Planet Fitness

I'm a member at Planet Fitness in Albuquerque, NM and I love it. My favorite machine, that really burns calories, is The Arc fitness trainer. They also offer a circuit training area which is a lot like Curves. I pay $20 a month and that allows me to workout at any of the gyms, unlimited tanning, red light therapy, and haircuts. This gym has contributed to my continued weight loss.

No classes, personal training, saunas, pools, etc.... just basic machines and that is it. They have a very strict "No cell phone" policy and will yell at you if you are on your phone while in the gym.

My gym had free bagel and cream cheese night and free pizza night.... and they have tootsie rolls everywhere!!! I am not a fan of that as I go to the gym to lose weight and be healthy... not to be tempted by smelling greasy pizza the whole time I'm on the treadmill!

My Planet Fitness has classes, personal training and they don't place the pizza anywhere near people exercising, in fact it's in it's own room.

I suggest for people curious to go on a walk through of that particular gym and see if you find any 'problems' people are listing. A good idea for a walk through is to go at a time you will be actually going to the gym so you can see how crowded it is and the people who are there..(not to judge!) to see what machines/weights they are using so you know if there will be room.

I was a member when PF was just starting out in my area and it was the place to be...Super cheap, had plenty of free weights and the place was clean for the most part. Then the cooperate mandates starting coming in as popularity grew...and the quality of the gym deteriorated. They removed half of the free-weights replacing them with assisted machines that offer no versatility and consistent stain. They put in the 'lunk' alarm and various other modes of propaganda that hold all the segregation and tasteless 'exclusions' that one would have found in Germany during the 40's-50's.And worst of all the place started getting crowded...which brought more foul BO to the gym.

Needless to say I had to call it quits.

Overall PF is a great place for people whom are just interested in the bare essentials of fitness. If you're just trying to get in shape because your doctor or family has been pressuring you to do so...Start at PF. If you're looking for a more serious facility that caters heavily toward muscular development...look elsewhere.

One last gripe..I never fully wrapped my head about their whole 'judgment free' zone...It's aggravatingly contradictory at a minimum. They want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in their own skin in their gym...okay...got it, completely understandable...but why go so far out of your way to put down everyone who's actually worked hard for their physique and wants to perpetuate that success??

The world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows...You're gonna take a lot of shots before you become anybody worth talking about. So grow some thicker skin, put your man pants on, and quit making excuses or blaming variables for your own shortcomings.

That's all I got, thanks for your time.

Ah, I would never join a gym that had pizza night! My old gym was right next door to a Mexican restaurant and that was torture enough.

That being said, I'm a member of World Gym. This is the best gym I've ever belonged to. The amenities vary by location and I'm not sure how far you're willing to travel but there is one less than 15 miles from you. I love that they're open 24 hours, they have various classes (something for everyone), a women's only fitness area, tanning and childcare. Their plans are very affordable - mine is $10.00 month with a small yearly maintenance fee. You can join without a contract and they are upfront about everything, unlike some gyms.

Most gyms offer a free 7 day pass. I would suggest you take advantage of this. Get a free pass to multiple gyms you're considering (but one at a time) Go as many times as you can to see which gym best meets you're criteria. Whatever you decide- good luck!


Edited to add the link to World Gym (just in case ): http://www.worldgym.com/index.php?page=localGym&gymId=1174

This thread made me want to join!! There isn't one close to me.

What is the lunk alarm? What does it do?

It's a blinking light and siren that goes off, in theory, if someone drops their weights or shows off excessively.

In over a year of going, I've only heard the alarm go off about four times and never witnessed the offensive.

I think the most important thing that we can all agree on is to do your research before you join a gym. If you want/need classes, make sure the gym offers it. Want a pool? You might end up paying more. Want something simple? Need flexible hours? These are all things you should find out before you sign any contract.

the lunk alarm goes off all the time at my gym lol
I never hear exactly what causes it to go off but I can hear the alarm over my music

I love it, but I guess it really all depends on the individual ones you go to. Mine is super crowded after 4pm, the treadmills are pretty much perpetually full

I love Planet Fitness. I have a spinning bike at home so I only go for the machines, but I will jump on the elliptical or treadmill here and there. As a young girl I was a bit intimidated at first but everyone at my location is super sweet and willing to help me learn. I also love that as a Black Card member ($20/mo) I can use the Beauty Angel red light therapy, which in only two sessions has faded almost completely away 99% of the scars I have. I don't need to do things like grunt or make loud noises, and I find the Lunk Alarm pretty hilarious (even though it only goes off like once every six trips), so that stuff never bothers me.

My gym is spotless, and I always see them cleaning. I would say almost all of the patrons are great at wiping the machines after use, but I always wipe pre- and post-workout just to be safe.

Also, in my experience they've always been great about cancellations and such. I had to cancel once when I broke both feet (long story) and everything went perfectly smoothly. Overall I love it as it's perfect for my needs.

Honestly?

I wouldn't go to PF if someone paid me.

For supposedly being a "judgement free zone" their commercials come across as pretty judgmental. Sorry, but just because you are in shape, lift heavy or whatever -- doesn't mean you are an idiot who "picks things up and puts them down". People who are in excellent shape, lift heavy and such are NOT all morons. And to insinuate such is .. well, pretty damn judgmental. And really? A lunk alarm? What the heck? I've been a member of three different gyms (Snap Fitness, a locally owned gym and now Powerhouse Gym) and have heard grunting and such and NEVER have I been intimidated. I was definitely not the "gym type" when I first started and was never put off by someone who was working hard and grunting. That's just plain silly.

And really? A gym who has pizza night and tootsie rolls on the counter? Are you kidding me? Get real.

I've belonged to PF for almost 3 years and I love it. I guess it's how each one is run because there are plenty of free weights at the one I belong to. Pizza is only the first Monday night of the month, bagels are only the first Tuesday morning of the month and there are tootsie rolls at the front counter. Nobody is forcing anyone to eat anything. In the time I've been there, I haven't had any of the food they offer. I am usually leaving as they bring the pizza in. It smells good, but self control is a wonderful thing.

Grunting isn't frowned upon at our gym. I do hear the alarm go off occasionally, but have no clue who has done what because I have my music on. The staff is super nice and they greet me by name when I come and go. The gym is clean, the machines are all in well maintained condition and there are plenty of machines to choose from.

I personally have no use for classes or a pool/sauna, so those aren't things I miss. The gym is 2 miles from my office and 1 1/2 miles from my house, so it really couldn't be more convenient.

Ditto on never ever going to work out there. Exertion is part of exercise, and sometimes you let an involuntary grunt. Just imagine if someone sounded an alarm during sex for letting out an involuntary moan, that's the lunk alarm! PF also brags about how many tootsie rolls, pizza, and bagels they give out each month on their corporate website. It sounds like they're putting temptation in front of you to keep you fat, which in turn will keep you coming to the gym. Plus every commercial makes it seem like body builders are idiots, but in fact they are very intelligent with their diet, nutrition, and fitness programs.

I love that so many people hate Planet Fitness. If everyone thought it was the greatest gym ever, if it catered to everyone, it would be entirely too crowded.

I like it for what it is. A beginner's gym. Want more? Fine. You'll have to pay more. I'm probably on the verge of "outgrowing" it, but I'm not yet willing to give up the super-low cost of PF for a better gym.

Yes, and most of them that hate it have never been members, they just comment based on what they've heard about it.