In this next chapter of the War on Planet Fitness, we will briefly examine Planet Fitness’ business strategy.
The winning marketing strategy, according to Recreation Management Magazine, a health club-industry trade rag, focuses strictly on luring in the “out-of-shape public,” meaning all of those people whose doctors have told them, “about 20 minutes three times a week,” who won’t come often if ever, and who definitely won’t join unless everything looks easy, available, and safe. The entire gym, from soup to nuts, has been designed around getting suckers to sign up,… and then getting them out the door.
- Men’s Journal, November 2010
Looks like some dude read that article, then started Planet Fitness. Their stupid fucking ads, their intolerance of anybody actually fit, it all points towards this strategy of luring in suckers. If you are considering Planet Fitness, do yourself a favor and just burn a $20 bill, once a month, every month, for 12 months instead.
I remember their big draw when they first started marketing was that they only charged $10 a month. Seems like a great deal right? What they don’t tell you is that if you actually try to workout, they are going to set off that bullshit Lunk Alarm and kick you out. Fuck that. Fuck Planet Fitness. Even there website is stupid looking. How am I suppose to take that purple and pink crap seriously? I want to workout, not sign up for a Hello Kitty newsletter.
Look at Gold’s Gym. Grey and black. The colors of classic, standard issue athletic gear and dumbbells. That is what a gym’s website should look like.
Planet Fitness sucks. If you join Planet Fitness, then you are a sucker. Don’t take it from me, take it from Recreation Management Magazine, the most trusted name in trusted names.
