Planet Fitness has made a name for itself in the fitness world by providing no-judgment and affordable workout spaces. With its trademark purple and yellow color scheme and slogan “Judgment Free Zone”, Planet Fitness aims to offer a welcoming environment for people of all fitness levels.
But what exactly does Planet Fitness offer in terms of pricing and membership options? This comprehensive guide will give you the full lowdown.
Planet Fitness Membership Cost 2024
A Quick Intro to Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, Planet Fitness has grown rapidly over the past three decades. Today, it boasts over 2,000 locations across the United States and over 15 million members.
Led by CEO Chris Rondeau, Planet Fitness seeks to provide a judgment-free fitness experience for anyone—from seasoned athletes to complete newbies. This is reflected in their prices, which are among the lowest in the fitness industry.
Beyond just exercise equipment, many Planet Fitness gyms also offer amenities like tanning beds, massage chairs, and weekly pizza nights to foster a welcoming and lively environment.
Now let’s break down the nitty-gritty details of membership fees and perks.
Planet Fitness Membership Costs and Options
Planet Fitness offers three main membership tiers:
- Basic
- Black Card
- No Commitment
Here’s an at-a-glance view:
| Membership Type | Monthly Fee | Annual Fee | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $10 | $39 | Access to home gym |
| Black Card | $22.99 | $39 | Access to all locations + additional amenities |
| No Commitment | $15 | $39 | Month-to-month, cancel anytime |
Let’s explore the specifics of each:
💪 Basic Membership
The basic Planet Fitness membership gives you unlimited access to your “home” gym location. At only $10 per month—with no long-term contract—it offers solid value.
The $39 annual fee helps keep the monthly cost low. And occasional promotions allow you to waive the annual fee entirely.
So for fitness enthusiasts on a budget, the affordable basic plan is a great starting point.
💎 Black Card Membership
For full VIP treatment, the Black Card membership is the way to go. At $22.99 monthly, it costs more than the basic plan but also packs in a ton of useful perks.
Black Card holders can work out at any of the 2,000+ Planet Fitness gyms nationwide—a major convenience for frequent travelers.
Plus, you’ll enjoy extras like:
- Access to massage chairs and hydromassage beds after workouts
- Unlimited tanning in stand-up booths
- Ability to bring a guest for free at any time
- Additional discounts on drinks like beverages and protein shakes
With unlimited guest privileges alone, the extra $13 a month for a Black Card can pay for itself. For frequent gym-goers who value flexibility and amenities, it’s a smart choice.
♾ No Commitment Membership
Don’t like long-term commitments? The No Commitment membership lets you go month-to-month.
At $15 monthly, it costs more than a basic membership but allows you to cancel anytime without fees. It also includes guest privileges.
For those who only need access to one location, it strikes a nice balance. You get flexibility without an annual contract.
Planet Fitness Near Me – Click on Below Picture for Locator
How Do Planet Fitness Prices Compare?
Planet Fitness is affordably priced compared to alternatives. For example:
- Planet Fitness starts at $10/month
- 24 Hour Fitness starts at $31.99/month
- Anytime Fitness starts at $36.99/month
- LA Fitness starts at $29.99/month
Only Fitness 19 matches Planet Fitness on price at $9.99/month.
So if budget is a concern, Planet Fitness and Fitness 19 lead the affordable tier. Places like 24-Hour Fitness cater more towards premium services and amenities.
The Nitty Gritty on Planet Fitness Workouts and Classes
A gym is only as good as what you do there. So what is working out at Planet Fitness actually like?
Planet Fitness aims to offer something for everyone—from Olympic athlete wannabes to casual walkers.
⚡ Cardio Machines for Aerobic Exercise
All Planet Fitness locations feature rows of top-notch cardio machines like:
- Treadmills
- Elliptical trainers
- Exercise bikes
- Stair steppers
Whether you prefer running, spinning, stepping, or low-impact gliding movements, their cardio lineup has you covered. Feel free to switch between machines and keep your heart rate up.
🏋️♀️ Strength Sections for Muscle Building
To complement cardio, Planet Fitness gyms also boast extensive sections for strength training:
- Free weights like barbells and dumbbells
- Weight machines for targeting specific muscle groups
- Resistance bands to build strength with elastic tension
Their weight sections cater to all levels—from beginners doing bicep curls to experienced powerlifters squatting heavy loads.
And it doesn’t stop there…
🤸 Extra Group Exercise Classes
Planet Fitness also offers free group workout classes as part of its PF@PF program.
These 30-minute sessions led by instructors cover different health areas:
- Abs for core strength
- Arms for biceps and triceps
- Legs for quads, glutes, and hamstrings
- Back for latissimus muscles
- Chest for pectorals
Classes use a combination of bodyweight exercises, free weights, resistance bands, and weight machines.
It’s a great way for beginners to learn proper techniques on equipment with an instructor present. Experienced folks can discover new workout combinations.
Planet Fitness Amenities: Tanning, Massage Chairs, and Pizza Nights
Aside from just workout facilities, Planet Fitness offers some unique amenities:
☀️ Tanning Beds
All Black Card members get unlimited tanning included (based on availability). Stand-up and lay-down tanning booths are available.
It’s a nice bonus perk for keeping up that summer glow year-round!
💆 Massage Chairs
Also included with Black Card memberships are unlimited massage chairs. These full-body massage chairs apply Kneading, Shiatsu, and Compression techniques to help muscles recover.
