Planet Fitness vs Retro Fitness: Which Gym Is Better?

Planet Fitness is better for affordability, flexible hours, location availability, and lower fees, while Retro Fitness is better for amenities, recovery options, and group fitness classes. 

But which gym offers better showers, apps, and crowd levels? This article compares Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness across 10 key areas, including pricing, amenities, recovery, locations, hours, classes, apps, crowds, showers, and additional fees.

The table below compares the membership costs of Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness. Overall, Planet Fitness offers more affordable membership plans in both the basic and higher tiers.

We have mentioned all the amenities offered by Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness in the table below.

The table below compares the recovery amenities offered by Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness.

Retro Fitness Fitness offers more recovery amenity options than Planet Fitness.

The table below compares the locations of Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness. One advantage of Planet Fitness is that it has more locations than Retro Fitness, allowing members to access more gyms through its multi-club access option.

Planet Fitness has an advantage in operating hours. Most locations are open 24/7, while Retro Fitness locations generally open around 4:00–6:00 AM on weekdays and 6:00–7:00 AM on weekends. 

However, Retro Fitness hours can vary by location. Overall, Planet Fitness is the better option if you want more flexible workout hours.

Below, we have mentioned the group fitness classes offered by Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness.

Both gyms offer a wide range of class options, including Circuit Training, Yoga, Pilates & Barre, and more.

Both Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness make it easy to stay connected through their mobile apps. 

Planet Fitness offers the PF App, which you can download from the Google Play Store. Retro Fitness also has its own Retro Fitness App, available on the Google Play Store. 

Both apps give members convenient digital access, making it easier to manage their gym experience from their phones.

You can expect both Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness to be busiest from 4 PM to 7 PM, while early mornings and late nights are usually quieter. 

Planet Fitness lets you check its real time Crowd Meter in the app before visiting. Retro Fitness relies more on peak hour patterns and class schedules, with traffic varying by location and membership volume.

Both Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness offer showers in their locker rooms. Planet Fitness includes showers with its Classic membership, while Retro Fitness includes them with its Core membership. 

The Planet Fitness membership is generally a little cheaper than the Retro Fitness membership. 

So, Planet Fitness may be a better budget-friendly option if shower access is important to you.

The table below compares the additional fees of Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness. Planet Fitness has significantly lower additional fees compared to Retro Fitness.

• Membership Pricing: Planet Fitness wins: Its Classic plan costs $15/month, while Retro Fitness starts at $24.99/month, making Planet Fitness the more affordable option.

• Amenities: Retro Fitness wins: It offers more extensive amenities, including 50+ strength machines, 60+ cardio machines, pickleball, a cardio movie theater, towel service, and group exercise classes.

• Recovery Amenities: Retro Fitness wins: It provides more recovery options, including HydroMassage, red light therapy, tanning, massage chairs, saunas, and full-body skincare.

• Location Availability: Planet Fitness wins: With over 2,750 U.S. locations compared with over 140 for Retro Fitness, Planet Fitness offers much wider availability.

• Operating Hours: Planet Fitness wins: Most Planet Fitness locations are open 24/7, giving members more flexibility than Retro Fitness's generally limited hours.

• Group Classes and Fitness Programs: Retro Fitness wins: It offers a broader range of classes, including Zumba, Bootcamp, Yoga, Kickboxing, HIIT, Indoor Cycling, Circuit Training, and Pilates & Barre.

• App Access and Digital Fitness Tools: Tie: Both gyms offer mobile apps through the Google Play Store, giving members convenient digital access to their gym experience.

• Crowd Levels: Planet Fitness wins: Both gyms can be busy during peak hours, but Planet Fitness offers a real-time Crowd Meter in its app to help members choose less busy times.

• Shower Facilities: Planet Fitness wins: Both gyms provide showers, but Planet Fitness includes them with its cheaper $15 Classic membership, while Retro Fitness includes them with the higher-priced Core membership.

• Additional Fees: Planet Fitness wins: Its enrollment fee ranges from $1 to $39, compared with $29 to $99 at Retro Fitness. Both have a $49 annual fee.

Overall, Planet Fitness is better for affordability, convenience, location availability, and flexible hours. 

Retro Fitness is more suitable for people who want more amenities, recovery options, and group fitness classes. 

So, the better choice depends on whether you prioritize low cost and convenience or a more feature-rich gym experience.