Why does Planet Fitness get such a bad rap?

[pauldun170]

My local PF only went up to 65lbs dumbells. Golds has 120lbs. My main grip with PF is still no free bars. Doing squats or bench on a smith machine sucks. There is also no straight bar for pullups. It may be different per PF, that was my experience.

IMO a smith machine is involved then whatever the person is doing cannot be called a squat or a bench.

How the hell can a place that calls itself a gym not have a pull up bar?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

IMO a smith machine is involved then whatever the person is doing cannot be called a squat or a bench.

How the hell can a place that calls itself a gym not have a pull up bar?

Because its discriminatory to people who can't do pullups.

Duh.

 

[Ackmed]

IMO a smith machine is involved then whatever the person is doing cannot be called a squat or a bench.

How the hell can a place that calls itself a gym not have a pull up bar?

I agree, and it makes for poor form. I guess because some people have no idea how to work out.

My Golds also has TRX's which I like. I can see PF fitting some peoples needs, the ones who are casual about it, and rely mostly on cardio machines, but to do any semi-serious working out is not going to happen there.

 

[pauldun170]

I agree, and it makes for poor form. I guess because some people have no idea how to work out.

My Golds also has TRX's which I like. I can see PF fitting some peoples needs, the ones who are casual about it, and rely mostly on cardio machines, but to do any semi-serious working out is not going to happen there.

Don't get me wrong, I see how the smith machine can be useful. Just not as something that should be used for any core exercise. Its up there with the rest of the machines on the floor. I guess....

For most folks, PF has enough equipment.
I think the issue with it is the culture it breeds and the type of assholes its markets too.

 

[pauldun170]

Because its discriminatory to people who can't do pullups.

Duh.

lol

 

[TheGardener]

I checked out the dumbell weights at my PF. They go up to 75 lbs.

Just read about the pull up question. My PF is undergoing a lot of renovations. So while I can't swear that they still have the pull up bar, I know that they did so several months ago.

I think the advertising of PF is getting a bit ridiculous. They are appealing to insecure people who need encouragement to get in the door. But having belonged once to Gold's, I never saw anyone in Gold's who intimidated any member. People either worked out alone or did so in small cliques. Pretty much the same as PF, though there seem to be more couples and seniors at PF.

While there is a Lunk Alarm, I haven't heard it go off in a year. I think the biggest difference is that PF has a huge staff turnover. The staff only seem to last several months at the most. I don't even know if there is a personal trainer on-site anymore.

 

[Ns1]

So they're opening up a planet fitness by me - it's only $10/month for 24/7 access!!!


How often do they serve pizza? Would I be able to recoup the $10/month cost in pizza alone?

 

[purbeast0]

i heard the pizza thing is on mondays.

nom nom nom

 

[Ns1]

I'm all about that multi tasking

Pre-Grand Opening Sale!
$ 10.00
per month
No Commitment!
Low $1.00 Startup Fee

Look at this shit. How can I say no?

//edit

Wait a second, their full price $20/month membership has access to massage chairs?!

Unlimited Use of Massage Chairs

 

[Fingolfin269]

We were regulars at the local Y. It had everything we needed but unfortunately it closed. Started going to golds and while it also has everything we need it's basically disgusting and annoyingly disorganized. People don't clean when they're done. There is no encouragement to rack your weights. Etc. also as a secondary complaint the layout is annoying and congested.

So I went to PF last night and I'm a fan for 95% of what I want out of a gym. The cardio equipment is great and they have sufficient db weights for my needs. I wish they had a squat rack instead of smith machines but I guess I'll just have to figure out for myself if that really matters to me anymore.

Plus if it's possible to see what's in Pbs video in real life then that's definitely worth it.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm all about that multi tasking





Look at this shit. How can I say no?

//edit

Wait a second, their full price $20/month membership has access to massage chairs?!

I think there are some other items in the $20/mo one too like tanning (woo?). We ended up doing the $10/mo as a trial run. Basically nothing to lose at this point.

 

[Ns1]

I think there are some other items in the $20/mo one too like tanning (woo?). We ended up doing the $10/mo as a trial run. Basically nothing to lose at this point.

yeah there's a lot of stuff, I only c/p'd the stuff I gave a shit about LOL. Let me tell you, Gold's offered a lot less for $60/month.

Reciprocal use of all Planet Fitness® Franchise Locations
Unlimited guest privileges at any Planet Fitness location
Unlimited Hydromassage
Use of Tanning
Unlimited Total Body Enhancement
Unlimited Use of Massage Chairs
1/2 Price Cooler Drinks (Restrictions may apply)
PF Black Card T-Shirt
PF Black Card Key Tag
Unlimited Fitness Training

 

[waggy]

wish we had one near us. I used to belong to the YMCA but they raised the prices again.

 

[Homerboy]

$10/month?
My employer gives reimbursement of 50% of gym fees and my insurance pays $20 flat.

Guess I could get paid $15/month for free pizza?

 

[SNC]

You guys are cute, blaming the tools for your lack of progress. Ever hear of the jailhouse workout? I'll never understand people.

 

[Nebor]

You guys are cute, blaming the tools for your lack of progress. Ever hear of the jailhouse workout? I'll never understand people.

