How useful are the massage chairs at Planet Fitness?

NadineBrosnan · January 2018

I like the massage chairs after a long workout. If nothing else, it helps blood circulation. Also, my PF gives me 2 of the 5-minute tokens for the chair, so if I have a guest we can both have a short massage.

Not a big fan of the tanning beds, although I used to do the standing red light therapy booth for my skin and I saw results. I was sad to see they got rid of it.

hesn92 · January 2018

I used to go to lifetime fitness many years ago and they had tons of non fitness related amentities. Sauna/steam room, hot tubs, massages (by people) a cafe, and even a hair salon.

Aqualang26 · January 2018

In response to your sternly written 10-page letter (which was totally a fair assessment for discussion and not a rant):

If you look at it all as a form of self care, does that help you accept the hydrobeds and massage chairs?

For many people making caring themselves a priority is what's necessary for improvement, in all areas - fitness very much included.

So if someone goes and puts in a workout then gets a little feel-good massage, I see it all as wonderful.

I can't deadlift 1000 lbs, but I feel pretty sure I get a really decent work out at PF. I also feel like you're exactly why a lot of people choose it.

Honestly, this type of tirade about it's all crap cuz massage chairs are present and I can't roar like an obnoxious lion after a set makes people stay home if there isn't another option.

So I'm really glad there's another option.

shelbypliska · January 2019

1. To answer the actual question, yes massage chairs are slightly beneficial but not nearly as much as getting a real massage. When you get a massage done by another human there are other factors that make them more useful. Scientist do not know exactly why or how massages are helpful but they believe different chemicals come into play. For example they think massages help oxygen travel to the sore areas (which helps with muscle repair). Also, you release a variety of "feel good" chemicals. You can easily google this for more details if you actually are curious. However, considering your responses it seems like you actually do not care you just wanted to *kitten* about PF
2. While I disagree with the use of tanning for myself personally, there are benefits. I personally don't use them because of the increase risk of skin cancer. However, they can be useful for those who do have depression. It is still being investigated whether or not they do help increase your vitamin D levels. Some studies have shown they do. Even if they don't, their placebo effect seems to be working well for some people I know. On top of that, tanning makes some people simply feel better about their looks, making it beneficial for their mental well being. Finally, it's a perk. If you're trying to decide between two similar options, it can attract the margin.
3. Please calm down and realize that they are targeting a market that is not you. Cool you work out? You lift weights? Good for you. There are a lot of people who have a hard time going to a gym and PF's goal is to make an easy stepping stone for them. Yea I think our society should try to be a little less lazy but you aren't just going to get everyone to flip that easily. PF tries to make a friendly JUDGEMENT FREE environment so that those who are having a hard time starting feel welcomed. My friend is trying to loose weight (she's almost double my weight) and it was difficult finding a gym environment that would make her feel comfortable. So yes, I think PF's little unhealthy incentives and "relaxation area" are not ideal but I will recognize the fact they help get people to go to the gym who normally wouldn't.
4. May I suggest meditation or yoga? It seems like you're very focused on things that are not worth your energy and that you have some pent up rage / anger / stress. I try to start and end my day with at least10 minutes of yoga and I can always tell when I've been skipping out. I have heard downward dog, child's pose, and pigeon pose help relieve stress / anger and helps you ground yourself

Hope I answered your question! If you want to find more information on massages, vitamin D / depression, or yoga I would suggest using google.

AliNouveau · January 2019

I used to belong to a gym that had a bar. It was a health "club" and they wanted to promote a collegial atmosphere. Maybe Planet Fitness is attempting this with its relaxation zone. Just without the booze. 😂

BrianSharpe · January 2019

SkylerJes · January 2019

Current PF member and massage chair user here.
I love to put in a hard exercise and rotate what I work on often, and I almost always end with the massage chair. Yes there are a lot of lazy people at PF that want to "feel" like they're getting fit, but there are also plenty that come in to get or stay fit too, and I've seen both groups use the massages.
I use both the exercise and chair to relieve stress/anxiety, and I couldn't get a cheap massage anywhere else. It's both a reward for my hard work out and a way to relax since I always go between 12-4am after work and before bed. I think it's very acceptable that they keep various amenities to broaden their customer base and keep the prices low for the majority.
It only helps me, and I'm smart enough not to eat the free food that would be a detriment to my goal of becoming more fit, and I feel like there's a lot of bias from non PF members that sum it up to most members being lazy or falling for a scheme. It's not the most professional environment, but it's one of the cheapest and most convenient options in most areas.
I think it's also worthwhile to consider that (at least at my location) they make no claims that it will imoroves fitness, and it is clearly separated and labeled as the "Spa" area of the building. The TVs only advertise the chairs for relaxation and don't show the red light or tanning rooms. I think it's fully up to the consumer to choose what they want to use and does not make the gym area any less of a gym area.

ecjim · January 2019

So how often do they have the free pizza?

clicketykeys · January 2019

ecjim wrote: »

So how often do they have the free pizza?

Monthly.

So now I'm kind of curious. The one I went to was down the road from a Papa John's and that's the kind of pizza they got. I'm wondering if that's consistent across the chain or if other PFs use different pizza suppliers.

Anyone have info?

GiddyupTim · January 2019

Wow!
The gym i go to used to have a jiggle machine -- that is, a machine where you stood on a vibrating plate. It always seemed to me like those old vibrating belt machines they had in gyms in the late 1950s and 1960s.
I was the only one who used it.
It stood in the corner, mostly ignored.
I kinda thought it was fun, though. And, a bit like a massage.
Now the machine is gone.
Why is OP asking us about the massage chairs? He, or she, should be trying one themselves, then judging for themselves whether they think it does anything positive....

Chef_Barbell · January 2019

clicketykeys wrote: »

ecjim wrote: »

So how often do they have the free pizza?

