Article: "How Low Cost Gyms Like Planet Fitness Psychologically Manipulate Members Into NOT Going"

fenshae wrote: »

I kind of love the idea of a gym that is actually somewhat hostile to the "usual" fitness crowd. It's weirdly subversive. And $10/month is in my budget where the $50+ for other nearby gyms is not.

:huh:

fenshae wrote: »

I kind of love the idea of a gym that is actually somewhat hostile to the "usual" fitness crowd. It's weirdly subversive. And $10/month is in my budget where the $50+ for other nearby gyms is not.

I'm a member of Planet Fitness and I definitely value my membership. I've been a member for almost a year and there were just a few months where I stopped going consistently. However I do have the black membership and I don't take advantage of the perks and I have procrastinated downgrading because it's only $20 a month anyway.

demarii06 wrote: »

I myself am a member of planet fitness and I laugh at the free pizza, bagels and candy, but if you're truly there to exercise I don't care what they have. I never had any of it. My point in going is to workout and to keep as much money as I can because I'm a broke law student. I will say that I have been made fun of because I was working out "too" hard by two rather obese women (I say this as former rather obese woman) and when I asked if there was a scale available I was looked at like I was crazy and told that's what no judgment means. Its funny there's no judgment for "average" people but plenty for athletes. But as stated before who cares, I'm there to get fit.

The free pizza and tootsie rolls are definitely a perk for me lol. IDK why people rag on them so much about it. It's ONCE a month. People cheat more on their diet more than that a month I'm sure. It's never hindered me from achieving my goals. Does it send a bad a message? Possibly. Will that one pizza night a month affect your weight loss? No.

Troutsy wrote: »

My issue with Planet Fitness is how hypocritical it is. "Welcome to the judgement free zone".....except our staff....our staff get to be judgmental.

And all of our members who joined to avoid said judgement zones? Feel free to create a hostile environment to other members who have more gym experience than you do. Because, fit people suck*

*Members who successfully meet their fitness goals should be prepared to GTFO.

What EXACTLY should a gym be? Is there an "Ideal" gym? I've been a member to probably every gym out there (Gold's, 24 Hour, LA Fitness, etc etc etc) and in my opinion, the only gym that I really truly liked, because of the equipment and especially the employees that motivate you without asking for money is Dynamic Fitness. When I was a member there every single employee and trainer knew my name and greeted me like I was family. I was comfortable and happy to be there, I WANTED to be there, therefore I worked harder. If I wasn't doing something right, someone would step in and show me the proper way. I even had trainers show me a few things that paid customers received. I thought that was awesome. They helped me lose 25 lbs. I felt they actually CARED about me. It's an awesome place. Unfortunately I moved away and there is no Dynamic Fitness in my area. So sad. Where I live now, I haven't found that "family" feel to any of the gyms, therefore I work out at the Apartment's gym, by myself, no motivation, no camaraderie, nothing AND I don't push myself as hard like I did at Dynamic Fitness.

JoRocka wrote: »

Terpnista84 wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

msufan79pat wrote: »

I joined Planet Fitness almost exactly one year ago. As a middle aged, overweight , out of shape woman I wanted a place to fit in. I go 3 to 4 times a week and have built an exercise routine that led me to workout the same amount when out of town for vacation. Along with MFP I have dropped 50 lbs. and 4 pant sizes and it has changed my life. I have no respect for those that put down PF just because it doesn't fit their idea of what a gym should be because it's exactly what I needed a gym to be!

endorsing a gym that hates on fit people?

cool. Whatever rocks your socks.

I definitely understand that criticism. But I have not witnessed it myself- can you elaborate?Then again there are very few fit women (a lot of the men are in pretty good shape) that attend the one I go to. I'm not even bragging but I'm probably one of the most in shape women there and that's not saying much lol.

The entire premise of the gym is built on demeaning and mocking serious athletes- or people who love their training.

It's literally a gym that hates on fit people.

Could you imagine the amount of epic back lash a gym would get if their ENTIRE marketing scheme was making fun of fat people?

You mean the commercials (that they play all the time in the gym) mocking the in shape people? You're right- it's offensive. It's funny because I see the commercials with the half naked chicks in the locker room and think "OMG I can't wait to look like that" haha.

I love PF because there are never lines for cardio machines, the price is more than reasonable and it's within walking distance from my home. When I was heavier I did feel out of place at bigger gyms where I felt like I was the heaviest one there- but that was my own insecurities. But I understand why someone like yourself who is in great shape and takes their workouts seriously would be offended by their culture.

Planet Fitness isn't a "gym." it's a yuppie hangout where gainz are not had.