Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness

Overall Rating

1.7

62 Customer Reviews

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Summary

Planet Fitness’ low monthly fees and its focus on helping people feel accepted and comfortable in their gyms make it a popular choice for those who are working out for the first time.

Pros

  • Affordable monthly payments
  • Low-pressure, welcoming atmosphere
  • Free fitness training
  • 30-minute workout circuit simplifies weight training
  • TRX area
  • Massage chairs and hydromassage beds

Cons

  • Cheapest membership requires a 12-month contract
  • No group exercise classes
  • No pools or saunas
  • No child care

Customer Reviews

1.7 Stars out of 62 Reviews
5 Star:12% 4 Star:0% 3 Star:1% 2 Star:14% 1 Star:70%
15% Recommend This Company
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Posted on Dec 28, 2018

Inexpensive, BUT...

By Matthew L., Virginia, Verified Reviewer

The good:

1. Cost is fairly inexpensive and is about $22/month for access to all clubs, which is why I still hang on.

2. Equipment is new and usually in good condition

3. There is often plenty of equipment in quantity to go around.

4. I like the many TV screens viewable when I jog and work out.

5. Their hours are better than most clubs. They say that they are open all night and all weekends, which can be convenient

The bad is:

1. It is often hot and stuffy inside. This is bad for us serious fitness people (i..e. the Lunks). I run 3 miles on the treadmill at 5MPH, and because it is hot and stuffy, my entire shirt often gets wet from perspiration. This is unnecessary as a bit more circulation and/or cooler temperatures would keep me dry. Temperatures are often in excess of 70F, and the air circulation is near non-existent, which may be nice for a dainty thin woman walking in, but is extremely discomforting (and possibly dangerous) for an older, overweight person who is serious about working out. They do have ceiling fans, but they are very tiny and do not provide any significant boost in comfort. They do not allow me a personal fan to keep me cool, so my hands are tied. They do have digital display thermostats, but they are generally out of visibility to the customer. Often, when I ask some staff person if I can see the thermometers, they are fresh and rude and will not let me see them.

2. Rock and rollers and deadheads at Planet Fitness are dominant over people who like peace and quiet . Many people who jog wear earphones, and these are the same people who slam their feet on the treadmill continuously. When one of these people starts exercising next to me on the treadmill and disturbs me, and if I complain to a staff member, they often do nothing. If you need peace and quiet when you work out and you use the tread mill, you may become frustrated.

3. Lack of Supervision and Accountability - If I do not like the way I am treated by a staff member or if I have a complaint about a facility, corporate headquarters (1.844.880.7180) often does not help. I've called in about one club refusing to fix their air conditioner in the middle of a heat wave, and corporate takes the position that each club is independently owned and operated, and thus there is little they can do. As a result, individual clubs can behave like pompous asses and not be subject to reproach.

4. 24/7 hours is a bit of a misnomer. In actuality, they are closed on holidays, and their closure is very generous for the employees. For example, they close at 1 PM on Christmas Eve and are closed all day on Christmas day. They have closures for the new year and Thanksgiving too, to name a few. Corporate is very liberal about the hours individual facilities close. Furthermore, these closures are not publicized on their websites, so it is a bit of a surprise and an inconvenience.

5. Staff can be rude and threatening to customers. In addition to not letting me see the thermostat, the staff can often be quite rude. If they have a surprise closure and you do not leave quickly, they threaten to call security and gang up on me. While working out, the laugh loudly behind the counter. When checking in, instead of letting you the customer wand in, they insist in taking your keys away from you and out of your sight to check you in.

6. No one cares what you think and feel. As a customer, their attitude is "This is what we offer, and if you don't like it..." If it is too hot and stuffy and you feel that exercising can be unhealthful and potentially dangerous, they could not care less because they assert others find it too cold even though it is stuffy and in excess of 70F. If a rock and roller moves in next to you on the treadmill and starts pounding away and you have to stop and move to another machine, no one cares.

