(OT) Planet Fitness, very strange business.

What is up with this place? Ever been to one?

A Planet Fitness gym just opened up in my city and I was considering
checking it out but then I started researching Planet Fitness and
discovered just how ridiculous it is. So strange, I can't believe a
business like this actually exists.

http://www99.epinions.com/Planet_Fit...splay_~reviews

You can't ever grunt. If you do, they sound something called a "Lunk
Alarm" designed to humiliate you in front of the other members.
Certain types of clothing is not allowed. Clanking weights, even if
done on accident is not allowed. Supposedly they don't have dumbbells
over a certain weight in order to discourage bigger guys from working
out there and intimidating other members.

Planet Fitness seems like some weird, 1984ish run gym. Those reviews
on epinions are pretty interesting. Who exactly are the customers
Planet Fitness is targeting, old people?

On Jun 2, 2:06*pm, "Dr. Diablo" <jfq...@netscape.net> wrote:
> What is up with this place? Ever been to one?
>
> A Planet Fitness gym just opened up in my city and I was considering
> checking it out but then I started researching Planet Fitness and
> discovered just how ridiculous it is. So strange, I can't believe a
> business like this actually exists.
>
> http://www99.epinions.com/Planet_Fit...splay_~reviews
>
> You can't ever grunt. If you do, they sound something called a "Lunk
> Alarm" designed to humiliate you in front of the other members.
> Certain types of clothing is not allowed. Clanking weights, even if
> done on accident is not allowed. Supposedly they don't have dumbbells
> over a certain weight in order to discourage bigger guys from working
> out there and intimidating other members.
>
> Planet Fitness seems like some weird, 1984ish run gym. Those reviews
> on epinions are pretty interesting. Who exactly are the customers
> Planet Fitness is targeting, old people?

I think this is a pile of bull.

"Dr. Diablo" <jfq505@netscape.net> writes:
> What is up with this place? Ever been to one?

Yup. For quite some time too. It was a great place to work out,
especially at 1AM (it was open 24hrs/day Monday morning to Friday
night, plus weekend days).

> You can't ever grunt. If you do, they sound something called a "Lunk
> Alarm" designed to humiliate you in front of the other members.

Our gym had that. The owners said they'd had to use it once or twice,
but it never went off while I was there. And we've had guys lifting
1000+ lbs on the leg press sled, plus two squat cages and lots of
benches. In all the time I was there, I never heard a grunt or a
dropped weight, and nobody ever told me "I was doing it all wrong".
But most people were willing to help out or give advice if asked.

> Certain types of clothing is not allowed. Clanking weights, even if
> done on accident is not allowed.

I imagine the rules were written to keep "certain types" from
intimidating the others - our crowd included everyone from heavy iron
lifters to paraplegics and elderly. I got the impression that
everyone felt comfortable working out there, so the rules were applied
correctly (IMHO) by our manager. They're all independently owned and
operated, so maybe those with bad experiences went to gyms with idiot
managers.

It's kinda like the difference between Average Joe's Gym and Globo-Gym
in "Dodgeball". PF wants anyone who goes to feel comfortable there.

Some of the rules are there to protect the gym's equipment and
building, too. Our gym forbid one particular exercise because it
damaged the baseboard mouldings along the wall.

> Supposedly they don't have dumbbells over a certain weight in order
> to discourage bigger guys from working out there and intimidating
> other members.

I think our sets went to 100lbs. Maybe 80.

> Planet Fitness seems like some weird, 1984ish run gym. Those reviews
> on epinions are pretty interesting. Who exactly are the customers
> Planet Fitness is targeting, old people?

We had the whole range of people - weak to strong, young to old, foo
foo cardio to heavy iron. The gym had no formal training (just
informal sessions to teach you how to use the equipment properly) and
no pool, but the trainer (there was one on staff) was friendly and
helpful, and if you just wanted a big room with all sorts of equipment
in it, it was ideal. I only stopped going because it was too far to
drive - I ended up buying my own equipment.

On Jun 2, 6:57 pm, DJ Delorie <d...@delorie.com> wrote:
> "Dr. Diablo" <jfq...@netscape.net> writes:

re Planet Fitness

> > What is up with this place? Ever been to one?
>
> Yup. For quite some time too. It was a great place to work out,
> especially at 1AM (it was open 24hrs/day Monday morning to Friday
> night, plus weekend days).
>
> > You can't ever grunt. If you do, they sound something called a "Lunk
> > Alarm" designed to humiliate you in front of the other members.
>
> Our gym had that. The owners said they'd had to use it once or twice,
> but it never went off while I was there. And we've had guys lifting
> 1000+ lbs on the leg press sled, plus two squat cages and lots of
> benches. In all the time I was there, I never heard a grunt or a
> dropped weight, and nobody ever told me "I was doing it all wrong".
> But most people were willing to help out or give advice if asked.

x2

> > Certain types of clothing is not allowed. Clanking weights, even if
> > done on accident is not allowed.
>
> I imagine the rules were written to keep "certain types" from
> intimidating the others - our crowd included everyone from heavy iron
> lifters to paraplegics and elderly. I got the impression that
> everyone felt comfortable working out there, so the rules were applied
> correctly (IMHO) by our manager. They're all independently owned and
> operated, so maybe those with bad experiences went to gyms with idiot
> managers.

Our Planet Fitness is a former World Gym. The personnel are top notch
and they certainly don't abuse the lunk alarms. Of course, the gym
patrons don't offer them much reason to sound that particular alarm.

