[Bhavesh]

is this a good gym?

a new one just opened for $10/month ($29 startup fee, $20 annual fee to lock in the $10 monthly rate) near my house

[slaps76]

I don't know how they are now, but when they bought out World's gym in somerville a year or so ago I had to quit...they decided to get rid of dumbells heavier than 60 or 65lbs. To get rid of the meatheads so women would be more comfortable. Or they could have just built a private women's gym room like most...oh well.

[lady flyin' low]

it depends on what you're looking for...i'm a member of PF in woburn and signed up last year...there was no sign up fee and its 19.99 a month all inclusive. each PF is a little different but the one i go to is brand new so the equipment is all great quality. it really depends what you're looking for but for the price, you can't beat it IMO.

[DBConz]

i go to the one in dorchester. $10/month with a $10 sign up fee. plus my health insurance reimburses $150/year. Cant complain about that.

[SV650N]

The PF I go to can sometimes be super crowded (like after work) or nearly empty (weekend mornings) so I think it all depends on when you go. Overall the one I go to is relatively clean, but there isn't a whole lot of equipment. You get what you pay for, a no frills gym with decent equipment.

[youngblood]

10 dollars a month, how can you go wrong? Some clubs near me are way more than that.

[SilverGhost]

Originally Posted by slaps76

I don't know how they are now, but when they bought out World's gym in somerville a year or so ago I had to quit...they decided to get rid of dumbells heavier than 60 or 65lbs. To get rid of the meatheads so women would be more comfortable. Or they could have just built a private women's gym room like most...oh well.

Yep They are now the largest franchise in the us 500 plus.. Lil sore spot They put me out of business. If your lookin for the BASICS or just dont go that often they are the Walmart of Healthclubs.

[MattyC]

PF sucks. Their "Judgement Free Zone" is a load of crap. I am a member myself because they bought out the previous gym at that location. The gym puts in stupid massage chairs and signs discouraging members from working too hard so that other members won't be intimidated.

Last Monday they had pizza day. All the fatties at the gym were stuffing down pizza. Maybe if there was more judgement and less pizza flowing, some of those folks might be better off.

Also the gym in my town is overcrowded, lacks adequate parking, its HVAC systems are too small, so it is always hot and overly humid.

Just my opinion.

[spydah]

I like it. Mine has a tanning booth. That alone is worth your $10 a month.

[KillBill]

I've heard good things about it.....and like others have said....how
can you go wrong at $10/month?

I belong to a raquet club and pay $90/month that also has the weights/cardio. I'd go to a P/F if there was one near me.

[Punjistick]

The free pizza is just job security. Gotta make sure people don't get too fit and stop going.

I'm a member of the one in West Bridgewater. I go after work and it's usually pretty busy but it's the cheapest option with a decent amount of equipment. Even on the busiest of days you can usually find the right weights or an alternative machine.

[DBConz]

alex is that the new one near stoughton? i heard it's nice there.
Also heard the one in Plymouth is full of eye candy too

[Punjistick]

Originally Posted by Punjistick

The free pizza is just job security. Gotta make sure people don't get too fit and stop going.

I'm a member of the one in West Bridgewater. I go after work and it's usually pretty busy but it's the cheapest option with a decent amount of equipment. Even on the busiest of days you can usually find the right weights or an alternative machine.

Nope it's the one in W. Bridgewater. Just busting your balls. I read posts too fast and miss stuff all the time.

There really isn't much eye candy at the one I go to. All the hotties from Bridgewater State probably go to the college gym.

[DBConz]

so is that the new one, or is there a new one in stoughton?

[Punjistick]

I'm pretty sure it's new. I have no idea about the one in Stoughton. Planet Fitness .com says it's a grand opening and so isn't W. Bridgewater. So I guess they are both new.

[loridin64]

i have several friends that are members of PF. they all seem to like it. it all depends on the actual 'franchise' that you go to. they're all owned and operated by different people, they just buy the name.

[Zorlock]

I am a member of the Concord, NH location.

They are definitely one of those "you get what you pay for" type gigs. I pay $10 a month, I joined when they first opened back in 1998. The parking sucks as the parking lot is not big enough to accomodate the droves of people that converge on the place during peak hours. There is way too much floor space dedicated to eliptical trainers and those completely idiotic treadmills. But, it comes in handy when I want to use the place, for (did I mention it before?) $10 a month.

[virtualbong]

I used to go to Planet Fitness in Brighton before they were bought out by Ballys. Its definitely cheaper because they don't have all the nice amenities like fresh towels, clean machines and benches, etc...

I go to Beacon Hill Athletic Club and its much nicer here but more expensive. I may try out Boston Sports Club, but they're even more expensive.

[SV650N]

Idiotic treadmills? What's wrong with running on a treadmill?

[ChrisNoF4i]

I go to the original Planet Fitness. I have no complaints, except for the radio station that they play. For $11 a month; it's like a sore dick, ya can't beat it.

[Zorlock]

Originally Posted by SV650N

Idiotic treadmills? What's wrong with running on a treadmill?

Main reason: Because the treadmills take up a butt-load of floor space. They are the machine that probably provides the least health benefit of all the machines found in a gym and Planet Fitness uses waaaaaay too many of them. 90% of the people that I see using them are walking on them, go outside and walk for crying out loud.

Granted, they are great when the weather is crap, but Planet Fitness is OUT OF CONTROL with them. They should really rename the place PLANET TREADMILL.

Lesser reason: Many people think they are getting the same benefit from a treadmill as they would if they actually participated in the act of running or walking. But they are really just fighting against the laws of physics. i.e. being jetisonned off of a giant, glorified hamster wheel if they don't move their legs. Not to mention that they are totally ignoring the muscle groups and aerobic benefits that would actually be used in propelling one's body weight and self forward, as the actual acts of running and walking outside would provide.

[DBConz]

Originally Posted by Zorlock

They should really rename the place PLANET TREADMILL.

haha

[katana0215]

I used to belong to the one they have in Cranston RI. Not bad for the price, but they get a little over zealous with the no grunting/dropping weights thing. I dropped a 35lb dumbbell MAYBE 2 feet, not really intentional, and they lit that stupid siren and flashing light and gave me a warning. Told me next time it was a week ban. I had to LOL at that

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by katana0215

I used to belong to the one they have in Cranston RI. Not bad for the price, but they get a little over zealous with the no grunting/dropping weights thing. I dropped a 35lb dumbbell MAYBE 2 feet, not really intentional, and they lit that stupid siren and flashing light and gave me a warning. Told me next time it was a week ban. I had to LOL at that

Public embarassment. How classy of PF. Its nice to see a gym purposefully demotivate its members. That place should change its name to Planet Pussy. Apparrently thats the only people they want there.

[SV650N]

I agree that most that use the treadmills get very little benefit, but I like to run 4-5 miles up an incline, and while it isn't as good as my normal runs, I would argue that there are still plenty of aerobic benefits and muscle groups being worked. Using a treadmill I was able to lose about 15 pounds (I've since lost 10 more) and I was able to get my endurance and my speed up in a relatively short period of time.