Tell Me About Planet Fitness

[sadlebred]

I may be looking to join a gym for this winter. There is a Planet Fitness near me that opened within the last 18 months. At $10/month, it's the most affordable option. I'm not looking for group fitness classes, just something to do other than the trainer this winter. Do you like it? Do they offer any kind of personal training?

[theoriginalbean]

I don't know about the national chain, but the ones around here do pizza parties and forbid Olympic lifts, which I think is lame.

[chw57]

I think they do have trainers... I went for awhile a few years ago. I hasaaaate that they ban some types of lifting, and since it was cheap it was always super crowded (I could only go at 5 AM or after work and both were crazy). Machines would break and not get fixed for months...
When I was just using it for a treadmill it was fine but it really bothered me how hard it was to lift because of what a total zoo it was.

[zoidberg]

Crowded as hell.

[gummybear]

Dead lifting is banned and I don't think they have squat racks. Barbells only go up to 50 lbs. You can't grunt or they set off the "lunk alarm"! If you are looking to just use machines it's def. a good deal. but for heavy lifting, no way. Do you have Retro Fitness around you? They are cheap and don't have restrictions on lifting.

[sadlebred]

I won't be doing any heavy lifting or need a squat rack b/c of my bad back...

[Deleted]

I really like planet fitness. I've been to 4 different ones due to travelling and they're always clean and the staff is friendly.

With my schedule a 24 hour option is necessary. I use it mainly for lifting following new rules of lifting for women and they've always had the equipment I needed.

[sitnspin]

I bought a 2 year membership and have gone a handful of times.  They don't have squat racks anymore and yelled at me once for doing pushups...on a mat....in a corner...by myself...not disturbing anyone....or making any noises, etc.

I also hate that everything faces the same direction.  If you are using weights, everyone on the billion cardio machines is facing you.  Hate it.

[Deleted]

I have never heard of planet fitness, and now I'm off to Google. This concept sounds fascinating. Pizza parties? That sounds so wrong I don't want to be right

[ebeth]

It seems like a cool concept with their judgement free zone and whatnot. I feel like I've heard they have a lot of rules though.

[emilyinchile]

This caused me to waste a ton of time reading about how people LOVE or HATE Planet Fitness and then watching some of their commercials that people were referencing. FWIW, it seemed like different franchises can be pretty different, so you probably will need to check out your local one to see what exact equipment they have and if it'll work for you.

I take issue with the attitude they project - and don't find it judgment free - but if you're mainly looking to use a treadmill and some of the weight machines that they do have, I'd certainly be tempted for only $10.

[nichelobe]

Like others said, it's fine for cardio machines. I really take issue with their "judgement free" marketing, though. I've never seen a more judgemental gym. They've gotten some bad press in the last year or so for asking people to leave because their workout gear is too revealing (like tank tops) and for the ridiculousness of the Lunk Alarm. They even asked a pregnant woman to leave for showing her midriff when really her baby belly was showing a little from under her tee shirt.
My mom has a membership and I've gone when I've visited her. I thought maybe those were just rumors until I heard that damn alarm go off because someone was working hard. The manager came and talked to the guy. The guy ended up apologizing for nothing more than lifting heavy. Judgement free? No.

[bostonmichelle]

I joined Planet Fitness earlier this year. I like it to do some cardio and do some weight machines and some loose weights. I haven't had an issue with the weights, except deadlifts, since I don't have much muscle. It has its limitations but is cheap and fits my needs at the moment.

[ghostmonkey]

I would not trust a trainer that their best job option is Planet Fitness.

[melmel48]

I haven't had any issues at all. I can't afford anything else anyway, so it fits my current needs