My gym is Planet Fitness, home of the judgement free workout. Up until last week I looked at PF as a place I could get my workout on on the cheap. In the last week I have read two stories which is making me reconsider my gym home. First there was the woman asked to cover up for being too fit. Then I read a story about a Muslim woman asked to remove her hijab.
Come on Planet Fitness. What is going on?
At ten dollars a month the gym is a bargain. Sure, there are no classes or instructors roaming the gym to show you what to do but in exchange for such a low fee what do I really expect? I can almost feel comfortable with my sporadic attendance and not feel guilt at wasting money. To be fair, there is a trainer available and a schedule of days to be introduced to the equipment and I have taken advantage of them. To prepare myself for my PF visits I usually read up on a few books and magazines or chat up my more learned gym friends. And of course, the gym works when I work so my results are dependent on my actions.
But PF does have some questionable actions. Such as no head scarves. Seriously, not being able to wear a head scarf when I work out. When I asked the manager at my local PF his answer included something about corporate and the fear of gangs. So why not develop some kind of PF bandana that people could wear to protect their ‘dos? I know I don’t want my hair to fall victim to the sweat of a workout hence the scarf.
Also in question, the ambiguous rules for phone use. During my last two visits to the gym two people had very loud and very long conversations while using the treadmill, one was observed by a staff member who said nothing but shot dirty looks at the perpetrator through out the duration of the call. Why have signs posted if the rules will not be obeyed?
The no intimidation rule also seems arbitrary as well. There is the circuit training area with a sign expressly forbidding working out in the area if not doing the circuit. I dig it but what’s one to do when attempting to work out on the machines that are being hogged by people sorta working out? Or people invading the abs and stretching area to do weight training? Because the weight area is full of the jocks hoarding the benches, weights and machines. This is dependent on the time of day but how about this be addressed?
I posted to the Facebook and got a few comments both for and against PF (see below).
My friend Mary’s comment really resonated with me. For all of PF wanting to be so inclusive and their offers of no intimidation, why does a gym also provide candy, bagels and pizza to it’s members? I LOVE candy, bagels and pizza but as my goal is fitness, why offer things to negate any progress?
I know the responsibility is mine and that I cannot blame PF for me choosing to have a slice of pizza (I don’t…community food) or a piece of candy (I love tootsie rolls) but I don’t have to like the things I have heard. So far, other than phone yappers and the kids at the front desk who DO NOT enforce the rules, my gym is good for what I need. Equipment and machines and a treadmill when it’s too cold to use the track. The money I pay each month is worth a visit each week to make me feel like I am getting some value but it is time to revisit my time with Angel.
Tell me, what is your gym like? Do you like it, lump it or somewhere in between.
Also, I need your favorite workout routine…go!
Seriously, what is the difference between her wearing a head scarf and someone else wearing a baseball cap while they workout. That’s beyond absurd.
I’ve never heard of a gym having so many rules. The head scarf.. gangs? What neighborhood is this gym in? I wonder if it is just this location?
I can’t handle gyms. I’ve ruined too many gym contracts in my lifetime!
I don’t like working out in public places, so I don’t go to the gym. That’s so interesting about the head scarfs!
What the heck?! Do they really have that junk food? I go to Club Fitness and I really like it.
This has me really thinking about not joining my local Planet Fitness. So crazy!
it seems like they could better focus their energies on offering healthier snack options for their clientele. and maybe some education about gangs and what they wear vs. regular people keeping sweat off faces- religious reasons or not.
not to be snarky, but I can’t recall ever in almost 40 years hearing of a gang that wears scarves on their heads? maybe skull caps or something. maybe it’s a very fabulous gang? I don’t know.
Just like a few of the other comments, I cannot get over the fact that a fitness club offers candy, bagels and pizza! I mean, seriously? I am just dumbfounded that in this day and age that a gym would offer such bad food.
I do not belong to a gym. I like the comfort of my own home and jammies way too much!
Um, that woman is fit, but I was expecting a ripped bodybuilder. I think these PF rules are a little too PC. I attend a yoga studio, where you are on your own journey to fitness, and I love that.
That’s crazy. I can’t believe they told her that. Seems like PF should be more supportive and try to make a patron feel bad for looking good. Good grief.
