Is Planet Fitness Really Judgement-Free?

We’ve all seen the Planet Fitness commercials, and to be honest, I’ve laughed at a few of them (My favorite is the “I lift things up and put them down” commercial), however, this video is proof that a gym like Planet Fitness is far from a “Judgement-Free” gym!

Planet Fitness is proud of the fact that they are trying to be a “Judgement Free Zone”, but are they actually judgement-free?. In their mission statement they state “We at Planet Fitness are here to provide a unique environment in which anyone – and we mean anyone – can be comfortable.” – See more at: http://www.planetfitness.com/mission-statement

Seriously? Did you watch the above video? This commercial, and others like it like it, shows exactly how Planet Fitness is 100% NOT judgement-free. This commercial shows that they are judging others for how they look, walk, talk, eat (drink) and workout. A place that doesn’t allow someone in their gym for any reason is discrimination, and it’s not right. (Discrimination: treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit.)

How is this a thing? How is it allowed? And how did they think the marketing on this was OK?

Wonder What a Judgement-Free Zone Looks Like?

At our gym, Just Fitness, we do not discriminate and we are actually a completely judgement-free zone, for real. We have everything from powerlifters to absolute beginners, Olympic Lifters to 10 year old kids, new moms to old dads…  If you want to see what Judgement-Free looks like, check out a video from our Facebook Page. In this video you’ll see someone doing weighted pull-ups in the background, and then modified pull-ups being done on the rings front and centre.

So What Should a Judgement-Free Zone Look Like?

1. A gym where everyone trains hard and no one, besides your trainers, should care what you are doing!
2. No one should be looking at you, wondering how much weight you’re lifting or what rep you’re on.
3. Everyone should just be concerned with their own workout.
4. A gym that has an accepting community.
5. A gym where you can ask someone a question about form or technique and not feel scared or embarrassed.
6. A gym where you’re encouraged to try to learn or do something new and out of your comfort zone, and you know you’ll be supported and not ridiculed for it, even if you fail.
7. A gym where you’re respected, regardless of your experience, body weight, shorts, shoes, or any other factors…

It’s easy to claim to be a “Judgement-Free Zone” if you discriminate against others who aren’t like you! At Just Fitness we are about being an “Inclusive Zone”, and we think that Planet Fitness should rethink their marketing strategy!

What are your thoughts on this topic? I’d love to hear them!

Also, here’s something that I found pretty funny from the Daily Show.