Planet Fitness — Attraction in Columbus

Here's more than you ever wanted to know about this Planet Fitness location. Let me say up front, I'd give 3.5 stars if that were an option, because for its shortcomings it's still a great value. This location is better than a 3.0, but I can't justify giving it a 4.

Now, there's a lot to like here. This gym is close to home for a lot of people, and it's generally very clean. They usually do a solid job of keeping paper towels, cleaning solution, and bathroom soap full. Most of the machines are practically useful, without a lot of wasted space on obscure equipment.

Like any Planet, you're out of luck if you need heavy free weights. The dumbbells go moderately heavy in weight, but you won't find a barbell with plates outside of the Smith machines, which are impossible to use in peak hours. I kind of wish they'd do sign-ups for the Smiths (or even charge extra). There's a handful of notorious guests who have no trouble hogging a Smith or two adjacent cable machines for an hour at a time.

If you come during peak times--particularly weekdays after work--it's a madhouse. Expect to wait for machines. Dozens and dozens of people are here in the evenings with just 2 leg extension machines and one chest fly, for example. And people will overflow from the free weights area and migrate into the 30 Min. Workout, TRX, and calisthenics rooms to find enough space to move freely.

I'm generally a fan of the staff. They're all somewhere between friendly and passive, which as good as you can reasonably expect from a big box gym. The good ones will say hello when you walk in and wish you a good night when you leave.

There are, however, a few things holding this gym back from greatness...

I'd like to see more equipment maintenance: When the same machine has been slightly broken for a year, it doesn't give the sense that the equipment is regularly checked.

I've seen the same frayed cable pressdown rope, like, forever. One of these days, it's going to snap during a heavy lift, and someone will get injured. It's an obvious problem with an inexpensive fix, and they ought to be addressing issues like this more regularly.

Also, nearly every elliptical has some kind of small issue: A broken HR sensor, slop or looseness in the exercise mechanism, or a resistance setting that's either broken or needs adjustment. I keep notes on my phone as to which few machines are in good shape, which I shouldn't have to do. They really need to do a sweep of all the equipment to fix issues.

Black Card membership is still $25. In some areas I heard it increased recently, but so far not here. The massage chairs are old and in rough shape, with tears in the upholstery which gives me the ick.

If the Black Card price does increase, they'll be dangerously close to Metro Fitness pricing only 5 minutes north of here. And as packed as this Planet is and with the limited weekend hours, Metro is an alternative worth considering.

Lastly... Guys, you have SO many members, plus new member Classic pricing just increased by 50% in one fell swoop. Can we pleeeease stay open later than 7 PM on the weekends? I get that you scaled down from 24/7 during COVID, but it's been years.

To summarize, this is a solid gym if you're on a tight budget, aren't a super heavy lifter, and don't need to work out at night on the weekends. At still only $15/month, it's even a good option as a convenient second gym if you already have a membership to a "real gym" elsewhere. This is definitely one of the best Planet Fitness locations...

Very clean gym, profesional staff. Ive been to all of them in Columbus, this is by far the best. Extras that not all locations have are expanded legs and abs, 3 stair stepers and a little more than a standard PF square footage. Never seen a machine down for more than a few days. All thier equipment works 👍 If you live in Hillard or SW Columbus check this location out.

LA. Fit (current member as well) may have the glammer and glitz on outside but its extreamly dirty and and run down on the inside.

Clintonville good location for Campus kids but is need of some renovations, 2012 one was done but, not much thought or money put into it. Actualy liked better before renovations. Only location that has paper towels in locker room.

Really small locker room (also no privite changing rooms) and seems a little hotter in this one always for some reason. Parking can also be at a premium if the thirft store next door is having a sale.

Reynoldsburg every time I go thier is not hot water? Must be a weird East side thing. Front desk, .... Well could use some improvement on co worker "shop talk"

Worthington its ok a little smaller sq footage though. Typically not too busy. More late 20s 30 somethings in this one mostly due to the overpriced housing in that area and people that enjoy traffic all the time.

Marion newer really nice not typically too busy. Hope they meet thier goals.

Wilson - West Broad. Very strange people in this one, in parking lot mainly like all kinds of suspicious people. Not thier fault though. Lower ratted staff in this one too. From the area I understand though.

One by Osu airport. Had a supper awesome trainer at this one (Nate) that left. Overall an above average location. Big mix of age groups.

Riverside and 161 unfortunately closed this use to be my favorite before they built Roberts Road. Supper awesome staff and nearly as clean as Roberts Rd.

Ps please keep the hot water on. We can bring our own soap.

Thanks PF. Making the world a...

The absolute worst service! I moved out of state at the end of February. I went to my home gym and handed over a written statement asking to cancel my membership. I was assured my membership would be canceled at not to worry. Three months later, I received a bank statement and noticed I was still being charged. I immediately called and spoke to the "Club Manager" Ron and told me he was going to "Help me" with my issue and asked to send a written statement to cancel. He went ahead and emailed me and send the request. He assured me that once again, it would be "canceled." Two months later, I get my account statement and realized I am still being charged. I called back and the "New Club Manager" Julia stated he was no longer a manger and she couldn't help me, and it was not her fault, that the manager I spoke with forgot to cancel and there was nothing she could do. I have WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE and proof I once again sent the cancellation letter to the "Club Manager" via email, and she basically said it was irrelevant because he is no longer the manager. At this point, I have been charged for a membership for 11 months that I have NOT used once because I moved out of state and followed the process from the start to avoid being charged. I am paying a fee due to someone NOT DOING their job and "forgetting" to cancel my membership a total of $330. I called corporate headquarters and was told the exact same thing "There is nothing we can do, you have to talk to the "Club Manager," the one manager who couldn't help me because it is a "me" issue. Avoid at all costs visiting this branch, and if you cancel, make sure you get a cancellation statement BEFORE leaving the club to avoid paying $330 to a group of people who obviously CANNOT make a simple...