To me, Planet Fitness gyms are like Starbucks — it feels like they’re everywhere, especially if you live near a major city or in a densely populated area.
Snap Fitness isn’t quite as prevalent, but you can usually find one within a short driving distance from wherever you are.
If you’re thinking about joining a gym, these two names are likely at the top of your list. Both gyms have their positives and negatives, but when you compare them side-by-side, one is definitely better than the other.
So is Snap Fitness or Planet Fitness a better gym? Overall, Snap Fitness is better than Planet Fitness because it has a better selection of equipment and group classes, a more welcoming environment, and more lenient policies. But Planet Fitness is a better choice for people who want access to amenities and don’t want to pay a lot of money for a gym membership.
Given how difficult some gyms make it to cancel memberships, you’ll want to do your best to pick the right gym from the start. While cost, location, and amenities are important factors to consider, there are other things you should think about as well to make sure your gym aligns with your goals.
After reading this article, you’ll understand what makes Snap Fitness and Planet Fitness different and you’ll be able to decide which gym will better suit your needs.
Table of Contents
Snap Fitness Overview
Snap Fitness was founded in 2003 and started franchising around the US in 2004. It began expanding outside the US in 2009 and is now in more than 20 countries.
Most Snap Fitness locations are small and don’t have a ton of equipment or amenities. But they make up for it by building a strong community where everyone is welcomed. Snap Fitness is known for having friendly staff members, good personal trainers, and supportive members.
Snap Fitness’s founder has been recognized for his leadership, and Snap Fitness itself is repeatedly on Entrepreneur’s 500 Franchise list.
Pros
- Family-like atmosphere and friendly members
- Not a lot of hidden fees
- Accessible 24/7
- Can get in and out of the gym quickly
- MyZone heart rate monitors available for members at a discounted price
Cons
- Expensive for what it offers
- Not a lot of amenities
- No showers or locker rooms
Check out my full review of Snap Fitness and read more about my experience working out there.
Planet Fitness Overview
Planet Fitness is a gym for people who hate the gym or for those who get intimidated by being surrounded by extremely fit people. It has a somewhat cavalier approach to fitness. As such, it’s an ideal gym for beginners or casual gym-goers, but people who want to be as strong as possible will outgrow it quickly.
In addition to its infamous lunk alarm, Planet Fitness is also known for its free pizza and bagel days. At some clubs, you can even find free candy at the front desk. It offers these foods as a way to show people that healthy living is all about balance.
Even though I’m not a huge fan of Planet Fitness, the company is doing something right. It’s one of the largest gym franchises in terms of both the number of locations and the number of members, and it’s currently the US’s fastest-growing chain gym.
Pros
- Low membership costs
- Black Card members are able to use their memberships at any location
- No hidden fees
- Free Wi-Fi inside the gym
- 15% of drinks at the smoothie bar and discounts at Reebok.com for Black Card members
Cons
- No squat racks, barbells, or heavy dumbbells
- Chalk is not allowed
Check out my full review of Planet Fitness and read more about my experience working out there.
Snap Fitness vs Planet Fitness: 10 Differences
When comparing Planet Fitness with another gym, the other gym will almost always come out on top. Not surprisingly, that’s also the case between Snap Fitness and Planet Fitness. But there are a few areas where Planet Fitness emerges as the winner.
1. Cost
For many people, cost is the number one concern when deciding which gym to join. In addition to the monthly fees, you also have to consider enrollment fees, taxes, and annual fees, which can all eat away at your gym budget if you don’t plan accordingly.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness’s membership costs vary depending on where you live, but you can expect to pay around $39.99/month plus taxes.
Initiation fees range anywhere from $49 – $129. You’ll also have to pay an additional $20 fee for your access card.
Free trial passes are available for one to seven days on the website depending on which club you want to visit.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness has Classic and Black Card membership options.
