Planet Fitness vs Chuze Fitness: Which Gym Is Better for You?
Planet Fitness is the better choice if you want the most affordable membership, the largest gym network, and a beginner-friendly environment, while Chuze Fitness is better for premium amenities, group classes, and workout variety.
Not sure which gym fits your needs? Read this article to compare pricing, locations, equipment, classes, recovery amenities, personal training, app features, and the overall value of both gyms.
Planet Fitness Overview: What You Get at Planet Fitness
Membership Plans and Pricing Options
Planet Fitness offers two simple membership options designed to fit different budgets and fitness needs.
The Classic Membership costs $15 per month and provides access to your home club, along with unlimited workouts and free fitness training.
For those looking for extra benefits, the PF Black Card® Membership is available for $24.99 per month.
This plan includes access to all Planet Fitness locations, the ability to bring a guest on every visit, use of premium amenities like massage chairs and tanning, and additional member perks.
Whether you want a basic gym membership or more flexibility with added features, Planet Fitness makes it easy to choose a plan that matches your fitness goals and lifestyle.
Gym Locations and Accessibility
Planet Fitness makes it easy to find a gym that fits your routine, with more than 2,750 locations across the United States.
Whether you're at home, traveling for work, or on vacation, there's a good chance you'll find a nearby club.
Your access depends on the membership you choose. If you have a Classic membership, you can only work out at your designated home club.
However, the PF Black Card® gives you much more flexibility by allowing you to visit any Planet Fitness location worldwide.
This makes it a great option for people who travel often or simply want the convenience of using different gyms.
With its large network of locations and flexible membership options, Planet Fitness offers an accessible fitness experience for a wide range of members, making it easier to stay consistent with your workouts wherever life takes you.
Gym Equipment
Planet Fitness provides a wide range of equipment and amenities to support different fitness goals. Members can access:
Cardio equipment: Treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, steppers, Arc Trainers, and upper body ergometers.
Strength training equipment: Smith machines, cable towers, dual adjustable pulleys, free weights (dumbbells and barbells), and Fitbenches.
Functional training area: Battle ropes, kettlebells, medicine balls, strength bands, TRX stations, and other functional workout equipment.
Workout spaces: A dedicated 30-minute circuit, personal workout spaces, and stretching and mobility areas for warm-ups and recovery.
Member amenities: Touchless check-in, free Wi-Fi, locker rooms, showers, drink stations, and the Planet Fitness app for workout tracking and club access.
The “Judgement Free Zone” Environment
Planet Fitness is known for its "Judgement Free Zone" philosophy, which creates a welcoming and comfortable environment for people of all fitness levels.
Whether you're stepping into a gym for the first time or returning after a long break, you can work out at your own pace without feeling judged or intimidated.
To maintain this friendly atmosphere, many locations use the Lunk Alarm to discourage behaviors like dropping weights, excessive grunting, or showing off.
The gym also follows a casual dress code and promotes respect among members, making it easier for everyone to focus on their personal fitness goals.
Wide workout spaces, beginner-friendly equipment, and free small-group fitness training help newcomers feel more confident.
On top of that, Planet Fitness offers affordable memberships, while the PF Black Card® provides extra perks like guest privileges, access to thousands of locations, and relaxing amenities such as hydro-massage, massage chairs, and tanning.
Group Fitness Classes
Planet Fitness offers Small Group Training sessions that members can join either online through the Planet Fitness app or in person at the gym.
These sessions are designed for different fitness levels and goals. Some of the available classes include:
New Member Orientation: Learn how to use gym equipment and understand basic workout programs.
30-Minute Express Circuit: A quick full-body workout that combines strength and cardio in just 30 minutes.
Chest and Biceps: Focuses on building strength in your chest and biceps.
Back and Triceps: Helps strengthen your back and triceps with targeted exercises.
Legs and Shoulders: Improves lower and upper body strength through balanced workouts.
Core: Targets your abs, obliques, and lower back to improve core stability.
Stretch: A relaxing recovery session that improves flexibility and helps reduce muscle tightness after workouts.
These guided sessions make it easier for beginners and experienced members to stay consistent and achieve their fitness goals.
Planet Fitness Recovery Amenities
Planet Fitness offers a variety of recovery amenities to help members relax, recover, and feel refreshed after their workouts. These premium features include:
Massage Chairs
HydroMassage
Tanning
Vibration + Red Light Therapy
Wellness Pod
All of these recovery amenities are included with the PF Black Card® membership, giving members access to additional wellness and relaxation benefits beyond the gym floor.
However, these premium features are not included with the Classic membership.
If you want to compare more gyms that offer red light therapy, read our full guide to the best gyms with red light therapy.