Jailhouse workout? That's cute. You ever heard of the Sodomy workout? Doesn't even need a jail.

 

[Ns1]

Jailhouse workout? That's cute. You ever heard of the Sodomy workout? Doesn't even need a jail.

Where do I sign up?

 

[Captante]

You guys are cute, blaming the tools for your lack of progress. Ever hear of the jailhouse workout? I'll never understand people.

100% Truth


Those who are motivated to work out and get in shape don't need any specialized equipment to do so.

 

[Mai72]

IMO, its because they promote mediocrity. When I go to the gym I push myself beyond my limits. That's the only way you see change. I don't go to the gym and read and watch TV on the treadmill. I'm there to work out.

If you look at many people who go to the gym you'll see that they want to stay within their comfort zone. They don't want to exert too much effort because it's too painful. I will guarantee you that if you followed these people throughout their life you'll see that they aren't risk taskers They live boring lives. You have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone to see change.

 

[bononos]

.......
Their weights go up much higher than 50lb. A number of men and women come there to lift weights. At Golds Gym where I use to go, the fixed dumbells max were about 20 lbs. bononos how much do you benchpress that you believe a PF won't meet your needs? 300 lbs? 500lbs? How large are your dumbell requirements. Tell me Mr Atlas, and next time I go there, I'll find out for you. You shouldn't make a statement like that, unless you have visited one and checked it out. In which case I am sure that you wouldn't have made that claim. And yes, you can get a very good cardio workout at PF as well.
......

I didn't see your reply until today. Nearly all or most PF gyms have a lack of free weights. Some don't have free bars, safety cages, squat racks, incline benches. Instead they have fixed ez-bar weights and dumbells only.
A Gold's with only 20lb dumbells is alot rarer than a PF that has the typical free weights in practically any Gold's gym.

100% Truth
Those who are motivated to work out and get in shape don't need any specialized equipment to do.

Yeah but PF offers sauna and tanning booths and being able to say truthfully that you've spend x hours in a gym every week.

 

[purbeast0]

lol @ the dude who said golds gym doesn't have dumbells higher than 20lbs. clearly this guy has never stepped foot in a gym other than planet fitness.

ironic that he tells people to step into planet fitness before making statements about it, when it's 100% obvious he's never stepped foot into a golds gym.

 

[edro]

Are the bumper stickers mandatory?
I see a lot of them and they basically warn me that the driver is an obese woman.

 

[SNC]

IMO, its because they promote mediocrity. When I go to the gym I push myself beyond my limits. That's the only way you see change. I don't go to the gym and read and watch TV on the treadmill. I'm there to work out.

If you look at many people who go to the gym you'll see that they want to stay within their comfort zone. They don't want to exert too much effort because it's too painful. I will guarantee you that if you followed these people throughout their life you'll see that they aren't risk taskers They live boring lives. You have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone to see change.

But how is this affecting you? If you let the people around you dictate how well you work out, would you not by your very own definition be part of the problem as you see it: 'everyone at the gym is lazy so I can't get a good workout'. Be part of the solution, not the problem man!

Unless you're one of those people that has to slam the weight and make animal noises with every rep than please stay at your better gym. I giggle every time I see a guy slamming a 50 pound tri extension like its 100+ pounds and even then. If I can control 135 after three sets of 12 if your having trouble with 50 lighten up untill you can control the weight. Or the dude racking a 135 pound bench with so much noise and fanfare after a set of 5 that you would wear you just witnessed a world record attempt. Or even worse the guy with the headphones in and is "singing" aloud while slamming out the noisiest 25 pound hammer curls ever witnessed. Is planet fitness the world's greatest gym, no. Is it worthy of the shit thrown at it, possibly if you ar talking about the corporate side. But from a 'is there enough here to get a solid workout in and build strength, stamina and or size, hell no. Learn your body and what you need to do to make it grow, and use the tools you have with proper form and you will grow. I have seen 2 IBF boxers and 3 MASSIVE body builders that others knew from turing at the PF my buddy goes to.

Never once was I asked to limit my weights on any of the machines, no one has bitched when I dropped a 75 pound DB on my 3rd set of 15, or has the lunk alarm went off after my WOOHOO!!! or Ya' BUDDY!!! after a PR. I even grunted a couple times on my last rep when upping my weight on the, gasp, smith machine bench press. Lighten up guys, and worry about your body and not those around you, unless you are so weak minded that you need to external stim to push yourself beyond where you are. Strength comes from within, to balim others for your failures or limitations is just lame.

 

[SNC]

Jailhouse workout? That's cute. You ever heard of the Sodomy workout? Doesn't even need a jail.

So very telling.

 

[Exterous]

So I went to PF last night and I'm a fan for 95% of what I want out of a gym. The cardio equipment is great and they have sufficient db weights for my needs. I wish they had a squat rack instead of smith machines but I guess I'll just have to figure out for myself if that really matters to me anymore.

Plus if it's possible to see what's in Pbs video in real life then that's definitely worth it.

It works well for us but they do vary by location quite a bit. We run 3-4 times a week so it gets used pretty heavily during the winter as we both hate using spikes on sidewalks.