Thinking of joining Planet Fitness?

[maslex]

Anyone else a member?

How do you like it? I know it's supposed to be a gym that doesn't have "those" people there. You know the kind....muscle heads, little skinny-minnies in their "barely there" gum outfits. I hear it's supposed to be a gym for those of us who are self conscious, right?

I'm really overweight (and I'm not talking 25lbs, 50lbs or even 100lbs, it's more) so it's taking a lot for me to actually go. Right now, between the weight and a couple injuries I can't do much. So would I look stupid or frowned upon if I go and do only maybe 5-10 mins on the treadmill and maybe a couple arm weight machines? Or do they give you a "schedule" to do?

Any insight would be helpful.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Anyone else a member?

How do you like it? I know it's supposed to be a gym that doesn't have "those" people there. You know the kind....muscle heads, little skinny-minnies in their "barely there" gum outfits. I hear it's supposed to be a gym for those of us who are self conscious, right?

I'm really overweight (and I'm not talking 25lbs, 50lbs or even 100lbs, it's more) so it's taking a lot for me to actually go. Right now, between the weight and a couple injuries I can't do much. So would I look stupid or frowned upon if I go and do only maybe 5-10 mins on the treadmill and maybe a couple arm weight machines? Or do they give you a "schedule" to do?

Any insight would be helpful.

OK....can you go to your GP and first get a medical workup?

Second, get a referral to a PT for your injuries.

Do not for the love of all things join any gym without being under the guidance of a medical professional.

I am not overweight however I am dealing with an injury and let me tell you, the PT was the right place to start.

She showed me how to do basic exercises for my needs to get me on the right path which also helped me with my injuries and issues.

There are things you can do now, you need someone qualified to show you the way.

I am just saying this because I this injury stuff is taking me 2yrs to work on. It is no joke. Start out SMART!

Plus, there is so much you can do that is simple that packs a punch. I went to a sports and pt place.

 

[TinkerBelled]

Anyone else a member?

How do you like it? I know it's supposed to be a gym that doesn't have "those" people there. You know the kind....muscle heads, little skinny-minnies in their "barely there" gum outfits. I hear it's supposed to be a gym for those of us who are self conscious, right?

I'm really overweight (and I'm not talking 25lbs, 50lbs or even 100lbs, it's more) so it's taking a lot for me to actually go. Right now, between the weight and a couple injuries I can't do much. So would I look stupid or frowned upon if I go and do only maybe 5-10 mins on the treadmill and maybe a couple arm weight machines? Or do they give you a "schedule" to do?

Any insight would be helpful.

I agree that talking to a doctor would be good--you don't want to hurt yourself.

In sheer terms of going to the gym, however, they won't care at all if you're there for 5-10 minutes. Planet Fitness is the closest gym to me, and there are days when I can only squeeze in 15 minutes--and no one blinks. When you sign up you'll get a card, which you just scan when you come in; no need to physically sign something or check in with anyone. People focus on their own workouts rather than you: the last thing I'm thinking about when I'm running is whether the person next to me has left to go lift weights or to leave the building.

It's completely self-starting, and unless you sign up for classes/training, there's no set schedule for you.

 

[lvillotta1]

I think your best bet would be water aerobics,swimming laps and overall being in a pool. I have fibromylagia and I wanting to get into the pool at the YMCA. I think the YMCA would benefit you the most after being cleared by your MD. I would also hire a personal trainer to help guide you for what is best for you and set u up for success.

 

[SLP958]

I have never been to a planet fitness but have been a member at other gyms. Usually when you join a staff member will give you a demo of a lot of the equipment and ask if you have questions about using anything.

You can also request a free trial pass at most places. This can help you decide if you feel comfortable enough at the place to really join.

Don't feel self conscious. The gym I go to has muscle heads all the way to a little old man with a walker who is driven there by his caregiver.

Really, everyone is so worried about themselves they are not paying much attention to anyone else.

10
Minutes on a treadmill can become 15 then 20 and so on. You can do it. Start at your pace and work up. Little changes become big ones over time!

Good Luck.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have never been to a planet fitness but have been a member at other gyms. Usually when you join a staff member will give you a demo of a lot of the equipment and ask if you have questions about using anything.

You can also request a free trial pass at most places. This can help you decide if you feel comfortable enough at the place to really join.

