Planet Fitness vs. "regular" gym for a middle-aged man
November 2, 2015 9:22 AM Subscribe
51, overweight, just started lifting using the Stronglifts 5X5 program. I'm considering switching to Planet Fitness. Thoughts?
One of the reasons I'm considering switching is the cost; even if I got the "black card" membership, it would be less than half what I'm paying now. My current gym has a number of facilities (pool, basketball courts, etc.) that I don't really use. And I'm concerned about the security there; recently, I experienced the second time that I happened to be there when they discovered that a number of lockers had been broken into, which wouldn't have happened too long before I got there.
The negatives of switching are that PF doesn't have much in the way of free weights; they use Smith machines for squats, and forbid deadlifts as "lunkhead" behavior, which would essentially mean that I'd have to stop or severely modify Stronglifts 5X5, which is a good program for me as it's very simple and methodical (and the app is quite good). So, I'm especially interested in hearing from any older MeFites who may have switched to PF and how it worked out (heh) for them.
One of the reasons I'm considering switching is the cost; even if I got the "black card" membership, it would be less than half what I'm paying now. My current gym has a number of facilities (pool, basketball courts, etc.) that I don't really use. And I'm concerned about the security there; recently, I experienced the second time that I happened to be there when they discovered that a number of lockers had been broken into, which wouldn't have happened too long before I got there.
The negatives of switching are that PF doesn't have much in the way of free weights; they use Smith machines for squats, and forbid deadlifts as "lunkhead" behavior, which would essentially mean that I'd have to stop or severely modify Stronglifts 5X5, which is a good program for me as it's very simple and methodical (and the app is quite good). So, I'm especially interested in hearing from any older MeFites who may have switched to PF and how it worked out (heh) for them.
I can't speak about PF in general, but as someone with a knee injury that I'm told was due to doing squats using a Smith machine for years instead of with a free barbell, I'd say don't do that. It's taken me a lot of rehab to get back to squatting a decent amount and I still can't take as much compression in the injured (LCL sprain) knee as I do in the good one.
posted by Kurichina at 10:57 AM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Kurichina at 10:57 AM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you're at all serious about lifting, avoid Planet Fitness like the plague. Everything you need to do to lift (like, oh, I dunno, deadlifting) is pretty much strictly forbidden there. Just… no, dude, no.
If you're worried about cost, you'd be far better off saving up your money, getting a set of plates and a barbell, and a squat rack off Craigslist, and lifting at home.
posted by culfinglin at 11:01 AM on November 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you're worried about cost, you'd be far better off saving up your money, getting a set of plates and a barbell, and a squat rack off Craigslist, and lifting at home.
posted by culfinglin at 11:01 AM on November 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
Forthing the excellent advice above. I went to Planet Fitness for a while just to use the treadmills during inclement weather, but ended up buying a squat rack from Costco and building my own gym in the garage.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 11:05 AM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by LuckySeven~ at 11:05 AM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is the first time I've heard of Planet Fitness, but after looking at their website I can confidently state that I hate them. A "Judgement Free Zone®" that would forbid deadlifts as "lunkhead" behavior, the repeated statements that they offer a tool not a product, and the odd testimonials raise too many red flags to me. I wouldn't trust them with my body.
What are the other choices in your area? A basic gym with free weights is just as good as a fancy gym, and you often get a better sense of community at the 'lunkhead' gyms ... even if you yourself aren't in the greatest shape.
posted by kanewai at 1:03 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
What are the other choices in your area? A basic gym with free weights is just as good as a fancy gym, and you often get a better sense of community at the 'lunkhead' gyms ... even if you yourself aren't in the greatest shape.
posted by kanewai at 1:03 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm a PF member, and like it (more on this in a sec) but if you want to do free weights/dead lifts no, it's not the place.
I mainly came in to comment on the image thing. If PF were a church, from the outside it apparently would be Westboro Baptist, and inside it would just be your average neighborhood Presbyterian church. Inside the 4 walls, I have never noticed any real difference in the way they act or operate vs. 99% of the other suburban-type budget fitness centers.