After an intense lifting session or run, relax in a massage chair to relieve soreness.
🍕 Pizza Nights
And last but not least is the iconic Planet Fitness Pizza Night. Every first Monday of the month, locations serve free pizza to all members. Pizza, bagels, and tootsie rolls give members a chance to treat themselves and socialize.
Because at Planet Fitness, fitness should still be fun!
Can You Get a Free Day Guest Pass?
If you aren’t ready to commit, Planet Fitness unfortunately does not offer free day passes or guest passes.
However, their no-commitment membership offers flexible month-to-month access starting at $15/month. So you can still give the facilities a test run.
Alternatively, see if you have a friend willing to sign you in as their guest with their Black Card membership. This would let you try things out for free on a one-off basis.
Adding Family Members to Your Planet Fitness Account
Common question: Can I add family members to my Planet Fitness membership?
The short answer is no. Every person needs their membership, even spouses. There are no family plans or deals.
However, as mentioned, Black Card members can bring guests like family for free when accompanying you. So you can work out together, just not under the same account.
How to Avoid Getting Hit With Annual Fees?
Planet Fitness charges an annual fee of around $39 to help keep monthly rates low. But how can you avoid it?
Here are some tips and tricks:
- Carefully read any promotions. New member deals sometimes include annual fee waivers for the first year.
- With good timing, you may also be able to cancel right before the annual renewal date and dodge the fee. Just be transparent about it.
- If you get hit with an annual fee by accident, ask the membership counter nicely about a refund or credit. But no guarantees.
So ultimately, the annual fee is difficult to avoid completely. But with planning and friendly requests, you can potentially bypass it.
Finding Nearby Planet Fitness Locations and Prices
With 2,000+ locations nationwide, what does membership cost at my local Planet Fitness?
Pricing can vary slightly by individual franchise location. But generally expect to see:
- Basic membership for $10 to $20 per month
- Black Card membership for $15 to $30 monthly
To find your nearest Planet Fitness gym with exact pricing:
- Search on Google Maps for nearby locations
- Visit the Planet Fitness studio finder tool on their website
- Call your local gym directly to inquire about current rates
This will give you up-to-date figures on membership fees plus any specials available.
How to Cancel Planet Fitness Membership?
Ready to cancel your membership? Planet Fitness makes it straightforward:
- Visit your home location in person and speak to the front desk
- Alternatively, send a cancellation letter via certified mail
- Include your full name, membership details, and requested cancellation date
- There are typically no cancellation fees as long as you fulfill your commitment term
So with an in-person visit or certified mailer, you can cancel smoothly once ready. Just make sure to check any fine print first.
Top 10 Planet Fitness Alternatives
- Anytime Fitness
- Crunch Fitness
- LA Fitness
- 24 Hour Fitness
- Lifetime Fitness
- Orangetheory Fitness
- Gold’s Gym
- Equinox
- YMCA
- CrossFit
The alternatives offer similar equipment and amenities but may differ in pricing, flexibility, personal training, studio vibe, group classes offered, etc. Research nearby gyms to find the best match.
Is Planet Fitness the Most Hated Gym in The World? Let’s Find Out
Planet Fitness FAQs:
- What types of equipment does Planet Fitness have?
Planet Fitness has extensive cardio equipment like treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, and also strength equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, cable machines, and more. They also offer some group fitness classes.
- Does Planet Fitness offer personal training?
Yes, Planet Fitness does offer personal training and instruction for an extra fee. The trainers can help craft customized workout plans.
- How much is a basic Planet Fitness membership?
The basic Planet Fitness membership typically costs around $10-$15 per month depending on location. There are generally no long-term contracts.
- Do Planet Fitness memberships allow guest passes?
The Black Card Planet Fitness membership (around $22 per month) allows each member to bring one guest for free per day. The lower-tier basic membership does not include guest access.
- Can I visit any Planet Fitness gym nationwide?
The Black Card membership allows access to all 2,000+ Planet Fitness gyms nationwide. The basic membership only allows access to your home gym.
- What are the tanning benefits at Planet Fitness?
Black Card members get access to unlimited tanning (based on availability). Tanning sessions are in the stand-up booths and use UV rays to develop melanin in skin cells.
- Does Planet Fitness have hair dryers or towel service?
Most Planet Fitness locations do not have public hair dryers or towel service. You must bring your towel. Some may sell small towels behind the front desk.
- What should I bring for my first visit?
You’ll want to bring comfortable workout clothes, athletic shoes, a reusable water bottle, a towel, and a lock for the locker room. Most equipment like weights is provided.
- When are Planet Fitness gyms the least busy?
Based on location, mornings before 8 am and evenings after 7 pm tend to be less busy. Peak hours vary but are often 4-8 pm right after work hours.
- Do all Planet Fitness locations serve pizza on the first Monday of the month?
Yes, all locations in the franchise offer the iconic free pizza night on the first Monday of every month to members as part of their judgement free experience.
In Summary: An Affordable and Welcoming Fitness Option
At the end of the day, Planet Fitness provides exceptional value with its Judgement Free Zone environment.
If you want affordable access to standard gym equipment and classes without any pressure or pretense, Planet Fitness is a brilliant choice.
With memberships starting at only $10/month and no long-term contracts, it’s easy to try out.
So check out your local branch, take in that signature purple and yellow color scheme, and experience an inclusive fitness community first-hand!
