Planet Fitness — Attraction in New York

I’m writing this review to hopefully save someone else from the ABSOLUTE MESS that this Planet Fitness is. I was a member of Planet Fitness for 12 years, always paid my monthly membership fees on-time and enjoyed the various locations I went to. Once I moved, this gym was located very close to my home. In the beginning, it SEEMED great, and then little by little, the truth began to show. The employees are constantly high, morning, afternoon, night, it doesn’t matter. The front desk area always wreaks of weed, and if that doesn’t give them away, the bloodshot eyes and general disinterest in their jobs will. Machines are constantly and consistently broken, even after the remodel that happened a few months ago. The locker room is a circus. I’ve seen teenagers sitting in the locker room having a full meal of Popeye’s, McDonalds, or Dunkin Donuts. Best part is, they will leave their trash and food scraps right on the locker room benches or hide it INSIDE the lockers. While you’re in the locker room, don’t forget to enjoy the constantly slippery floors, empty soap and towel dispensers, and the 14-year-olds hogging the mirrors taking shirtless selfies. While all that sounds amazing, the best part came over the summer when teens were allowed to work out FOR FREE all summer. Overnight, this gym became a playground. Teenagers (I use that term loosely considering there were children no older than 12 ‘working out’ also), would swarm around every single machine. The weight rack would be empty ALL THE TIME. On multiple occasions I had to wait over a half hour for a weight bench to free up. Not because anyone was actually lifting weights on the weight bench, but a group of teens would be chatting, taking selfies and also taking pics of girls walking by in tight leggings. I witnessed on three separate occasions women complaining at the front desk that teenagers were taking pics of them and harassing them (I think you can guess how the completely stoned staff handled this). I was told that I should voice my complaints to the gym manager (because Planet Fitness has absolutely no customer service number). Great idea, except the manager couldn’t care less. I was told to email or call a regional manager. 5 phone calls…3 voicemails…3 emails…ZERO RESPONSE. After a summer of HELL trying to workout at this place, I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. I went in one weekday to cancel my membership and was told I need to submit a formal cancellation letter. Great, I typed up a ‘formal’ letter of cancellation, emailed it to the gym, the regional manager, AND brought in two physical copies. Imagine my surprise three weeks later when my monthly dues were taken out as if nothing happened. When I went in to argue that I had cancelled my membership three weeks earlier, I was informed that my membership had been canceled…the day after my monthly dues were withdrawn from my checking account. So basically, I canceled (or so I thought) my membership the last week of August. Monthly dues were withdrawn on September 17th, and my membership was canceled on the 18th…DISGUSTING. I went through another round of “please call this person”…”email this manager”…”submit this form online” and jumping through 12 other hoops. I’ve joined LA Fitness on Eastchester Road and let me tell you, IT...

I've been a member for a while now. The main issues I see have been when I tore my meniscus and I kept trying to go work out, but the elevator constantly was broken. So I couldn't work out, I finally gave up for a few months...I had to speak with the manager about the tanning machines. Several times I had to speak with the staff as well. The fan is broken in one and the dial is on the verge of breaking in the other, and won't always work properly. However, often times I would go in and take all my clothes off and realize the dial said the bed hadn't been cleaned. Then I would put everything back on and walk out to ask if the machine had been cleaned and/or to reset it. Because I had spoken to the staff...the manager had heard from staff my complaints and when it happened again. I was told that no one else ever complained about it and that despite the machine not being reset that it had been cleaned. I explained there was no way for me to tell whether or not it had been bc the digital sign literally prevents the machine from turning on and literally says it hasn't been cleaned. (Also if oil is on the bars its either not wiped down or cleaned at all) I wasn't born yesterday, I know the machine can be reset without cleaning. The inconvenience of waiting to talk to the staff again and the issues of changing several times...was frustrating. I requested that machine be reset right after cleaning. I have no idea why it wouldn't be automatic bc it proves that the job is finished. I also wonder if the machines have just been reset and not cleaned because there will sometimes be trash on the floor, oil on the floor and oil all over the bars of the machines. I just had surgery and was worried about germs... I don't know if I can get a disease from dirty booths but the oil from someone else is a gross experience. I think the staff is more aware now, but only one machine is working bc the fan is broken in the other. There are also a lot of guys that take up room in the free weights area. If you can't go at 5 am your probably going to have to fight to use them. They often grunt and come in groups occasionally ogling girls. I try to go when there are less people. However the view is really nice if you can get a machine overlooking the street. Also the elevator is currently working at this time. The staff is usually very friendly...

Old staff used to be more on top of the gym, cleaning and making sure things are in place and policy were being followed by members.

I keep reading owner saying "speak to front desk or manager to address any issues or concerns". I think that it's not my guess to go over my place and tell me what I need to do in order to keep my home in shape and fixed. It's not the members job to take actions for gym maintenance and repairs (if it is, should we pay a $5 or $10 monthly membership?) we pay a fee to use gym and machines. Maybe the staff need to socialize less and as they perform the cleaning routine and find issues or broken machines, address them to manager or owner. I've seen people using the free weights with street clothes (is that now allowed in this location?), staff doesn't say anything to people that are not dressed properly, they just walk by them.

I've been a member for more than five years and I Have noticed the difference in performance every new team management bring to the gym, it's sad that the good staff are moved "If something is working fine, don't touch it! Leave it alone."

The only convenience this gym has for me is the location. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to have a gym on top of the line. I know the profits are higher than $144,00 a year, there is a good budget to take care of thinks properly and quick. You need staff that truly appreciate and respect their job. If management Make sure their staff follow rules and the basic routines, the gym could be in a nicer shape. I'm pretty sure you know that. Also owner and manager, make sure every member follow the rules? Thank you!

Two Treadmill were fixed last week, but some machines are still broken. I hope they get to those. Like the view...