Current Events > Is Planet Fitness actually worth signing up?

(+) Yeah! (+)

My wife and I have been pretty happy with our current gym overall. But a Planet Fitness just opened next to our two grocery stores we always go to.

We currently pay $35 a month per person. Our gym has a huge variety of weight machines, but we don't use like 75% of them. But that said, we generally do more strength training than cardio and the one criticism I've heard about PF is they don't have much in the way of strength training.

I'm wondering if the big difference in price would be worth it, or if we should stick with our current gym. Anyone have any insight with Planet Fitness?

No, PF is for cardio. Go to a real gym if you train for strength.

If you're going to the gym and you're ignoring machines and favor strength training overall, then PF is probably the worst gym you can go to. They have an abysmal selection of free weights, the gyms are primarily based on machines, and they don't even have power racks, just Smith machines. If it's your aim to target specific muscle groups with a machine, then fine. Otherwise, look somewhere else.

Pay the extra not deal with the casuals who want the free pizza

PF is not that great for strength building. I dunno if they have barbells, or any dumbbells heavier than 5olbs. You can always do a tour.

I'd only recommend it if you are really strapped for cash.

Just try out PF, you can get a free day there. The strength section is plenty for most peoples needs. Dumbbells go up to 75lb at my gym and theres always the barbell if you want more

Welp, sounds like a resounding no lol.

What about LA Fitness? Their premium pass or whatever, is the same price as our current gym, but it has pools and saunas and shit. Are they just another McGym like PF is?

only if you're homeless.

PF is the fast food of gyms. It's biggest selling point is that it's cheap and conveniant.

My gym is $35/month with a pool, sauna, tanning, hydro massages, and towels. Theres also PTs of course, masseuses, and a snack bar. I didnt think Id use the sauna at all but Im pretty much in there before every workout. Theyve got a deal that anyone from the same address can sign up for only $10 extra.

The reason I like mine above all is the selection machines and barbells. If LA fitness has a bench and squat rack Id give it a shot.

Slayerblade11 posted...

PF is the fast food of gyms. It's biggest selling point is that it's cheap and conveniant.

I wonder how much of their revenue stream is from people forgetting to cancel their memberships and how the executives probably massage their words when talking about it in boards meetings.

LostForest posted...

Welp, sounds like a resounding no lol.

What about LA Fitness? Their premium pass or whatever, is the same price as our current gym, but it has pools and saunas and shit. Are they just another McGym like PF is?

LA Fit is a nicer McGym than PF. The pools, showers, and saunas are great deal for the price.

If youre on a tight budget and if you want to focus on cardio then yeah. Bought my dad a membership when they were running a promo for $10 a month.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Is it a squat rack, or a smith machine?

I would say to go and check it out for yourself. It's true that Planet Fitness has much more cardio equipment than strength training, but it's enough that most people can still train effectively. I'd wager that a lot of the people that hate on Planet Fitness have never actually been to one themselves. They just repeat the same hate that others do.

The main problem with Planet Fitness are the crowds. Because of the low price, they get a ton of people signing up. So the peak hours (6-9pm) tend to be crowded to the point of needing to wait for machines. When I was going, I was going after 10pm, just to avoid the crowds.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

No biggie. Smith machines are good if you have no other options. Since the bar moves on a fixed path though it alters your movements.

Looks like CE is not a judgment free zone

PF is a disgusting place