View Full Version : Planet "Fitness"???
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 1:18 am
I'm not sure if I'm in the right forum to discuss this, nor am I sure this topic hasn't been addressed, but here goes...
For the last ten years, I have trained hard. When I first started training the right way, I had absolutely no idea how to train, but I learned at a pretty hardcore gym. Now, for some reason, people view hardcore gyms as "intimidating" instead of "inspirational," but I never put stock in people's opinions.
Now, a chain of fitness centers called "Planet Fitness" have surfaced, and they promote a "judgment free zone," in which people can work out without being intimidated. I was always under the impression that all gyms should be a "judgment free zone," but I suppose I'm wrong. (Incidentally, they also spell judgment "judgement" because they don't want to criticize anyone's spelling, which drives me absolutely insane, but I digress.)
Anyway, these "gyms" have a maximum of 80 lb. dumbbells and a "lunk alarm" that goes off anytime someone clangs weights together or grunts too loudly. I believe that grunting sometimes gets out of control to the point where gyms sometimes sound like the sets of gay porn films, but if it helps lift the weights, then grunt away. Planet Fitness also offers "Pizza Day," in addition to "Bagel and Cream Cheese Day"; way to promote fitness, folks.
I am all for creating an inviting atmosphere for those who would never normally get involved in fitness and/or weight training, but Planet Fitness seems to promote mediocrity. Additionally, aren't they being exclusionary by discouraging bodybuilders/powerlifters from training there? After all, I have NEVER witnessed any sort of intimidating behavior at any of the gyms to which I belong and, believe me, if I did, I would kick somebody's ass, as nobody has the right to make someone feel bad about him/herself. I do, however, believe that the Planet Fitness business model is dangerous because the environment doesn't promote any sort of physical, mental, or emotional growth one receives when one pushes oneself above and beyond his/her limits.
I certainly hope you, my fellow animals, feel the same way.
M...T...N
Ronnie Chop
10-16-07, 1:38 am
Not much you can do as long as they're turning a profit. But what you have described is why America is obese. Do just enough to get by and call it a victory. Planet Fitness wants to attract customers by cutting out those that are serious about training and fitness (the minority) and make way for those that want to do just enough to get by (the majority). If they can feed a lady pizza, then convince her she will have to walk at 1 mph for said hour, in order to get her $80 a month for a comfortable work out environment, they surely have a target in mind.
All you can do is find whatever place works for you, pull your cap down, and get to work.
I would just find another gym.... or even talk to management and tell them that they're discriminating against other athletes by limiting the weights, grunts etc.
Nobody ever set a new PR on deads without letting out a atleast a little grunt. I had my headphones on blast today and I could still hear myself grunting. I'm pretty lucky to train where I train. Shit, I even broke wind on my heavy set. Its the human body... you can't push your limits and still be completely "polite." That kinda shit irritates me.
Oh, and if they don't like it.... I would ask for a refund for the rest of your term.
loiacanoa
10-16-07, 5:48 am
what a fucking joke
naturalguy
10-16-07, 6:19 am
Planet Fitness and Animal is a contradiction. You couldn't find two more polar opposites.
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 6:31 am
I failed to mention a couple of points:
1. Memberships are pretty cheap: one is for $20 per month, and another is $10 per month. If you violate any of the rules, they WILL terminate your membership.
2. Generally, animals will be turned away at the door.
Once again, I firmly believe in inclusion at the gym, but I've never witnessed the hostility, aggression, intimidation of which they speak, and I doubt anyone here has seen it, either.
violator
10-16-07, 6:44 am
I train at a planetfuckedupness here in south africa, while its not got any of the things u described in it(lunk alarm etc), its still a happy go lucky gym, with very few committed cats.....too bad i cant find a decent hardcore gym here, it seems like they just dont exisit my side of the world.....except in peoples garages....
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 6:46 am
I train at a planetfuckedupness here in south africa, while its not got any of the things u described in it(lunk alarm etc), its still a happy go lucky gym, with very few committed cats.....too bad i cant find a decent hardcore gym here, it seems like they just dont exisit my side of the world.....except in peoples garages....
Mediocrity is probably just relegated to the States, I guess.
krazyassmexican
10-16-07, 7:00 am
sounds pretty bad
i go to a ballys
and honestly i am sick of it
you know how i am gonna fix it?
when my contract is over i'll go to a different gym
and before i sign
i am gonna speak my mind
you should do the same
violator
10-16-07, 7:41 am
sounds pretty bad
i go to a ballys
and honestly i am sick of it
you know how i am gonna fix it?
when my contract is over i'll go to a different gym
and before i sign
i am gonna speak my mind
you should do the same
good idea...
