Planet Fitness
nicolen160
Posts: 197 Member
My town is getting a Planet Fitness and will be open within the next month. I have already gotten my membership but I have never been to a gym so I am just interested in finding out what others like best about it and any tips that might help me. I have worked out at home for the past couple of years on my treadmil, elliptical and recumbent bike, but still needing more so thought this would be a change of pace. Any suggestions or input would be great!! Thanks in advance. 
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oh dear, let the flaming start.....
PF is great, unless the "I pick stuff up, and put stuff down" commercial offends you. (and all the others)
(And for the record, I DO lift heavy at home, I think the commercial's funny, and I have never heard the lunk alarm go off)0 -
Congratulations! I am not a PF fan, though I thought of joining just for use of the treadmills in the winter. The only tips I have is do what you enjoy otherwise consistency will be difficult. Try and do a combination of cardio and weight training. Be consistent, and if you feel your motivation is lacking...think about joining a neighborhood boot camp or a gym with classes. It's a great way to stay motivated, make friends and get a great work out in.
I am not anti-pizza but don't want to smell it while I'm working out. The whole pizza/bagels thing is just bizarre to me.0 -
It's not great. It's workable, and it may be the most convenient option for some people, but that's an entirely different matter. Any "gym" that specifically prohibits the most beneficial exercises -- longstanding staples within the fitness community -- can't be considered "great." Nor can any gym that discourages people from working so hard that they make other people feel inadequate.annaskiski wrote: »oh dear, let the flaming start.....
PF is great, unless the "I pick stuff up, and put stuff down" commercial offends you. (and all the others)
As I said, for some people, Planet Fitness might do the trick. I know a police officer who works out there because it's open 24/7. He rolls his eyes and says that their rules are insanely stupid, but he also needs something that fits his schedule. I can't fault him for that.
I think that farfromthetree offered some good advice. I don't recommend that place, but if you do go there, aim for consistency and make the best of it.
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What are you looking to get out of a gym? People can- and will- respond with their feelings about PF and its merits relative to other options or the various things that annoy them about the place, its equipment, its marketing or its CEO, but ultimately you have to ask yourself what you want out of it. Access to machines for indoor cardio? Check. Anything else?0
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I want something differnt then what I have at home and I want to meet others that like to work out, my family has not jumped on the working out ban wagon like I had hoped and I am thinking after 2 years they're not going to...lol But I love it and want desparately to find others who like it too. I also want to use other equipment then what I have at my house and also get into strength training but need guidance since I have never done it before. I don't want to go to a gym where everyone is trying to be "the world's strongest man" and little ole me is just trying to get toned and lose 30lbs. After 2 years I really just wanted something new and different, thanks for all the info, I appreciate the good and the bad.0
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I think it's good for basics and if this is the first time you're joining a gym, it will meet most of your needs for a very cheap price. I personally like to do classes so my primary gym has a lot of classes and I do those 2-3 days a week and PF the other days. PF is good when I just want to run on the treadmill, and I like their "30 minute workout" section where they have a lot of steps and weight machines so you can do intervals of cardio and strength. PF is very no-frills so it's what you make of it.0
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Seriously, you're describing most people at most gyms. The vast majority of them aren't striving to be ninja warriors. Most gyms are filled predominantly with people who are primarily trying to lose weight and get into a bit of shape.nicolen160 wrote: »I don't want to go to a gym where everyone is trying to be "the world's strongest man" and little ole me is just trying to get toned and lose 30lbs.
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A general rule of most gyms is be conscious of what time you go. The busiest times are usually 6-8 am (the pre-work crowd) and 5-7 pm (the post-work crowd). Those are the times where more bodies will be around and you may have to compete for space/equipment. If you can go either before/after, you'll usually find thinner crowds and less waiting. But then if you're wanting to interact with other people, perhaps those are exactly the times you want.0
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They should be able to give you a tour once it's open, to show you the different equipment they have available and discuss some options of things you can do there. I took a tour of the local one here. Should have some cardio equipment you are familiar with, maybe a couple you haven't used, and they have some machines for weights along with some dumbbells. It doesn't have the equipment I require (I won't join a gym that doesn't have a squat rack) and the mentality at the one here doesn't suit me (I don't consider yoga or zumba as hard, intense classes to be avoided) but for others, it is sufficient.
