Does Planet Fitness Have Free Weights? (Everything to Know)

 

Planet Fitness is one of the most popular gyms in America.

There are hundreds of locations all across the country.

Although some Planet Fitness locations may run special events or have better equipment than others, they are all mostly similar.

This is why it’s important to understand what to expect at your Planet Fitness before you sign up.

For most people, as long as there is a variety of decent gym equipment, they will have enough to stay in good shape.

However, for those who are serious about losing weight or training for a competition, the specifics of the equipment available to use are incredibly important.

Let’s take a look at whether or not Planet Fitness has free weights and everything that you should know before you join your local Planet Fitness.

 

Does Planet Fitness Have Free Weights

 

Planet Fitness has a rack of dumbbells that you can use as free weights, but they do not have a power rack.

For those who like to do squats and bench presses with heavier weights, Planet Fitness will not be the gym for you.

In place of these free weights, Planet Fitness does offer the use of a Smith Machine.

 

For some people, the Smith machine will be a good enough replacement, but for others, there will be certain muscles that don’t experience enough of a workout using the Smith Machine.

Overall, the dumbbells at most Planet Fitness locations are going to go up to 50 pounds.

This can be enough for you to get quite a good arm workout in without having to use the barbell and the heavier weights.

However, depending on what your goals are at the gym, this is an essential factor to consider.

The major reason Planet Fitness does not offer these heavier free weights is likely about insurance and liability.

The chance of a person getting hurt using a Smith machine is considerably lower than that of a person trying to bench press 300 pounds.

There is a much greater possibility for error when free weights get above that 50-pound mark, and this is why the gym decides not to use them.

Plenty of other gyms, especially local lifting-type gyms, will have these options, but you may also notice their pricing is a bit higher.

Sometimes this difference in pricing has everything to do with the fact that their insurance policy is a bit higher due to the type of equipment that they have.

Gym owners have quite a few overhead expenses that they need to control, and insurance and liability is a major one.

This is one of the downsides, of course, of joining Planet Fitness, but there are also plenty of great things about the gym.

Here are a few other questions and concerns that people often have about Planet Fitness and its membership.

 

Benefits Of A Planet Fitness Membership

 

The benefits of a Planet Fitness membership really start with the cost.

This is one of the most economical memberships on the market, but there are other reasons that people like a Planet Fitness membership.

 

1. Lower Cost Option

 

Even though joining a gym seems like a good idea, and it very likely is, you are probably not going to use it as much as you think.

Only a select few are dedicated enough to head out to the gym every day and put in a solid workout.

This is just the reality of life and all of the other things that we have on our plates.

The fact that Planet Fitness is one of the cheaper memberships available makes it worth it even if you miss a few days.

The fact that you aren’t there every day of the month will still allow you to get some great value from your plan.

 

2. Option For Planet Fitness Black Card

 

Although Planet Fitness has one really great low-cost membership for everyone, t

here is the option to purchase the Planet Fitness Black Card as well.

This is a special premium membership that gives you quite a few extra features.

For those looking for a more premium gym experience, this is an option that is well worth considering.

With the Planet Fitness Black Card, you can go to any Planet Fitness location nationwide.

This is a perfect benefit for those who travel often and find themselves looking for new places to explore and still be able to work out.

In addition, you will get unlimited guest passes to your gym.

If you have friends or family visiting and you all need a place to work out, your Planet Fitness will be the place to be.

The Black Card also gives you access to tanning beds, hydromassage, and massage chairs.

If you are looking to take your gym experience to the next level, this is a great option to consider.

The half-price drinks at the gym could end up paying for the membership rather quickly.

If you are always grabbing something to drink before you hit the road or head to work, then the half-price drinks will be a great perk of the black card.

Lastly, you will also get a discount on Reebok products when you have a Black Card membership at Planet Fitness.

Reebok makes a variety of high-end workout gear and products, and they are a great brand to have some extra savings on.

 

3. Cardio

 

Planet Fitness is kind of known for being a very heavy cardio gym.

Anyone trying to lose weight or get in better shape knows that cardio is a big piece of the puzzle.

The great thing about cardio is that you can burn calories fast, and you can use a variety of machines to help make it more interesting.

Cardio workouts are not always preferred by all gym members, but they are necessary in order to have a great gym experience.

If you like treadmills, ellipticals, stair masters, and bikes, this is an excellent gym for you to join.

Remember, there are no free weights aside from dumbbells, so there are limitations to what you get from Planet Fitness, but when it comes to cardio, there are no limitations.

Whatever way you like to burn calories, you will be able to do so at the Planet Fitness location nearest you.