In short, if I could buy a treadmill for my home and use a fan on said home treadmill, I would. But if I am trying to save money, this may be the next best choice.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 3 People Have Voted

Posted on May 6, 2019

A simple request...POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

By Tom H., Madison, WI, Verified Reviewer

Although I understand, and agree, that every gym needs a bit of music to get the spirits motivated, when the music is SO LOUD that you can BARELY hear the TVs with your earplugs on, the quality and duration of one's workout becomes difficult to endure. And after REPEATED ATTEMPTS to politely ask if the music could be turned down a smidgeon the scripted answer from Mr. Estrada is...CORPORATE POLICY, take it up with the Manager (who has done NOTHING). For a judgment-free gym with a goal to provide a quality experience for ALL, I would hope that CORPORATE would entrust their staff with the ability to use COMMON SENSE when attempting to resolve a fairly basic complaint. STILL WAITING...

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 3 People Have Voted

Posted on May 27, 2019

Don't do it!

By Jam B., Evanston, IL, Verified Reviewer

If you're serious about working out, DON'T go to PF! People don't know how to use the machines and they don't ask either. They don't monitor their 30-minute workout area and you have to tattle like a little kid to get the diddlers out. The 30-minute workout area is for serious workouts. You get on a machine when the light turns green and you get off when it turns red! Sounds simple right? NOPE! Not for the kind of people that go to the PF! They justify why they can't get on and get off the machines or they sit there for several minutes doing their reps. and they just get in the way! Eventually, you'll leave for a better gym where people know how to work out and do it correctly!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 3 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 11, 2019

Attention members of Planet Fitness regarding the annual fee

By Marie I., Eatontown, NJ, Verified Reviewer

Be aware there is no notification by way of e-mail or regular mail letting you know the annual fee is coming up and will be posted to your charge card for the coming year. Just received my American Express bill and saw the annual fee posted. Because of health issues, I went down to cancel my membership. I was told there was no refund or adjustment refund of the annual fee. Reading some reviews I read after cancellation they were still being billed. Beware.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 7 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 5, 2020

Front desk personnel

By Sharon M., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Verified Reviewer

Was not offered any kind of a tour by the fellow I spoke to at the front desk. That was a big-time disappointment and once he took my picture, did not even give directions to where the change rooms are. Not much of an area for the free weights. I go to another gym and was really considering Planet Fitness but was really bothered with the reception I received from this person. A person feels uncomfortable entering a new facility and it should be protocol to show that person around. Think I will stick with Shapes...

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 1 Person Has Voted

Posted on Nov 2, 2020

Ok but...

By Falcon .., Greensboro, NC, Verified Reviewer

Where to begin...I went from bankrupt Gold's where everything was broken to Planet Fitness where everything is new. But, I had to make 3 trips to my car to get the information they needed to sign up. They bill my bank account directly and not my credit card - a major security concern. Third, on virtually all the treadmills there are problems with the audio. I have reported it 4 days out of the last 7 and no one listens. The usual response is "I can't do anything. I will report it." Fifth, every time (I mean EVERY TIME) I have to open their useless app on my phone I have to agree to their terms of service. What the heck?!

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Clean, new equipment

Clean showers

Audio on treadmills doesn't work

Pain in the butt to check in

No one can do anything to fix problems

Helpful Review? 2 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 23, 2021

Planet Pansey

By Joe J., Marianna, FL, Verified Reviewer

My wife and I have been members for a year in Marianna, FL and were members for four years in another state.

The mask policy requires members to enter with a mask on, walk thirty feet to the workout area, then the member is 'allowed' to remove the face diaper only while working out.

We did not wear a mask while entering. The children working behind the desk are similar to little Brown Shirt communists ready to pounce at any real or perceived violation.

The fifteen-year-old manager sent a colleague to confront me during my workout regarding the ever stupid and randomly ineffective mask rule. I was informed my membership would be terminated if I didn't comply.

Between the constant nagging by staff toward members, the air raid siren that is supposed to let everyone know that someone has grunted or breathed too loudly, and the Communistic slogans covering the walls, we decided to take them up on their offer to cancel.

