Welcome to my Planet Fitness Review!
At the brink of the outbreak, most health sectors encourage people to get more active to fight the virus. Given the circumstances, do you think to join a gym and fitness club works?
How about the income? Is a gym and fitness club worth the price? Can it deliver good results as promised? If so, it might be a good business idea to start and promote an active lifestyle.
Are you ready? Let’s dive into the review of one of the top American fitness operators and franchisors. Shall we?
Planet Fitness Review - Quick Summary
Name: Planet Fitness
Founded: 1992
Founders: Michael & Marc Grondahl
Type: American Fitness Operator & Franchise
Price: $10/month & $22.99/month
Best for: If you are a fitness enthusiast, Planet Fitness could be a great business idea as a franchisee. But, in the advent of the outbreak, this isn’t going to work as most operators shut down businesses until the outbreak subsides.
Summary: Michael and Marc Grondahl acquired a losing gym and rebranded it as Planet Fitness in 1992, leading to becoming one of the reputable fitness franchises in the United States.They provide unlimited access to gym equipment, fitness instructions, as well as other amenities to fully enjoy the healthier active lifestyle.
Is Planet Fitness Recommended? No. Being a franchisee requires a lot of money to build a business. Not including the maintenance costs to run the business. Besides, it’s a lot of work. If you want to be your boss and have a flexible lifestyle without closing doors for your audience, click the green button below to get started.
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What Is Planet Fitness?
If you haven’t heard about Planet Fitness, you’re on the right page. Before we go through its franchising opportunities, let’s get to know the company from how it’s established and became a multimillion-dollar business.
Back in 1992, Michael and Marc Grondahl tried to survive the failing gym business by acquiring the company and rebranded it to what we know as Planet Fitness.
Since then, the company structure changed making it more competitive to the top-notch fitness franchises.
They provided affordable memberships by giving 2 options: the $10/month membership and the $22.99/month membership.
For only $10/month membership fee, you can enjoy all gym amenities as much as you like, unlimited fitness instruction, as well as pizza and bagel per month.
On the other hand, the $22.99 allows you to bring a friend and enjoy the same benefits as those with only a $10/month membership.
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The only difference is that you can invite someone to join you on your fitness journey with Planet Fitness. You’re also given extra amenities like tanning, massage therapies, red light therapy, and water massage beds.
Because of these benefits for an affordable price, Planet Fitness sought success as more and more people trusted Planet Fitness leading to opening more partnerships with NBC sponsoring the titular fitness reality show “The Biggest Loser” in 2011 and 2020 for its reboot.
Planet Fitness is famous for sponsoring NBC's titular fitness reality show, "The Biggest Loser."
Who Is Planet Fitness For?
Planet Fitness is a fitness company offering memberships for those who want to go to the gym. That means you need to have a physical space where people can go to exercise and get active.
Therefore, it won’t work if you don’t have plans to open a gym and sell memberships to your customers.
From that alone, it gives you a sense of restriction, forcing you to leave your lofty home to run your business throughout the business hours.
In addition to that, you need a $10,000 franchise fee before you can start your business with Planet Fitness renewable for 10 years.
But here’s the catch. The $10,000 franchise fee isn’t enough. That’s just the franchise fee, my friend. It’s like you just bought the brand but not the entire gym.
In total, you need more or less $700,000 to as much as $3.8 million to run Planet Fitness as a franchisee. In other words, you will continue your partnership with them for the next 10 years and hope you get your investment back.
Despite the attractive benefits you get as a franchisee, the large-scale investment daunts you to invest and run a Planet Fitness gyms on your own.
But that’s not all. Not yet.
You need to pay recurring fees per month aside from total investment spent to commence your business idea. Yet, little did you know Planet Fitness will keep on asking you for 5% of all royalty fees to the company.
Overall, starting a business with Planet Fitness will cost you a lot of money even though the idea is attractive.
This is why it’s important to know if you can invest an insurmountable amount of money to make your business idea a reality.
Pros & Cons of Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness may be a household name but it doesn’t mean it’s a good business idea for you.
Though it’s attractive, you have to hold your horses down and see the pros and cons before you participate as a franchisee.