Monthly.

So now I'm kind of curious. The one I went to was down the road from a Papa John's and that's the kind of pizza they got. I'm wondering if that's consistent across the chain or if other PFs use different pizza suppliers.

Anyone have info?

Here at the PF in NYC (Queens), my daughter goes there and she said they get pizza from the local pizzeria down the block. Mmmm pizza.

shellykarren83 · October 2020

spartan_d wrote: »

Please note: This is NOT an anti-PF rant. I do have my issues with the Planet Fitness business model, but this is one situation in which I'd genuinely like to hear what others have to say.

For the sake of the uninformed, Planet Fitness offers a "relaxation zone" in its facilities. These relaxation zones have tanning beds, red light therapy machines (which are purportedly good for the skin), and massage chairs or beds. Personally, I question whether having a relaxation zone is really suitable for a gym, but I won't say that it's completely without merit.

The tanning beds are clearly inappropriate, given that they're unhealthy and do nothing to promote physical fitness. These amenities, I daresay, only help fuel the notion that PF caters to people who want a relaxing "workout" and aren't really interested in getting fit.

The red light therapy machines MIGHT be helpful for various skin conditions. I don't yet know what the medical community has to say about them. Once again though, they seem incongruous in a gym, and I think they'd be better suited for a vacation spa.

What about the massage chairs, though? Some would probably argue that they're good for treating tight muscles after a heavy workout. In my experience though, massage chairs generally don't do much for post-workout tension, though. Nor do relaxation massages in general, as these are best treated using actual deep tissue massage or sports massages. (Additionally, PF says that they don't really cater to the heavy lifting crowd, as they prefer to "create an environment where you can relax, go at your own pace," etc.

I realize that I might not be seeing the entire story though, so I would be interested in hearing what others have to say.

shellykarren83 · October 2020

So here’s my personal experience with PF. Where I live it’s not called the “relaxation zone” it’s the Black card membership access. A normal membership ($10/mo)does not include the Total body enhancement, tanning, hydro beds or deep tissue chairs. Those are included in the larger package ($20/mo). I’m a working, busy mother and if those things weren’t all together in one facility I probably wouldn’t pay to have them separately at a spa. Also with the black card membership I’m able to bring 1 guest with me to any facility as many times I want. Not a health benefit, just what is also included in the black card membership. these amenities aren’t included with a standard membership. So you don’t have to pay for something you don’t feel isn’t beneficial to you. To me it’s very convenient.
Regarding actual health benefits? I have several sports injuries and had a crazy back surgery. When I do cardio or heavy lifting (which so far no one has mentioned to me is not allowed) I get stiff and have poor circulation and nerve problems and I feel like the deep tissue chairs help. And I don’t have to remind a new person every time not to go in a certain area of my back. I just change the setting in the chair. And I think I’ve been sleeping better after using the deep tissue chair. According to my smart watch it’s extend two full hours. So who knows. I’m not a fan of the hydro beds but as far as I’m aware they do have heat adjustments. So heated and cooled water is helpful for muscles, right? When I read about the benefit of the Total body Enhancement machines (red light therapy) there was quite a bit of interesting information. Helps circulate blood, helps skin conditions such as scars/stretch marks and also has a series of vibrations. I have heard a few people at my gym say it helps their mental wellness and clarity afterwards. I’ve yet to try it.
As far as the free food. I’m an avid gym goer (5times a week for one hour blocks) I’ve never seen pizza or bagels. I could be wrong but I believe that’s only once a month type thing. But that had zero weigh in on my decision on getting a membership at PF.
The tanning has emotional benefits for me personally. It helps my confidence. Nothing more. Also the gyms i have used in the past offered outdoor pools and I live in Arizona. My PF membership is half of the amount I paid at other gyms, so if I’m going without a pool, at least I can still rock a tan.
As for the environment. As I said before, I have sports injuries and it’s really hard to go to a gym and not feel I have to keep up (competitive side of me). At my PF especially, there’s quite a bit of seniors, physically impaired, new to gym equipment types. So having a beginner level, low key, very quiet environment.... makes it less intimidating or competitive. No one gives me unsolicited advice I’m not harassed by personal trainers, there’s just no pressure and that lowers a lot of the stress and anxiety of going to the gym.

Hope that wasn’t too long.

xodreamariexo · October 2020

So you say you're here to see the opinions of others, yet you contradict and tell everyone they're wrong when they give their opinion. Are haircuts a fitness benefit? No but you see plenty of gyms that offer those. Are smoothie bars that sell smoothies packed with loads of added sugar? No. Are hot tubs? No. Are the TV screens attached to the cardio machines? No. TONS of other gyms offer these and I don't see you questioning anything.

jdabgotra · June 2022

This is an old thread, but the people knocking massage here are pretty ignorant, perhaps even of their own mortality. Once you get a job and work at a desk 9-5, you will get back pain, and if you train hard, you will get tight muscles. The massage chairs are an alternative to expensive massage services and chiropractors.

Massage is marketed towards athletes, as well as lacrosse balls, foam rollers, etc, so it's pretty ignorant even for a meathead in their 20s. You find foam rollers in the gym for the same reason.

But there are lot of dudes with the "No days off bro!" attitude -- You'll learn after your first hernia. Then they'll be like "when I was your age... I didn't know!" It's the kind of egoism you find in children and most people never get over it. "I don't see how it would work for me so I'll bash it as nonsense!" It's perceptual egoism, like how kids don't understand object permanance or how to accurately compare the volume of liquids in different cups. Your sense of your own body at any given time is subjective and it will change. There are billions of bodies of different ages and circumstances in the world, and surprise, they aren't all bodies like yours.

How useful are the massage chairs at Planet Fitness?

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