The gym has a variety of people and most aren't going to be "lift as much as possible" or the stereotyped lunks found in the commercial. I go to a 24 hour location where sure, the occasional set of guys use many 45's and leave them on the bar when they are done *grumble* but there are all kinds of people there including many senior citizens just going about their business. I'm 4'11" and tad fluffy still but have been going to the gym to lift heavy weights for over a year (heavy for me). I started with just the bar on many lifts, or less before working my way up based on the programs I had chosen. You never know what background someone is coming from or where they are in a given program, which is where the no judgement zone would fit in if not done in a hypocritical fashion. Even now, since I started a new program, while my deadlift is around 200 for max, when I attempt to use the weird ez curl bar, I'm still at a point where I don't add any weights to it. And there is the pesky overhead press... but that's a different story so I will end the rambling.
Suggestion is just find something you like doing and go from there.0 -
Get the tour. Book one session (design your own program) with the trainer-they can explain all the equipment. Most of it is very easy to use and has pictures, etc. but a session with the instructor will make you feel comfortable and get you started. If they personize a plan for you-utilize it. You may be shocked by their credentials. If they hand you a pre-printed sheet throw it in the trash.
As far as the gym goes, it varies widely by franchise owner and gym manager. My PF allows everything, including deadlifts. As their are no barbells (just smiths) I never recommend these to people. But we have a "360" which includes agility ladder/pullups/dips/battle ropes/trx/box jumps and all sorts of cool stuff. We are getting stairmasters. Most people can get a decent workout for $10/month.
As I like to lift heavy, PF would never be my first choice. But Since I became a trainer at my local franchise, I have been utilizing it in addition to my home gym and am finding it very helpful. No lunk alarms, no ridiculousness. Lots of people just come for the showers and free food. It is what it is.0 -
I know a police officer who works out there because it's open 24/7. He rolls his eyes and says that their rules are insanely stupid, but he also needs something that fits his schedule. I can't fault him for that.annaskiski wrote: »oh dear, let the flaming start.....
PF is great, unless the "I pick stuff up, and put stuff down" commercial offends you. (and all the others)
My son tended bar and would go after work about 2 in the morning. The attendant at his location didn't care what he did at that time.
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this subject came up a while back - about a month after i'd joined my local PF - and i made this analogy about it at the time. maybe it'll help.
i play guitar. i happen to be pretty good at it, and i've had a little success at it, as well. because i'm a professional and i make money by playing, it probably makes sense on some level for me to spend more money than most would for a top-quality instrument...but there's a HUGE market for the demographic who wouldn't have a practical reason to spend $1500 on a guitar, and whose needs would be more than satisfied by a $300 guitar.
same thing with gyms - PF has everything I need, and some stuff I don't. so it makes sense for me.
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I belong to a local PF. They seem fairly relaxed. We have a few heavy lifters there, I haven't heard any "lunk alarm" go off or seen anyone have any issues. It suits my needs and it's an excellent price. Works for me.0
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I live in a very rural part of my state, so I don't have many options when it comes to gyms. PF opened in a neighboring town and it's really convenient to stop in before work, since it's on my way. I like the gym. It's very clean, not crowded and for my goals- it has everything I need, for now. Each PF has different management/ownership. My suggestion to you is go in with a list of specific questions. I'm sure they will be happy to answer them for you.0
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my suggestion ..cancel your membership and find a real gym that will allow you to use dumbbells over 50 pounds; that will allow you to squat and deadlift, and that truly is a judgement free zone…
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nicolen160 wrote: »I want something differnt then what I have at home and I want to meet others that like to work out, my family has not jumped on the working out ban wagon like I had hoped and I am thinking after 2 years they're not going to...lol But I love it and want desparately to find others who like it too. I also want to use other equipment then what I have at my house and also get into strength training but need guidance since I have never done it before. I don't want to go to a gym where everyone is trying to be "the world's strongest man" and little ole me is just trying to get toned and lose 30lbs. After 2 years I really just wanted something new and different, thanks for all the info, I appreciate the good and the bad.