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 9:21 am
I failed to mention that out of my soon-to-be four gym memberships--I'm the king of overkill--none of them belong to Planet Witless.
I failed to mention that out of my soon-to-be four gym memberships--I'm the king of overkill--none of them belong to Planet Witless.
so you're not a member at the gym?
IRN-NML
10-16-07, 11:48 am
I think they got in trouble or bad press a year ago or so when they threw out a guy for grunting while squatting.
I think World's going that way too. What they're doing is putting a cap on the level of fitness they want anyone to reach. So much for Be All You Can Be.
Young&Hungry
10-16-07, 11:49 am
I am not ashamed to say that I trained at a Planet Fitness for about a year and a half. I'm not talking about working out here, I'm talking about TRAINING. If you don't think you can turn even a shithole like that into a place that can work for you, you are sadly mistaken. There were a few old school bodybuilders there who took me under their wing when I was only 14 and taught me the basis of everything I know today about training, nutrition, and just fuckin' dedication. Just because we were the only people training hardcore in that place didn't mean we were going to stop for anyone.
Sure, the environment sucked, but we made that place hell on Earth for that hour and a half of torture. We did dips between two smith machines, calf raises on preacher curl machines and pushdown stations, T-Bar rows on the cable crossover machine, barbell rows with those fit bars with plates hanging off of them, walking lunges, military presses, and power cleans with the prefixed EZ bars, tying two different dumbbells with rope together for heavier weight - shit we thought of it all and made it work. I can recall many times I squatted 'till I puked doing 5 count pause squats on the smith. When we received enough complaints about our training, one of our friends who worked at the desk and shared that same Animal mindset opened the gym for us after closing hours when no one was there to train (and was eventually fired for this). In that year and a few months, I went from 120 to 160 and my strength shot up like no other.
Gradually, the old warhorses that I trained with slowly left the place for other gyms when our friend was fired, and I went my seperate ways, too. But I won't forget those people who took me in and are like family to me even to this day. I still keep in touch with a couple of them, and the worker at the desk is still like a brother to me even today. The moral of the story is that hardcore is what you make it. I've puked my brains out, trained until blood vessels popped, and squatted 'till my nose bled puddles onto the floor in a place full of fat 40 year olds and wannabes in a gym that was purple and yellow all over. Hardcore does not exist in gyms, it exists inside the person training.
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 11:55 am
I understand that hardcore is what we make it, but I'm referring to their business model and overall philosophy; I might sound like "the sky is falling," but I believe their attitude is dangerous.
Young&Hungry
10-16-07, 12:01 pm
I understand that hardcore is what we make it, but I'm referring to their business model and overall philosophy; I might sound like "the sky is falling," but I believe their attitude is dangerous.
I understand what you're saying too bro, but when I'm in the gym I don't worry about my gym's philosophy, what color it is, who else is there, or any of that. I'm there to fuckin' train and go home. I've hit PR's to Justin Timberlake and Paris Hilton playing in the gym while people gave me weird looks. It doesn't matter to me anymore, and I think going to PF for that time just desensitized me to caring about anything else in the gym except what I have to do. Once I got over that mental hurdle is when I truely connected to my training.
krazyassmexican
10-16-07, 12:06 pm
and are you gonna tell me you never grunted while squating till blood came out of your nose?
Young&Hungry
10-16-07, 12:10 pm
and are you gonna tell me you never grunted while squating till blood came out of your nose?
Of course I grunted, but the grunting policy wasn't really enforced until I was on my way out of there. I was cool with most of the staff members so they never bitched me out for it. The last week I was training there they installed the lunk alarm and after all of my training partners and my employee friend was fired I knew it was time to leave.
MightyMouse666
10-16-07, 12:21 pm
I went to planet fitness in Waltham, MA for about 8 months or so... until the manager told me that "grunting is against their policy" and said if I grunt again, they'd revoke my membership.
I told him to f*** himself, and I joined a real gym on my way home.
I hated that place anyway, I should have never joined in the first place. The only reason I did was because it was $10 a month.
It's pretty funny actually, since their whole gimmick is the"Judgement Free Zone", when they're judging and discriminating more than anyone.
krazyassmexican
10-16-07, 12:30 pm
I went to planet fitness in Waltham, MA for about 8 months or so... until the manager told me that "grunting is against their policy" and said if I grunt again, they'd revoke my membership.
I told him to f*** himself, and I joined a real gym on my way home.
I hated that place anyway, I should have never joined in the first place. The only reason I did was because it was $10 a month.