> It's kinda like the difference between Average Joe's Gym and Globo-Gym
> in "Dodgeball". PF wants anyone who goes to feel comfortable there.
>
> Some of the rules are there to protect the gym's equipment and
> building, too. Our gym forbid one particular exercise because it
> damaged the baseboard mouldings along the wall.

We have sign forbidding t-bar rows. No bars in corners or immediate
cancellation of membership. I've never heard of that rule having to be
enforced, though. A few of the corners do have damage from previous t-
bar rowing - a divot the shape of the end of an Olympic bar.

> > Supposedly they don't have dumbbells over a certain weight in order
> > to discourage bigger guys from working out there and intimidating
> > other members.
>
> I think our sets went to 100lbs. Maybe 80.

We don't have 80's. I think our gym tops out at 70's. Unfortunately, I
don't have much call for dumbbells over seventy pounds.

> > Planet Fitness seems like some weird, 1984ish run gym. Those reviews
> > on epinions are pretty interesting. Who exactly are the customers
> > Planet Fitness is targeting, old people?

It definitely doesn't sponsor any bodybuilding competitions. I laugh
at the sign that says "no judgment" but then they have the pic of the
stereotypical bodybuilder - hyooog, do-rag, gallon jug of water, t-
back top, and lifting belt with a big red circle/slash covering the
guy. I'd call THAT image a specific judgment.

> We had the whole range of people - weak to strong, young to old, foo
> foo cardio to heavy iron.

Skinny to muscular to ripped to fat and every variation on the body
type spectrum.

> The gym had no formal training (just
> informal sessions to teach you how to use the equipment properly) and
> no pool, but the trainer (there was one on staff) was friendly and
> helpful, and if you just wanted a big room with all sorts of equipment
> in it, it was ideal. I only stopped going because it was too far to
> drive - I ended up buying my own equipment.

I'm a member at the PF near my work. I teach and so to avoid the
commute (and its fourbuckagallon expense) during the summer off I'm
going to get a Gold's Gym membership for a few months. They have a
student membership and since I take grad classes, I believe I qualify.
(crosses fingers)

Ten bucks a month? I can definitely work within Planet Fitness'
requirements.

--

On Jun 2, 3:06 pm, "Dr. Diablo" <jfq...@netscape.net> wrote:
> What is up with this place? Ever been to one?

I'm a member. I pay $200 and get 18 months of membership.

> A Planet Fitness gym just opened up in my city and I was considering
> checking it out but then I started researching Planet Fitness and
> discovered just how ridiculous it is.

Visit the gym and see for yourself. I suspect that each Planet Fitness
is different. Different equipment, different personnel, different
members, etc. I'd say it's ridiculous to form your opinion based on,
yeah, NOT CHECKING IT OUT IN PERSON. Duh.

> So strange, I can't believe a business like this actually exists.

Believe it.

Mike Katz, former Mr. Universe and previously a World Gym owner/
operator stated on a recent radio show that he is making money hand
over fist as a Planet Fitness owner/operator compared to the pittance
he made with World.

His opinion and experience is that the number of clients/gym members
who are average joes is much greater than those who are preparing for
a bodybuilding contest or powerlifting meet.

I can't believe hardcore gyms exist.

> http://www99.epinions.com/Planet_Fit...splay_~reviews
>
> You can't ever grunt.

You can.

But there's a difference between honest grunting from exertion due to
a PR versus the fake "HEY EVERBUDDY LOOKIT ME I'M HARDCORE AND I'M
LIFTIN' HEAVY TO GET HYOOOG!" nonsense.

> If you do, they sound something called a "Lunk
> Alarm" designed to humiliate you in front of the other members.

Humiliation? That's bullshit right there. If you get the lunk alarm
then be proud. It might mean that a heavy deadlift rolled out of your
grip - you're working hard! Or that you dropped a heavy dumbbell at
the end of your set of db flyes - you're working hard! On the other
hand, if you're curling 40's and you pitch them on the floor at the
end of your half-assed set? Yeah, you deserve to feel embarrassed.
Control your weights. Rerack like anyone should and can.

> Certain types of clothing is not allowed.

Nobody wants to see you in spandex. And keep your belly and nipples
covered, okay? I mean, come on, what exactly are you wearing to the
gym? T-shirt and gym shorts not... expressive enough for you?

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

> Clanking weights, even if
> done on accident is not allowed. Supposedly they don't have dumbbells
> over a certain weight in order to discourage bigger guys from working
> out there and intimidating other members.

I guess you're getting busy with the hunnert pounders on your seated
overhead db presses, eh? Well, excuse that insane Planet Fitness for
not allowing you to get your effective workout.

> Planet Fitness seems like some weird, 1984ish run gym.

I've had a gym membership in 1984. How about you?

It was a great gym, too. Lancaster Health Spa (don't let the name fool
you) was fantastic - machines, dumbbells galore, squat racks, Olympic
sets out the wazoo, and you could damn well use chalk. The main floor
was machines, cardio, and dumbbells. Downstairs was the free weight or
hard core lifter zone. They had a sauna and whirl pool as well for
people who enjoyed that.

> Those reviews on epinions are pretty interesting.

Haven't read them yet, but I suspect that people who like to complain
will complain. And, hey, the rest of us will be lifting, sweating, and
grunting appropriately. No one is going to bother us because unlike
the idiots we're not busy drawing negative attention to ourselves by
screaming like we've been maimed.

> Who exactly are the customers Planet Fitness
> is targeting, old people?

Not a bad market.

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