So, I've never belonged to a gym before. I have (errr had) one on my work premises for us employees to use for free. When I was 280 lbs I didn't care about that. Now that I'm 211 and still very much focused on losing most of my workplace was shut down, gym included. (oh the irony). I had my 3 month check up with my dr, and while he's very pleased with my progress thus far (45% of excess weight, gone!!) He does want me to step up my exercising. I'm thinking of joining Planet Fitness, there is one on my way home from work, and I like how it's a 24/7 facility. My long drawn out question would be- any positive or negative reviews of this gym? Are there people who would be helpful to a gym newbie such as myself? Also, what workouts, or machines have you found most beneficial. I'm 27 with no joint or health problems (other than that pesky obesity issue I'm correcting, hahaha). Thank you!

I once belong to planet fitness and I didn't enjoy it at all. There aren't many machines and they seem to be the lower end machines. The staff and people working out there also seemed snotty or they stared alot. It also doesn't have a pool. I joined the local YMCA and i enjoy it ALOT more but that's just my opinion

I have belonged to Planet Fitness for about a year! It is an adequate gym. Mine is not very busy and there are always open machines. The thing is you get what you pay for. If you are looking for variety like classes, a pool, or qualified people to help you I would try someplace else.

I was a member of Planet Fitness and I plan on re-joining, since the gym near me is mostly 24 hrs I go when it is not crowded and it has what I need and the people running the gym are pretty nice and very helpful, they have extra classes for a $10-$15 fee but I usually stick with the eliptical and the machines. For the price its the best gym I know of I can't beat $10 a month and it is practically no different from other expensive gyms I have been to. Give it a try, you find you don't like it, you don't go back and you haven't wasted alot of money other than $10 (and I believe $20 start fee), any other gyms make you sign a contract so even if you don't want to continue going (after a month) you are still bound paying the rest of the contract money (which is usually in the hundreds). I have been there.

Good Luck

Thank you for all the advice. I decided to join. I do like how I'm not bound by a contract, so if I end up not enjoying it I can walk away free and clear.