF complainer bandwagon. Just my take on it though.

It's because "lunks" aren't allowed. Guaranteed if I worked out there, you'd hear it because I'd hit some heavy deadlifts that would cause a grunt here and there.

Actually they'd get you before you even started, since I don't believe deadlifts are allowed there.

I see your point, and I regularly participate in those threads. Because I think it's reasonable to call them on their "no judgement" hypocrisy. You're allowed to be bothered by that, but that feeling is yours to deal with, not mine. :drinker: (I'm affirming that to myself, not being testy)

I have no problem with PF. I've been going for about a year. I work out from 4 AM - 5 AM when it's really quiet. They have plenty of cardio machines and enough weights to make me happy. The early morning trainer is awesome and the group of 7-10 people who are there at that hour are great.

Never heard a judgmental word or a lunk alarm.

My friend goes there and yesterday she sent me a picture of a very overweight girl on one of the machines, sitting on her phone, doing nothing while my friend waited to use it. Planet Fitness is not somewhere you go if you are serious about fitness IMO. I mean a lunk alarm? Give me a break. I agree that people should try to not make grunts and slam weights or whatever, but sometimes it just happens. And feeding people bagels and pizza is just a brilliant marketing scheme to keep people coming back. Those are two of the foods you should avoid if you are trying really hard to lose weight. How genius of them to feed them to the overweight people that go there, which sabotages them and keeps them coming back as they struggle to lose weight.

The Planet Fitness in my area doesn't have dumbbells above 65 lbs. Personally, that allows me to do some things, but not all. They also don't have free weights (beyond the dumbbells) and I prefer free weights. They have smith machines, but I don't include them as free weights.

I'm also not happy with their past ad campaigns. To me it says "we don't judge" but the ads are pretty judgemental. Bodybuilders are people too, so a gym should cater to them as well.

As for their "no judgement" schick.... Hey, every gym I've been to is also incorporating the same thing. In fact, back in the 80's I was a manager of a university weight room and I incorporated it too. I took "nerds" under my wing and helped them and even took some revenge for them against folks that intiminated them. I was a pretty good powerlifter and when someone made fun of other members, I lifted with them and embarrased them... Nope, I don't condone what I did. But in the mind of a 22 year old, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

One incident about Planet Fitness also sticks out in my mind. I was a personal trainer for Bally's at the time and stopped at a store after work with my Bally's gear on. A former member of PF asked me about Bally's and complained that PF didn't have scales because it was deemed "judgemental". He didn't like the fact that he didn't have something to measure whether his time at the gym was useful.

Overall, the Planet Fitness "no judgement" thing is overblown on their point. They are judgemental! When you go to extremes to be non judgemental and shun those who are (when chances are they are not looking to do it) you are going to offend people. That's what PF has done.

BUT!!!!

Planet Fitness has done something that other clubs just don't get. They provide facilities that are priced so reasonably that no one has the excuse of "I can't afford it" not to join. Let's face it.... If you wait a month or two, they'll have a membership drive that locks in $10 a month. At worst it's $20 a month. So yea.... I may not prefer the equipment there, but I can get my workout done...Other clubs in my area cost $50 or more a month.

Its pure business.. They have found a niche, and apparently a big one based on their success... If it upsets a few LUNKS then great! More publicity for PF! I find it hilarious. I go to LA Fitness in Tampa, and it is full of meat-heads who take themselves way too seriously... I really find it amusing to hear them screaming and yelling as they lift weights and throw their weights around. However it's not that big of a deal to me because as I mentioned it makes me laugh.

If your a LUNK and upset by this go start your own gym. Oh, that's right they already did! It's called Gold's or World Gym. Now pick the one that caters to you and go workout!