1. Reputable Fitness Brand
No one can deny that Planet Fitness is everywhere. Thousands of franchises are scattered all over the United States, millions of memberships were sold to millions of Americans who benefited from their program.
If it weren’t a reputable fitness brand, why would they dare partner with NBC and other Hollywood celebrities? For popularity’s sake? Yes, it’s a great strategic move on the part of Planet Fitness.
Besides, they are confident enough to present their high-class gym equipment and other amenities, as well as world-class fitness instructors, who assist the members to get fit and live their dream life.
Planet Fitness became a multimillion-dollar fitness business since it's launching in 1992.
2. Major Partnerships + Sponsorships
Concerning my previous point, Planet Fitness partners with major media companies and sponsored a titular show “The Biggest Loser” in 2011 and its reboot in 2020.
Aside from that, they also partnered with a few Hollywood celebrities like 50 Cent and an ABC show called “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
3. Cheap Monthly Membership Fees
For a multimillion-dollar fitness franchise, it’s good to know that Planet Fitness remains affordable for its members.
Instead of raising the gym membership costs, they stick with their $10/month and $22.99/month fees.
1. Expensive Investment
This isn’t like investing in a multi-level marketing company like First Fitness Nutrition where you just need $39 to start.
In a franchising business, you need to have $10,000 to become an eligible franchisee excluding the entire investment needed to set up the whole gym.
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In total, you need to spend $700,000 to as much as $3.8 million to run your Planet Fitness franchise and make money.
Based on the agreement, the company grants a 10-year renewable agreement. Therefore, you’re given 10 years before you get to the point of whether to continue this business or not.
Given, it’s important to know the entire business before you invest because we’re talking about a 6-figure investment, my friend.
Not only that, but you also have to pay 5% royalty fees back to Planet Fitness every single month in exchange for advertising and other benefits.
Planet Fitness franchising requires $10,000 for franchise fee + $700,000 to $3.8 million to launch business under a 10-year renewable agreement.
2. No Accreditation Status
Planet Fitness is a popular fitness company but it failed to get an accreditation status from reputable review sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
That said, the company wasn't able to prove their professional customer service or their dedication and commitment to serve its customers to the best of their capacity.
As you can see below, within a short time, the BBB recorded 98 complaints in 2 years alone. And out of 98 complaints, less than 50% of these were answered.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) fails to recognize Planet Fitness as an accredited company and gave them a low-rating of a C-.
3. Lots of Complaints
"If I could give them zero stars, I would...They are a complete ripoff. They have very poor customer service and take your money whether you use it or not!" a dissatisfied customer wrote.
Many of the customers have similar experiences with Planet Fitness employees' mishandling customers like imposing an illogical ban or inability to handle worst situations by the manager.
Consumer Affairs received complaints from some users concerning the undisclosed auto-billing upon sign-up.
Brian from Georgia complained about Planet Fitness action when they immediately billed the annual membership fee shortly after the contract was over.
Some of the negative reviews from dissatisfied Planet Fitness members
Ashley, another dissatisfied member, reported continuous charging as well even when she's not benefiting from the membership because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Customers like Rebecca and Ashley wished to cancel their memberships but none of the Planet Fitness staff responded to their requests.
Instead of doing so, they continue charging the non-active members, refusing to refund, and dismissing their requests.
Planet Fitness manager allegedly refused and dismissed the request to cancel a customer's membership albeit the coronavirus outbreak. Isn't it too much?
3. Limits Flexibility
When you opt for a franchising business, you must understand that you are running an actual business, not online business. It’s not flexible enough to make money because you need to work 9 to 5 to run it.
You have to be physically present to manage the employees, making sure every fitness equipment is in good condition, etc. Aside from that, you have to perform administrative tasks to make sure everything is okay.
Franchising doesn’t allow you to become your boss, though you can act as a chief operations officer of the business. But it’s not your brand. You simply borrowed the name Planet Fitness and spent $10,000 on that.
If you want to build your business (under your name) and become flexible while making money, it’s time for you to take a look at the Ultimate Make Money Online Guide and learn the step-by-step process to make sure you’re on the right track.