It's pretty funny actually, since their whole gimmick is the"Judgement Free Zone", when they're judging and discriminating more than anyone.
exactly bro i see tons of discrimination there
Of course I grunted, but the grunting policy wasn't really enforced until I was on my way out of there. I was cool with most of the staff members so they never bitched me out for it. The last week I was training there they installed the lunk alarm and after all of my training partners and my employee friend was fired I knew it was time to leave.
cool bro
i got issues like that in my gym
it seems like the personal trainers dont like me
just for the simple reason that i am the only person in the whole gym that deadlifts heavy
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 12:41 pm
krazyassmexican, I'm with you on that; my training partner--Erik, on these boards--and I started doing deadlifts at the gym, and everyone followed suit.
We're like the Pied Pipers of retarded gym rats!
krazyassmexican
10-16-07, 12:44 pm
krazyassmexican, I'm with you on that; my training partner--Erik, on these boards--and I started doing deadlifts at the gym, and everyone followed suit.
We're like the Pied Pipers of retarded gym rats!
they look at me like if i am retarded
and it seems like it bothers them to see how much i sweet after them
and shit
actually a trainer bitched about it once
and i went to the front desk and spoke my mind
i told them how much i feel they are a bunch of pussies
and i told them that i thought i was training at a gym
not at church
born0withno0soul
10-16-07, 12:45 pm
i lucked out on this. even though i do go to 24 hour fitness with very few serious lifters i do know all the trainers there(they run the place) so i can do what i want. dumbells go up to 150.
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 12:54 pm
i lucked out on this. even though i do go to 24 hour fitness with very few serious lifters i do know all the trainers there(they run the place) so i can do what i want. dumbells go up to 150.
One of the places I go is a 24-hour place.
Maybe I should consolidate the four; I don't know.
Testpolska
10-16-07, 12:56 pm
I train at a planet fitness for one week out of the year, Thats when I'm on vacation and its the only gym in the town. Dumbells go up to 150s, They have everything you'd need, The benches are covered in bright pink. They have one of those stupid alarm things on the wall.
They do encourage mediocracy.
They encourage the people that 'don't want to get too big'
Do I think its stupid? Yes
Do I laugh at it every time I have to set foot in the doors? Yes
Am I thankful that I have that place to train in my week of need? Yes I am, and I am damn greatful they allow me to train there.
Point is, Just steer clear of these places, unless you can't avoid it.
Young&Hungry
10-16-07, 1:01 pm
I train at a planet fitness for one week out of the year, Thats when I'm on vacation and its the only gym in the town. Dumbells go up to 150s, They have everything you'd need, The benches are covered in bright pink. They have one of those stupid alarm things on the wall.
They do encourage mediocracy.
They encourage the people that 'don't want to get too big'
Do I think its stupid? Yes
Do I laugh at it every time I have to set foot in the doors? Yes
Am I thankful that I have that place to train in my week of need? Yes I am, and I am damn greatful they allow me to train there.
Point is, Just steer clear of these places, unless you can't avoid it.
My point exactly, thanks bro.
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 1:03 pm
They have one of those stupid alarm things on the wall.
How does the alarm work? Does someone set it off, or does the sound of one's voice trigger it? One would think the dance music would set it off first.
I was at my gym yesterday doing squats, loud heavy metal was playing over the speakers, a guy was benching 315 i think, maybe more, his workout partner yelled out "Push that fucking shit up!!". He sounded like Dorian Yates's old training partner when he yelled. Made me glad I didn't train at a planet fitness.
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 1:10 pm
a guy was benching 315 i think, maybe more, his workout partner yelled out "Push that fucking shit up!!". He sounded like Dorian Yates's old training partner when he yelled.
FYI: I pushed 365 up last night and didn't need my training partner to scream at me; I've never liked Dorian Yates!
FYI: I pushed 365 up last night and didn't need my training partner to scream at me; I've never liked Dorian Yates!
Thats good for you.... but some people need that extra push.
Mr. Thursday Night
10-16-07, 1:45 pm
Thats good for you.... but some people need that extra push.
I didn't mean to gloat; I just wanted to goof on anything related to Dorian Yates!
I didn't mean to gloat; I just wanted to goof on anything related to Dorian Yates!
You dont like Dorian Yates?!! Dude, I dont think I can train with you anymore lol.
Macrobolic
10-16-07, 7:13 pm
I certainly hope you, my fellow animals, feel the same way.
I certainly do. I hate that gym.