Personal Training and Support Services
Planet Fitness offers personal training through its PE@PF (PE @ Planet Fitness) program, which is included with your membership at no extra cost.
Certified trainers guide you on how to use cardio and strength training equipment safely and effectively while helping you build a workout routine that matches your fitness goals.
Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall fitness, you can personalize your workout plan.
To get started, simply book a session through the Planet Fitness mobile app or visit the front desk at your gym.
You can also discuss your fitness goals or any medical conditions so the trainer can create a plan that works best for you.
App Access and Digital Fitness Tools
The Planet Fitness mobile app includes several useful features that make managing your fitness routine simple and convenient. Some of its key features include:
Crowd Meter: Check how busy your local gym is before you visit, helping you avoid peak hours.
Seamless Check-In: Use your digital membership card to scan and enter any participating Planet Fitness club quickly.
Digital Workouts: Access online workout videos, fitness tutorials, and book virtual training classes directly through the app.
Activity Tracking: Monitor your workouts, track your fitness progress, and stay focused on reaching your goals.
Referral Rewards: Invite a friend to join Planet Fitness, and you can earn one month of free membership as a reward.
With these features, the Planet Fitness app makes it easier to stay active, organized, and motivated wherever you are.
Looking for a quieter place to exercise? Read our guide to the top gyms with less crowd for a more comfortable workout.
Chuze Fitness Overview: What You Get at Chuze Fitness
Membership Options and Pricing Plans
Chuze Fitness offers four membership plans, making it easy to find an option that fits your budget and fitness needs. Each plan comes with different benefits and pricing.
Basic: $9.99 to $20.99 per month
Premium: $29.99 to $34.99 per month
More: $34.99 to $40.99 per month
Chuze Max: $49.99 to $59.99 per month
The Basic plan is ideal if you only need access to essential gym equipment. If you're looking for extra perks and more amenities, the Premium and More plans offer additional benefits.
For the most complete fitness experience, the Chuze Max membership includes the widest range of features and exclusive member perks.
Gym Locations and Accessibility
Chuze Fitness operates 67 locations across the United States, making it a convenient option for many gym-goers.
However, the locations you can access depend on the membership plan you choose. If you have a Basic membership, you can usually work out only at the club where you originally signed up.
On the other hand, Premium, MORE, and Chuze Max memberships offer much greater flexibility by allowing you to visit any Chuze Fitness location.
This is especially helpful for people who travel frequently, commute between cities, or simply want the freedom to use different clubs.
Before choosing a plan, it’s worth considering how often you’ll need access to multiple locations, as upgrading your membership can provide a more convenient and flexible fitness experience.
Gym Equipment
Chuze Fitness offers much more than standard gym equipment, providing members with everything they need for a complete workout experience.
Along with free weights, strength machines, and cardio equipment, you can enjoy a variety of fitness programs and amenities, including:
FitStart Session
Lift Lab
Circuit Training
Group Fitness Classes
Cardio Equipment
The Studio IR
Team Training
Body Composition Scan
Chuze Blends
Free Weights
Chuze Kids Club
Chuze Outdoors
Pickleball Courts
Turf Area
Basketball Court
Chuze Cinema
Indoor Cycling
Locker Rooms
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gym-goer, these features make Chuze Fitness a convenient and enjoyable place to stay active, improve your fitness, and reach your health goals.
Group Fitness Classes and Schedules
Chuze Fitness offers a wide variety of group fitness classes, making it easy for members of all fitness levels to find workouts they enjoy.
Whether your goal is to build strength, improve flexibility, increase endurance, or simply stay active, there is a class for everyone. Popular group fitness classes include:
Les Mills Body Combat
Team Training
Lift Club
Tone & Sculpt
Abs Central
Chuze Gold
Aqua Fit
Killer Core & Glutes
Chuze Barre
Les Mills Body Pump
Yoga
Zumba
Cardio Kickboxing
Boot Camp
Silver Sneakers Classic
Indoor Cycling
Mat Pilates
With such a diverse class schedule, Chuze Fitness keeps workouts fresh, engaging, and suitable for beginners as well as experienced fitness enthusiasts.
If you enjoy instructor-led workouts, explore our guide to the best gyms with yoga classes for more options.
Personal Training Services and Support
Chuze Fitness provides personal training services in a friendly and supportive environment, making it easier for members of all fitness levels to stay motivated and reach their goals.
Instead of working out alone, members can join Team Training sessions led by experienced trainers who provide guidance and encouragement throughout each workout.
Key features of Chuze Fitness personal training include:
Expert coaching to help improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
Real-time heart rate tracking using a synced heart rate monitor during workouts.
