There's a whole lot to like about Planet Fitness - one of the most popular and commonly found gym chains in the world.
The biggest upside? It's really cheap!
Planet Fitness is one of the most budget-friendly gyms you could possibly join, and even better, there seems to be one on every corner in every city across the country.
But still, is Planet Fitness worth the low price? Do they have all the equipment and amenities you’re looking for? Here’s everything you need to know before you sign up.
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Planet Fitness equipment, features & amenities
OK, so we know it's cheap.
Now what?
Let's take a look at what Planet Fitness has to offer.
Equipment
Planet Fitness is best known as a giant purple and yellow cardio warehouse.
You'll find tons and tons of treadmills, stair machines, ellipticals, and bikes. As far as the eye can see!
You'll also usually see a pretty good circuit of resistance machines like the leg press and even Smith machines.
What you won't find is much in the way of weightlifting equipment.
No barbells, Olympic weights, or free squat racks to be found here.
Most Planet Fitness locations don't even allow deadlifting, or even some other heavy compound movements like the overhead press, believe it or not.
Planet Fitness has dumbbells, but they often only go up to about fifty pounds or so.
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Black Card benefits & amenities
The basic membership gets you in the door and gives you 24/7 access to all of the workout equipment.
But there's a little more going on behind the roped off "Black Card members only" area, including tanning beds, hydromassage, and regular massage chairs.
Some locations offer something called Total Body Enhancement, or a red light therapy machine that supposedly helps you burn fat, boost mood, and experience faster muscle gains.
A few very select Planet Fitness locations even give Black Card members haircuts included with their memberships!
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Other amenities
Planet Fitness also usually has a bar with cool drinks available for purchase, and they frequently offer free pizza nights and bagels in the morning.
You'll also typically find a pretty well-maintained locker room with showers and private lockers.
Planet Fitness does offer some personal training and group training options, but it mostly involves one of the staff showing you how to use the machines properly. There are no yoga classes or bootcamps at Planet Fitness.
Finally, Planet Fitness almost never has a pool, hot tub, or sauna area - so if you’re really into aquatics, you might want to look elsewhere.
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Drawbacks to Planet Fitness
At ten dollars a month, Planet Fitness is a pretty good investment in your health. But it might not be the right choice for everyone, because that cheap price tag comes with a serious lack of amenities.
The biggest drawback at Planet Fitness is the lack of strength training equipment.
If you're looking to build strength and muscle, you'll hate this gym.
Yes, they have dumbbells and resistance machines, but you'll be far too limited in what you can do, and if you start lifting heavy, you'll probably be asked to leave.
You’ll be better off at other budget gyms like Fit4less or Crunch that have a better selection of free weights.
Next, the best amenities at Planet Fitness cost extra.
The tanning, massage, and guest passes are pretty cool perks, but if you're going to spring for those, you can afford to go to a nicer gym. Mid-range gyms like LA Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness don’t cost that much more, and they usually include access to a pool and sauna, at least.
Finally, Planet Fitness is a poor choice if you like group fitness classes.
Group fitness classes are an awesome perk at most gyms, and the fact that you don't get them here is kind of a bummer.
Yes, this gym will put on a few super basic circuit classes, and they'll have an employee show you how to use the machines, but there's no yoga, Zumba, bootcamp, pilates, or anything like that.
Stripping these amenities away is how they keep the price down, but it definitely means there are better options out there.
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So is Planet Fitness worth it?
If you're looking for really cheap and convenient access to cardio equipment, then Planet Fitness will be a great fit for you.
For most people, though, there are better options out there at similar price points.
For a few bucks extra per month, you can get access to more amenities and better equipment at places like Crunch or LA Fitness.
But for total beginners, Planet Fitness can be a good first step toward a healthier lifestyle, and taking that first step is far better than doing nothing at all.
1 май 2022
