Planet Fitness?

VincitQuiSeVincit
VincitQuiSeVincit Posts: 285 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
Due to financial reasons, I've recently had to quit Crossfit, which was my preferred fitness method.
Luckily, my office has a gym on site that I can (and do!) use every day. However, it is very small and only has cardio machines and dumbbells, meaning I really can't lift heavy as I would like to, and has just taken a lot of the joy of training from me.
There is a Planet Fitness opening on my block! But of course, I've heard HORROR stories galore! Is it as bad as they say? Has anyone had a positive experience with them? I am not a beginner who is going to sit on the hip abduction machine with a slice of pizza, but I am concerned that they are going to give me a hard time about heavy lifts and things like that.
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Replies

  • deninevi
    deninevi Posts: 934 Member
    I used to go to PF for same reasons as you. The one I was going to had DBs going to 80 lbs. , no squat racks, fixed weight bars going up to 60 lbs. Lots of machines. The plus things for me-no contract and $10/mo. If you are used to heavy lifts, you may not be bale to get what you are looking for there.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    If you were into CrossFit, you will hate Planet Fitness. They won't let you lift heavy there either, or wear what you want, or check out your form in the mirror. If you get too into your workout, they will lunk alarm you.
  • AgentOrangeJuice
    AgentOrangeJuice Posts: 1,069 Member
    the PF near me just got hit with a hidden camera scandal.

    Planet Fitness
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    AgentOrangeJuice wrote: »
    the PF near me just got hit with a hidden camera scandal.

    Planet Fitness

    Looks like an isolated incident. I wouldn't be worried about this happening somewhere else.
  • goddessofawesome
    goddessofawesome Posts: 563 Member
    edited November 2014
    It depends on who owns/manages your PF. While most of them don't have squat racks there ARE some that do. If the manager is a dink then they will give you grief over what you do, what you lift etc. The one that I go to doesn't give a hoot. I've done dead lifts right in front of the manager and owner and never got yelled at for it. I also where what I want. I wear tank tops and short shorts and have never had anyone say anything to me about it. Yes, there are branches where they stick religiously to the guidelines and then there are those that don't. Again, it depends on the branch, the owner, and the managers.

    If it's what you can afford then go for it. I like my PF because it's affordable. If I could find a local gym that had a wide array of weights, equipment etc. and it was the same price then yeah, I'd go there but there aren't any so PF is my place of choice.

    ETA: Also the one that I go to has some pretty big dudes that workout there as well and they don't get crap from anyone either.
  • funfang
    funfang Posts: 200 Member
    I joined PF because it's only 8 minutes walking distance from my house and it's only $10 a month. I can go when they are open 5:30am in the morning, get my work out done in an hour, go home and get my husband and kids ready.

    It's not ideal, they don't have actual racks, the dumbbell only goes up to 80lbs, they have those pre-load Barbells but it only goes up to 70lbs. Thank god there are some cable machines that I can do some good work out with. They have lots smith machines ( I don't use them) It's better then nothing since I just can't work out at home.

    I haven't have anyone there come to tell me I couldn't do deadlift ( I have heard it's forbidden at PF) or maybe it's because I am there early morning and the people work there just don't care. I haven't have any bad experience from the employees there, they usually pretty nice and don't bother us.

    overall, it's not the best gym for someone who's serious on heavy lifting. I wish there's a better gym by me but I can't complain since it's just $10 a month....

    good luck!
  • VincitQuiSeVincit
    VincitQuiSeVincit Posts: 285 Member
    I guess I'll have to go there and check it out. A squat rack is a MUST for me, and I refuse to give up deadlifts, so I guess I'll have to play it by ear. If they don't allow that, then it doesn't make much sense to leave my little office gym for the same thing somewhere else
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    avoid PF. Seriously. Tears. Pain. Gnashing.

    Find a real gym.
  • Char231023
    Char231023 Posts: 700 Member
    Why would PF not allow deadlifts?
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Char231023 wrote: »
    Why would PF not allow deadlifts?
    PF and their judgy judgemental lunk alarm doesn't allow anything hard being done.
  • peachyfuzzle
    peachyfuzzle Posts: 1,122 Member
    Because it's "intimidating."
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  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Char231023 wrote: »
    Why would PF not allow deadlifts?

    I cannot do one of my favorite exercise there. I will never buy a guy memebership there. I will deadlift people before going there.

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  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member
    Sweet Jesus. Here we go again... If all you need is an elliptical, treadmill and some light weights it's fine. If you need more, you should probably find a different place.
  • chichi2130
    chichi2130 Posts: 65 Member
    edited November 2014
    I've seen Planet Fitness locations (online, not in person) that actually do have squat racks. It depends on the management at the location. I'm a member of PF for the same reasons you've mentioned. Mine has Smith machines (which I refuse to touch), dumbbells up to 75lbs, and fixed barbells up to, I believe, 110lbs. I've seen plenty of people deadlift using the Smith machine, as well as with the DBs and fixed BBs, and I've never seen anyone get in trouble for it.

