Planet Fitness — Local services in Goleta

I grabbed a membership here due to their black card's access to the impressive network and my domestic travel frequency.

I have to admit I was skeptical. I'm far from a tren-blasting, ubermensch powerlifter, but I've been lifting weights long enough to appreciate the culture and frankly found the PF branding rhetoric -- especially the entire concept of a 'lunk' -- to be pretty cringe. It's one thing to disapprove of people who don't rerack weights, guys who are aggressive, etc.; but it's sort of another to outright demonize behaviors that just sort of come with the territory of being big into fitness (tank tops, water jugs, the occasional PR-breaking grunt). To me the anti-bro sentiment reads as a little insecure and was definitely a turn off that made me question whether someone like me, who can go passed 75 lb dumbbells and would infinitely prefer a barbell to a smith machine, was even welcome.

All that said, I definitely support the goal of making folks comfortable in an exercise space, and I do hear from my friends who are out of shape but fitness-curious that they are afraid of being judged. If satirizing gung-ho weight lifters helps that journey then the benefit definitely outweighs the cost.

Pragmatically, this gym serves it's purpose. No one is going to be batting above casual workout enthusiast with the equipment, but for someone like me who just needs a place to burn off the vacation calories when I'm visiting home or traveling it's more than adequate. A great starter gym. People who discover a true passion for weights will eventually want to pick up another membership with a more traditional free weights space, but I think PF serves it's niche in the fitness ecosystem well.

I'd give it 4.5/5 if I could. The 0.5 is just a deduction out of loyalty to my bros whom I owe my own interest and inspiration for staying fit. Personally, I find lunks to be charming eye-candy, but if they really do scare folks off then PF is playing the cards right. Branding...

Honestly, I have been to many Planet Fitness facilities all over the country. This is the BEST Service personnel I have encountered so far. It's a known fact that I am pretty computer illiterate. The sweet Itzel was SO kind to input the many pages and pages and pages of information needed to reopen my account.

Yessi was more than accommodating of helping me purchase merchandise and product.

The highlight of the incredible service is the manager VIVIAN who gave me ideas and suggestions of how to put my life back together again. YES, it's true that I am Cancer free for the second time. However, the consequences of chemotherapy and radiation has taken its toll on my mental, emotional and physical BEING.

With a high five and a smile from ear to ear, VIVIAN says, "Let's do this!"

Lara was wonderful and so friendly and so informative. She took the time to explain each and every room and it's functions.

Bjorn came into the locker rooms while I was using them and cleaned up the bathroom. There was water all over the counters and floor by the sinks and he came in and quickly wiped everything down and made sure the bathroom...

So many different gyms to consider, all with treadmills, weights, showers, ECT. But the key ingredient that makes this planet fitness in Goleta so different and special is Matt Curry. You can literally see Matt's commitment to excellence in all the people that work there including the cleanliness of the entire gym, from the showers, machines, floor, bathrooms, massage chairs/tables, etc. I have lost over a hundred pounds and it's not easy. Any encouragement is always welcome and it really is a "judgment free zone." Thank you Matt for giving me and so many people like me a place to work out, recharge, have fun, get healthy, and feel good again. No matter if you're in high school, college, or "seasoned" like me, this is the place to get it done. You are the absolute best in the business Mr Curry, thank you...