is PF the only gym in your town?
to the bolded part, why do you think that everyone at every gym is trying to be the worlds strongest man? Don't you think that the reason for lifting weights and training should be to make yourself stronger? I go to a gym that is not a PF and there are all types in the free weight area from 60 year old woman to 30 year old guys my age…I fail to understand the mentality that says regular gym bad because people like to lift heavy things, but PF good because it limits said lifting….
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make sure you clean the equipment BEFORE you use it, all the pf's in my area no one EVER cleaned even though they provide the spray and towels.
i found another gym with more respectable members. might be a little more money but I am not limited to what others have said and people respect others0 -
As far as the gym goes, it varies widely by franchise owner and gym manager. My PF allows everything, including deadlifts. As their are no barbells (just smiths) I never recommend these to people. But we have a "360" which includes agility ladder/pullups/dips/battle ropes/trx/box jumps and all sorts of cool stuff. We are getting stairmasters. Most people can get a decent workout for $10/month.
As I like to lift heavy, PF would never be my first choice. But Since I became a trainer at my local franchise, I have been utilizing it in addition to my home gym and am finding it very helpful. No lunk alarms, no ridiculousness. Lots of people just come for the showers and free food. It is what it is.
Boy. If more Planet Fitness locations were like yours, that company would get a lot less criticism!
Of course, not having barbells isn't cool. Neither is coming in just for the showers and free food, but when membership only costs $10/month, you've got to expect that sort of thing.0 -
nicolen160 wrote: »I want something differnt then what I have at home and I want to meet others that like to work out, my family has not jumped on the working out ban wagon like I had hoped and I am thinking after 2 years they're not going to...lol But I love it and want desparately to find others who like it too. I also want to use other equipment then what I have at my house and also get into strength training but need guidance since I have never done it before. I don't want to go to a gym where everyone is trying to be "the world's strongest man" and little ole me is just trying to get toned and lose 30lbs. After 2 years I really just wanted something new and different, thanks for all the info, I appreciate the good and the bad.
is PF the only gym in your town?
to the bolded part, why do you think that everyone at every gym is trying to be the worlds strongest man? Don't you think that the reason for lifting weights and training should be to make yourself stronger? I go to a gym that is not a PF and there are all types in the free weight area from 60 year old woman to 30 year old guys my age…I fail to understand the mentality that says regular gym bad because people like to lift heavy things, but PF good because it limits said lifting….
Absolutely correct. This is, in fact, one reason why PF gets so much flak from fitness professionals and highly motivated gym goers. PF wants people to believe that other gyms are for hypermuscled meatheads, when in reality, the vast majority of them attract people of all shapes are sizes.
Therein lies the problem. PF defenders say that Planet Fitness helps people with their insecurities. In reality though, this company actively fosters those insecurities.0 -
Get the tour. Book one session (design your own program) with the trainer-they can explain all the equipment. Most of it is very easy to use and has pictures, etc. but a session with the instructor will make you feel comfortable and get you started. If they personize a plan for you-utilize it. You may be shocked by their credentials. If they hand you a pre-printed sheet throw it in the trash.
As far as the gym goes, it varies widely by franchise owner and gym manager. My PF allows everything, including deadlifts. As their are no barbells (just smiths) I never recommend these to people. But we have a "360" which includes agility ladder/pullups/dips/battle ropes/trx/box jumps and all sorts of cool stuff. We are getting stairmasters. Most people can get a decent workout for $10/month.