    Ideally, there would be a gym that costs $10/month that has everything you'd like, but for some people (like me), PF is good enough for now.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    mojohowitz wrote: »
    Sweet Jesus. Here we go again... If all you need is an elliptical, treadmill and some light weights it's fine. If you need more, you should probably find a different place.

    Did you miss the first post in the thread?
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    mojohowitz wrote: »
    Sweet Jesus. Here we go again... If all you need is an elliptical, treadmill and some light weights it's fine. If you need more, you should probably find a different place.

    Did you miss the first post in the thread?

    Nope

  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I could probably tolerate PF if if weren't for the overwhelming PURPLE everywhere!!
  • SLHysell
    SLHysell Posts: 247 Member
    My PF in Pensacola, Florida is great. I have seen none of the "profiling" I hear mentioned on this site. It looks like the membership is truly a cross section of the community. I see muscle bound people there, and obese people there. Everyone seems very nice and respectful. I have no complaints whatsoever and highly recommend that particular gym.

    And the Tootsie Rolls are a nice touch.
  • FitFitzy331
    FitFitzy331 Posts: 308 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    avoid PF. Seriously. Tears. Pain. Gnashing.

    Find a real gym.

    ^ This. I joined planet fitness when I moved to my current area, it was on the way to and from work, it was cheap and I thought, how bad could it really be? There was no squat rack, highest pre-set barbell weight was 60lbs so that was useless, and I got yelled at for trying to do deadlifts. I know someone who was kicked out for it. It was a miserable experience and I was happy when I moved 2 towns over, found a closer (real) gym, I pay $40 a month, they have personal training, actual barbells, dumbbells, squat racks, multiple benches and really everything you'd expect from a proper gym. Don't waste your time or money if you are coming from a CrossFit gym. Find something that may be a little more expensive but will be a place that you will actually enjoy going.
  • iheartinsanity
    iheartinsanity Posts: 205 Member
    It's fine for just the cardio equipment, IMO. I like lifting at home though so find it's worth adding a set of dumbbells every month if you can add it to your budget.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    Hey so can someone clarify. Can you deadlift at Planet Fitness? Also what is the highest weight dumbell they have? I don't think this has been mentioned yet.

    I had a membership like 4 years ago. It used to be a decent gym. Now I do not know what to call it. I'm almost at the point where I would wear some type of camera and have a visit/leg day session. I squat and deadlift heavy on leg days. See how many lunk alarms I get in one visit.

  • SLHysell
    SLHysell Posts: 247 Member
    PRMinx wrote: »
    If you were into CrossFit, you will hate Planet Fitness. They won't let you lift heavy there either, or wear what you want, or check out your form in the mirror. If you get too into your workout, they will lunk alarm you.


    This is simply untrue of my PF. They do not police what you can lift. They have lots of mirrors specifically so you can check your form, and although they do have a dress code, it is not over-restrictive at all. Sleeveless seems to be completely acceptable, and hot pants are everywhere. If by "get into your workout", you mean loudly grunt like an animal and disrupt everyone else's workout, then you may have a case on that last point.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    Is PF one of those gyms that will automatically cancel your membership for doing dumbbell snatches? You know right there it's a cool move when they do that! :D
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Honestly, if I could so my squats/deads/power cleans in a PF, I'd join. Especially for that price.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    because of the no contract price of $10 a month, give it a try if it is conveniently located for you. If you think you need the full spectrum of free weights to squat and deadlift, then look elsewhere. Many people who complain the dumbbells "only" go up to 80 pounds are either delusional or advanced lifters who know they need a free weight focused gym. PF is an inexpensive option for the novice and there are reasons it is only $10 per month. You get what you pay for.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    SLHysell wrote: »
    PRMinx wrote: »
    If you were into CrossFit, you will hate Planet Fitness. They won't let you lift heavy there either, or wear what you want, or check out your form in the mirror. If you get too into your workout, they will lunk alarm you.


    This is simply untrue of my PF. They do not police what you can lift. They have lots of mirrors specifically so you can check your form, and although they do have a dress code, it is not over-restrictive at all. Sleeveless seems to be completely acceptable, and hot pants are everywhere. If by "get into your workout", you mean loudly grunt like an animal and disrupt everyone else's workout, then you may have a case on that last point.

    Stereotype much?
  • Trans3last
    Trans3last Posts: 2
    Just go where it works for you. Avoid the "go to a real gym" elitism. It's not a matter of "anyone letting you", it's a matter of what works for you. So don't be a troublemaker and join, and "being surprised" about the rules. All fitness centers have rules. People that act ignorant of the rules, and get "surprised" that they can't do "such and such" exercise" are trying to get attention, nothing else. Gym time is not a fashion show, and some females need to admit the need to wear a 5x.
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