The Classic membership costs $9.99/month plus taxes while the Black Card membership costs $22.99/month plus taxes. Both memberships require an annual fee of $39, but the enrollment fees are as little as $1 if you sign up during a seasonal promotion.
You can sign up for a one-day free trial pass on Planet Fitness’s website and use it at almost any location.
The Winner
You can’t beat Planet Fitness’s low prices, so it’s the gym to go to if you can’t afford to pay a hefty price for a gym membership.
2. Contract Length
If you’re hesitant about being locked into a long-term contract, you should look for a gym that has month-to-month memberships. Most gyms offer both, but there are a few that only offer one or the other. Contract lengths can also vary at different locations.
Snap Fitness
Most Snap Fitness memberships are month-to-month, but some locations also offer one- or two-year contracts.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness’s Classic membership is month-to-month. If you sign up for a Black Card membership, you’ll have to agree to a 12-month commitment.
The Winner
It’s a tie since you can purchase yearly or month-to-month memberships at both gyms.
3. Equipment
The gym you choose doesn’t necessarily have to have the most up-to-date equipment, but it should be functional. You should also try to get a sense of whether the gym has enough equipment to accommodate all of its members during its busiest times.
Another thing to look for is the variety of equipment. If you’ll be switching up what kind of exercises you do each time you visit the gym, you should make sure it has whatever equipment you’ll need for your workouts.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness has treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes from Cybex and Matrix, but most locations only have about a dozen of each type of machine. Some locations have Concept 2 rowers as well.
The dumbbells at Snap Fitness go up to 100lbs. There are also bench press stations, free-standing flat and incline benches, barbells, and plates. Most locations have at least one squat rack, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that has a deadlift platform.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness has rows of treadmills, bikes, and elliptical machines. It has strength machines as well, but the cardio machines outnumber them by a lot.
Planet Fitness technically has a weight room, but I think calling it that is a stretch. Most locations have dumbbells that only go up to 50lbs. They have EZ curl bars and fixed bars, but there are no Olympic barbells or plates. There are also no squat racks or deadlift platforms.
The Winner
Snap Fitness beats Planet Fitness in terms of equipment. The quantity of equipment is a lot smaller, but it has heavier dumbbells and other equipment you’ll need for a strength training workout.
4. Atmosphere
A gym’s culture isn’t just determined by its decor and the music it plays. The atmosphere is also created by the people who attend the gym and the way the staff treats the members. If you feel like you don’t belong in the gym or the staff is rude to you every time you go, you won’t be excited to work out there.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness gyms are small and have a tighter community than other chain gyms. It’s not a place where you’ll find meatheads or hardcore powerlifters or bodybuilders. Instead, you’ll find individuals who enjoy working out for the fun of it and will support your goals.
Because of the casual gym-goer that Snap Fitness caters to, the environment is pretty laidback. Nobody is judged for being new or not knowing how to use a machine. The staff is friendly and the members are courteous to one another.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness claims to have a judgment-free atmosphere, and that’s true to an extent. It doesn’t judge beginners or people who just like to walk on the treadmill. But it will judge you if you look too fit or you can lift more than 50lbs. Employees or other members will also complain if you make too much noise or perform terrifying movements like the overhead press.
Planet Fitness is a safe space for anyone who gets intimidated working out around people who are stronger than you, but it’s not the type of gym where you’ll get motivated by other people pushing themselves through a tough workout.
The Winner
Snap Fitness has a more inviting environment, so it’s the gym for you if you want to work out in a place with welcoming employees and friendly members.
5. Gym Policies
Gym policies vary not just from gym to gym but from one location to another. The rules are intended to keep members safe and protect the equipment, but some gyms tend to take their rules too far. Before you sign a contract, you should make sure you understand all of the gym’s policies so you don’t commit a faux pas during your workout.
It’s also good to know what the gym’s cancellation policies are in case you ever decide to leave.
