Do Planet Fitness Treadmills Weigh You? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever wondered “do Planet Fitness treadmills weigh you?”, you’re not alone. Many gym-goers, especially beginners, are curious whether the treadmills at Planet Fitness have weight-tracking features. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question, explain what Planet Fitness is, and share treadmill workout tips—all in a simple, beginner-friendly way.
What Is Planet Fitness?
Before we get into treadmill features, let’s take a quick look at what Planet Fitness is.
Planet Fitness is a well-known American gym chain famous for its low-cost memberships, 24/7 access, and Judgement Free Zone® philosophy. Founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, Planet Fitness has grown rapidly, with over 2,200 locations across the United States and Canada as of 2022.
Here are some key things to know about Planet Fitness:
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Basic membership fees start at just $10 per month.
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Most locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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There are no long-term contracts, and memberships can be cancelled anytime.
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Members have access to free fitness training and a wide range of cardio and strength equipment.
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The gym environment is designed to be non-intimidating and beginner-friendly.
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The Lunk Alarm discourages judgmental behavior like grunting or slamming weights.
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Amenities like massage chairs, hydro massage beds, and tanning beds are available at most locations.
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However, no swimming pools are included, and fitness classes are limited to basic options like Zumba, cardio, and circuit training.
With its unique atmosphere and affordability, Planet Fitness is a top choice for beginners and casual gym-goers.
Do Planet Fitness Treadmills Weigh You?
Now, let’s address the main question: do Planet Fitness treadmills weigh you?
The simple answer is no. Most treadmills at Planet Fitness do not weigh users. They are standard cardio machines designed to provide features like speed, distance, calories burned, and incline—but not your actual weight.
Why Don’t They Weigh You?
There are a few reasons Planet Fitness treadmills don’t include weight-measuring technology:
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Non-judgmental environment: Planet Fitness is all about comfort and inclusion. Tracking a user’s weight on a public machine could go against the company’s core value of making everyone feel welcome.
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Privacy: Publicly displaying a person’s weight on a treadmill screen can make some members uncomfortable, especially beginners. Removing that function supports a judgment-free experience.
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Simplicity: Planet Fitness keeps its machines and services simple and affordable. Advanced features like weight detection are typically found on high-end home treadmills, not basic gym models.
Some members have reported that older machines may have had weight input features in the past, but these were likely removed or phased out over time to better fit the brand’s values.
Can Any Treadmill Weigh You?
While most gym treadmills don’t weigh users, there are high-tech treadmills available for home use that do. These often include sensors that estimate your weight to personalize your workout data. However, this technology is not common in commercial gyms—especially budget-friendly chains like Planet Fitness.
Instead, Planet Fitness treadmills let you manually enter your weight on some models to help estimate calorie burn more accurately, but that doesn’t mean they actually weigh you.
How to Get the Most from Planet Fitness Treadmills
Even without weight-tracking features, you can still get an effective workout using a Planet Fitness treadmill. Here are some tips:
1. Use the Incline Feature
Adjust the incline to simulate walking uphill. This increases intensity and burns more calories without needing to run. Try alternating incline levels from 3% to 15% during your workout.
2. Mix Speeds
Vary your walking and jogging speeds to create intervals. For example, walk for 2 minutes, then jog for 1 minute, and repeat. This method helps improve endurance and burns more fat.
3. Try Backward Walking
Walking backward (carefully!) on an incline targets glutes, hamstrings, and calves in a unique way. Start slowly and hold onto the rails for safety.
4. Use Your Arms
Engage your upper body by pumping your arms while you walk or jog. This boosts calorie burn and keeps your whole body moving.
5. Wear a Weighted Vest
If allowed, wear a weighted vest for added resistance. Be sure to check with gym staff before using one, and start with a low weight.
6. Track Progress
Although the treadmills doesn’t weigh you, it still tracks distance, time, and pace. You can also use a fitness app to monitor your workouts and set goals.
7. Stay Hydrated
Keep a water bottle nearby and take sips regularly to prevent dehydration and boost performance.
8. Cool Down
Always end your session with a 5–10-minute cool-down to lower your heart rate and stretch your muscles.
Does Walking on a Treadmill Make Your Bum Smaller?
Many people wonder if treadmill workouts can help tone their body, especially areas like the bum (glutes). The answer is: yes, but it depends on how you train.
Walking or jogging on a treadmill burns fat overall, and with the right incline and speed, you can target your lower body muscles more effectively. Try these strategies:
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Use a high incline to engage glute muscles.
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Do intervals with sprints and walks to burn more calories.
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Combine treadmill workouts with strength exercises like lunges and squats.
While treadmills won’t “spot reduce” fat, consistent cardio combined with a healthy diet will help slim and shape your bum over time.
Final Thoughts: Do Planet Fitness Treadmills Weigh You?
To wrap it up: No, Planet Fitness treadmills do not weigh you. This aligns with their mission to provide a welcoming, judgment-free space for people of all shapes and sizes.
Instead of focusing on numbers, Planet Fitness encourages users to enjoy the process of moving their bodies, gaining strength, and improving health in a positive environment.
So, if you’re new to fitness or want a gym that supports your journey without pressure, Planet Fitness is a great place to start. And even without weight-tracking treadmills, you can still crush your cardio goals—one step at a time.