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There are a couple things this Planet Fitness advertises

$10/month - no commitments

Open 24 hours a day

I joined on 12/18/10. I cancelled my membership a month ago and was surprised to see that I was charged $59. I called them and they said this was because I cancelled my membership before 12 months had passed. Wait, wouldn't that mean I'm committing to a year. Their response, "No, you can quit any time you'd like. You just have to pay the cancellation fee". To me that's a commitment. I told them to just go ahead and keep my membership active, since I only had 2 months left. Even though I moved out of the area and can't use it the $20 charge would be cheaper. Sorry, we can't change your status once you've cancelled. Unreal.

When I first signed up they said they were open 24 hours a day. (The joke would be from Steven Wright, "Not in a row"). Their comment was sad rather than funny. "Well we're open 24 hours Monday through Friday". Well then that's not 24 hours a day is it.

When I signed their contract I noticed the annual fee, which I believe they call a lock fee. They tried to pass it off as a benefit. "Just like when you get a mortgage you can pay to make sure you lock in that rate. This fee ensures that if we raise our rates yours stay the same". I told them I was fine taking that risk. I didn't want to pay their annual fee. Well turns out this benefit isn't optional.

When I first signed up the staff was a bunch of teenage bozos. Fortunately they've improved in this area over the last couple of months. It's not much better, but it has improved.

If you have a problem with your account and run into a non-sufficient funds problem don't count on them to refund the $20 NSF charge.

Make sure you bring your own water. They charge $2 for a 12 oz water. Over the year I probably forgot my water 15 times, so there's $30

I also find it funny that now they're advertising free personal training. Kinda like a drive by, "That's a treadmill, you can walk or run on it. Those are elipticals, those are lifting machines, those are free weights..." Training? Really?

Then there's the fact that they oversell their memberships. You can count on the fact that your 1 hour workout will most likely take you 2 or 3 hours. If time is money, then at $20/hour, each of my workouts cost me $40 to $60.

The place is also dirty. They have pizza parties. Are you kidding me? I'm trying to eat healthy and you're waving free pizza in front of me. May be a nice thought, but not at a fitness center. Non judgement zone is really a non caring zone.

When you add it all up my $10/month membership was more like a $24/month membership and when you add the time I lost in waiting on machines it's well over $100/month. Premium price for a sub-par gym.

Monetary Loss: $240.

Location: Long Beach, California

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Guest

I agree they false advertise about no commitment hopefully a class action lawsuit will put them in their place.

Guest

Honestly Planet Fitness is 10/month. I am a member because I am a student who bar tends a couple times a week.

I don't really have the funds to afford a good gym. It is the cheapest thing out there that is easily accessible. You can't expect too much from them. My second day attending planet fitness they did have the pizza party though I almost lost it laughing so hard.

I didn't find it too tempting just a bit repulsive as the air was filled with body odor, axe and now greasy pizza lol. I think the over all atmosphere is very strange haha but I just roll with it.

Guest

Planet fitness is a joke. They are advertising on television in south florida of a $10 membership for the black card with no commitment.

There problem is none of the gyms honoring the promotion. I think something needs to be done about these false advertisements.

Guest

Read your contract, it's all in there. In bold at the bottom of page 1 it clearly states: "If you cancel, the health club may be entitled to a certain portion of the contract price".

$59 is a fair price for that portion of the expected contract. You've saved hundreds of dollars by belonging to planet fitness, now you're going to complain about a couple dollars?

Really? Who's the bozo?

Guest

The gripes given are very petty, these reviews would not sway me in anyway. My God for 10 or 20 dollars a month, you are getting a month of fitness...

I could easily blow through that in a day. Go and see for yourself, these grievances aren't worth the deterrent.

They are extremely minute. :?