Macrobolic
10-16-07, 7:20 pm
One more thing I just thought of. We need to get Branch Warren and his training partner to just workout there once. If you've seen some of his training videos, you'll know why I say this LOL
One more thing I just thought of. We need to get Branch Warren and his training partner to just workout there once. If you've seen some of his training videos, you'll know why I say this LOL
Oh man nothing gets me going before a workout like watching Branch and Jay going at it. I wish there was a Metroflex in each and every city/town!
naturalguy
10-16-07, 8:32 pm
One more thing I just thought of. We need to get Branch Warren and his training partner to just workout there once. If you've seen some of his training videos, you'll know why I say this LOL
They would be throwing plates all over the place LOL
jeff00z28
10-16-07, 10:02 pm
If I ate pizza in the gym then theyd have to work extra late to clean my vomit off the floor lol theres no way that is staying down during workout. Thes new golds gyms that are not too far from my house are the same way. The machines there are more padded than my couch
jeff00z28
10-16-07, 10:04 pm
How does the alarm work? Does someone set it off, or does the sound of one's voice trigger it? One would think the dance music would set it off first.
It seems like the guy sitting behind the desk sounding the alarm would need to be prepared for a beating
i had never even heard of these places, until i got on the forum and heard you guys bitchin about em. turns out theres 2 in the chicago area. thats where our next animal session will be.. hahahaha,
there are much better fitness oriented chain gyms out there. both the ones i go to are perfectly fine with all us hardcore gym rats.
xsport fitness - are a free for all, you can do whatever the fuck you want, and nobody re racks any weights. lol
cardinal fitness - small, family fitness oriented, DB's up to 100, but nobody gives a shit if you grunt or deadlift or drop stuff. all the basics are there. and its dirt cheap, a good place IMO. p.s. everyone re-racks weights, its so nice.
but the judgement free zone makes me laugh
you cant judge out loud, but do they have mind reading technology that can sound the alarm when i think to myself, "that guys form sucks" hahahaha try to control my thoughts planet fitness, just try!!!!!
krazyassmexican
10-16-07, 10:09 pm
i had never even heard of these places, until i got on the forum and heard you guys bitchin about em. turns out theres 2 in the chicago area. thats where our next animal session will be.. hahahaha,
there are much better fitness oriented chain gyms out there. both the ones i go to are perfectly fine with all us hardcore gym rats.
xsport fitness - are a free for all, you can do whatever the fuck you want, and nobody re racks any weights. lol
cardinal fitness - small, family fitness oriented, DB's up to 100, but nobody gives a shit if you grunt or deadlift or drop stuff. all the basics are there. and its dirt cheap, a good place IMO. p.s. everyone re-racks weights, its so nice.
i really enjoyed working out at x sport
and yeah we should meet at planet fitness someday soon
i suggest a back workout!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ6OrO1f610&mode=related&search=
heres what i got when i googled planet fitness. props to this guy for lookin super swole on tv. haha someone should tell him about animalpak.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KANkLGzE4FA&mode=related&search=planet%20fitness
this is one of the funniest vids ever!
Love that picture of arnold t-bar rowing!
actually think about it this way, being kicked out of Planet Fitness is a blessing in disguise. How motivating will it be to train in a gym surrounded by pansies who couldn't even spot a 200 lb bench? Dumbbells up to only 80lbs, puuhhhleease. It's just like my friend Rick King owner of Eagle's Gym said, "Their gyms are specifically designed for those type of people and mine is designed for the hardcore athlete. They can discriminate all they want, but it was apparent based on the news feed I saw, that even the news reporters made fun of them because they realized how absurd it was. So Planet Fitness got nobody rooting for them.
Here's a great tip, save your money and get a home gym.
Mr. thursday night and I just joined Dumbell's gym in North Bergen, Its the anti planet fitness!! The place has 150lb dumbells, 100lb plates and is open 24hrs! We were training at 1:00 am last friday.
Jarhead81
10-31-07, 10:03 pm
I just checked out their site and heard their radio adds. Way to be planet witless, all the adds depict two guys doing everything they can to try to "impress the ladies". Fuck that noise first and foremost. I could give two shits what some girls in a gym think about me. I'm not there for them...not by a long shot. I am there solely for my benefit, if they happen to take notice, good, great, fan-fucking-tastic. Let me also say that I have much love for the females of the iron we need more like you. Back to the topic, when Jimmy first mentioned this "gym" and its policies and just about fell over in shock. Jac71 and his little brother and I have been training at lifetime fitness for sometime and there has been nothing but support for our efforts. When we had the meet on the north side, there wasn't that much grunting and slamming, but I can bet you money that Planet witless would have turned us away at the door because we all came dressed in black Animal attire and therefore would have been dubbed intimidating. I also find it strange that when we go to the gym on Mondays for legs that EVERYONE is doing chest and then for the rest of the week the place seems to die down and by Friday Saturday the place is basically a ghost town. Oh and lets not forget that fact that PF doesn't do dead lifts. Are you shitting me? A staple in any back workout and they don't have it. Like I said before "Way to be". Venting complete
DreamZero
11-01-07, 6:28 pm
2. Generally, animals will be turned away at the door.
"If you're wider than this |-------------------------------------------------|, please go lift rocks in the backyard."
ooh god.