The Biggest Loser.
While visiting my daughter-in-law recently, I was introduced to The Biggest Loser television program. At first I resisted her pleas to watch the program, but after one episode I found myself addicted. I was amazed at the transformations the contestants displayed after such a short period of time. The winner started out looking like a sumo wrestler and finished slim and trim. He looked like a completely different person.
Planet Fitness.
On the program they advertised Planet Fitness as their preferred gym.
Today I am writing a basic review and overview of their fitness center.
Reluctant to Join a Gym.
I have been reluctant to join a gym in the past, mostly because it seems an unnecessary expense. In fact, I recently wrote a whole series on how to get exercise naturally without joining a gym. I summed that up in (Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Exercise and the Bible.
In that series I discussed the possibility of getting paid to exercise by finding a job where you are active. Read about that here: 100 Jobs that Pay You to Get Exercise in Your Career or Job. And interestingly, I recently did that very thing. I am working as an In Store Promoter for kitchen cabinet refacing at a chain home improvement giant. The job is part time, only four hours a day. But during that four hours I am walking almost non-stop. I am getting paid to walk — which is one of the primary modes of transportation in the Bible. Read more about transportation in the Bible here.
Though I am involved in lots of walking in my job, I had been neglecting my muscle strengthening. And I found that my own muscle training regime was not developing all the muscles I wanted.
So together, my husband and I decided to check out Planet Fitness and see what they had to offer. Here is what I found out:
Price.
The price for Planet Fitness was almost too low to be true at $10.00 a month for the basic membership or 19.99 for the “black card” membership.
For $10.00 a month you get these perks:
- A free Planet Fitness tee-shirt (the one we received was 100% cotton — which is a plus for us)
- Unlimited access to the club you join ( open 24 hours)
- Unlimited fitness training (the trainer is available only certain hours for group training in various activities or one on one by appointments that are available during specific times)
- Free pizza and bagels on certain days (not sure why)
For $19.99 a month you get these additional perks:
- Ability to use all Planet Fitness locations
- You can bring a guest with you every day (though they are limited to use only the main part of the gym)
- Use of tanning
- Unlimited use of massage chairs
- 1/2 price on some drinks
- Select clubs offer these perks:
- Unlimited hydro massage
- Free haircuts
- Unlimited Total Body Enhancement
- And more
When we joined, the membership fee was reduced to $5.00. And there was no commitment or contract, just month to month. My husband joined at the location near our home. I joined online — which was really easy.
Planet Fitness does charge a $39.00 yearly fee around February 1st.
Franchise.
Planet Fitness is a franchise, so each club may vary on their facilities, training schedules, and special promotions. But one thing you can expect is that it is a judgement free zone (at least that is what they boast). Planet Fitness is committed to creating a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, regardless where they are in their fitness journey.
Equipment.
There is a variety of machines to choose from, with plenty of opportunities for training.
You can walk, run, glide, or step your way to your fitness goals or you can choose from many muscle focused weight machines and free weights.
In addition there are stretching stations, abdominal circuits, strength training circuits, and more.
I like the 30 minute circuit and the 12 minute abdominal circuit. I have discovered muscles that I didn’t know I owned.
And there are lots of televisions available — which I expect can been jacked into headphones if you bring your own. Many people are plugged into their own cellphones, listening to their favorite music or podcasts. Here is my favorite podcast.
Facilities.
There is a men’s and women’s locker room with restroom facilities, showers, and free day use lockers (bring your own lock).
In addition, there are lockers in the main gym area which are also available with your own lock.
And there is a cooler with sports drinks and water for purchase.
Cleanliness.
The facilities are clean and most of the equipment is maintained, though some of the machines in my location have some padding that has begun to crack and develop holes. [Update: the day this post published I returned to the gym and most of the torn pads had been replaced or covered.]
Signs around the area remind you to wipe down the equipment after use. This is a little concern for me because I don’t know what chemicals I am using. And with the new resistant bacteria epidemic, the machines could harbor MRSA.
So be careful with sores, scratches, and bug bites.
As an added precaution, you could bring your own essential oil spray to wipe down the machines before and after use.
Conclusion.
Overall I am impressed with Planet Fitness and I look forward to seeing changes in my body as I strengthen neglected muscles and tone my body.
It helps that we have a Planet Fitness 3 miles (round trip) from our home.
Thanks, Planet Fitness!
Find a Planet Fitness near you.
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Disclaimer.
After writing this review, I discovered that Matt Walsh of The Blaze had recently cancelled his membership to Planet Fitness due to concerns over gender and bathroom use. His article can be found here: Dear Planet Fitness, Why Don’t You Care About The Safety And Privacy of Women? Be sure to check with your local gym to find out their policies concerning locker room and bathroom safety.
Planet Fitness did not solicit this review, nor compensate me for writing it.
Disclaimer:
Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.
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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
Copyright:
© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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