Don't feel self conscious. The gym I go to has muscle heads all the way to a little old man with a walker who is driven there by his caregiver.

Really, everyone is so worried about themselves they are not paying much attention to anyone else.

10
Minutes on a treadmill can become 15 then 20 and so on. You can do it. Start at your pace and work up. Little changes become big ones over time!

Good Luck.

Yes, this is certainly true, but what are her injury issues?

For example I can't even do 10 minutes on the treadmill due to a Morton's neuroma in my foot. (Thank you PT for finally figuring it out. ) I went to 1 orthopedic doc and 2 podiatrists.

Mine is caused literally by weakness in my core strength. I am doing strength training right now and hopefully one day I will be able to exercise walk more than 15 mins.

If I overdo it, it ticks off the nerve and then I am back to square one with the pain.

 

[ironpig70]

Not a member of any gym but have had several at different places.

I would ask if you can purchase a 2 week pass before you buy into them. Then go to the gym when you would normally go. This will give you a great insight into the gym. Things like how many others are there, parking, etc.


Also like mentioned get with your Dr and get the okay.

And see if they have trainers. Get a plan going and go for it for say a month and the redo the plan if need be.

Guidance is definitely helpful.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The PF that I belong to has just about every body type imaginable. They advertise as "the judgement free zone," and that is accurate. They do have trainers who will guide you if you choose.

To me, the best part is that they are extremely affordable and you can quit anytime if you need to.

I'll leave what, and how intense, exercising you should do up to you and your doc.

 

[disney212]

I am a current member (joined in March 2013) of PF and have significant health issues. When I went to join they suggested I sign up for a meeting with their PT (included with the membership). She took a thorough medical history and gave me a "plan" and told me to take it to my doctor for his approval. He gave his approval and I started working out. She was still unhappy with how high my heart rate was spiking and told me to go back to the doctor for a cardiac check. I did and was diagnosed with tachycardia which was caused from a recent partial lung removal. With the blessing of the cardiologist (whom I never would have seen without the urging of the personal trainer at PF) I have been able to cure my tachycardia through working out! I was just on a 24 hour monitor and my resting heart rate was at 52. My progress has been slow but steady and I a down 27 lbs . Only 80 more to go.

My experience has been nothing but positive but I agree you should get doctor's approval before starting any type of program. I hope your local center is as AWESOME as mine.

At my center we have folks that weigh 500 lbs and folks that weigh 100 lbs, people 18 and folks 80, we have several handicapped members including paraplegic members. No one judges or pays attention to what anyone else is doing. The staff is great assisting those with physical disabilities. When I first started if I hesitated at a machine or looked confused the other members were quick to help. I have felt nothing but support and encouragement by staff and members.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

At my center we have folks that weigh 500 lbs and folks that weigh 100 lbs, people 18 and folks 80, we have several handicapped members including paraplegic members. No one judges or pays attention to what anyone else is doing.

I have been a member since January 2012. I agree with the above. We have a trainer there and you can get an appointment with her to get a personalized plan.

We have an older farmer who comes in overalls and walks on the treadmill. There are older heavier folk and high school athletes. I am 60 and was worried about being out of place but I really like it.

Also, I am a PT and I agree that you should have your doctor's ok before you go.

 

[low-key]

I work out at the Y, and when a person comes in really over weight (often) I admire them, your trying to do something about it, if some dont think that way, then show them by your dedication

 

[Albort]

yes, i agree with everyone else about getting a PT. Honestly, i went to the gym for awhile, never really lost any weight, always just followed what the machine said. Got 24 hours pass, they got me into a 3 session PT, i told him straight out that i just wanted to learn how to use machines and such. Ended up dropping 24 for a cheaper gym and lost 1 pants size in 2 months.

Also, check out your city to see if they offer a gym. My city got a gym for $10 a month. small but rarely used by anyone. Another city my cousin lives in charges $50 for a year to use the gym...

 

[IDoDis]

While I don't want to discourage you, do your research on PF. Just google Planet Fitness reviews. My DD had been going with a friend who had the membership where she could bring a friend. Then DD wanted her own membership for her birthday. DH said, "No way. That place is always on the news for something bad." Be careful of trying to cancel. They keep taking money out of your account and report you to the credit bureau. There were just too many horror stories online about their shady practices for me to give them my credit card info.

