Best Planet Fitness Workout Routine

Your No-Sweat Guide to Planet Fitness (Okay, Maybe a Little Sweat)

Walking into a gym can feel like walking into a secret club where everyone knows the secret handshake. Planet Fitness is the glorious exception—it’s the club where the handshake is a high-five and the dress code includes pajama pants. You don’t need to be a bodybuilder; you just need to be brave enough to find the parking lot.

Let’s be real: the scariest part is the big, intimidating free weights area. But here, the loudest noise is usually the pizza on Monday nights, not some dude grunting like a wounded wildebeest. So, take a breath, grab your water bottle, and let’s build a routine so simple a golden retriever could follow it.

The "Lucky 7" Circuit (Your New Best Friend)

This is the perfect first routine because it uses the 30-Minute Express Circuit zone. That red and yellow area isn’t just for show—it’s your golden ticket to a full-body workout without any floor-plan detective work. Here’s the plan: do one set of 12 reps on each machine, then move to the next one. That’s it. You don’t rest; you just waddle to the next machine like a happy penguin.

Start with the Leg Press—you sit down, push, and pretend you’re kicking the door closed on a telemarketer. Next, hit the Chest Press, where you push handles forward and imagine shoving a giant, annoying beach ball away from your face. Then, the Seated Row, pulling the handles toward you like you’re reeling in a giant, invisible fish you’re very proud of.

Pro tip: The circuit machines have lights that turn green when you’re done. It’s like the machine is saying, “Good job, champ. Now go get a drink of water.”

Follow that with the Shoulder Press, pushing overhead, which is basically the motion of putting a very heavy suitcase in an overhead bin. Then, the Ab Crunch Machine, where you do tiny, controlled crunches and remember you have abs somewhere under that snack stash. Finish with the Lat Pulldown (pull the bar to your chest, like you’re hugging a friendly tree) and the Leg Curl (curl your heels up, like you’re trying to kick your own butt in a gentle way).

Cardio That Doesn’t Feel Like Punishment

After the circuit, hop on the treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike for 15 minutes. Do not sprint like you’re being chased by bees; just walk at a pace where you can still talk (or sing, if you’re feeling saucy). The key is to use the “incline” button—set it high, like you’re hiking a very small, imaginary mountain.

If you’re on the bike, pedal to a podcast about true crime, and suddenly you’re a detective getting fit. The elliptical is for when you want to feel like a graceful, forgotten Olympic skier. Just remember to check the fan—it’s basically a personal hurricane aimed right at your sweaty face.

The "I’m Done" Stretch (Don’t Skip This)

Find a quiet corner near the locker rooms and do a few simple stretches. Touch your toes (even if you only reach your knees, that still counts as touching). Reach your arms to the sky and pretend you’re waking up on a nice beach. Hold each stretch for about 20 seconds while you check your phone for any super important messages.

This is also a great time to use the cryotherapy massage chairs or the Hydromassage beds—yes, they are free with your membership. You’ll feel like a celebrity who just won an award for doing almost nothing. That’s the Planet Fitness promise: maximum relaxation with minimum effort.

Make It Yours (And Don’t Overthink It)

Do this routine two to three times a week, and you’ll be amazed at how strong you feel. You’ll start looking forward to the Lunk Alarm not because someone’s grunting, but because it means the free pizza is about to come out. Seriously, the hardest part is just showing up, and once you’re in those comfy gym shorts, it’s all downhill.

Remember, nobody is judging you—they’re all too busy staring at themselves in the mirror or trying to remember where the locker room is. So, high-five a staff member, sip that tiny cup of water, and give yourself a pat on the back. You just did the best beginner workout on planet Earth, and it only took 45 glorious minutes.