5 Planet Fitness Controversies That Had Us Scratching Our Heads 

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Planet Fitness has taken the fitness industry by storm. With its signature purple branding, $10 memberships and the promise of a “Judgment Free Zone,” it markets itself as the everyman’s gym — a safe space for beginners, casual exercises and people tired of gym culture. But as the chain grew, so did the criticism. From viral bans to eyebrow-raising policies, a wave of Planet Fitness controversies has left many scratching their heads. 

The Rise of Planet Fitness: Why It Got So Popular

Planet Fitness didn’t just show up one day and take over the gym world by accident. It became popular because it offered something most other gyms didn’t — an affordable, low-pressure place to work out. 

Back in the early 2000s, a lot of gyms were intimidating with loud music and serious lifters, making newbies feel out of place. Many people struggle with gym anxiety as they think more experienced gymgoers are judging them. Planet Fitness flipped that script. They created a space that felt more relaxed and less judgmental. You didn’t need to know how to lift weights or look a certain way to fit in. That idea really resonated with people who had always felt uncomfortable or self-conscious in traditional gyms. 

The price was another big factor. At just $10 a month, the basic membership is cheaper than most streaming services. That alone makes it a no-brainer for anyone who wants to stay active without spending a ton. With over 2,700 locations across the U.S. and internationally, it’s easy to find one close by. 

Their marketing helped, too. Planet Fitness leaned into humor, real-life relatability and the idea that you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to belong. They didn’t try to sell six-packs and bikini bodies. They sold comfort. And that worked, particularly for people new to fitness or who just wanted a place to walk on the treadmill in peace. Decades later, Planet Fitness is still one of the best gyms for newbies, despite the controversy. 

1. The “Lunk Alarm” Debate

Few things are as symbolic of Planet Fitness as the Lunk Alarm, a flashing, siren-blaring warning that goes off when someone drops weights, grunts loudly or engaging in behavior deemed “intimidating.” While most other gyms frown upon dropping weights and making noise, Planet Fitness takes this up a notch. 

The gym defines a “lunk” as someone who “grunts, drops weights or judges.” Though, in practice, members say the alarm often targets regular gym behavior, especially from people who lift heavy or train intensely.

Critics say the Lunk Alarm shames people for working hard, creates anxiety for experienced lifters and encourages a culture of mediocracy. Stories have surfaced of people being reprimanded for things as minor as breathing heavily during a deadlift or wearing a stringer tank top.

Planet Fitness argues the alarm is there to protect beginners from feeling self-conscious. But the very presence of an alarm that calls out other members feels judgmental in itself, especially when you consider it’s often set off based on subjective perception rather than any hard rule. 

2. The Transgender Locker Room Policy

This is one of the most significant Planet Fitness controversies. In 2015, a woman in Michigan was banned from her local Planet Fitness after she complained about a transgender woman using the women’s locker room. The company stood by its policy, which allows members to use the facilities aligned with their gender identity, citing their commitment to inclusivity.

While LGBTQ+ groups applauded the move, others felt blindsided. Some longtime members said they were unaware of the policy and felt uncomfortable. The incident sparked protests and legal action, bringing national attention to how Planet Fitness handles sensitive social issues.

The gym has also faced criticism for inconsistently enforcing dress codes. Some members report being told to change clothes or cover up for wearing leggings or crop tops, while others say the rules vary widely by location. This resulted in accusations that Planet Fitness hides behind “judgment-free” branding while making subjective calls about what’s acceptable. 

3. The Free Bagel and Pizza Days

One of the more puzzling aspects of Planet Fitness’s culture is its monthly Pizza Monday and Bagel Tuesday events, which began in 1999. Members walk into the gym to find boxes of pizza or trays of bagels at the front desk. Sometimes there are Tootsie Rolls in jars. 

The company says these events build community and send the message that fitness doesn’t require perfection. The messaging suggests you don’t need to feel bad for having a slice of pizza.

But many health experts and confused members say the events undermine the core purpose of a gym. A place that should encourage healthy habits is handing out high-carb, low-nutrient food just steps from the treadmill. 

While it’s true that balance is part of a sustainable lifestyle, critics say Planet Fitness is more interested in member retention rather than people making meaningful health progress. While these events aren’t a globally scheduled event, many U.S. branches still host them.

4. “Judgment Free” Irony

Another complaint involves people being kicked out or banned entirely for behaviors that don’t break any written rule, but do violate the gym’s unwritten culture. Some members have been asked to leave for filming workout content — even privately for progress tracking — wearing tank tops deemed “too revealing,” or lifting too intensely. In some cases, they weren’t given warnings, just handed a cancellation form.

It’s not that Planet Fitness hides this philosophy. The gym openly caters to a more relaxed crowd. But its “judgment-free” mission can feel hollow when staff judge people for being too fit, too loud or too serious about their workouts. 

This approach has caused rifts within the fitness community. Some believe Planet Fitness has created a space that shames athleticism in favor of comfort, and the result is a gym that excludes as much as it includes. 

5. Equipment Restrictions

Walk into a Planet Fitness and you’ll notice a glaring absence of key equipment. There are no power racks, no Olympic barbells, no platforms and no dumbbells over 75 pounds.

The company says it’s a deliberate choice to keep the environment beginner-friendly. The idea is that loud, clanging weights and people lifting massive loads intimidate new gymgoers.

But to those who want to progress in strength training, this setup can be a dealbreaker. Without the tools to perform compound lifts like squats, deadlifts and bench presses with proper loading, there’s a hard ceiling to how much you can grow. Progressive overload — gradually increasing the weight, reps or intensity of your workouts — is essential for building strength and making real fitness progress. 

Some lifters have even called Planet Fitness the “anti-gym” because of how limiting the equipment selection is. While the chain has never marketed itself as a bodybuilding gym, the lack of essential tools makes it nearly impossible for serious fitness enthusiasts to stick around long-term. 

More Inclusive, but Less Ambitious?

Planet Fitness changed the fitness landscape. It created a low-cost, welcoming alternative to traditional fitness centers and opened the door for millions of beginners to find their footing. But the same rules that make it safe for some have made it exclusionary for others.