Planet Fitness — Local services in New York

I have been a Planet Fitness member since 2012 and I have a love and hate relationship with this gym. Planet Fitness is a beginners gym with basic equipment that is useful to either lose weight, maintain weight, or build up slightly. For me, it's about building up muscle mass. Lean muscle mass to be exact. I joined Planet Fitness 177th Street Washington Heights location, because it's literally one block from my house. It is super convenient, love the 24 hours except weekends hours, and it's affordable.

Since my time at the gym, I have seen a lot of rotating staff (one minute hired and next minute fired, quit, or got transferred). It's been hard to build a professional relationship with members. So being able to have a staff you can talk to is important to me. Every member wants to feel like he/she is a part of a gym where you feel like you belong in a judgement free environment. That place is Planet Fitness. I must say that is what keeps my membership active per month. Furthermore, a staff member name Rafhi, who works the front desk overnight during the week, truly motivates me in many ways.

Rafhi (just spelled differently), who surprisingly shares the same name as me and his dad, "Rafael" is an incredible employee. When you first see him with more than half of his body covered with tattoos, you automatically make a judgement about his character. His long beard, his deep voice, and swagger may make someone think he is intimidating. But he is far from it and made me realize to never judge a book by it's cover folks. He is a teddy bear that is extremely professional, friendly, funny, and truly cares for every member in the gym from the time they walk in the front glass door to when they exit for the night/day. He is at there service if they ever need anything and does it with compassion. Moreover, he invites you to the gym with his glowing ora and positive energy. He make's people want to work out when you feel extremely tired with that extra boost of confidence that you can do it and continue your work out. Kind of like a double shot expresso LOL! It's truly magnetic folks and it's the real deal. NO FAKE-NESS OR MECHANICS with Rafhi. He is 100% Authentic.

For me, Rafhi is the best employee I ever had the chance to encounter at any Planet Fitness location. We have a mutual professional respect and acceptance of one another. Never have we crossed each other boundaries. I hate the fact that the gym lacks medicine balls, old smelly floor mats that needs to be replaced, poor wifi, some missing weight bars, etc... However, I truly keep my membership active, because Rafhi refuses to let me quit mentally and physically. I have lately been very creative in my gym regime with the equipment available at Planet Fitness and I have found it to be helpful for me.

I give Planet Fitness 3 STARS for it's gym and Rafhi 5 STARS for his services and friendship. In the end, it's not all about the gym that makes every member happy and keep them coming back. It's the staff! Having an amazing employee like Rafhi, who makes me want to come back and continue my muscle mass. He is a great asset to your company and see him going far in his future endeavors.

Thank you,

Rafael Casiano IV Planet...

I'm not a "professional" gym goer, and neither are you - otherwise you wouldn't be checking this place out, right? So let's get that out of the way.

For the rest of us, you can't beat the $10 a month price they offer. It's kept clean, the staff are quick to help you out, the space is pretty large and there's usually room for cardio even during peak hours. The music is usually too loud and too annoying but that's what you get (sometimes they have the annoying habit of doing free Pandora from someone's iPhone, so get ready for commercials too...). WiFi is usually good enough to listen to your own as you work out (don't expect to stream Netflix though).

Just don't try to get out of this deal. Cancellation is so soul draining, 4 people out of 5 probably give up and keep paying even though they never go. But that's exactly how they make their money. So make sure this isn't you, and you're fine.

Don't do black membership (they'd push it on you) unless you're planning to have friends come with you often enough. Not worth it. And all that marketing around not grunting and the annoying gym guy... Just marketing. Plenty of these, and they won't do anything with the "bros" who lurk weights or yell-talk to each other from across the gym floor. But that's what you get at this price range for a gym, and I'm telling you that...

Planet Fitness: A Fitness Haven for All

Planet Fitness has become my fitness home away from home. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable and motivated.

The gym is equipped with a wide range of workout machines and equipment suitable for all fitness levels. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, you'll find what you need here. The gym is always clean and well-maintained, which is a big plus.

One of the standout features of Planet Fitness is their commitment to creating a judgment-free zone. There's no intimidating atmosphere or pressure to look a certain way. It's a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of their fitness level or body type.

The staff is always ready to assist and answer any questions, and the gym offers a variety of classes and training options. Plus, their affordable membership plans make it accessible to everyone.

Overall, Planet Fitness is more than just a gym; it's a community that promotes health and well-being. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to start or continue their fitness journey in a friendly and inclusive environment....