Live performance updates that display your heart rate, calories burned, and workout intensity on a screen.
Personalized progress tracking through the Chuze App, where you can view workout summaries and monitor your results over time.
A welcoming atmosphere that keeps workouts enjoyable, supportive, and suitable for beginners as well as experienced gym-goers.
Amenities: Sauna, Pools, and Recovery Areas
Chuze Fitness offers a variety of amenities that help you recover, relax, and recharge after your workout. Depending on the location, you may have access to:
Recovery Studio
Red Light Therapy
Hyperice Compression Boots
Cryotherapy Chairs
Traditional Sauna
Infrared Sauna
HydroMassage™
Pools and Hot Tubs
Steam Room
Tanning
If sauna access matters to you, you can also explore our guide to the best gyms with saunas.
Digital Features and Mobile App Experience
The Chuze Fitness mobile app makes managing your fitness journey simple and convenient.
With the app, members can join online workout classes from the comfort of their homes, making it easier to stay active even on busy days.
It also allows users to check class schedules, see which sessions have available spots, and reserve a class in advance without visiting the gym.
In addition, the app helps members manage their memberships, update account details, and pay bills quickly through a secure platform.
One of its most useful features is the ability to view how busy the gym is before arriving, helping members choose a less crowded time for their workouts.
Planet Fitness vs Chuze Fitness: Which Gym Is Better for You?
Winner for Membership Plans and Pricing Options: Planet Fitness: Planet Fitness is the better choice if affordability is your top priority. Its memberships start at just $15 per month, and even the premium PF Black Card® costs less than most Chuze Fitness plans while still including valuable perks like guest privileges, access to all locations, massage chairs, HydroMassage, tanning, and other recovery amenities. Chuze Fitness offers more membership tiers and premium features, but it comes at a noticeably higher monthly cost.
Winner for Gym Locations and Accessibility: Planet Fitness: Planet Fitness clearly wins for accessibility with more than 2,750 locations compared to Chuze Fitness's 67 locations. Members who choose the PF Black Card® can visit any Planet Fitness location, making it a much better option for frequent travelers or anyone who wants access to gyms across the country.
Winner for Gym Equipment: Chuze Fitness: Chuze Fitness offers a broader range of workout equipment and specialty training areas. In addition to standard cardio machines, free weights, and strength equipment, it provides features like Lift Lab, Team Training, Circuit Training, Chuze Cinema, Pickleball Courts, Basketball Courts, Turf Areas, Indoor Cycling, Body Composition Scans, and Chuze Outdoors, giving members more workout variety than Planet Fitness.
Winner for Environment: Planet Fitness: Planet Fitness stands out because of its Judgement Free Zone® philosophy, which is specifically designed to make beginners feel comfortable. Free small-group training, beginner-friendly equipment, wide workout spaces, and policies that discourage intimidating behavior create a welcoming environment for new gym-goers.
Winner for Group Fitness Classes: Chuze Fitness: Chuze Fitness offers a much wider selection of instructor-led group classes. Members can choose from Yoga, Zumba, Les Mills BodyPump, Les Mills BodyCombat, Aqua Fit, Boot Camp, Indoor Cycling, Pilates, Cardio Kickboxing, Barre, Team Training, Lift Club, and many more. Planet Fitness mainly provides small-group training sessions with a more limited class selection.
Winner for Recovery Amenities: Chuze Fitness: While both gyms offer recovery features, Chuze Fitness provides a more complete recovery experience. Depending on the location, members can enjoy traditional saunas, infrared saunas, steam rooms, pools, hot tubs, Recovery Studios, Hyperice Compression Boots, Cryotherapy Chairs, Red Light Therapy, HydroMassage™, tanning, and more. Planet Fitness includes quality recovery amenities with the PF Black Card®, but the overall variety is more limited.
Winner for Personal Training and Support Services: Chuze Fitness: Planet Fitness offers free PE@PF training sessions, which are excellent for beginners. However, Chuze Fitness provides a more advanced training experience through Team Training, featuring expert coaching, live heart rate monitoring, performance tracking, calorie tracking, and progress reports through the Chuze app, making it the stronger choice for members seeking structured guidance.
Winner for App Access and Digital Fitness Tools: Tie: Both gyms provide useful mobile apps that help members manage their fitness routines. Planet Fitness offers features such as a Crowd Meter, digital check-in, workout tracking, digital workouts, virtual training, and referral rewards. Chuze Fitness allows members to book classes, attend online workouts, manage memberships, pay bills, and check gym crowd levels. Both apps effectively support members before, during, and after workouts.
For a broader look at gym recovery options, check out our guide to comparing gyms with the best recovery amenities.