Gym Membership 101

December 20, 2008 11:01 AM

Is joining Planet Fitness worth it, or will I be disappointed in my first joining a gym experience?

Looking through some old posts, I saw a few mentions of Planet Fitness, but this thing about their debit practices seems to be the only actual bit of information around. Epinions has two reviews, both pretty negative, but both also saying the gym might be pretty good for beginners. I am quite the beginner.

What draws me to the place most is that it is fairly close to my home, and open 24/7 during the week. Iam mostly interested in having a bit of room to do pilates/yoga, some light weight work, and a bit of cardio.

posted by kellyblah to health & fitness (10 comments total)

I think for gyms, convenience trumps all, so I think you should do it if the price is right. I just joined the new Planet Fitness in my NYC neighborhood, and even though I haven't visited my home gym yet, I'm very happy with my membership, because for $20 a month, I have access to a gym minutes from my parents' house in another state (and I went last night and the gym is pristine).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:08 AM on December 20, 2008 [1 favorite]

One thing I learned about gyms is don't sign a one year contract if you can avoid it. Just pay by the month!
They rely on most people quitting after a few months and just paying off the contract.
I've done it, I know friends who have done it. A waste of money!
posted by PowerCat at 11:40 AM on December 20, 2008

Planet Fitness has been an awesome first gym for me. I started going in June; the equipment is fairly well maintained, it's as clean as a gym can be and it's only $20/month. I go 3-5 times a week. It's just a straight up gym - free weights, uh..the NOT free weights and a slew of different cardio machines (as well as a good circuit). The cardio gear all face banks of (recently upgraded) flat screen tvs, if that's your thing. I usually just use my mp3 player or phone for movies. They seem to really stick by the "no judgement zone" thing. There are muscleheads and superbod pod people there, but I've never felt uncomfortable. I really enjoy going.

That said, after my year is up, I'm probably going to move to a place that has real classes, and perhaps builtin personal trainers.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 11:58 AM on December 20, 2008

As a former member of Bally's Total Fitness: Joining a gym is rarely a problem. _Leaving_ a gym, though, is a giant hassle which requires you to follow every single step in the fine print of a contract that I hope you keep around. Sometimes more than once, and sometimes through certified mail because if they 'never got your letter', they can charge you for another month.

So like PowerCat says, month to month is a very good idea.
posted by Comrade_robot at 12:14 PM on December 20, 2008

I was a Planet Fitness member for about 6 months. It had what I was looking for in a gym: cheap monthly fees without a commitment, strength and conditioning equipment, cardio equipment, and stretch/yoga space.

There were some downsides. I don't intentionally grunt or strut about when working out, but management's zero tolerance policy towards such things was over the top (an occasional brief moment of heavy breathing or even a solitary grunt can be unavoidable when really exerting yourself). The result was a feeling that management was watching your workout a little too closely. Most equipment wasn't the newest or super abundant, and the stretching room wasn't the cleanest.

I can't comment on their billing beyond membership, as I never bought anything there, and paid my monthly membership via a recurring credit card charge. I never had a problem with that though.

I think Planet Fitness is a good gym if you a looking for a cheap place to get in-and-out for a workout without a commitment (though the start-up fee kind of compels you to keep going for at least 3-4 months). If you want classes and atmosphere, my Planet Fitness would not have fit the bill.

On preview: Quitng was no problem. If you quick early enough in the month, you just finish out the month. Otherwise, you have to pay for the next month too (but you can use the gym until the end of that month). They were pretty clear about the details when I signed up and the story didn't change when I said I was leaving.
posted by McGuillicuddy at 12:23 PM on December 20, 2008

I am mostly interested in having a bit of room to do pilates/yoga, some light weight work, and a bit of cardio.

Your goals seem pretty congruent with their culture/ambience.

Do NOT join this gym if you are a halfway serious weightlifter. If you want to do anything with the weights that involves grunting or yelling or anything like that, your business is not welcome there.

I myself would never join Planet Fitness. Because of that "no musclehead" policy. I can understand why they have it and I do appreciate their being up-front about it. But it's not for me.

Here is a story about a New York State prison guard who had problems with Planet Fitness. (YouTube)
posted by jason's_planet at 4:14 PM on December 20, 2008

I've been a Planet Fitness member on and off, and found it to be what I wanted - an unthreatening (well, as unthreatening as any gym can be) atmosphere to do some cardio on the treadmill/elliptical, and some weight training. Sometimes there are some meatheads hang out around the stationary weights, but the weight machines and cardio area is mostly average, middle-aged, mildly-out-of-shape folks; in other words, just who I want to be working out around. I'd say go for it.
posted by Zephyrial at 7:46 PM on December 20, 2008

Here is a story about a New York State prison guard who had problems with Planet Fitness. (YouTube)

Hilarious. Next time I lug my ass to a gym, it's going to be Planet Fitness.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 11:25 PM on December 20, 2008

Down here in NC, I only pay $10 a month for my PF membership, with a yearly fee of $20. So for $140 a year, I get a gym. I love it. My favorite part is the PF circuit, which has 12 machines lined up in a circle and a light that changes every 60 seconds. Its much like the Curves set up, but you can adjust the resistance so that you actually work hard. For someone like me who is intimidated by the bigger machines, the circuit is PERFECT. 30 minutes of cardio then 30 minutes on the circuit and I'm good to go.
posted by kidsleepy at 7:39 AM on December 21, 2008

My wife and I also only pay $140 per year in Columbus, OH. I can't imagine a less threatening gym environment, and I think their philosophy meets your needs perfectly.
posted by Kwine at 9:38 PM on December 21, 2008