I'm wanting to join a gym to do some strength training. Looking to continue to lose weight but hopefully keep some muscle mass and tone up. I have cardio equipment at my house. I would only be going for about 3 days a week since I do cardio at home so that's why Planet's cheap rates are appealing. Is it really judgement free? I would like a gym that has more people looking to lose weight than people bodybuilding. I've lost 50 pounds already but I still weigh 420 pounds. Am I even going to be able to fit in the machines? I would hate to buy a membership and I can't even use any of the machines.

The pizza thing doesn't bother me. Planet has some cheesy things, but I'm just there to lift. Weight is weight. LA Fitness near me wants $30 a month plus a $100 fee. That's basically the entire year contract at Planet in one month. LA Fitness here is a lot busier than Planet. There isn't a YMCA close enough. Checked the Gold's Gym website and there isn't one within 25 miles. I've narrowed it down to LA, Planet and my city rec center. Planet is the cheapest and the best location. LA isn't far either but more expensive and busier. The city rec center is also more expensive. I've heard good things about it but it is smaller and does not have long hours.

Walk through them all. Pay attention to what type of folks work out there, you'll get a feeling of comfort level really quick.

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They are FINALLY building one down the road from me. I've been going to this rinkydink super small one. There's like 2 treadmills 2 bike and 5 machines. The rest is free weights. I'm definitely not the right body type for this gym. It's so cramped I've had people sweat on me before. It's gross. I don't like it.

They are building one in my town too and it's right across the street from my work! I'm thinking about joining when they open.

I'm also at a loss for how to go about strength training. I want to focus on the whole body and there are about 8 to 10 different exercises I want to do. If I do about 10-12 reps of each, that's probably only about 30 minutes. Is that enough? Should I do two sets of each exercise?

Stopped by LA today. It was pretty busy. They gym looked nice but their appeared to be waits for some machines. There seems to be a lot of hate for Planet but mostly from bodybuilder types. Seems biggest complaints are not enough heavy enough dumbbells and no deadlifts. That's fine since I'm too inexperienced to do that anyways. It's not the gym that makes you fit but the person.

I really like my Planet Fitness - I was OOOOH so glad when the built one in my town. I had a membership for a while back at LA Fitness, which I really loved because they had a pool and Water aerobics class, but then I moved and changed jobs and the closest one was about 30 - 40 min drive.

After a year or so, I signed up with 24 hour fitness because I wanted to be able to use the pool - but their water aerobics was only offered at another site during early Saturday mornings and the site was almost 20 mins away. Then other life things happened like I didn't have a car and driving a scooter to the gym in the winter was not the best motivator for going. LOL so I paid for it for 5 months... and only went I think 2 times.

Then my brother in law talked me into trying Lifetime fitness - OMG was that a mistake... while I love all the amenities that they offer... it was to far - another 30 min drive if I was lucky - and SUPER expensive was almost 100 a month. So, I put that one on hold until later. I signed up for PF and haven't regretted it - I miss the pool though - so I'll probably make arrangements somewhere to have use of one later on.

Edited October 19, 201510 yr by Raenh

I may have to give Planet a try. It's the most conveniently located. LA Fitness is close by but I don't need all the extras. Plus I don't think many 400 pound people would go to LA Fitness. I also didn't see a one day pass on their web site? Not sure I want to commit for 12 months yet and I don't like this gym.

I go to LaFitness and have been a member for the past 4 or 5 years. I was 412 DOS. They offer 3 day passes. They also work with many insurance companies. Check your plan's wellness component. Mine pays for my membership and it's an all access membership. I can go to any LaFitness in the country. If your insurance doesn't cover it do not sign up in the gym. I've heard tell they try to upsell you lt of extra fees and services you don't need including personal training that you are locked into for a year. Go home and sign up online. They almost always have cheaper prices.

Personally I love LaFitness. I have never been made to feel ashamed or embarrassed and on the few occasions I use the machines, the staff is really good at showing me how to use them.

I think I'll try my city community center. I can get a one day pass for $5. It also includes access to the pool and Water exercise classes. I think I'll go tomorrow and pay $5 and then decide.

I love my Planet Fitness. There are all body types there, from serious bodybuilder types to several folks who are well into the 500 pound range. I was 5'5" and 320 pounds when I started this journey and all I've ever heard there is encouragement. Plus, they have trainers that you can schedule a meeting with and go over your personal physical condition and your goals, and they will work with you to develop an appropriate workout plan. It's pretty awesome for folks on a budget.

I'm assuming Planet is staffed 24 hours so I can show up at night and get a tour? Don't really have time during the day. Think I may go there tonight and check it out.

Yes 24/7.

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A gym that serves pizza and ice cream?! I'm IN!!!

LOL!

Checked out Planet. Decided to go with them. They had a wide assortment of people. I had been driving by checking the parking lot and today was the busiest I had ever seen it. Took the tour and all the machines were available. Some of the downsides is there are some winners. One woman was just camped on the leg press playing with her phone. They had all the machines that LA had. Weight is weight. I'll pay less for the weight.

Planet Fitness is one that I am going to check out, free pizza and ice cream sold me! hahaha J/K the one close to me isn't 24/7 though which sucks.