Why does Planet Fitness get such a bad rap?

[Ackmed]

Deadlifts is the single best exercise one can do in my opinion, and that of many others. You can go as light or heavy as you want. I do them regularly and not even with a lot of weight. Like purbeast0 stated, I only do 225 on them. I do not want huge legs and stick to "lower" weight (225 also) on squats too. Correct form and higher reps. I just want to be fit and fast. Having a loose waist on my jeans but tight on my thighs is not what I want, even now I am dangerously close to looking like I have fucking skinny jeans on non skinny jeans that I wear.

In any event, PF may suit some, and that is fine. They do peddle mediocre fitness. Good place for someone to feel comfortable while starting fitness? Sure, no problems there. But not having equipment for the very basic of lifting exercises is just silly, and wrong. Promotes mediocre standards and no room to grow in knowledge and exercises. That.. and pizza day, oh my.

It is also hypocritical of PF and their followers to say "Leave me alone! Don't make fun" when that is exactly PF's advertising goal. Making fun of gym goers who use a gym with more equipment and allow for more workouts. Trying to claim that they are the ones who are doing something wrong. Basically PF is a "safe space" for people who are interested in going to the gym, and don't want their feelings hurt.

 

[SNC]

lol @ calling deadlifting a "powerlifting exercise".

I stopped reading here.

 

[purbeast0]

I stopped reading here.

then you're retarded and a product of planet fitness. thanks for proving my point about why people dislike planet fitness.

the proof is in the pudding right here in this thread.

newsflash, check out this thread here. take a look at #2

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=118920551

and incase you don't click the link because it has "bodybuilding" in the url and i know that may scare you off of reading even this far in my post, but the title of the article is Beginner's Guide: 6 Basic Compound Lifts, and How to do Them

 

[waggy]

Basically PF is a "safe space" for people who are interested in going to the gym, and don't want their feelings hurt.

and what's wrong with that?

PF is not a great place if you want to stay in fit shape. IT is a good place if you want to start.

I do question some things. Pizza day? i thought it was a joke people made. didn't have a clue it was real. WTF? though from a business standpoint it makes sense.

 

[smackababy]

and what's wrong with that?



PF is not a great place if you want to stay in fit shape. IT is a good place if you want to start.



I do question some things. Pizza day? i thought it was a joke people made. didn't have a clue it was real. WTF? though from a business standpoint it makes sense.

PF is a place for people to pretend to work out and "be healthy". It is literally a place for fat slobs to go so they can delude themselves into thinking they are on the road to a healthy life, then go home and cry they aren't losing any weight.

 

[SNC]

N/M

 

[Fritzo]

Lucky you - our YMCA is still 5x more expensive than PF

Check to see if you can get a discount through work. If not, you might be able to have your HR contact the YMCA to set up a discount program. I think they give discounts for groups of 10 or more. I pay $68/month for 4 family members, and it includes personal trainers, classes, and a bunch of other benefits.

 

[SNC]

then you're retarded and a product of planet fitness. thanks for proving my point about why people dislike planet fitness.

the proof is in the pudding right here in this thread.

newsflash, check out this thread here. take a look at #2

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=118920551

and incase you don't click the link because it has "bodybuilding" in the url and i know that may scare you off of reading even this far in my post, but the title of the article is Beginner's Guide: 6 Basic Compound Lifts, and How to do Them

You have no idea who or what I am but yet you call me retarted and a product of PF, because of course all people who use a PF have to be retarded. I actually just started a few months ago after having a membership at a number of real gyms for a number of years. I lift at PF because I can make it work for what I do and could care less what others around think or feel.

Do you understand what the sport of powerlifting includes? If you said hammer curls you would be wrong. You laughed at calling a deadlift a powerlifting exercise, when it is one of only 3 lifts that make up an entire sport of, wait for it......... powerlifting, and THAT is why I stopped reading, nothing of any substance could have come after that. But you knew that because you've competed in them, you were just being coy, right.........

 

[purbeast0]

You have no idea who or what I am but yet you call me retarted and a product of PF, because of course all people who use a PF have to be retarded. I actually just started a few months ago after having a membership at a number of real gyms for a number of years. I lift at PF because I can make it work for what I do and could care less what others around think or feel.

Do you understand what the sport of powerlifting includes? If you said hammer curls you would be wrong. You laughed at calling a deadlift a powerlifting exercise, when it is one of only 3 lifts that make up an entire sport of, wait for it......... powerlifting, and THAT is why I stopped reading, nothing of any substance could have come after that. But you knew that because you've competed in them, you were just being coy, right.........

i called you retarded because you don't want to listen to advice from more experienced people in the area you are talking about, and instead LOL at it, as if what planet fitness says is gospel. here let me spell it out for you.

my initial comment was in regards to this whole quote, taking the whole quote in context, note the bolded/underlined:

Planet Fitness Hi Pax - We don't allow deadlifting because it's a powerlifting exercise. Our focus is on the first time gym user and general fitness. Planet Fitness has plenty of machines that work the same muscles that are utilized in deadlifts, and our trainers can provide any number of alternatives. Thank you for your question!

i put "powerlifting exercise" in quotes because i was referring to that entire statement about why they don't allow them, specifically the bolded. they say they don't allow it because it is powerlifting, but then say their focus is on first time gym users and general fitness.

deadlifts are one of, if not the, most beneficial lift for a first time gym user and for general fitness.

