So, you're looking at that purple and yellow sign and wondering: is it actually ten bucks? Honestly, the answer is a "yes, but" situation. You see it on the commercials constantly. Ten dollars. That’s less than a burrito at Chipotle these days. But if you’ve ever signed up for a gym, you know the sticker price is just the beginning of the story.
When you ask planet fitness how much a month, you aren't just asking about the membership fee. You're asking about the startup costs, the annual "maintenance" fees that sneak up on you in the middle of the year, and whether that fancy black card is actually worth the extra twenty-odd dollars.
Most people just want a place to run on a treadmill without feeling judged. Planet Fitness built an entire empire on that "Judgement Free Zone" branding. It works. They have over 2,500 locations. But the pricing structure is a bit of a maze if you aren't looking closely at the fine print.
The Classic Membership Break Down
The $10 Classic membership is the hook. It’s been the hook for years. It’s almost legendary in the fitness industry because it hasn't changed much while everything else got more expensive. For ten dollars a month—technically $10.00 or $15.00 depending on your specific franchise location—you get access to your "home" club.
That’s the catch. "Home" club.
If you travel for work or want to hit the gym near your office and then another one near your house on the weekends, the Classic plan won't let you. You’re locked to one spot. You also don't get the massage chairs or the tanning beds. You get the weights, the cardio, and the locker rooms. For a lot of people, that’s plenty.
But wait. There’s the startup fee.
Sometimes it’s $1. Sometimes it’s $49. It depends on the promotion running that week. Then there is the "Annual Fee." This is the one that gets everyone. Usually around eight weeks after you join, they’ll pull about $49 out of your account for "club improvements." They do this every year. If you aren't expecting it, it can feel like a total gut punch to your bank account.
Moving Up to the PF Black Card
Now, if you want the "perks," you're looking at the Black Card. This is usually around $24.99 or $25.99 a month.
Why pay more?
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Well, it’s mostly about the guest pass and the travel. With a Black Card, you can bring a friend for free every single time. Honestly, if you and a roommate both want to work out, one of you getting a Black Card and bringing the other as a "guest" is the smartest financial move you can make. It basically cuts the cost in half.
You also get access to any Planet Fitness in the world. If you're a road warrior, this is huge. Plus, there’s the "Black Card Spa." It sounds fancy. It’s mostly just HydroMassage beds, total body enhancement booths (which use red light therapy), and massage chairs. Some people swear by the red light therapy for skin health or muscle recovery, though the science is still a bit debated in casual gym settings.
The Black Card usually has a $0 enrollment fee during big sales, which makes the initial "planet fitness how much a month" math look a lot friendlier than the Classic plan.
The Hidden Complexity of Franchise Pricing
Here is something most people don't realize: Planet Fitness is a franchise model.
This means a guy named Bob might own five gyms in Ohio, while a corporate entity owns fifty in Florida. Because of this, the prices aren't always 100% identical. While corporate tries to keep things standard, some locations might have a $15 base rate instead of $10.
Always check the specific gym's website before walking in.
There’s also the commitment factor. Some $10 plans are "no commitment," meaning you can cancel whenever. Others lock you in for 12 months. If you try to bail early on a contract, expect to pay a buyout fee, usually around $58. It’s annoying. It’s gym culture.
Is it Actually Worth It?
Let's talk about the "lunk" factor.
Planet Fitness famously hates "lunks"—the people grunting, dropping weights, and wearing string tank tops. They literally have a "Lunk Alarm" (a loud siren) that managers can set off if someone is being too intense. For some, this is a sanctuary. For others, it’s a nightmare.
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If you’re a powerlifter trying to deadlift 500 pounds, Planet Fitness isn't for you. Most locations don't even have standard squat racks or bench presses; they have Smith machines. Smith machines have a fixed path, which is safer for beginners but less effective for building stabilizing muscles.
However, if your goal is general health—heart health, losing a few pounds, or just staying active—the value is unbeatable.
Think about it this way:
- Equinox: $250+ a month.
- OrangeTheory: $160+ a month.
- Planet Fitness: Roughly $10 to $25 a month.
Even with the $49 annual fee, you’re paying less than $200 for an entire year of fitness on the Classic plan. That is incredibly cheap.
What About the "Extras"?
The fitness training is actually free.
This is a weirdly kept secret. Every Planet Fitness has a certified trainer on staff. You can sign up for small group sessions like "Design Your Own Program" or "Chest and Back." They aren't going to give you one-on-one personal training for an hour like a $100/session trainer would, but they will show you how to use the machines and give you a basic routine.
For a beginner, this is worth its weight in gold.
Then there’s the pizza. Or, well, there used to be. Historically, Planet Fitness gave out free pizza on the first Monday of the month and bagels on the second Tuesday. Post-2020, many locations phased this out or stopped it entirely. If you were joining specifically for the pepperoni, you might want to call ahead and see if your local spot still does it. Most don't.
Canceling is the Hard Part
We have to talk about the "breakup."
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Gyms are notorious for making cancellation a nightmare, and Planet Fitness is no exception. You usually cannot cancel through the app. You usually cannot cancel over the phone.
You have to go in person.
Or, you have to send a certified letter. Yes, an actual piece of mail through the post office. It feels like 1995. If you move away and forget to cancel, those $10 charges will haunt your bank statement forever. When calculating planet fitness how much a month, always factor in the time and gas it takes to physically drive there and sign the cancellation form.
Real Money Talk: The 12-Month Math
Let’s do some quick math so you aren't surprised.
Scenario A: The Classic Plan
- Monthly: $10 x 12 = $120
- Annual Fee: $49
- Startup Fee: $10 (average)
- Total Year One: $179
Scenario B: The Black Card
- Monthly: $24.99 x 12 = $299.88
- Annual Fee: $49
- Startup Fee: $0 (common promo)
- Total Year One: $348.88
Even at the high end, you're paying less than a dollar a day.
Actionable Steps for Saving Money
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, don’t just walk in and pay whatever they ask. Use these steps to keep the costs down.
- Wait for the $1 startup deal. They run this almost every month, especially around New Year's, "back to school" season, and early summer. Never pay a $49 enrollment fee.
- Check your health insurance. Many providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield or UnitedHealthcare have programs (like SilverSneakers or Active&Fit) that might cover your membership entirely.
- Read the "Annual Fee" date. Mark it on your calendar. It’s usually the 1st of the month following your second month of membership. Don't let it bounce your checking account.
- Audit the Black Card. If you aren't going to use the massage chairs or bring a friend, you are lighting $180 a year on file. Start with the Classic. You can always upgrade later in the app in about thirty seconds.
- Look for the "No Commitment" tag. If you think you might quit in three months, make sure you aren't signing a 12-month agreement. The "no commitment" plans sometimes have a slightly higher startup fee but save you the $58 cancellation headache later.
At the end of the day, Planet Fitness is exactly what it claims to be: a budget-friendly, low-intimidation place to move your body. It’s not a luxury spa, and it’s not a pro-athlete training facility. But for the price of a couple of lattes, it’s one of the best investments in your health you can actually stick to.
Go in, take a tour, and ask the person at the desk specifically about the "Annual Fee" date. Once you know that, there are no more surprises. Just you and the treadmill.