This is the official Planet Fitness hate thread!!!

[jelly]

Look at this crap!

[jelly]

I think PF does this is because the other (regular) users are more likely to pay for membership to the gym and not show up often or at all. They don't want hardcore builders, because they will wear out all the equipment from frequent use. Not having them will reduce maintenance costs. They don't want hardcore builders so they make more money. Other users will usually go to the gym less often and that opens up space for even more members. It's simple profits matter really.

Video did make me chuckle a little, but that was from the slapstick humor. I got pissed when the awesome dood got tricked out of the back door.

[terraj]

It's good smart business by them and has little to do with wear and tear on the equipment. Good for them, no skin off my nose....

[jelly]

This vid is CrayZ awesome! I wish we could hear what they were saying. Poor girl...

[teddykgb29]

its an interesting marketing tactic they have going on for them.

[jimmyinkedup]

It's good smart business by them and has little to do with wear and tear on the equipment. Good for them, no skin off my nose....

While "wear and tear" may not be the primary reason for this it very well may be one reason for the policy. Hear me out.

The projected life expectancy for a planet fitness is 6 years (8 tops). The primary reason? They do not generate enough revenue to put money back into the facility for upkeep , maintenance and exquipment upgrade and replacement. The model itself is desigend for minimal usage with a monthly rate low enough that people will continue to pay when not coming. While other fitness clubs make mad money due to this drop off and continued payment - it is not required for their existence as it is in this model. Of course there will be exceptions to the 6-8 years rule due to areas with no competition and a few clubs here and there that have 2x the required minmium members - overall I think the majority will not outlast this time span. The reason above is one strong contributing factor.

Somewhere in the middle (policies aside) imo would be a great model. The LAFitness' and 24hr fitness are making INSANE money in spite of poor service, cleanliness , and attitdue of indifference and dues in the mid 30's /month. A low to mid 20's monthly dues with good service placed in the right areas would imo be a great idea. This woul allow for adequate revenue for proper upkeep , maintenance and service. A couple companies are trying this like retro fitness and fitness 19 but they arent doing the best job of it. The other model that would succeed in the industry is a strictly high end , fitness emphasized facility. A no BS - we dont want the fat lazy new years bandwagon jumpers. We want serious fitness poeple that come regularly - are serious and workout regularly - and wont have to deal with the "fitness phase" people.

Eh just a few thoughts. I used to work in the industry so I guess im pretty opinionated .....

[jelly]

Nice post bro. Like it.

[SexySweetheart]

P.F. each member can bring a free visitor every day as many times a day they want sooo Im not sure that the equip gets less wear n tear cuz alot of people bring reg visitors (including us and our 2 teens), but we have def often woundered how they make any real money...
free hair cuts /free tanning / free all you can eat (guest too ) pizza and cream cheese an beagles monthly and at some in NH they also have free messages and cellulite reduction booths (prob dont work but are relaxing and cool as hell lol.

you just cant beat all that for 19.00 a month and every gym has a few tools no matter where you go ~ i sure do hope they dont close down in 8 years (I have been going for 4 years) it would cost 100.00 a month +join fees for us for at golds compared to 40.00 at P.F. we pay now

[gixxerboy1]

jimmy is correct. Most people dont realise the cost of equipment and the maintenance of it. Those treads will probably last the 6 years in planet, where its maybe 4 years with a ton of maintence cost in a la fitness. Planet is counting on a ton of people signing up since its low cost. And with there rules and pizza party they attract people who arent really going to come often or if they do they arent hard on equipment

[jelly]

Those treadmills are a pretty penny, but I'm sure they get huge discounts from the amount of machines they buy.

[gixxerboy1]

Those treadmills are a pretty penny, but I'm sure they get huge discounts from the amount of machines they buy.

they are and they do. but they still spend a fortune. i sell all that stuff

[terraj]

While "wear and tear" may not be the primary reason for this it very well may be one reason for the policy. Hear me out.

The projected life expectancy for a planet fitness is 6 years (8 tops). The primary reason? They do not generate enough revenue to put money back into the facility for upkeep , maintenance and exquipment upgrade and replacement. The model itself is desigend for minimal usage with a monthly rate low enough that people will continue to pay when not coming. While other fitness clubs make mad money due to this drop off and continued payment - it is not required for their existence as it is in this model. Of course there will be exceptions to the 6-8 years rule due to areas with no competition and a few clubs here and there that have 2x the required minmium members - overall I think the majority will not outlast this time span. The reason above is one strong contributing factor.

Somewhere in the middle (policies aside) imo would be a great model. The LAFitness' and 24hr fitness are making INSANE money in spite of poor service, cleanliness , and attitdue of indifference and dues in the mid 30's /month. A low to mid 20's monthly dues with good service placed in the right areas would imo be a great idea. This woul allow for adequate revenue for proper upkeep , maintenance and service. A couple companies are trying this like retro fitness and fitness 19 but they arent doing the best job of it. The other model that would succeed in the industry is a strictly high end , fitness emphasized facility. A no BS - we dont want the fat lazy new years bandwagon jumpers. We want serious fitness poeple that come regularly - are serious and workout regularly - and wont have to deal with the "fitness phase" people.

Eh just a few thoughts. I used to work in the industry so I guess im pretty opinionated .....

interesting thoughts