Guest

I went and checked out different clubs in my area. I was lucky enough to have read some of these posts, so I was on the look out for a few things. What I find offensive is that on billboards, on TV and on the radio I see the advertisements for Planet Fitness which state "no commitments". To me that means I'm not committed to be there for any length of time. If I start working out and decide I want to go somewhere else and check things out there or I simply want to try it on my own and build a home gym then I'm free to to that without any penalty. To stick a clause in the contract which states that you have to pay a fee if you cancel before X number of months is a commitment and, I would agree with the OP, false advertising. Like I said I read this first and so I asked about it. The sales person just glossed over it, tried to change the subject and repeated the company mantra of "no commitments". When I pushed her on this and came back to it she told me I could buy out my contract (or something to that effect). I came back with the fact that I had to commit to a given number of months. It was almost laughable that she came back and said I didn't have to commit to anything and repeated the part about having the option to buy out my contract. I also pushed about the lock fee and it's definitely not optional. They refer to it as a benefit to the member, and in the member's best interest, but you can't opt out of it. I loved this part. "It's for your own good. It would be like having a rental car, but then not paying for the insurance on it". First of all the insurance IS optional and I waive it every time I rent a car.

I also asked about the personal training sessions they mention. Again very deceptive. They make it sound like it's one on one training and use words like "personal attention" and "specific" training. When pushed they admitted that it was in a group of people. However, they considered it a "small" group of people which still allowed for "individual attention". I was never able to get a number from her.

I also don't like the idea of pizza night, and I did notice the "full flavored" beverages available. I don't have a lot of weight to lose, maybe about 30 pounds, but if those things are around I'm more likely to partake. After all I'm paying my dues, so if I can save a couple bucks and skip dinner. I do understand that it's supposed to be a health club and so having unhealthy food at a health club seems a little counter-intuitive. However, perhaps it's not considered a health club.

I was also discouraged to see the lines for the different pieces of equipment. The treadmills and steppers were all being used and other people were waiting around for them.

With all of those things I decided to join a different gym. I'll spare advertising for them, but will say that I've been in there 6 times now and never had to wait for equipment once. I was also given a personal training session for free and they set me up with my own workout plan. I haven't lost a *** pound yet, but I'm hopeful. I hope I continue on with it, I'd like to get back to fighting weight. Oh, thanks to those who left tidbits of things to look for, they were helpful.

Guest

All planet fitness' are independently owned and operated. We have no such problems at our club.

I am a nineteen year old male and I wouldn't consider many of the other teens I work with to be bozos. Don't blame planet fitness in general, blame the owner of your club. If you don't like there, then use a different gym. No matter how much math you do, paying ten dollars a month for a gym is a no-brainer.

If you don't want pizza then don't eat it. We aren't babysitters, and it would be a fair assumption that most people who go to the gym are responsible enough to hold a debit card and pay a gym membership. If you can handle that I'm sure you can walk away from the pizza. And one last thing- the no commitment contract we use is a double sided piece of paper about 9x16.

If you are worried about hidden fees, I'm sure skimming through the contract would be sufficient enough to find any hidden fees. The problem is that the fees aren't hidden. If you read the second bullet, it says, "This membership has a ____ minimum term." Us employees fill that blank in. My club offers a 0 month minimum term meaning you CAN cancel whenever you want without any fees.

If you read your copy of the agreement, it probably said it had a 12 month minimum term. Below it states that clubs with minimum terms are subject to a 58 dollar cancellation fee. I'm almost positive you couldn't find the answer you wanted from the club was because you were nasty and disrespectful before allowing them to explain. Why would anyone want to help someone who is screaming at them?

Thank you for allowing me to serve you a steaming hot cup of shut the *** up. I guess this bozo as you like to call me really shone the light on the epidemy of america.

Guest

I came across this post, and man this guy is full of himself. Okay first off, all your personal trainers are in house certified and not nationally certified.

2nd are you hearing yourself? When I go out to the mall and go to Macy's and Sears. Those teenagers are polite as all ***. So obviously it's the lack of training and not giving a *** attitude that your gym promotes.

But then again it's a "No judgement zone so I guess none of the managers will judge them if they're doing a poor job. Last but not least, pizza, candy, sodas and bagels? You guys are like McDonalds. There's a healthy menu there so you can eat healthy if you want to but probably not.

So you can go to Planet Fitness and get in shape, but probably not. You guys are a joke.

Guest

Lol first off. "Planet Failure" is exactly that.

I am a Sales Counselor at a premium gym in California. And your guy's no judgement zone *** is bull. You treat athletes and body builders like dummies and give them the stereo-types that they judge and are dumb. I myself am a body builder and I am always there for my members.