As I like to lift heavy, PF would never be my first choice. But Since I became a trainer at my local franchise, I have been utilizing it in addition to my home gym and am finding it very helpful. No lunk alarms, no ridiculousness. Lots of people just come for the showers and free food. It is what it is.
This seems pretty reasonable. As with any new gym, ask for the tour, and I believe PF gives everyone a free training session, so utilize it to get an introduction on different machines you'd like to lose. If you don't get everything covered, there are tons of instructional videos online.0 -
PF is fine for all of $10 as a general fitness facility. it's not so great if you are really wanting to lift...i've never been to a PF that has allowed basic, traditional lifts like dead lifts, cleans, etc...nor have i seen one with the adequate equipment even if they did allow it. the one I visited back when I was getting started didn't even have a squat rack.
it really depends on what you're wanting to get out of it though...the only reason i go to a gym is for the weight room so PF would be a non-starter for me. I also do Oly lifting, so there are a significant number of commercial gyms that I wouldn't be allowed to work in, not just PF0 -
nicolen160 wrote: »I want something differnt then what I have at home and I want to meet others that like to work out, my family has not jumped on the working out ban wagon like I had hoped and I am thinking after 2 years they're not going to...lol But I love it and want desparately to find others who like it too. I also want to use other equipment then what I have at my house and also get into strength training but need guidance since I have never done it before. I don't want to go to a gym where everyone is trying to be "the world's strongest man" and little ole me is just trying to get toned and lose 30lbs. After 2 years I really just wanted something new and different, thanks for all the info, I appreciate the good and the bad.
is PF the only gym in your town?
to the bolded part, why do you think that everyone at every gym is trying to be the worlds strongest man? Don't you think that the reason for lifting weights and training should be to make yourself stronger? I go to a gym that is not a PF and there are all types in the free weight area from 60 year old woman to 30 year old guys my age…I fail to understand the mentality that says regular gym bad because people like to lift heavy things, but PF good because it limits said lifting….
Absolutely correct. This is, in fact, one reason why PF gets so much flak from fitness professionals and highly motivated gym goers. PF wants people to believe that other gyms are for hypermuscled meatheads, when in reality, the vast majority of them attract people of all shapes are sizes.
Therein lies the problem. PF defenders say that Planet Fitness helps people with their insecurities. In reality though, this company actively fosters those insecurities.
totally agree ...
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Packerjohn wrote: »
I know a police officer who works out there because it's open 24/7. He rolls his eyes and says that their rules are insanely stupid, but he also needs something that fits his schedule. I can't fault him for that.annaskiski wrote: »oh dear, let the flaming start.....
PF is great, unless the "I pick stuff up, and put stuff down" commercial offends you. (and all the others)
My son tended bar and would go after work about 2 in the morning. The attendant at his location didn't care what he did at that time.
My husband belongs for the hours too. We don't have any other late night option around here. He does the best he can with what they have.
(It's funny, we are polar opposites, I am a very early morning exerciser, and he's a very late night one.)
To the OP, PF gets a lot of hate, but it's decent enough if you just want access to cardio machines and don't have lofty strength training goals. Machine work isn't the epitome of resistance training, but it's better than nothing. It's a decent enough cheap and often convenient option for beginners to gyms.
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I belong to PF. It suits my needs because I want to do cardio indoors, need a gym that fits my schedule and really, I have a lot of things I'd rather do with the money I'm saving by only paying $10 a month (and it's a mile from my house).
As far as the pizza thing, I know that they say they have pizza there but I've never actually seen any food there except for tootsie rolls. I'm thankful for the tootsie rolls. As a diabetic it's nice to know that there is something readily available should my sugar fall too low.
Yeah, the people aren't the best with wiping down the machines, but for only $10 a month I can manage to quickly wipe off my own machine before I workout. I'm a mom who works in an elementary school. I'm used to wiping things down to prevent spreading germs--a lot. When I'm there at night I always see the guys who come in to vacuum and clean the floors and almost every time I'm there a PF staff member comes around to wipe down machines and refill the paper towels and cleaning solution. It must be something they have to do on a schedule.