When you look at the cost of a good bike or treadmill for your home, you will quickly realize why the Planet Fitness membership can make so much sense.

The number of months you can be a member of the gym before you would even get close to the pricing you would pay for one of these machines will be hard to believe.

In addition, the quality of the commercial-grade gym equipment is considerably higher than that of the basic gym equipment that you might put in your own home.

 

4. Free Pizza Nights

 

All Planet Fitness locations may have different promotions and events for their members.

For many of the Planet Fitness locations, there is a free pizza night.

People will come to the gym, work out together, enjoy their time, and then have pizza together afterward.

If you work out hard enough during your gym session, chances are you will burn off that pizza quite quickly.

The pizza nights are just one way that the Planet Fitness locations will try and get groups of people to enjoy time together.

There are sometimes charity events or even contests and competitions that a Planet Fitness location may sponsor.

It’s good to join a gym with an active membership that likes to support one another.

The process of getting into good shape and working out is much easier to accomplish when it is done with friends and supporters.

Staying on track without any help is quite a difficult process and one that most people won’t want to sign up for.

 

5. Locker Rooms/Showers

 

The locker rooms and showers at Planet Fitness can make it very convenient to use the gym.

You will find that at most locations, these areas are kept very clean because of a standard that is put out by the head of the corporation.

If you feel as though your Planet Fitness location is not clean or comfortable to use, it makes sense to report that information to the corporate office.

However, with the gyms and locker rooms in place, it is possible to use the gym before you go to work or even before heading out for a night on the town.

Having the ability to fit the gym in at a variety of times throughout your week will ensure that you use it.

If you are not smart about how and when to use the gym, you will likely find that the membership is not worth the extra cost.

Look at your schedule and think about how the addition of these features could help you to use the gym quite a bit more than you are already using it.

After all, the best value that you can get out of membership like this is to actually use the offered services.

 

6. Drink Bar

 

Most Planet Fitness locations have a drink bar that allows you to cool off after you get a great workout in.

Once you have completed your training, meet a friend or two for a healthy, inspired drink to give your body what it needs.

The drink bar will vary depending on the Planet Fitness nearest you, but it is a benefit that people see as a great social activity after a workout.

Remember that when you choose the Black Card option, you will also get a discount on any of the drinks offered at the drink bar.

Take advantage of this discount and use the drink bar if you are already paying for the Black Card Membership.

 

Negatives Of A Planet Fitness Membership

 

There are quite a few positives to this Planet Fitness membership.

As you can see, people enjoy all that there is to offer, and those who love cardio find plenty of reasons to join Planet Fitness.

Overall, the only negative that will be in place across all locations is the fact that there are no free weights at planet fitness.

You will get some dumbbells to use and a Smith machine, but outside of that, don’t expect to be working on your lifting at this gym.

For the price of the basic membership, many people have decided to keep their Planet Fitness membership in place and purchase the free weights for a home gym.

This can be a good option, and it will save you from having to purchase costly equipment like cardio equipment.

Another downside to the Planet Fitness locations is that they do not offer childcare.

If you are a person who relies on childcare to get out and get your workout complete, then Planet Fitness may not be a good choice for you.

The cost to get someone to take care of your child while you are working out may end up offsetting the cost of the cheaper gym and making it not worth the price.

In addition to the lack of childcare, there are some people who have issues with there being no classes to take at Planet Fitness.

People tend to work out in different ways.

Some want to be left alone, and they set themselves up on their machine and barely make eye contact with other people.

Others like to work out with friends and try and motivate each other as they move through their workout sessions.

Some people will find that they are almost incapable of working out unless they have a class or group setting to push them along.

It depends on what type of person you are and what your goals are like in the gym.

The trouble with not having classes at Planet Fitness is it eliminates a large group of people that would otherwise enjoy working out at a gym.

If you are a person who takes classes two days a week and then spends time working out on your own the other days, you may need a different gym.

Lastly, some people find that Black Card membership is an increase in price that isn’t necessary.

Many feel as though one price that incorporates all of the features of the membership would be a better value.

However, the good thing about the Black Card Club is that it allows people the opportunity to make choices about the gym they are joining and what they need out of it.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you feel as though you have a better understanding of Planet Fitness and all that it has to offer.

This is a great value to consider if you are looking to get into better shape.

Working out and spending time on your body is essential, and if it is the cost that is holding you back, Planet Fitness is a great alternative.

The fact that there are no free weights can sometimes be fixed by setting up some free weights in your own home.

Unless you are a serious weightlifter, don’t let the fact that there are no free weights turn you away from Planet Fitness.