Snap Fitness
Whether or not you can use chalk, drop weights, or lift barefoot at Snap Fitness depends on the location and who’s working there when you go. When I visited a club near me recently, the guy who was working at the front desk at the time didn’t care what I did. However, he told me that if the owner had been around, I wouldn’t have been able to do those things.
Snap Fitness doesn’t have a strict dress code, but it’s not the kind of gym where people show a lot of skin. As long as you’re adequately covered up and wearing clothing that’s suitable for the gym, no one will say anything to you.
Snap Fitness members are allowed to bring guests, but you can’t give your access card to someone else to use the gym without you.
You can cancel a Snap Fitness membership at any time as long as you provide 30 days’ notice and submit your request in writing. If you have an annual contract and want to cancel early, you’ll have to pay a $75 cancellation fee. Some locations will also allow you to transfer your membership to another person if you want to get out of your contract.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness has rules against chalk, dropping weights, and grunting. Certain movements such as the overhead press are banned. Planet Fitness also has a stricter dress code than some other gyms because of its attempt to maintain a judgment-free zone. If you wear clothing that’s too revealing, you’ll be asked to cover up or leave the gym.
Members with month-to-month contracts and annual contracts can cancel at any time, but if you have an annual contract, you’ll have to pay a $58 cancellation fee. Planet Fitness doesn’t allow members to transfer their memberships to another individual in order to get out of their contracts.
If you’re a Black Card member, you can bring a guest with you as often as you want.
The Winner
Even though Snap Fitness has higher cancellation fees, it’s more lenient than Planet Fitness in almost every other aspect. You should go with Snap Fitness if you’re looking for a gym with a more relaxed dress code where you can also use chalk and drop weights.
6. Group Classes
It’s uncommon for a gym to not have group classes, but it’s not unlikely. If you enjoy group fitness, you’ll need to make sure that the gym you choose has the classes you’re interested in and that they’re offered at times that are convenient for you.
You should also double-check whether or not group classes are included with your membership since some gyms make you pay extra for them.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness has yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Les Mills, and strength training classes. Class times are limited, though, and many locations only have a few classes per day.
Some Snap Fitness locations also have small group training sessions called FitClub. These sessions offer more individualized attention than you’ll receive in a typical group class.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness doesn’t have group classes, but it has small group training sessions. There are three kinds of small group training classes: one for beginners, one that goes through a 30-minute express workout, and classes that focus on specific body parts. All of these sessions are free for all members.
The Winner
Neither gym is known for its group classes. But Snap Fitness has a larger variety of them in addition to its small group training sessions so you’ll be better off there if you like group fitness.
7. Amenities
If you want your gym to be like a second home, you’ll need to consider what kind of amenities it has. Some gyms have enough amenities to keep you occupied for hours after your workout. Other gyms are more barebones and have nothing more than a bathroom and exercise equipment.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness doesn’t have a lot of amenities. It’s the kind of gym where you can get in, do your workout, and leave without getting distracted by a ton of extra stuff.
You won’t find pools, saunas, smoothie bars, or basketball courts. Only a handful of locations have childcare, tanning booths, and massage chairs. The clubs that do have these amenities may charge more for you to use them.
Most Snap Fitness locations don’t have locker rooms and showers, but they usually have changing rooms and cubbies where you can leave a gym bag.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness doesn’t have pools, basketball courts, or childcare. However, it does have smoothie bars, tanning booths, massage chairs, and red light therapy booths. These amenities are free for Black Card members.
Planet Fitness also has locker rooms and showers, but it doesn’t provide toiletries or towels.
The Winner
Snap Fitness is lacking when it comes to amenities. Planet Fitness is a better option for anyone who wants to tan, get a massage, or shower at the gym.
8. Personal Training
If you’re interested in personal training, you should consider not only the qualifications of the trainers at your gym but what their coaching styles are like.
Every trainer will have his or her own unique way of working with clients. But depending on the gym, the trainers will either be more involved in your routines or guide you from afar.
