Planet Fitness.... only $10 a month? How?

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I just saw this place called Planet Fitness while on vacation. apparently it is an expanding chain of gyms that only charges $10 a month.... which is 1/4 of what I pay for my local gym. And you don't have to sign a contract, from what I was told by my relatives. We don't have one closer than 20 miles from me, but I bet one will be coming our way.

It seems to good to be true.

At $10 a month I have 2 concerns....

1. Quality of equipment

2. A staggering amount of people always being in the gym.


Can anybody tell me about Planet Fitness?

 

[kwelch10377]

From what I have heard from a few people, it isn't bad, but it isn't great. The equpiment is pretty good and it does get crowded, but not to the point where you can't get any machine. It is open pretty late though and it isn't too crowded the later it gets. I also don't think there are any classes, which most gyms offer as part of the monthly fee.

I believe there is a hefty joining fee.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

We have a Planet Fitness in our town. I honestly don't know how they get away with the $10 fee. Ours is inside of an old supermarket so the place is HUGE! They have a ton of people who exercise there, but because of how big it is, it never seems crowded, and I've never had to to wait for any sort of equipment.

I will say, though, that I don't think their one-on-one trainers are as good as some of the pricier places I've been to. However, now that I've got a good routine, 10 bucks is a killer deal to go and run on the treadmills and lift some weights.

 

[pixiedust9]

I belong to Planet Fitness. I love it. They have as much, if not more equipment than the BAC that I belonged too. They are open 24 hours Monday thrus Thursday, close at 7 or 9 on weekends. Sometimes the gym is crowded, but I go when it isn't. I have been there when it was crowded and was still able to do what I wanted to do without any problem. I upgraded and pay $20/month and am able to take a guest with me everytime I go. Sometimes I do...sometimes I go myself. No one from the club bothers you, which I LOVE. If you need help with something, or want a trainer, they are available...but they don't walk around bugging you like I have seen at other places.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am considering joining. The other gyms here are expensive, so no frills is up my alley.

I had googled and had come across an article about their concept. The creator took over a struggling gym. To be competitive with other gyms, he undercut their prices to boost membership. He could dingbat by offering a no frills concept. It is simply a venue to work out on equipment you don't have.

I should be joining in a few weeks. Even if it ends up not working out...the cost is insignificant compared to other local places.

For 20'a month, you get reciprocal membership, but I'm just getting the basic. Joining fee is only 29. First month will be 39, less than half the monthly fee of my other choice. No pool, no childcare, no cafe, no basketball/racquetball courts, no track....all things I would not use anyway.

I'm guessing that is how PF can charge so little.

 

[TinklednPants]

I believe there is a hefty joining fee.

Not true at all. And no contracts either.

 

[msjprincess]

From what I have heard from a few people, it isn't bad, but it isn't great. The equpiment is pretty good and it does get crowded, but not to the point where you can't get any machine. It is open pretty late though and it isn't too crowded the later it gets. I also don't think there are any classes, which most gyms offer as part of the monthly fee.

I believe there is a hefty joining fee.

IIRC DH paid $30 to join.

 

[BELLE1109]

I belonged to one for years before we moved.
Its fine, it is not a Equinox (no spa, steam room, etc)
Mine had a few classes. The treadmills were packed around 5 and after the high school kids got out.

Good deal for $10 IMO

 

[dakcp2001]

The one near me was disgusting. They get masses of people to join cuz its only 10 bucks a month.They let everything go broken beyond repair and the locker rooms were FILTHY. It was nice when they first opened but it turned into the kind of place you would want to even use the restroom. We cancelled. They have opened upm in our area several times, they stay for a few years then sell to someone else, then open a new location. They didnt do any maintenance at all. Oh and lockers were always broken into. I had my lock cut off twice and all I brought was clothes nothing valuable.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've belonged for probably 2 years now. I started with the $10 membership and then moved up to the $20 so I could go to different locations and use the tanning booths etc....

I have NO complaints. The one closest to me is huge but it used to be a factory so could use some updating but no complaints on the equiptment.

The other one that's 10 minutes away is perfect. New and big and lots of newer equiptment.

At least twice a year they offer the $1. down and $99 a year so there isn't even the $30 joining fee. When they do offer this, they will let you upgrade from the basic membership to the Black membership for free. No new fees.

With my Black membership ($20 a month), I'm charged a $39 fee every June.

Again, I have no complaints. Love it.

 

[gometros]

At least twice a year they offer the $1. down and $99 a year so there isn't even the $30 joining fee. When they do offer this, they will let you upgrade from the basic membership to the Black membership for free. No new fees.

That's how I joined mine. Joined at $1 down and $10/month, then upgraded to the $99/year. Love it. It's bare bones as far as programs and locker facilities go, but they keep it clean at all times and I have never had to wait for any machine other than the weight machines (they have two). If you want a fancy spa with luxurious locker facilities and zillions of exercise classes, Planet Fitness is not for you. But if you want a nice place to get a good workout with out breaking the bank, it's the perfect place.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Well, it sounds like something I would enjoy.... I hope they open one near me... they want $75 a month for my wife and I at our club, and I think it is too expensive since I use zero of the amenities. I go in, workout, and go home.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Well, it sounds like something I would enjoy.... I hope they open one near me... they want $75 a month for my wife and I at our club, and I think it is too expensive since I use zero of the amenities. I go in, workout, and go home.

If you do the 19.99/month plan, you can sign up for just one of you and you can take a guest for free...and it can be the same guest each time you visit.

 

[ckay87]

I only let my membership there expire because I missed going to classes. But it's just fine as a no-frills gym.

The crowd wasn't an intense workout crowd. I can't think of a ton of examples, but at ours nobody was particularly working their butts off, you know? I mean when you can wear sweaters and jeans during your exercise routine, you're doing something wrong . The steps on risers in the interval area had handles on them (I assume to help yourself up and down). This annoyed me no end. I'm sure some people needed them, but on all 10?

Oh and you didn't have access to any extra equipment such as balls or bands. I missed that too.

I got in on the $1 to join special - keep an eye out for those.

 

[quentina]

I just saw this place called Planet Fitness while on vacation. apparently it is an expanding chain of gyms that only charges $10 a month.... which is 1/4 of what I pay for my local gym. And you don't have to sign a contract, from what I was told by my relatives. We don't have one closer than 20 miles from me, but I bet one will be coming our way.

It seems to good to be true.

At $10 a month I have 2 concerns....

1. Quality of equipment

2. A staggering amount of people always being in the gym.


Can anybody tell me about Planet Fitness?

It is very simple. Around here, no classes, just machines.