 

[Ackmed]

Yes deadlifting can be a beginner exercise. It is one of the very first someone should do. You can do it with just the 45lb bar, or even a lighter bar, as low as 5lbs in my gym. Build up from there, great for core, legs, etc. It is the exercise I would do if I could only do one.

and what's wrong with that?

PF is not a great place if you want to stay in fit shape. IT is a good place if you want to start.

I do question some things. Pizza day? i thought it was a joke people made. didn't have a clue it was real. WTF? though from a business standpoint it makes sense.

If that is what they want, then nothing is wrong with it. Do it, and don't go out making fun of others for wanting a different type of gym. While I believe it breeds mediocrity I don't go out bashing people for it. Someone posted a topic, I responded.

They're mocking people though in their ads, and then want to be protected from the same mocking back. In their little gym safe space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Y4XY8Pl6U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn5mzEAMAkY

There are many more. Real adds, as if either of this every happens. They're making bullshit up. They want to call people "Lunks", making fun and insulting people. Yet they don't want people doing that to them. It is total hypocrisy.

And yes the pizza thing is real.

 

[SNC]

i called you retarded because you don't want to listen to advice from more experienced people in the area you are talking about, and instead LOL at it, as if what planet fitness says is gospel. here let me spell it out for you.

my initial comment was in regards to this whole quote, taking the whole quote in context, note the bolded/underlined:



i put "powerlifting exercise" in quotes because i was referring to that entire statement about why they don't allow them, specifically the bolded. they say they don't allow it because it is powerlifting, but then say their focus is on first time gym users and general fitness.

deadlifts are one of, if not the, most beneficial lift for a first time gym user and for general fitness.

Again, you still have no idea who I am or what I do but yet you insist that you are more experienced than I am. You can back track all you want on the PL. I agree that it is a great exercise for all groups, but to laugh at calling it a powerlift......... come on.

 

[Ackmed]

Again, you still have no idea who I am or what I do but yet you insist that you are more experienced than I am. You can back track all you want on the PL. I agree that it is a great exercise for all groups, but to laugh at calling it a powerlift......... come on.

It CAN be a powerlifting technique, that doesn't mean it always is. It CAN be great for any person man or woman no matter what age. But the fact that they don't allow it, or have free bars for bench, squat or any other thing is silly.

Bench on a smith machine is dangerous, many rotator cuff injuries happen on it. Same for squats, it just not wise to do on it. Feel free to research it. You also don't get all the other muscles involved or your core. Can you injure yourself with free weights? Yep, you can. Much more likely on a smith machine. People have a false sense of safety on one, because it can "catch" the weight for them. Often times go higher and hurt themselves.

 

[purbeast0]

Again, you still have no idea who I am or what I do but yet you insist that you are more experienced than I am. You can back track all you want on the PL. I agree that it is a great exercise for all groups, but to laugh at calling it a powerlift......... come on.

i didnt laugh at calling it a powerlifting exercise, i laughed it being called a "powerlifting exercise", in quotes.

context - learn it.

 

[SNC]

It CAN be a powerlifting technique, that doesn't mean it always is. It CAN be great for any person man or woman no matter what age. But the fact that they don't allow it, or have free bars for bench, squat or any other thing is silly.

Bench on a smith machine is dangerous, many rotator cuff injuries happen on it. Same for squats, it just not wise to do on it. Feel free to research it. You also don't get all the other muscles involved or your core. Can you injure yourself with free weights? Yep, you can. Much more likely on a smith machine. People have a false sense of safety on one, because it can "catch" the weight for them. Often times go higher and hurt themselves.

Funny you use bench and rotator cuff injuries. One of the main reasons I made the switch is because of my shoulder injury. The gym I was currently at had one smith machine and it was always full of people doing curls or shrugs. I found the smith machine to be the most comfortable way to perform the "bench press". Since I have moved away from the standard bench I can now lift my arm over my head with out pain. So to each his own. I still do DB bench presses to keep the stabilizers in working order. With only the 75 pound DBs its supper slow and incorporates pauses at top middle and bottom for varying times each set. Since I have been using the smith machine I have been increasing the weight, and working sets are 4 x 7@ 250 with 290 as a finish for 5 reps. I have not attempted a ORM since my injury, but using some ORM calcs I'm getting close to being back to my PR of 380. Say what you will about smith machines, but with out it I really believe I would have had to stop benching. Just the bar was to much pain to perform. I'll go back to a regular bench at some point, but getting close to 50 there is not much need to.

 

[SNC]

i didnt laugh at calling it a powerlifting exercise, i laughed it being called a "powerlifting exercise", in quotes.

context - learn it.

So by putting it in quotes I'm to guess you mean something other than what you say?
Way to provide a method to back out of a comment.
Lets just agree to disagree.

