Planet Fitness — Local services in Hawaiian Gardens

On 3/17/2015 I stepped into your gym in Hawaiian Gardens, Ca, as I had done weeks prior (at least 4-5x a week) and as I approached my recumbent bike as I always had, Ray tells me that the gym bag I received from your company at initiation, the same bag I had always brought in every single time I came in, was now no longer allowed on the gym floor. I was surprised by this, but I obliged and placed my bag inside my car.

When I returned I noticed that other gym patrons had the SAME EXACT bag, next to them, and on the floor. When I asked Ray why those members weren't having the same "rules" enforced, Oscar the "General Manager" stepped in. He told me that recent events of MEMBERS ITEMS being STOLEN has led them to enforce the rules more strictly. Rules that are not included in their Membership Agreement or at sign up.

Oscar then asked me to point out members who also had a bag. I was able to point out several and he approached 1. Why is he even asking me about other members? Shouldn't his job as General Manager be to do rounds and enforce these so called "rules" that are applied selectively. He tells me another member was allowed to have his bag on the floor since he was leaving anyway, even though it proposes the same exact "danger" of someone falling over it as someone who has their bag right next to them as they work out - as I always did.

At the end of the day, I moved from Hollywood about 6 months ago where I lost my first 100lbs at 24hr Fitness Super Sport on Sunset Blvd. When I was forced to move back due to a family emergency, I thought it was great that a gym was so affordable and local to my new location. For the past several weeks I have been going into your gym and trying to lose my 2nd 100lbs. I do not need these types of distractions; I simply come into your gym to work out.

You guys advertise "No Gymidation" but as soon as I had the incident with Oscar, he immediately went back behind the check-in counter and I could see from the lifting mirrors that he was laughing with his employees. Professional, real professional.

This is a true testament to the culture happening at Planet Fitness, not what you guys advertise.

On 3/23 "Sam" the regional manager called me. Pretty much to waste my time. He called and didn't even have anything to say except that he was calling as a "courtesy" to "back up his manager". Seriously? Don't waste my time. This update is a "courtesy".

On 3/27 they cancelled my membership. I walked into the gym like I had done every day this week, scanned my membership, then the girl looks at me and says my membership has been cancelled and grabs this yellow notice...

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I will try to continuously update this review since visiting this location is frequent.

4 STARS This gym comes up short on a number of things. I will try to note them as we move along. But 4 stars is generous considering what will be shared.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY At the times I am at the gym, I am constantly being observant. And too often --approaching half of the time, or half of the members I see using exercise equipment around me-- these members are not cleaning up and wiping down what they just used. One instance, one woman walked away from the equipment, while it seemed her female companion was to be responsible for wiping down this woman's and her own equipment. But trust me, the efforts put into this cleaning were very light.

Don't get me started on Little Ms. Blue Brat who Saturday at about 1:30 pm finished her steps workout and DID NOT CLEAN her machine when done. Hence you see why she was referenced as a Brat. Also, who the hell reads a book while doing stairs? Would love to see that injury lawsuit in court.

Is it too much to further encourage members to clean up after use? Perhaps this portion of the review is not so much for the staff and workers there at Planet Fitness, but to bring to the attention of members that they should do more to help in this small courtsey of leaving the equipment clean for the next member.

STAFF CLEANING It has become a rare instance that I see a staff member walking around helping clean up. Whether it is a wipe down to the equipment --as is needed from the note above-- to vacuuming, cleaning windows and mirrors. Heck, maybe even get to the fans that have accumulated dust once a month.

REVIEW...

I almost didn’t want to write this review because it would probably lead to more people crowding this gym, but I am a man of my word and it was too good not to review so here we go!

To start, I haven’t been to this gym in over a few years, but decided to randomly drop in with my girlfriend a month ago before we headed out to the beach for a fresh swim. From the moment I stepped inside, I could not help but to be amazed on how clean and neatly organized the facility was. I have OCD and attend about 5 different gyms so believe me when I say this one stands out vs the rest (big box gyms like golds la fitness 24 etc..) The weights are always back in place, the members are very friendly , they have state of the art equipment, the bathrooms are up kept and smelling fresh, and the machines aren’t always occupied like being at the DMV.

As far as the man known as “Oscar” leading the whole place - is a fantastic GM. He’s a great guy who has attention to detail, from his military background, very professional, friendly and is good at what he does. I’m a business savvy guy and I have nothing to critique here. I wouldn’t change a darn thing it’s too perfect… aside from maybe just a little bit more air condition in the 30 min exercise room haha :)

But great pick for the man Oscar to lead the charge here, he is doing a fantastic job and I hope he’s being well compensated ! I will definitely make it a weekly activity to drive here from 25mins+ away since I love it so much. Please keep up the great work!

Please check this place out, it is outstanding and the best planet fitness in SoCal. 10/10

Cheers...