Planet Fitness

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

Planet Fitness is a nice place to work out. It's always clean, and the staff is nice. There is no waiting, it's never crowded. I would recommend Planet Fitness to everyone that I know; family and friends and even people I don't know. I love coming here to the no judgment zone and I love the total body enhancement.

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

I have been working out at gyms for the last 40 years. I have trained under pro wrestlers and am certified as an elite personal trainer with the ISSA. This gym is light years better than any other. Hardcore bodybuilders don't belong here, but they are a tiny fraction of society and not good for business. They intimidate members and hog several machines at the same time. Times have changed, and so has gym etiquette.

Planet Fitness has solved the "LUNK" bully attitude with their rules and restrictions. I have canceled my membership twice and never a problem. The facility has everything to get and stay in great shape. It also offers unlimited club membership, tanning, red light therapy and massage an additional 10 dollars a month. Tanning alone cost $25 a month at any salon. The red light therapy is $30 per session at doctor's offices who offer it. Always clean and never too crowded (except on the smith machines).

The only drawback is no lap pool, but swimming is overrated in calorie burn. Also, I quit the last gym due to having to wait for lap lanes to open. For 90% of the population, this is your best bet for a great workout and great price. The free personal training is the icing on the cake. I would hate other gyms when personal trainers would interrupt your workout to try to tell you a better way and charge you for it.

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

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

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

I am a member of the Planet Fitness on Gibson in Albuquerque. The employees have always been very courteous and keep the gym very clean and well stocked. One of the employees, Genevieve, in particular is very customer friendly and professional. It is a joy to see her smiling face early in the morning.

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

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