Planet Fitness

Actually if anything these threads sway me against the anti-PF rhetoric - its tiresome, and then becomes ridiculous when people start to compare it to genuine matters of discrimination. I understand their business model, and recognise that it likely wouldnt be for me even if I was anywhere near one. I can live with that.

The PF threads are half-full of people who have never intimidated anyone in their lives acting as if the marketing was aimed at attacking them when in reality it wasnt.
So youre saying when you read through product reviews, you like to see lots and lots of comments and jokes from people who have never used said product? Fair enough, but comments from people who have tried it out and then formed an opinion are often more helpful in my experience.

The marketing is ridiculous to me because once I went to a 'real' gym I found the guys PF pretends are super intimidating are often the most willing to share tips, help others, and be all around welcoming to new folks. Maybe that's just the gyms I've been to.

It's like 99% of them, and it's one of the learning experience that PF takes away from people. YOU are just like the LUNKS. You have the same goals. They started where you started. They have real knowledge about what works to provide to you.

I mean, have you read USMCMP's story?

I wasn't commenting on what kind of reviews I'd want to read........ I was arguing against someone who was saying that people shouldn't say negative things about planet fitness in case it puts beginners off when PF is their best option for fitness... my argument is that they're intelligent people and can make up their own minds, and put both positive and negative reviews in context.

As for people taking their marketing personally, i.e. thinking it's about them when you say it's not...... well that's Planet Fitness's problem. How people react to a company's marketing is purely the problem of that company. If people are put off from their product as a result of their marketing campaign, then the company (or its loyal customers) can't turn around and tell people "no, that's not what our marketing was supposed to make you think, you're supposed to take it like...." - instead they need to go and talk to their advertising department about why so many people are getting the wrong impression about them. So if their ads make me feel like I wouldn't be welcome at their not-a-gym then I won't go to it, and if people ask me my opinion I'll give it. If I got the wrong impression about them from their ads then that's not my responsibility, it's their marketing department's responsilibility. They're a company out to make money, not a charitable cause.

You are essentially saying wade through the mud to get the useful information. Im saying there probably doesnt need to be so much mud every single time, but it is what it is at this stage. People enjoy having things like PF to complain about.

I wasn't commenting on what kind of reviews I'd want to read........ I was arguing against someone who was saying that people shouldn't say negative things about planet fitness in case it puts beginners off when PF is their best option for fitness... my argument is that they're intelligent people and can make up their own minds, and put both positive and negative reviews in context.

As for people taking their marketing personally, i.e. thinking it's about them when you say it's not...... well that's Planet Fitness's problem. How people react to a company's marketing is purely the problem of that company. If people are put off from their product as a result of their marketing campaign, then the company (or its loyal customers) can't turn around and tell people "no, that's not what our marketing was supposed to make you think, you're supposed to take it like...." - instead they need to go and talk to their advertising department about why so many people are getting the wrong impression about them. So if their ads make me feel like I wouldn't be welcome at their not-a-gym then I won't go to it, and if people ask me my opinion I'll give it. If I got the wrong impression about them from their ads then that's not my responsibility, it's their marketing department's responsilibility. They're a company out to make money, not a charitable cause.

You are essentially saying wade through the mud to get the useful information. Im saying there probably doesnt need to be so much mud every single time, but it is what it is at this stage. People enjoy having things like PF to complain about.

No, because the negative reviews are useful for a lot of people too. People may not want to go to a gym that gives out pizzas and tootsie rolls if they're just starting to get used to eating a balanced diet.... people may want to go to a gym for heavy lifting.... people may want to go to a gym that isn't going to sound the lunk alarm if they grunt.... etc etc. People might be interested to know that it's hard to get out of their contract once you're in it and the cancellation fees are quite high.... and people who are not bothered by these things will likely decide to go to planet fitness anyway if that's the best option for them.

No, because the negative reviews are useful for a lot of people too. People may not want to go to a gym that gives out pizzas and tootsie rolls if they're just starting to get used to eating a balanced diet.... people may want to go to a gym for heavy lifting.... people may want to go to a gym that isn't going to sound the lunk alarm if they grunt.... etc etc. People might be interested to know that it's hard to get out of their contract once you're in it and the cancellation fees are quite high.... and people who are not bothered by these things will likely decide to go to planet fitness anyway if that's the best option for them.

I dont see how you could read this thread and say "no" . The point remains that the best information has usually come from people who are members or have been members in the past. I did not at any point say there isnt room for negative reviews. But these threads end up filled with jokes, whinging and noise.

Case in point heres a quote from the very first comment on this thread from someone who'd never been to one. Did it really add value to the OP ?

Dont ever expect to dead lift or squat...apparently they dont allow people who do anything else besides run on a treadmill...and I even think running is not allowed, as it may intimidate others.

So, if I mention that most major cruise lines no longer offer parasailing because it's too dangerous, this information has no value because I've never been parasailing?

Arent you pretty much in here arguing with someone who wants to do SLs that they should be happy with a pull up bar, a ball and a book instead?

No. Her argument about Planet Fitness negativity is that it discourages newbies who are just trying to get into fitness because the alternative, a home gym, is cost and space prohibitive.

