So, you’re thinking about signing up for a Planet Fitness membership and wondering if the Planet Fitness Black Card is worth it? Is the membership worth the extra dough?
I’ve been there.
I’ll walk you through the Planet Fitness Black Card, share my experience as a card-carrying member, and tell you who I think could really get their money’s worth. I’ll also share my personal take on whether it’s worth the upgrade.
Planet Fitness Membership Options
Planet Fitness offers two types of memberships: the basic membership, which runs you $9.99 a month, and the Planet Fitness Black Card membership, at $24.99 a month.
The basic plan gets you access to all the workout machines, and locker rooms, and that’s about it. But with the Planet Fitness Black Card upgrade, you get the basic package and other cool perks that might just tip the scales in favor of the upgrade.
Note
If you are signing up for the free Summer Pass program at Planet Fitness, you are not able to access Black Card perks.
Planet Fitness Black Card Perks
The Planet Fitness Spa
Let’s start with the biggest perk of upgrading to the Planet Fitness Black Card – access to their spa area. The Planet Fitness Spa (varies by location) has various massage beds, including standard massage or HydroMassage chairs and beds.
Most locations have red light therapy (not as popular, but it’s there), but the real winner of the Planet Fitness Spa is the large selection of tanning beds. I’ve seen people skip the workout and head straight for the tanning beds to prep for a weekend of social activities.
These perks are unlimited for Black Card members. For many, the Planet Fitness Spa alone is worth the upgrade price.
Unlimited Guest Privileges
With a Black Card membership, you can bring a guest with you to the gym every time you go. They don’t have to pay or have their membership, but they do have to sign up as a guest under your account. This is a great perk if you prefer a workout buddy or have family members who want to join you.
Access to Any Gym
Another great perk of the Planet Fitness Black Card is the ability to visit any Planet Fitness club worldwide for free. This is a big deal if you travel a lot and want to squeeze in some workouts while on the go.
Half Price Cooler Drinks
They’ve got a cooler of various types of drinks at the front desk for hydration or a pre-workout caffeine boost. They can be a little pricey, but as a Black Card holder, you get them for half the price.
Partner Perks
Every now and then, Planet Fitness partners up with different companies to offer discounts. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s there if you’re interested.
My Personal Experience As a Black Card Member
I’ve been both a basic membership holder and a Planet Fitness Black Card member, so I reckon I’m a pretty good judge of whether or not this Black Card upgrade is worth it.
I don’t use the spa services or bring guests every time I hit the gym. But those additional perks are invaluable when I need some extra relaxation or when my wife wants to join me for a workout.
My most used perk is the unlimited guest privilege, particularly when my wife joins me for her weekend workouts.
One downside is that the massage chairs and tanning beds can get crowded during peak hours, especially if the location is popular. But at my local Planet Fitness, this isn’t an issue.
Note
Don’t forget to read my article on the Planet Fitness dress code before you go!
Who Would Benefit?
I think most members would find value in the Planet Fitness Black Card membership. But some groups stand out more than others.
For instance, regular tanners would find access to unlimited tanning extremely valuable and probably cheaper than a tanning salon.
The massage chairs are a godsend if you’re dealing with pain, stress, or even elderly and need a little extra muscle stimulation. And sometimes, these perks are just a sweet way to chill out before heading back into the real world.
Who Might Not Benefit?
If you’re not into tanning and usually find yourself pain-free, you may not get the most out of the Planet Fitness Black Card.
Planet Fitness Promo Code
There is no Planet Fitness promo code. Their monthly fees are quite low every day. However, every once in a while, there will be a code that waives your yearly renewal, but we don’t see that much these days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the deal with the Planet Fitness Black Card? Is it just an overpriced gym membership?
Well, it depends on what you’re looking for in a gym membership. The Planet Fitness Black Card is more than just your regular gym access. It comes with a bunch of perks like access to all Planet Fitness locations worldwide, unlimited guest privileges, access to the spa area (think massage chairs and tanning beds), half-price cooler drinks, and partner perks. If these sound like things you’d enjoy or use regularly, then the Black Card could be worth every penny for you.
What if I get the Black Card and then realize I’m not using all the perks?
That’s the beauty of the Planet Fitness membership – it’s month-to-month. So if you find out you’re not using the Black Card perks as much as you thought, you can always downgrade to the basic plan. You’re not locked into anything long-term.
I’m not really into tanning or massages. Is the Black Card still a good fit for me?
If the spa perks don’t float your boat, but you have a workout buddy or you travel a lot, the Black Card might still be a good option. You can bring a guest for free every time you hit the gym and use any Planet Fitness gym worldwide. However, if none of the extra perks appeal to you, sticking with the basic membership might be a better choice for you.
I don’t travel much, but a friend wants to work out with me occasionally. Would the Black Card make sense for me?
Absolutely! One of the great benefits of the Black Card is that you can bring a guest with you every time you work out. So if you have a friend, partner, or family member who wants to join you at the gym from time to time, the Black Card could be a great option for you. Plus, you might find you enjoy some of the other perks more than you expected!
So, Is the Planet Fitness Black Card Worth It?
So, the million-dollar question is, is it worth it? Should you fork over the extra money for the Black Card membership or stick with the basic? Is the Black Card one of the best Planet Fitness deals?
I think everyone should give the Black Card membership a shot. Test out the Planet Fitness Spa, the massage chairs, and maybe even the tanning beds. Bring a friend for a workout or two.
If you find that you’re not using the perks as much as you thought after a couple of months, you can always downgrade to the basic plan. After all, Planet Fitness is a month-to-month membership. You can try it out and see if it’s a good fit. If it’s not, no biggie. You can downgrade and keep pumping that iron.
Remember, the goal is to get the most out of your membership. So, weigh the benefits, consider your fitness goals and lifestyle, and choose the best option.
Note
Even the Planet Fitness Black Card members are subject to the infamous Lunk Alarm at Planet Fitness.