If you're looking for a tightly regimented safe space to work out in, PF is for you. If you cherish your freedom and seek personal choice, find another gym.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Large facility

Clean

Location

Annoying, childish staff

Too many rules

The Lunk Alarm

Helpful Review? 1 Person Has Voted

Posted on Jan 19, 2018

Unhelpful staff

By Barbara Perrone, Delaware, Verified Reviewer

It’s a ripoff. Sadly. I was told that outside of a prescheduled class no one could help me with the equipment. And then that I’d have to wait weeks for a class opening. So a month into it, I still don’t know how to use stuff.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 13 People Have Voted

Posted on Apr 21, 2018

Lousy customer service

By John Kinsey, Anderson, SC, Verified Reviewer

I paid for a black card membership, and some days later came in for my first session. There were two gals, maybe twenties, at the front desk.

The gal took her eyes off the TV she was watching and scanned my card, then back to the TV.

I told her this was my first visit and I wanted to get onto a stationary bike. She told me I had to fill out an application to join Planet Fitness first. Then she noticed the Planet Fitness card she had just scanned. She waved towards the back of the room, and told me to find an available bike, and help myself.

The bikes were different than the ones at the Physical Therapy I had been using. It took me 10 minutes to get one adjusted and turned on. I finally selected "manual" since I had not figured out how to program the thing.

The machine alternated between "resume" and "pause." Each "pause" released all resistance causing me and my new knee replacement to be thrown forward. After a half-dozen or so painful events, I walked out.

One of the gals did say "have a great day," but apparently missed my angry face.

The wife and I have found a new fitness place that acts like they give a crap.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 8 People Have Voted

Posted on Apr 25, 2018

Open on time

By James Hunter, Natick, MA, Verified Reviewer

I don't mind the mess, or the paper towels not being refilled. I don't mind the low-end equipment that keeps breaking down and is never maintained. They have over 12,000 members in a gym that can't hold 100, so I go early so I can get a parking spot. They are cheap and pay minimum wages and get stoners to open that don't show, it's a recurring problem that never gets solved. My best solution is to join a reputable gym, and that's what I'm going to do.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 6 People Have Voted

Posted on Jun 1, 2018

Incompetent billing and staff

By Kenneth S., Knoxville, TN, Verified Reviewer

I am a 65-year-old retired military officer.

I have been a member of Planet Fitness in Dallas, Texas and Knoxville, Tennessee for years. About a month ago I was questioned about my payment of the monthly bill.

The first thing that happened was the Planet Fitness staff said my credit card expired in 2016 (it is now May of 2018) and that Planet Fitness had not been paid since 2016. Wrong - the credit had not expired, and a history check on my credit card billing clearly showed Planet Fitness had been paid for the last two years. Never the less, I proceeded to let them re-run the credit card, and I was told all was ok.

This same process happened on my next four visits to the gym. Finally, I said, "let me speak to a manager." The manager comes out and is totally ignorant of the previous events or a process to correct Planet Fitness's billing problem. However, he said he would get it fixed. He DID NOT!

Now I am receiving automated phone calls from Planet Fitness about this problem and being accused of not paying my bill. I was instructed to call this Planet Fitness by this automated call. When I did return the call - no answer.

When I called the front desk (as I have done several times), I get another minimum wage, low information staff member who has not a clue.

On the last call I was instructed, by a staff member, to bring in two credit cards and my bank numbers to put on file. There is not a chance of that happening.

There are other issues with using this gym to work out. It seems to be a gathering ground for people who like to sit on machines and use their cell phones as opposed to using the machine for exercise. I have also been told I cannot use other equipment not supplied by the gym, for example, weight belts or gravity boots for stretching. On one occasion, I had a staff member come up and tell me I could not lay my sweatshirt on the floor beside me while I used a machine.

I would not recommend Planet Fitness to anyone. Their handling of billing and customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I am at a loss as to how to proceed/fix the problem. Therefore, I am looking for another gym.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 7 People Have Voted
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