My suggestion that a reasonable (or even better) alternative for these hypothetical newbies is a progressive body weight program that is inexpensive and takes up very little room.

She comes back with the fact that her goal is a 300 pound deadlift.

I'm not sure how that goal addresses my suggestion of a home gym for newbies. Yeah, CC is a different program than StrongLifts. So what?

You can't do a 300lb deadlift at Planet Fitness - she, herself, changed gyms. And a newbie just getting in to exercise isn't going to have that as a goal.

You can do CC at home or at Planet Fitness or in a park or wherever you find yourself. I was doing uneven squats in my office the other day. I think the hypothetical newbie would be well-served by the CC programming, especially since it's pretty respected as a basic program by the lifters on here.

Yeah....while noone needs a gym, chances are even at a restrictive gym, you'll have more equipment, weights and therefore options.

This thread got me to looking around my new PF that I joined for the summer while the Uni. gym has such craptastic hours.

I have been twice since participating in this thread.

Some observations based solely on the one I visit.

From 7-9am in summer, it's a varied crowd.

Some clearly retired folks, doing cardio and weights
some 20 something males mostly doing weights
some teens who look like high school athletes doing primarily machines
some very, very overweight middle aged folks, doing the 30 minute workout stuff, and cardio (including one very overweight gentleman who clearly had diabetes and was using oxygen)... he was doing the 30 minute circuit and when I noticed him was doing the step-up thing.

I was probably in the oldest 1/3 or perhaps at the median of ages. I was definitely the fittest in my age group, but certainly not overall.

without going into much detail I also came to the conclusion that I probably have more discretionary money than virtually any one I've seen there. That's not a judgement, just an observation.

It's not empty. Quite a few folks there. But not too crowded to work out. And with one exception, (a boy who spent roughly 20 minutes on each machine, on his android phone, periodically moving some body part a small amount very quickly), everyone seemed to be really trying to better themselves physically. It looked like most chain gyms I've visited.

oh, and the "lunk alarm" isn't really *near* the free weights, making it an even sillier marketing schtick.

It's not much of a gym, but folks seemed to be making the most of it.

I also drove by a small family owned gym not too far away that I've never really taken note of. It had a sign outside, which is probably why I really noticed it, saying it had "one location world wide" and was something like $25 a month. If I decide I can't bear to go back to the Uni gym in fall (the smell, the grime, the music), I may check that place out.

Golds is only $10 a month and they are awesome.

I pay $25 for Gold's but I have access to both locations in my town. I love Gold's. Unlike the other gym in my town the classes are free and Gold's is cheaper. Everyone is so friendly, employees and attendees. I really feel like it's a no judgement zone. I've been a member for more than four years.

update. Planet Fitness by me has just gotten rid of all of the benches / incline benches and preacher curls. Apparently the corporate asshats decided that they really want to go as far as possible at being "judgment free" that they decide to completely isolate and remove anyone honestly looking to build muscle. They're replacing them with smith machines instead. Needless to say, screw planet fitness - I just canceled my membership.

If you're honest about wanting to get in shape and build muscle, save your money and go to a better gym for slightly more money, at least you won't be parading around a piece of crap establishment that doesn't actually care about people getting in shape.

As the website says "We’re not a gym. We’re Planet Fitness."

I live in Canada...so luckily, planet fitness is not an option. I have heard nothing but bad things about this gym due to its consistent hypocritical views on others and body image. They are the worst for judgement, even though they claim to be "judgement free".

Dont ever expect to dead lift or squat...apparently they dont allow people who do anything else besides run on a treadmill...and I even think running is not allowed, as it may intimidate others.

I do all of the following of that last paragraph and I go to planet fitness.

The one by me has no barbells, power racks or squat racks. Largest dumb bells are 60lbs. I go there for Abs, forearms, or to watch people eat pizza if it is convenient. Otherwise I go to Retro or Golds.

I've heard one person describe it as a great second gym.

The one by me has no barbells, power racks or squat racks. Largest dumb bells are 60lbs. I go there for Abs, forearms, or to watch people eat pizza if it is convenient. Otherwise I go to Retro or Golds.

I've heard one person describe it as a great second gym.

Since this thread already his zombie status with the post before me I thought I could comment safely.
I use planet fitness exclusively for my lunch time cardio. For $10/a month and I go five days a week for forty minutes, it's perfect. I do all my strength training at a different gym after work.

I hate this place.

I go to Planet Fitness and like it. The one I go to has squat racks, free weights, and barbells... I don't know what a power rack is so I can't say on that one lol. Anyways, the gym is really clean, and all machines/equipment are in good working order. When things break they are fixed promptly. It is perfect for me to go do my hour and a half of cardio and lifting, and grab a tootsie roll on the way out the door for my son (seriously, tootsie rolls make up for leaving.) All of that being said, I would not recommend it for a heavy lifter. Its great for someone trying to get into shape, not so much for someone already in shape, and trying to make gains (I seriously hope I said that correctly.) It really depends on your area. I would go ask for a walk through, thats what I did. Oh and I dont know if it is all of them, but with the one I attend the $10 membership does call for a $49 start up fee. The $20 membership is a $1 start up fee.

I go to PF 4 times a week. Yep $10 a month no catches. I love it.