I work out them and show them proper do's and dont's. I don't care if they'er 100 lbs or 500 lbs. Everyone who walks in that door is obviously commited to their health and nobody at any gym i've ever been to has ever looked down upon someone trying to improve themselves. Your "Lunk Alarm" is another insult to the fitness community to people that are serious about staying in shape and use a gym for fitness and competitions.

So your no judgement zone is a bunch of facist lies by a Nazi Corporation. So keep spinning your lies and making your members mad.

Because it's keeping my flow of new members happier and feeling better when they come see me. Thank you Planet Fiction.

Guest

I advise you to check out the gym yourself before making any decisions based on this posting. There is a water fountain at the gym.

The gym is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When it originally opened it was open 24 hours a day five days a week and that is what was on the website. The website has been updated to say 24/7 because that is what the hours are now. Also, the trainer is certified.

I would question the integrity of this poster. She claims she joined on 12/18/10. If she did then she did not sign a contract with a $59 buyout fee. The gym stopped using that contract over 18 months ago.

There is no buyout for cancelling in Pennsylvania anymore. I do know that in other states it is different.

Like I said, go get the facts, check out the gym yourself. Don't rely on someone who may have other motivations for posting.

Guest

I'm assuming the employee who wrote in is either new or not very knowledgeable since he/she stated "probably 7 to 7 on the weekends". The website does state "24 hours a day 7 days a week".

Also assuming the employee is young based on the I don't care attitude. I apologize if I'm incorrect.

I too have had to wait for a machine and it was both the treadmill and bicycle (or whatever the proper name is). It was January so I assumed it was so busy because of everyone's New Years resolution. I was a member for less than a year and only went a few times but when I canceled I walked in with my letter and had no problem canceling with no added fees.

If you had so many issues, go up the ladder of command and eventually your problem will be solved. Its just a matter of how much time you think it's worth.

Usually asking for a manager helps, thats what they are there for.

Guest

I was going to correct Nurse Amy but an employee already has.

Sounds like it was lack of reading on Amy's part.

Paying only $10/month is a great deal, I chose the lower membership to avoid a cancellation fee and because I remember my water. Not to mention they sometimes offer a lower start up fee (coupon). Look around at other gyms many charge about sixty to start then thirty a month. I agree pizza is counter productive but you have choices.

Eat the pizza, don't eat the pizza, go that day, or dont go that day. As far as teenagers, welcome to the new age. Depending on your age you may thank yourself.

I'm only 32 but I teach my children (10&5) respect, politeness, etc. Unfortunately not everyone does anymore.

Guest

Thank you for helping others see what they get from your club. If you call to complain about something the attitude you get is "It's not our fault, it's yours!!"

Not all teenagers are bozos. The operative word in that statement is "bozos". The could be middle-aged bozos, elderly bozos, etc. You see the problem is that they didn't have a clue as to what they were doing and were lazy. Kinda goes with your comment that if the place is dirty it's the members' responsibility to alert the staff. You see when the staff isn't lazy they notice a dead cockroach sitting in the corner for 2 days. Yes, it was 2 days, because I worked out on a MWF schedule, and it was there on two different workouts.

The pizza nights would be nice at something like a bowling outing or a movie night. It's a health club, people are working out to be healthy or to get healthy. Perhaps you should name of the club "Planet Socialize". It seems like this would describe the club better. Pizza night, doughnut day, COKE in the machines by the front desk, right by members walking in and out of the club. Really? Also, you need to do some market research, other clubs charge far less than you for a bottle of water. Yes, gas stations charge more, but I'm not a member of their gas station. I expect them to gouge me.

Maybe the club being a socialization thing and not a fitness thing explains why people hang around on the equipment and why the lines are so long. All someone has to do is go in after work to see how crowded the place is and how oversold the memberships are.

Also, you tried to take my monthly dues out of my account 2 days early. Came up with an excuse that February only has 28 days and then blame it on me. **NEWS FLASH ** if the previous month only has 28 days the error should be that you take it out 2 days later. Again, bozos and "It's not our fault, it's yours". Maybe the "no judgment zone" is because you don't want to be judged.

