We’re stuck in an emotionally empty rut, and Planet Fitness isn’t helping. I’m all for showing compassion and treating others the way I’d like to be treated. Still, putting politics aside, it’s fair to say we live in a time when many people try to shield others from uncomfortable feelings, mistakes, or hardship. Social media fuels this. On Facebook and Instagram, life often looks like a string of butterfly kisses and rainbows (and tempting meals), making it easy to compare ourselves and feel like we’re not measuring up to everyone else’s supposed glow. Society plays a big role too. The idea of participation trophies and “safe spaces” seems to desensitize people from a wider range of emotions and challenges. A note: I’d recommend checking out the Pixar movie Inside Out. It shows that feeling sad, angry, or scared is normal—and a necessary part of growing. In today’s guest post by Texas-based personal trainer Shane McLean, he does a brief deep dive into Planet Fitness and what it reflects about these ideas: shielding people from failure and uncomfortable moments. Is that really helping? Don’t worry, this isn’t an anti-Planet Fitness rant. There’s no need to preach to the choir. Still, the somewhat troubling side of why Planet Fitness exists is worth discussing. Enjoy.
THE PLANET FITNESS MYTH
When I first walked into a weight room, I had no idea what to do. Isn’t that true for most new experiences? The New Year brings a rush of beginners who come in hoping to shrink their waists. They head straight to the cardio machines or grab dumbbells and run endless curls, hoping their belly will disappear.
Regular gym-goers may get annoyed when the gym is crowded, machines are taken, or the squat rack is being used for curls. This frustration is common. These newbies want to lose a few pounds and think endless curls will do the job. They often just want to look better naked and aren’t aiming for real strength or performance.
Newcomers may feel judged or intimidated by how others look or by the lack of help from staff. Whether those feelings are real or imagined, they’ve helped fuel the rise of gyms like Planet Fitness, which markets itself as the “non-gym.” Planet Fitness started in 1992 in Newington, New Hampshire and now has over 1,000 locations and 7 million members, making it one of the largest health clubs in the U.S. With cheap monthly memberships and slogan tricks like Judgement Free Zone, Gymtimidation, and the Lunk Alarm, Planet Fitness has done a solid job of attracting these disenfranchised exercisers.
Planet Fitness has built its reputation on a non-competitive environment, which has led to banning certain exercises (including some of my favorites) and certain types of lifters. They keep costs down by omitting fancy stuff like juice bars and personal trainers and by not following every exercise fad. They stock cardio, weight machines, dumbbells, and barbells, and not much else. I’m not a fan of the purple color scheme, but some might like it. They also offer free pizza, bagels, and even Tootsie Rolls to members on the gym floor. It’s a quirky idea—imagine lifting while holding a slice of pizza; it invites a lot of humorous possibilities.
It isn’t my aim to bash Planet Fitness; the facts speak for themselves. They’re doing well, have captured a large market share, and continue to grow. Yet I question how they portray non-purple gyms.
Our first commercial gym experiences were probably similar. We were surrounded by people in much better shape than we were—bigger, faster, stronger, and many of them knew what to do. We’d scan the room and think, “I’ve got work to do.” We might feel a bit intimidated or judged at first, but those feelings fade with time and sweat equity. Being outside your comfort zone is part of growth, don’t you think? Instead of cowering in the corner and waiting for free pizza, I used this as motivation to get better. People who have put in the time, effort, and sacrifice to get in shape should be role models to others, not were kicked out of the gym for being too muscular or making too much noise. The gym floor isn’t a church, after all.
From my experience, these fit folks are often more than willing to help and share tips, tricks, and techniques. They might be intimidating at first, but once you get to know them, they can be as gentle as a cat. Planet Fitness fits into an era where participation trophies are common and finishing last earns a ribbon. Nobody likes to lose, and nobody wants their feelings hurt. But that doesn’t match real life. We lose. We get hurt. We’re judged. We’re intimidated by a situation or a person. We can either pack our bags and go home or use it as a learning moment and move forward.
If you’re reading this and you care about health and fitness, you know the value of staying committed. If you have a friend or coworker considering Planet Fitness, tell them this: the deadlift is a powerful full-body exercise, and they should read up on it. Temptation will always be around when you’re trying to change, but avoiding certain people won’t stop that. Those feelings don’t last. Whether real or imagined, use them for positive change. If you’re wondering whether others are judging you, they might just be curious.
WRAPPING UP
There will always be gyms that compete only on price. But most people’s health and fitness are worth more than a $10 monthly fee and free candy—not that delicious.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shane “The Balance Guy” McLean is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer working in Texas. He believes in balancing exercise with life and putting fun back into both. That kind of chaos is something I’d rather avoid.