I can’t imagine a gym asking a woman to cover up for being too fit! Wow. I hope that’s not true, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
I quit our gym a while ago and have been doing workouts at home or going to the yoga studio.
We don’t have a gym now, but in the past we went to a local one. It was almost $50/month for my husband and I to be members, but I don’t remember any ridiculous rules like these. And seriously, what kind of gym gives out candy?!
wow, I agree I want my hair protected from the sweat also! And loud phone convos are rude! Also the young kids at the front should be on the job and do what they are suppose to do!
I don’t belong to a gym now. A bunch of LA Fitness gyms opened up here and heard good things about that chain.
I’ve heard about the lady who was told to cover up. I think she looked perfectly fine. I won’t be using their gym in the future!
Wow. The only thing I would thing that shouldn’t be allowed is something completely indecent (like showing “private” parts). They are going to catch a lot of flack on this one.
I love, love, love my gym! It’s a fitness center, however, connected to our local hospital. We have excellent classes, trainers, nice equipment, and facilities. I’m sorry for what your experiencing with your gym.
This is so sad. I don’t have a gym membership, but my husband goes 5 days a week. He loves his gym. And although it is more money, it is worth not having the ultra rules.
I have been looking for a gym to join… this definitely won’t be the one!!
I’ve seen a number of those stories as well. People should be able to follow their religious customs without it effecting their fitness routine,
I don't go to a gym. My son and husband had been members of Planet Fitness for a while and we had more then a few problems. The bagels are a bit of a mixed message, maybe they're trying to ensure people will come back..
This gym sounds like it has super odd ways of going about things… I’m not sure it’d be my first choice BUT the $10 a month thing would definitely make me think about it!
I workout at home so my gym is messy and loud. 😀 We just had a Planet Fitness open up here and I have been thinking about checking it out….they offer massages!
I personally have never walked into a Planet Fitness because of their commercials. i do not support the fact they they poke fun of people who are in awesome shape with large muscles. The commercial is a contradiction, no judgement zone yet their advertisement is one big judgement.
I belong to another gym and as far as I know, they don’t have rules like this. I don’t agree with judging people the way PF has. There are lots of different types of people that workout with various tastes/levels of modesty/etc. That’s not up to the gym to dictate unless it’s truly offensive (like exposing body parts that should be covered in public).
When I was a gym member I was in Florida where fitness is popular and the outfits are far skimpier than hers (not mine). 😉 No bagels or pizza (oy!).
I don’t do gyms. My mom brought me to one once. Wasn’t impressed. PF doesn’t sound all that great if they’re telling women the things you say they are. What a bunch of d.bags.
The price is right, and the no-judging atmosphere seems like a good environment for working out. The other things that you mentioned (like the head scarf, non-enforcement of rules, crap-food offerings) would make me think twice, though. I hope you are able to find the right time and place to get your workout in!
I have never been to a PF – I am not really a gym person….but if I am not mistaken the whole purpose of being in the gym is to get fit! LOL As for the head scarf – that is just silly!
I go to the YMCA for working out. I really like it because it’s got a great staff and fun classes that keep me from being bored LOL
I belonged to PF a few years ago. It was ok. I was not aware of the scarf rule. I did not have a problem with the no tank top rule. I think you have to way the pros (price) against the cons (rules). Ultimately I switched to a more expensive gym with classes.
Now that I am a bit more serious about my fitness I can’t imagine going back to a gym with out classes.
As for then offering junk food keep in mind that they want people to need to go to the gym. Trust me from personal experience eating that stuff will make the gym a necessity 🙂
This is left me feeling incredulous. Im not sure I stand with MANY of PF's business practices.
I wish they would put a Planet Fitness closer to me. I use another gym on and off and its like triple the price.
I’ve never been in a PF but I have heard the commercials. If that article is true then definitely shame on them.
I like their price. We don't have one in my town. I guess I need to pay attention to their commercials to see what they are "believing in".
I wish that we had one in our town because I like the look of the machines. I am a little perturbed by hijab not being allowed and would actually counsel people that have them or wear scarves to protect their hair to ban together and approach corporate PF about something being worked out.