 

[waggy]

If that is what they want, then nothing is wrong with it. Do it, and don't go out making fun of others for wanting a different type of gym. While I believe it breeds mediocrity I don't go out bashing people for it. Someone posted a topic, I responded.

They're mocking people though in their ads, and then want to be protected from the same mocking back. In their little gym safe space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Y4XY8Pl6U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn5mzEAMAkY

There are many more. Real adds, as if either of this every happens. They're making bullshit up. They want to call people "Lunks", making fun and insulting people. Yet they don't want people doing that to them. It is total hypocrisy.

And yes the pizza thing is real.

pot meet kettle. you bitch about what they do and do it in the thread. smh


I do think the lunk alarm is silly. BUT i agree with the idea behind. I hate going to the gym and having 1-3 idiots who think the louder they are the better they are. It's not needed.

Luckily at the local Y they don't allow that. if you get to loud they ask you to leave. Hell even when i was in college they wouldn't allow it.


as for PF i don't care that they don't have free weights or powerlifting. I don't do such anymore

now i prefer zero resistance machines. saves the wear and tear on my shoulder's and hips. I'm not looking to be buff i'm looking to keep from deterioting. I can see a place like PF being great for older people in that situation. perhaps not the best for younger kids looking to stay in top shape.

 

[purbeast0]

So by putting it in quotes I'm to guess you mean something other than what you say?
Way to provide a method to back out of a comment.
Lets just agree to disagree.

i've already explained exactly what i meant by it since it wasn't clear to you.

the context of the statement that the planet fitness employee said is that deadlifts can only be done by power lifters.

 

[waggy]

So by putting it in quotes I'm to guess you mean something other than what you say?
Way to provide a method to back out of a comment.
Lets just agree to disagree.

welcome to Off topic.

 

[brianmanahan]

planet fitness on january 1st:

 

[dainthomas]

There are many more. Real adds, as if either of this every happens. They're making bullshit up. They want to call people "Lunks", making fun and insulting people. Yet they don't want people doing that to them. It is total hypocrisy.

And yes the pizza thing is real.

I don't get that. If anything, having really fit people at your gym seems like great advertising. "If you keep coming here you'll look like this!"

I go to 24 Hr and I've never felt intimidated or anything, and I'm in far from amazing shape.

 

[Ackmed]

pot meet kettle. you bitch about what they do and do it in the thread. smh

Actually, someone (several) asked about PF. The OP specifically asked why it gets a bad rap. Go back and look at my first replies. I didn't make a post making fun of people. PF did make commercials making fun of people. I still have no made fun of anyone in here calling names. Far from pot/kettle.

 

[Tweak155]

I think people have a varying definition of "fitness". IMO, you don't need to "bulk up" to be "fit". However, you do you need to exercise your body as a whole. I don't see why you can't achieve this at PF personally.

 

[Ackmed]

Funny you use bench and rotator cuff injuries. One of the main reasons I made the switch is because of my shoulder injury. The gym I was currently at had one smith machine and it was always full of people doing curls or shrugs. I found the smith machine to be the most comfortable way to perform the "bench press". Since I have moved away from the standard bench I can now lift my arm over my head with out pain. So to each his own. I still do DB bench presses to keep the stabilizers in working order. With only the 75 pound DBs its supper slow and incorporates pauses at top middle and bottom for varying times each set. Since I have been using the smith machine I have been increasing the weight, and working sets are 4 x 7@ 250 with 290 as a finish for 5 reps. I have not attempted a ORM since my injury, but using some ORM calcs I'm getting close to being back to my PR of 380. Say what you will about smith machines, but with out it I really believe I would have had to stop benching. Just the bar was to much pain to perform. I'll go back to a regular bench at some point, but getting close to 50 there is not much need to.

I can see a Smith machine used for that. Typically I never suggest it. As I've said all along, the lack of a free bar for bench press, squats, etc and no pull up bar are my biggest gripes. I could honestly live with everything else. I used one for awhile in addition to mine because my wife had the black membership and could bring someone for free. She was intimidated by my gym. She's exactly who they look for. She went to mine a few times, realized it's not like she thought, could do a lot more, and changed. She we do real squats together and her ass shows it...

The atmosphere of not being intimidated by other people, and the $10 no contract is alluring. I disagree with a few things they promote and their lies, but whatever. My job pays me $64.22 a week to work out. The difference in monthly dues is not a big concern for me. If people are truly happy there so be it. I don't go out of my way to tell anyone they're doing it wrong or are in the wrong place. At least they're doing something, which in today's world is something. But if someone asks, I'm going to give my opinion.

 

[Ackmed]

I think people have a varying definition of "fitness". IMO, you don't need to "bulk up" to be "fit". However, you do you need to exercise your body as a whole. I don't see why you can't achieve this at PF personally.

I think you can be fit using PF only. Their lack of key equipment and misleading of people is my problem with them.

 

[Ns1]

If I wanted a full featured gym where i could do deadlifts I'd find a gym that offered that to me.

I want a place that's $10/month and has free pizza. There's only one gym that does that.