Lastly, my membership wasn't a black card membership, it was a $10/month, no commitment membership, unless of course you cancel before 12 months have passed. Oh, and I'm not worried about rates going up in this economy, so it's not really a thank you to members, but actually a F%^& you to members. It's nice that you advertise a low rate, but nickel and diming members and charging them hidden fees around every corner is deceptive, which I think describes the club better, Planet Deception. Open 24 hours and no commitments*. The * would say (not really, just look closer).

Guest

I came here looking for real customer reviews of this gym after only finding 'testimonials' on the Planet Fitness website. I'm glad I came here.

This response to a former customer by a Planet Fitness employee is enough to convince me not to join. If I am investing my money into a company I expect the employees to be professional and that comment was anything but professional. I want trainers that are certified, not minimum wage employees. And did I read correctly that the only way to get water if I forget my own is to buy it for $2.00?

There isn't a drinking fountain?

Thank you Planet Fitness employee for reminding me why I pay more for my membership at my current fitness center.

Guest

There is no false advertisement. They advertise a $10/month no commitment membership, if you pay $20/month then you signed up for the Black Card Membership, not the advertised membership.

The Black Card Membership is a 12month commitment. It's not their fault if you came in to purchase our advertised product then bought the more expensive one. About the changing after cancelling, once you were billed the $58 buyout fee you become cancelled in our system. You could sing back up for a membership if you wanted.

You can't cancel a credit card then a week later try to use it and tell the company to just reinstate your card because NOW you want to use it. Sorry. The 24 hours a day, still, no false advertisment. They are open 24 hours a day Monday through Friday.

They never said 24/7. They are 24/5 and probably 7 to 7 on the weekends. The annual fee is what keeps our memberships lower then most up front. $10 a month plus a $29 annual fee still only costs $149/year for the gym.

The annual fee covers insurance fees, updating the gym fee, etc. The monthly fee is more for bills and employee wages. The benefit is, when you pay this, we guarantee that we will not raise our rates on you as a thank you for being a member. Not, we might raise the rates, but if you pay this we won't.

The teenage bozo comment is kinda just you being a grumpy adult. I'm sorry, but look around you at every place you go. Teenagers are the population that works partime minimum wage jobs. Get used to it.

Go to your nearest mall and count how many stores, the count the numbers of employees that are under 25. I bet probably 70% are. The $10 service fee is added on by our billing system. It's $10, not $20 btw.

And we aren't going to waive your fee because you can't pay your bills correctly. Overdraft your bank or don't pay your electric bill, then tell them you didn't have the money so you shouldn't be responsible for paying your dues late. Really? This shows you immaturity right there.

The training is not personal 1 on 1 training first of all. So they never advertised personal training. Secondly, did you take any of the training classes? Because, yes they do explain the machines, but they also show you how to use them, show you excersises with the free weights or dumbells.

They should also have a program where you sit down with the trainer and build a custom routine with you based on what your goals were. I'm gonna guess that you never tried that? About the cleanliness, did you ever tell anybody? The staff, a manager, email corporate?

If not, you have no right to come onto the internet and bash our cleanliness because Planet Fitness's goals are to provide a non-judging, clean, cheap gym to work out in. The pizza parties are a way at saying thank you to the members. Just because your are looking to go on a diet and loose a bunch of weight doesn't mean everybody is. And here at Planet Fitness we believe that if you go to the gym 2-3-4 times a week for an entire month, you deserve to indulge and have a slice of pizza.

If you were waiting on a machine then yes, that particular Planet Fitness failed but I highly doubt that you ever waited for a machine, whether it was a cardio machine or weight machine. Almost every Planet Fitness has 2 or 3 of each weight machine and at least 5 or more each cardio machine. This whole ordeal is mainly your fault for not reading your membership agreement, failing to notify the correct people about your problems with the gym, and your judging which is what we don't want anyways. We want people to join Planet Fitness who wants to be a member of PF and not judge, critize or make other people, including yourself uncomfortable in any way.

ps - the water thing, of course we charge a bunch of money for it. So does every other company that is in the same situation. It is something you can't do without within our company so you must have it. Whether you buy it there or bring it from home.

Go to a gas station and buy a candy bar and 20oz bottle of soda.

Now, go to your nearest grocery store. Buy the same exact items, I bet that you paid more at the gas station!

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