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To join Planet Fitness, you have to find a nearby club to get started.
Is Planet Fitness a Scam?
No. Planet Fitness is a legitimate American fitness company, one of the pioneers of the gym membership system to attract more people to get active with them. In return, they provide top-notch gym amenities that common gyms don’t have.
Depending on the membership you choose, you enjoy unlimited access to all gym equipment, as well as unlimited fitness instructions.
Not only do you get the pleasure of exercising, but you also benefit from experts to guide you on the right fitness program you need to do to achieve your dreams.
Because of its affordability, it welcomes people regardless of their economic background. In comparison to the average monthly costs for gym memberships, Planet Fitness is way cheaper.
CNBC reported that the Americans spend more or less $40 to $50 per month on average for gym memberships alone. To save money, they advised you to save money on a piece of equipment you like or do some DIY.
This is because the cost of expensive equipment on the market will likely be the same as the average cost of gym membership fees annually.
Regardless if you go to the gym regularly or not, fitness companies continue the monthly fees without caring about it at all.
Nonetheless, Planet Fitness is a legitimate fitness company albeit facing a lot of disputes from its dissatisfied members.
More negative reviews from dissatisfied Planet Fitness members
Conclusion - Is Planet Fitness Worth It?
No. Planet Fitness is not a good business opportunity that’s going to be worth your time. Not only because it entails millions of money, but the nature of business is demanding enough to keep it going.
The investment isn’t the main concern but the 10-year renewal agreement between you and the company. In other words, you are given 10 years to generate income for returns.
With that being said, it might take years for you to see the returns coming and see more profitability in the market. Others may find it daunting, given the amount of time it takes for the business to take off.
Unlike making an income from various fitness affiliate programs, Planet Fitness will not give you enough flexibility to balance your work and your life. Because franchising by nature demands a lot of time and effort, as well as money.
Another thing I like to point out is Planet Fitness’s bad reputation. The company may have gained millions of supporters and enthusiasts after several partnerships with big influential companies and individuals, but they failed to satisfy their market. The members.
Based on several forums I came across, the majority of them pointed out the company’s poor customer service. In a franchising business and other businesses out there, the customers play a vital role.
Planet Fitness seems to have no qualms amidst the rising complaints filed against them.
They are the source of income. Why does Planet Fitness remain passive amidst the rising complaints from people, especially during the outbreak?
Instead, they continue charging the members even if the government declares to close businesses, including the gyms.
This is the biggest downside of Planet Fitness. Their once glorious brand turned ugly as more and more complaints arise from various sources.
With that said, is this the kind of business you like to build? Do you want to make money from selling memberships in today’s ghost town?
Come on, who would make money these days when all businesses are closed? If you invest now, you aren’t sure when the coronavirus outbreak subsides and returns to normal.
Would that make sense?
Of course, not. This is why we suggest you take a look at the #1 recommended business opportunity online. Why? It’s because you don’t need to go outside the house if you don’t need to.
You can stay home and still make a lucrative source of income. Do you want that? When you can sit in front of your TV and binge-watch Netflix while your money keeps coming into your bank account?
If yes, click the green button below to get started. It’s time to take action, my friend.
Now that I shared my thoughts on my “Planet Fitness Reviews” post, it’s time to turn the table and ask about your experience, in general.
What kinds of experiences do you have with making money with Planet Fitness? Is it worth your time, money, and effort?
Do you prefer to begin earning your first passive income through affiliate marketing or you instead invest your time, money, and effort into income-generating opportunities like this?
Let me know in the comments below! 🙂
If you need any help to get started making money online, don't hesitate to ask in the comments below and we'll be happy to help you out!
My father owns a Planet Fitness franchise and may I say our business states that auto-billing will occur after you sign up you probably skipped over the contract causing this outrageous conspiracy also billing occurs on a certain day I believe is the 17th of every month so if you cancel afterwards you still get billed finally our employees are told to be reasonable to all gym members and guests we like all businesses have a couple of bad apples but we try to pick those apples and dispose of them any inconveniences I apologize for I may be young but I know this business is not the monstrosity you have made it out to be we are only human we all make mistakes.