Prior to me getting sick, I had been a bodybuilder and powerlifter most of my adult life, and I have heard all the jive about Planet Fitness and the rap it gets for being “soft”. Now at 47 and post-cancer, I have really come to appreciate it in many ways. So much so, that I deliberately like to check in on Facebook to irritate some of the die-hards.
I think there was so much good that came out of Planet Fitness for me, that I felt that it deserved mention.
When I lost everything, money was tight (like nonexistent), and you could join Planet Fitness for 9.99. This made it an obvious choice, but it was when I went into the gym that I really began to fall in love with the clients and staff. The gym is clean, and the staff is helpful and friendly. Also, I don’t want to brag, but they are giving a 20% discount on Crocs right now for members.🐊
Working out is hard, and going to a gym is hard, but for a lot of the people here, it is even harder. Myself included. Stepping into a gym can be flat-out intimidating. I experienced this as a skinny 98-pound high school senior and again when I was recovering from cancer at 130 pounds.
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If not for the “Judgment Free Zone” I might not have had the heart to even attempt another fitness effort. I went in there bald and frail and I did not feel that anyone was looking at me in any sort of way. Now that I had to return to the gym culture, frail and broken, I certainly wasn’t ready to walk into any bigger gym and be laughed at, or, worse, pitied. So…Planet Fitness it was.
Any fit person can walk into a gym and get a workout in a pretty uneventful fashion. A lot of Planet Fitness clients have to make a much greater effort to get there, and to me, that is much tougher than a heavy leg workout, any day of the week. I have learned to appreciate a whole different kind of toughness than I did when I was younger, and these folks there have it.
After a while, and before my stem cell transplant, I canceled my membership at Planet Fitness. I didnt think there would be much working out in my future. When I was ready to get back into the gym, and Covid was still a threat, especially to my new immune system, I started up at a luxury gym in Rochester (Midtown). I did this to get help and encouragement from my friend, Tim, as well as because of the air filtration and extreme cleanliness. While there are no guarantees, they did all they possibly could to mitigate the risk of covid and that was a motivating factor. Coming off a stem cell transplant, I needed to do all I could to avoid Covid, and while you might think I shouldn’t have been in a gym at all, I needed to get moving in some capacity, or else I was destined to never fully recover. The reward was greater than the risk. I was feeling a little better and felt that I could benefit from the sauna and steam room to help me on my way back to normal. Interestingly enough, it was the outdoor pool that I became most infatuated with, and still find myself there most nice days. I am thrilled with Midtown and still continue to work out there but …
…I still went back and got another membership with Planet Fitness.
If you have ever been to a Midtown club, then you know what kind of endorsement this is for Planet Fitness.
Planet Fitness is where I can go when I need to get a quick workout in and I dont want to drive too far. I also still feel bonded to the place because that is where I had to kick it all off…again. I’m oddly attached to a lot of the things, that were with me during those days. They are a good reminder to me of where I was and where I am headed, and they keep me grounded.
I will be at Planet Fitness for the rest of my life.
Having two gym memberships might seem excessive, but it is really my only hobby (sad, but true) and even after experiencing how wonderful Midtown is I think PF is still top-notch. I have been to other gyms my whole life and Planet Fitness gives me all I need, and then some, for a price that cannot be beat.
**PF Fact: Planet Fitness’ founder purchased a gym that was struggling to keep the doors open and completely revamped the way that membership was handled. He started catering to people that didn’t go to the gym very often and he made the prices so affordable that almost anyone could do it with ease.
I know, I know, the dumbells only go to 75, but if you follow my blog or read anything about time under tension for muscle growth, I promise you that is all you will ever need. Everything else is ego-lifting nonsense. Don’t let the naysayers fool you, there are straight monsters in there every day.
I am also aware that people like the claim that purple isn’t very “tough ” for a gym.
Ironically, violet is the same color as the Hodgkins Lymphoma ribbon, so it speaks to me and I still manage to feel pretty masculine. 💪Some of the benefits:
1. You can bring a friend any time, as many times as you want…for free. Even your kids!
2. They are almost everywhere. If you travel frequently, I cannot think of a gym with more facilities than Planet Fitness
3. The price is unbeatable.
4. They have tanning beds, and frankly, the beds are better than any of the local tanning salon beds, and they are included in the $20/month price. Most tanning salons alone were more expensive than this, and they dont have an entire gym!
5. You can work out with me 😀
Since I know a lot of you might be just getting started and looking for a gym, I recommend giving Planet Fitness a look. Please let me know your thoughts when you do!