Since most personal trainers aren’t cheap, you should also make sure you can afford to work with one for at least a few months.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness personal trainers have to be certified through NASM, which many people consider to be the gold standard of personal training certifications. However, they don’t need to have advanced degrees in exercise science, sports medicine, kinesiology, or other related area.
Personal training sessions at Snap Fitness cost anywhere from $40 – $75. New members have the option to enroll in a complimentary Basic 8 personal training consultation. During this consultation, a trainer shows you how to use the equipment and gives you a sample 30-minute workout.
Planet Fitness
Even though Planet Fitness has personal trainers, they aren’t there to coach you through a workout. They run the PE@PF classes, and they’re available for consultations if you need help creating a routine, but they won’t be by your side every step of the way.
The Winner
Snap Fitness has better personal trainers that will give you more individualized attention. They may not be free, but you’ll get a lot of value out of them.
9. Locations
When you join a chain gym instead of an independent one, you can often find a club in multiple states and countries. This makes chain gyms a great option for people who travel frequently.
Whether you join the gym that’s closest to you or you don’t mind driving further to go to a better gym, you should also make sure it’s easy to get to and account for things like traffic, gas mileage, and tolls.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness has 910 locations in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Members are allowed to visit any location in the world.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness has over 2,000 locations. Most of them are in the US, but there are clubs in Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Australia, and Canada. Black Card members can use their membership at any location.
The Winner
Even though Planet Fitness has more locations in total, Snap Fitness has locations in more countries. You should go with Snap Fitness if you want to be able to use the gym whenever you travel abroad.
10. Hours of Operation
It’ll be easier for you to make it to the gym if it’s open during the times you’re most likely to go. Gyms that are open 24 hours a day are becoming more common, but it’s also good to check the schedule of the gym you want to join since individual club hours may vary.
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness is accessible 24/7, but staff members only work during the day. Staffed hours vary, but most clubs have staff onsite from 11 AM until 7 PM.
Planet Fitness
Many Planet Fitness locations are open 24 hours a day during the week but have more limited hours on the weekends. Planet Fitness clubs that aren’t open 24 hours will usually be open from 5 AM to 11 PM.
The Winner
Snap Fitness is the gym for you if you want a gym that’s open 24 hours a day every single day of the week.
Who Is Snap Fitness For?
Snap Fitness is a good gym for you if you:
- Are not a competitive athlete
- Want 24/7 access to the gym
- Don’t need a gym with a lot of amenities
- Are interested in working with a personal trainer
- Don’t like working out in a huge gym
Who Is Planet Fitness For?
Planet Fitness is a good gym for you if you:
- Are a beginner
- Aren’t interested in lifting heavy
- Want an affordable gym membership
- Aren’t interested in group classes
- Are interested in amenities such as tanning booths and massage chairs
Other Gym Comparisons With Snap Fitness and Planet Fitness
- Anytime Fitness vs. Planet Fitness
- Crunch vs Planet Fitness
- Life Time Fitness vs Planet Fitness
- Gold’s Gym vs Planet Fitness
- Planet Fitness vs World Gym
- Planet Fitness vs 24 Hour Fitness
- Fit4Less vs Planet Fitness
- Planet Fitness vs Onelife Fitness
- YMCA vs Planet Fitness
- Planet Fitness vs YouFit
- Planet Fitness vs Blink Fitness
- Workout Anytime vs Planet Fitness
- Planet Fitness vs LA Fitness
About The Author
Amanda is a writer and editor in the fitness and nutrition industries. Growing up in a family that loved sports, she learned the importance of staying active from a young age. She started CrossFit in 2015, which led to her interest in powerlifting and weightlifting. She's passionate about helping women overcome their fear of lifting weights and teaching them how to fuel their bodies properly. When she's not training in her garage gym or working, you can find her drinking coffee, walking her dog, or indulging in one too many pieces of chocolate.
