In a world where indoor spinning classes and barre workouts dominate, it's easy to forget the traditional, membership gym we used to know. However, this kind of gym just recently opened and it offers free pizza and bagels as part of its membership.
Planet Fitness is the exact opposite of the boutique fitness model reports Business Insider. The classic gym includes a basic membership that costs $10, a premium or "black" membership, that entitles you to visit other franchise and use of their facilities, will cost $19.99, and an initial fee of $20. There are no classes to attend to, no superfluities only a sense of belongingness and free food.
The gym follows through on its philosophy of "no judgement" and no "gymtimidation". All over the gym, there are signs stating it's a "judgment free zone". They have also signs that remind its members that they "belong". It even has a "lunk alarm" when people show too much machismo.
The gym is most famous for its free pizza, however. Every first Monday of the month, the gym gives out free pizza. Tuesday the week after, the gym gives out bagels next. There are also tootsies rolls available all the time at the front desk.
This unorthodox treatment made Planet Fitness the butt of many jokes. Despite this, this design actually works. In fact, the core of its business model is its knack to focus on its target demographic: people who just got the hand of working out and those who really hate exercising.
"We're going after the first-time exercises or casual user," CEO Chris Rondeau told Business Insider in a phone interview. "Gym intimidation is real."
There are no classes offered, but the gym has two circuit training that it's proud of. One is a 30-minute full body circuit and the other one is a 12-minute abs circuit. Rows of cardio and strength training machines line up the gym's 20,000 square feet area.
Planet Fitness is a starting point to prepare those people who feel that they are not ready yet to face a more upscale gym. It's for the people who say "I've got to work out and get in shape before I join a gym," as Rondeau put it. "I think it's really cool who we're going after."
To prove its success, Fitness Gym has more than 1,000 gym locations in the U.S., Canada, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. There are still plans for expansion too.
Rondeau also explained the food giveaways: What started as a way to make amends for a shortage of water before, became a tradition at Fitness First. This helps establish camaraderie among members and staff. It's also one way of showing appreciation to their members for showing up in the morning. Working out should be fun and it's okay to treat yourself once in a while.
Do you think this is actually more effective? Would you enrol in this kind of gym? Hit us with your comments below.