So DD and I joined a different gym. It's $23 more a month, but has way more machines, has classes, and a pool. DD said the gym we now go to is like heaven compared to the over-crowded PF. She said there are two types at our gym -- really buff and old ladies. There are still lots of heavy people at this "buff" gym. And really, no one cares about what anyone else is doing.

Maybe the Planet Fitness gyms are better in other areas, but from what I've read online, their problems seem to be widespread. Not so much with the gyms themselves, but with their poor treatment to customers when they want to cancel their memberships. The franchises out here have grades of D's and F's with the BBB.

 

[Lintasare]

While I don't want to discourage you, do your research on PF. Just google Planet Fitness reviews. My DD had been going with a friend who had the membership where she could bring a friend. Then DD wanted her own membership for her birthday. DH said, "No way. That place is always on the news for something bad." Be careful of trying to cancel. They keep taking money out of your account and report you to the credit bureau. There were just too many horror stories online about their shady practices for me to give them my credit card info.

So DD and I joined a different gym. It's $23 more a month, but has way more machines, has classes, and a pool. DD said the gym we now go to is like heaven compared to the over-crowded PF. She said there are two types at our gym -- really buff and old ladies. There are still lots of heavy people at this "buff" gym. And really, no one cares about what anyone else is doing.

Maybe the Planet Fitness gyms are better in other areas, but from what I've read online, their problems seem to be widespread. Not so much with the gyms themselves, but with their poor treatment to customers when they want to cancel their memberships. The franchises out here have grades of D's and F's with the BBB.

If I remember correctly you are from the ABQ area. What gym did you find that only costs $23 a month and has a pool? I would love to know. I know Defined is pretty reasonable but I don't think the cost is that low.

 

[Albort]

If I remember correctly you are from the ABQ area. What gym did you find that only costs $23 a month and has a pool? I would love to know. I know Defined is pretty reasonable but I don't think the cost is that low.

check your city community center...

City im in, is $10 for gym membership a month. Swimming is $3 per use though.
My cousin's city, $50 per year for gym, $10 per month for swimming pool usage.

 

[maslex]

OP here. I had recently (within the last month or so) seen my general doctor. He's the one that advised me that I should start walking, join a gym, pool, etc.
So I think he's on board.

As for my injuries they're really not all that bad. I tore my meniscus last year and sometimes it still bothers me. Actually, if I dare to admit it, I think I "baby" my whole leg to the point that the other one started hurting. People tell me that I "over compensated" with my left knee and now sometimes my right knee will hurt. And while this isn't really an injury (I don't think) I have Planter's Fasciitis in my right foot. It just really hurts to walk. I've read threads on here and other places on how people continue to walk/exercise etc with Planter's Fasciitis but I think since I am so overweight that it hurts more??? Not sure. But I know that it has prevented me from even going up to the track to take a walk. Heck, that's how I got it both times. Obviously, since I'm so overweight I don't do much moving. But a 3 yrs ago we had gone on vacation and we had taken a cab to a certain location but decided to walk back. It was about a mile. Next day, I had the heel pain. That took about a year and a half to go away. Then this past spring, I decided that I was sick of being overweight and that I needed to start walking everyday. Grabbed my ipod and walked around the cemetary by work. Next day, heel pain. Haven't been out walking since. It's just so painful.

But it's to the point that I have to do SOMETHING!!! I'm just going to wrap up my foot or something to get this done.

 

[mamamary]

I'll reply only about the gym itself from my family's experience. Both my dh and two kids joined at the beg. of this year. My dh absol. loves going there. He is there about 4-5x week. He does the classes, cardio, weights etc. My dd basically likes one machine there and will do just that and sometimes weights. My ds just does weights. It's all whatever you want to do and for how long. And yes if the workers notice someone "showing off" or whatever you call it there is some kind of bell or something they ring to remind that there is no showing off.

I've never gone but just from dropping the kids off you have every type of person there - young, old, fit, not fit etc.

I will tell you that ours at least does get crowded at night. My son has found on a few occasions there is too much of a crowd at the weights.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OP here. I had recently (within the last month or so) seen my general doctor. He's the one that advised me that I should start walking, join a gym, pool, etc.
So I think he's on board.