They typically are a no-frills operation, without aerobic classes, pools, saunas, etc., they keep things pretty clean, they have a LOT of treadmills, ellipticals, etc. It's a great place for an aerobic workout like running on a treadmill, exercise bike, or the like. If you like resistance machine circuits, they do that very well also, and they have a lot of hand weights and benches for arm/chest work. Staff at the places I've been is always friendly and they have free "basic training" (never really used it; I've gotten mixed reviews on how good it is. Most PFs seem to also have some paid personal trainers using the place with clients). Locker rooms and showers are also clean in the ones I've been in, and in good shape.
I honestly think they cultivated the entire "lunkhead" thing as a cover for "we don't really want to have serious free-weight equipment for liability reasons and/or because that's not the majority of the fitness center market, so we make it clear to serious bodybuilders that we're not their cup of tea." I think they should/could do it without alienating people (or maybe just ask that as the first question when they get a prospect - say, are you really into free weights? well, something you should know before I show you around...)
Yeah, they have a lunk alarm. It goes off maybe one visit out of ten (Maybe a little more when a PF first opens, and the staff still hasn't gotten over their training), and usually when someone has done something stupid that no gym really likes, like dropping weights.
again, it's probably not what you're looking for, in that they aren't going to have the equipment you want.
posted by randomkeystrike at 2:10 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
I mainly came in to comment on the image thing. If PF were a church, from the outside it apparently would be Westboro Baptist, and inside it would just be your average neighborhood Presbyterian church. Inside the 4 walls, I have never noticed any real difference in the way they act or operate vs. 99% of the other suburban-type budget fitness centers.
They typically are a no-frills operation, without aerobic classes, pools, saunas, etc., they keep things pretty clean, they have a LOT of treadmills, ellipticals, etc. It's a great place for an aerobic workout like running on a treadmill, exercise bike, or the like. If you like resistance machine circuits, they do that very well also, and they have a lot of hand weights and benches for arm/chest work. Staff at the places I've been is always friendly and they have free "basic training" (never really used it; I've gotten mixed reviews on how good it is. Most PFs seem to also have some paid personal trainers using the place with clients). Locker rooms and showers are also clean in the ones I've been in, and in good shape.
I honestly think they cultivated the entire "lunkhead" thing as a cover for "we don't really want to have serious free-weight equipment for liability reasons and/or because that's not the majority of the fitness center market, so we make it clear to serious bodybuilders that we're not their cup of tea." I think they should/could do it without alienating people (or maybe just ask that as the first question when they get a prospect - say, are you really into free weights? well, something you should know before I show you around...)
Yeah, they have a lunk alarm. It goes off maybe one visit out of ten (Maybe a little more when a PF first opens, and the staff still hasn't gotten over their training), and usually when someone has done something stupid that no gym really likes, like dropping weights.
again, it's probably not what you're looking for, in that they aren't going to have the equipment you want.
posted by randomkeystrike at 2:10 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have recently lost a significant amount of weight using kettlebells (about 40lbs in 5 months). In my experience there is nothing better in terms of cost and efficiency. Buying one or two quality kettlebells will be a fraction of the cost of a gym membership. They are excellent for losing weight, gaining strength, and increasing mobility and balance. If you choose kettlebells make sure to do your research first. The movements are specific and different than traditional lifting.
posted by MikeFitz at 5:21 PM on November 2, 2015
posted by MikeFitz at 5:21 PM on November 2, 2015
Love Planet Fitness, my friend convinced me to try another gym....no comparasion. I like the fact that (even though it could be fakery) the staff at PF acknowledges me when I arrive and leave and it's clean (equipment and locker rooms)...plus there are no posers.
posted by irish01 at 3:42 PM on November 3, 2015
posted by irish01 at 3:42 PM on November 3, 2015
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Personally, I think that barbell strength training -- if you are confident and enjoy doing it -- is so far superior to other gym based exercise routines that I would (and do) gladly pay a premium for a facility where I can do it.
posted by telegraph at 10:00 AM on November 2, 2015 [3 favorites]