Planet Fitness

I've been seriously contemplating joining Planet Fitness. I was a member before so I know it's a great place for the price. I'm hopeful I'll stick to going if I join. I'm trying to keep motivated by thinking of the positives. I have a schedule worked out that will work after work. It's also close to my home so I win there too.
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Replies

  • thefuzz1290
    thefuzz1290 Posts: 777 Member
    If you can't afford another gym, then do what you need to. However, make sure you ignore the pizza and bagel days, and pass up the free candy at the front desk. Find a smaller, independent gym. I bet you'll find more encouragement there, then PF.
  • kirstinethornburg
    kirstinethornburg Posts: 300 Member
    Any Gym you join will have pros and cons for doing so. Do what works best for you where ever you join just stay committed to working out the real reason for your joining in the first place
  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    If you can't afford another gym, then do what you need to. However, make sure you ignore the pizza and bagel days, and pass up the free candy at the front desk. Find a smaller, independent gym. I bet you'll find more encouragement there, then PF.

    What's wrong with a couple of slices of pizza after a good workout? I always have to get something to eat right after I workout, if I don't I'll pig out the rest of the day. And as far as encouragement, are these small independent gyms going to call you and encourage you to workout? Motivation has to come from within to maintain, no matter what gym you belong too.
  • spartan_d
    spartan_d Posts: 727 Member
    If you can't afford another gym, then do what you need to. However, make sure you ignore the pizza and bagel days, and pass up the free candy at the front desk. Find a smaller, independent gym. I bet you'll find more encouragement there, then PF.

    Why does one need to ignore the pizza and bagels? If it fits in your daily calories then have at it.
    The operative word there is "IF." It's common knowledge that your typical American already consumes way too much when it comes to processed, highly caloric food. Not to mention that your typical out-of-shape joe -- PF's target clientele -- is generally less informed when it comes to calories and the amount of effort required to burn them off.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited May 2016
    spartan_d wrote: »
    If you can't afford another gym, then do what you need to. However, make sure you ignore the pizza and bagel days, and pass up the free candy at the front desk. Find a smaller, independent gym. I bet you'll find more encouragement there, then PF.

    Why does one need to ignore the pizza and bagels? If it fits in your daily calories then have at it.
    The operative word there is "IF." It's common knowledge that your typical American already consumes way too much when it comes to processed, highly caloric food. Not to mention that your typical out-of-shape joe -- PF's target clientele -- is generally less informed when it comes to calories and the amount of effort required to burn them off.

    You're right. Average person doesnt have a clue how many calories exercise burns.

    Just did 15 minutes on the eliptical. Time to refuel with a couple pieces of pizza before going home to eat. One of the bro's said need to hit the window.
  • Pam_Shebamm
    Pam_Shebamm Posts: 167 Member
    There's nothing wrong with PF. I have a membership to one and I go there to lift on occasion. I got the black card so that if I go out of town I can still work out, because my other gym only has locations near my home area. It's also open later than my regular gym, which is especially nice on holidays.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    @rakowskidp Are you sure that's not a Smith machine? Can you take the bar off the machine?
  • genpopadopolous
    genpopadopolous Posts: 411 Member
    I keep a membership because at 10 bucks a month it would literally take me ten years to save for a decent treadmill. And I prefer to run/walk outside- so I only use it when I have to. I haven't been since early April cause our weather has been so great.

    I use FitnessBlender and dumbbells in my basement and the great outdoors for most of my exercise.
  • spartan_d
    spartan_d Posts: 727 Member
    I think it really depends on your goals. There are a lot of haters, but I think if you're looking mainly for cardio, then it's a good deal. If you're looking for weightlifting in a serious way, it's probably not going to work long-term because it simply lacks the equipment you would need for that (e.g., Olympic weights). It could be a good place to start and gain a bit of confidence. Most people don't start lifting 80 lb dumbbells or squatting the maximum preloaded bars they have.

    I've read so many articles bashing the place--the most reasoned of which argues that because of it's "no lunk" policy, newer lifters don't get to see, meet, learn from more experienced lifters. People, if they progress, move out of that gym altogether. Further, that it promotes a culture of mediocrity with its pizza, candy, and bagels, and that there is definitely a lack of personal trainers who can teach you proper lifting techniques.
    I'd agree with that, but with the caveat that even their cardio facilities are pretty limited.

    It's okay if you just want to use a treadmill (or an elliptical machine, which is of more limited effectiveness). Not so good if you want a more full-body cardio workout, though. No rope slams or medicine ball slams, for example, as that would surely set off the lunk alarm. It's a safe bet that general boot camp style workouts would be forbidden as well, since they tend to be noisy and generally "intimidating."

    That's a shame because full body workouts tend to burn more calories AND they are better for developing overall strength. So you can get some decent cardio done at PF, but in a less effective manner than at other places.
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  • ArmyofAdrian
    ArmyofAdrian Posts: 177 Member
    edited May 2016
    Planet Fitness. They actually make fun of people who are fit. They call them "Lunks" and literally have a "Lunk alarm" in the gym to shame people who work out "too hard" or who look "too fit" for their liking. "Judgement-free" my foot.

    THAT SAID, if it's the most reasoanble option to get you exercising regularly I say go for it.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    If you can't afford another gym, then do what you need to. However, make sure you ignore the pizza and bagel days, and pass up the free candy at the front desk. Find a smaller, independent gym. I bet you'll find more encouragement there, then PF.

    Why? I've had their bagels a couple times and they're delicious (Einstein bros bagels). I've also lost 90lbs. I don't eat their pizza because dominos isn't the best, but I make my own pizza and it's also delicious. Again, I've lost 90lbs eating things like this.

    And the comment about encouragement... I guess everyone is different but I would feel weird if someone was shouting encouragement at me while I'm lifting or running. I like to be left alone at the gym...

    OP - I enjoy PF as it suits my needs. It's cheap, 24/7 and has the equipment I need. If it works for you as well, then awesome! Go for it.

    I agree. bagel Tuesday is the one day a month I am there. Mine are from Panera and I just make it part of that day's menu. Membership $xx/month, bagels $-2.50/month - I like.

  • kdtesoriero
    kdtesoriero Posts: 141 Member
    I belong to PF with the black card membership. I have been a member of other gyms but I like them the best. I go seven days a week and have only seen pizza there once. Yes there are tootsie rolls by the door but I never liked them so they are not a temptation for me. Now if they were Hershey kisses my *kitten* would never see a weight or cardio machine.
  • hhazzouri
    hhazzouri Posts: 103 Member
    Planet fitness member here. The price is great, its a 2 min drive, and i can manage with the equipment they have. There is nothing wrong about planet PF if you skip the pizza and the bagels, other than that it's a great place to burn calories
  • smtaylo85
    smtaylo85 Posts: 1,269 Member
    People love to hate on PF!
  • geoff9491
    geoff9491 Posts: 5 Member
    I wish they had squat racks and let you deadlift, other than that it is great with the exception of the kind of industrial atmosphere. I rarely see people talking to each other, and if they are it seems they are friendly beforehand.