As far as lifting, I'm not super interested in doing anything other than the weight machines. Our PF is two floors and the weight room is divided from everything else. I see people doing interesting stuff in there but it doesn't interest me yet. If it does and I decide I want to pursue that then I might have to find a different gym.
I think PF fills a niche. I don't want to spend a lot of money on working out. I got a membership because at $10 a month I can use anything I want without having to store equipment in my home or maintain equipment at my own cost.
So it is what it is. If it fits your needs, go for it. If it doesn't, then maybe look elsewhere.0 -
I've been going to planet fittness for 5 months now and I must say that place changed my life. Almost all the negative comments I read here have to be from people who don't go to planet fitness. Our free weights go to 75 pounds, not that I am anywhere near using them. Training is always free and they will teach you how to use all of the equipment and routines to do for each muscle group.
We have a stretching room with free weights, balance balls, ab rollers, bosu and more. The 360room is so great for kettle bells and medicine balls and this huge contraption to climb and jump on. There is a 12 min ab room that I don't use much but my husband likes. And a 30 min workout room based on The Biggest Loser. That is kind of a curves thing. In the middle are all the cardio machines. I have left puddles under the arc trainer. There is also a weights section there, all the machines and free weights and the thing I do weighted squats with (not sure the name).
We have many heavy lifters if that's your thing. Everyone is super nice. The machines do need to be cleaned before and after use. You can't rely on other people's hygenic habits.
In 5 months I have only seen food once. The food area is pretty far from the gym area and I didn't even know it was there until we were leaving. There is no dress code. No lunk alarm.
Best part of all is watching the dedicated people change. Love my planet fitness and I will owe them for the rest of my life.0 -
I have had memberships at several different gyms over the years. Currently I work out at PF because it is close to where I work. I use the treadmill, elliptical, bike, do the 30-minute workout, use many of the weight machines. I have never noticed anything missing that I would need. They have a nice area for stretching, and the staff is knowledgeable if you have questions.
For the $19.99 membership, I can also use hydro-beds, tanning beds, and take classes.
There are always people lifting weights, and they look like heavy ones, although I'm not really into free weights so don't know much about it.
Give it a try, and if you don't like it, you can always cancel your membership and go somewhere else.0 -
I am of the mindset that anything that gets people up and moving is a good thing. If this is what will motivate you to do something for your health then ignore the haters and go for it. I know several people who have memberships at our YMCA and PF. They like both places and can do different things at each facility. I agree with those who are saying that you should get a tour and talk to a trainer to learn how to use the machines.
While I haven't been in our local PF, I was in one where they didn't have weights heavy enough for me and they did have restrictions on the types of lifts you were able to do. Because of this I haven't checked out my local PF because it doesn't fit my personal goals. There may come a point where you need to reevaluate your membership their due to changing goals, there may not. Either way do what fits best in your life!0 -
Planet Fitness markets to people who don't normally go to the gym because, well, they don't normally go to the gym. Their business model is based on sheer volume of memberships, banking on the idea that you'll continue to pay $10 a month but rarely go.
Keep going and you win.0 -
In a sense, it very much does. Just like Curves.gaelicstorm26 wrote: »I think PF fills a niche.
The hate that PF gets isn't simply because they're a low-end gym. Rather, it's because of their policies, misinformation, and unethical tactics. If they simply marketed themselves as a low-end, no frills place to work out, they'd get a lot less flak from serious fitness enthusiasts.
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I love PF I've been a member for two years on and off contingent on my consistency with working out I haven't had a membership with anyone else so I wouldn't know the difference i use the treadmill various tricep and bicep machines leg machines the abdominal bench and the 45Ib bar to squat I go to two locations in Miami and have no problem they have everything I need to what I feel get a good hour work out in so I guess it's just what you feel you need I wanted to tone and lose 20Ibs and PF made it very possible so yeaaaaaa PF ☺️0
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