As for my injuries they're really not all that bad. I tore my meniscus last year and sometimes it still bothers me. Actually, if I dare to admit it, I think I "baby" my whole leg to the point that the other one started hurting. People tell me that I "over compensated" with my left knee and now sometimes my right knee will hurt. And while this isn't really an injury (I don't think) I have Planter's Fasciitis in my right foot. It just really hurts to walk. I've read threads on here and other places on how people continue to walk/exercise etc with Planter's Fasciitis but I think since I am so overweight that it hurts more??? Not sure. But I know that it has prevented me from even going up to the track to take a walk. Heck, that's how I got it both times. Obviously, since I'm so overweight I don't do much moving. But a 3 yrs ago we had gone on vacation and we had taken a cab to a certain location but decided to walk back. It was about a mile. Next day, I had the heel pain. That took about a year and a half to go away. Then this past spring, I decided that I was sick of being overweight and that I needed to start walking everyday. Grabbed my ipod and walked around the cemetary by work. Next day, heel pain. Haven't been out walking since. It's just so painful.

But it's to the point that I have to do SOMETHING!!! I'm just going to wrap up my foot or something to get this done.

Eh.....wrong way to begin. Go see a podiatrist and get a referral to a PT like yesterday. Don't set yourself up for failure.

I also have PF. You need to do STRENGTH TRAINING AND STRETCHING before you even consider walking.

Once you start on the right path, you will find relief, exercise correctly, and then you can walk.

Plus you need orthotics for your shoes.

At the VERY least see a pedorthist and get some orthotics and correctly fitted shoes.

Go to Brown Shoe or somewhere that has a certified pedorthist on staff.

Good Luck!

 

[kirstenb1]

OP here. I had recently (within the last month or so) seen my general doctor. He's the one that advised me that I should start walking, join a gym, pool, etc.
So I think he's on board.

As for my injuries they're really not all that bad. I tore my meniscus last year and sometimes it still bothers me. Actually, if I dare to admit it, I think I "baby" my whole leg to the point that the other one started hurting. People tell me that I "over compensated" with my left knee and now sometimes my right knee will hurt. And while this isn't really an injury (I don't think) I have Planter's Fasciitis in my right foot. It just really hurts to walk. I've read threads on here and other places on how people continue to walk/exercise etc with Planter's Fasciitis but I think since I am so overweight that it hurts more??? Not sure. But I know that it has prevented me from even going up to the track to take a walk. Heck, that's how I got it both times. Obviously, since I'm so overweight I don't do much moving. But a 3 yrs ago we had gone on vacation and we had taken a cab to a certain location but decided to walk back. It was about a mile. Next day, I had the heel pain. That took about a year and a half to go away. Then this past spring, I decided that I was sick of being overweight and that I needed to start walking everyday. Grabbed my ipod and walked around the cemetary by work. Next day, heel pain. Haven't been out walking since. It's just so painful.

But it's to the point that I have to do SOMETHING!!! I'm just going to wrap up my foot or something to get this done.

Think about trying the recumbent bike. That's my go-to whenever I have an injury. Weight loss is so hard!! I need to ditch 20 lbs, but I will say, I eat Progresso Light soups when I've eaten too much the previous day. It's a large can, about 200 calories, and very filling. If you haven't tried them, give them a shot.

 

[IDoDis]

We joined Defined Fitness for $36/month which includes tax. That price is $23 a month more than PF with tax. I get a $5/month discount through my employer, and DD gets a student discount, so our monthly cost is the same. There's a $50 sign-up fee, but there isn't a contract. It's month-to-month. If we get too busy and have to quit for a while, we fill out a little slip of paper to cancel. One or both of us can rejoin at any time and won't have to pay the $50 again as long as 3 years have not passed. The gym is clean, well air-conditioned, and the equipment is nicely maintained. It was definitely worth the extra. I love being able to swim some laps after a hard workout, too!

I think PF adds some kind of membership fee that they take out of your bank account (once a year?). So if you factor that cost in as well, PF is not as great of a savings than what you might think.

If I remember correctly you are from the ABQ area. What gym did you find that only costs $23 a month and has a pool? I would love to know. I know Defined is pretty reasonable but I don't think the cost is that low.