No. Planet Fitness does not have a sauna, steam room, hot tub, or swimming pool at most locations.
But here’s the part most articles miss:
Planet Fitness isn’t failing to offer luxury amenities — it’s deliberately replacing them with lower-cost recovery options to support a very specific type of gym member.
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If you’re considering a Planet Fitness membership and wondering whether the lack of a sauna is a deal-breaker, this guide will help you decide clearly and quickly — without hype, without confusion.
Table of Contents
Planet Fitness at a Glance (What It Is — and What It’s Not)
Planet Fitness is one of the largest gym chains in the world, with 2,000+ locations across the U.S. and multiple international markets. Its brand promise is simple:
Affordable fitness in a non-intimidating environment.
From a business perspective, Planet Fitness is not positioned as a full-service health club. It is a high-volume, low-price fitness model, optimized for:
- Beginners
- Casual gym-goers
- Habit-based workouts
- Cost-sensitive members
This positioning explains almost every amenity decision Planet Fitness makes.
Membership Tiers, Costs, and Benefits (What You Actually Pay For)
Planet Fitness offers three primary membership options:
Classic Membership
- Startup fee: ~$10
- Monthly fee: ~$10
- Annual fee: ~$39
- Best for: Solo users who want basic gym access at the lowest cost
Black Card Membership
- Startup fee: ~$1
- Monthly fee: ~$22.99
- Annual fee: ~$39
- Best for: Members who want recovery amenities, guest privileges, and access to all locations
No-Commitment Membership
- Startup fee: ~$15
- Monthly fee: ~$15
- Annual fee: ~$39
- Best for: Short-term or flexible users who don’t want long contracts
From an operator’s viewpoint, this tiered pricing keeps entry friction low while upselling recovery-focused features — without adding expensive infrastructure.
Amenities at Planet Fitness: What’s Available vs. What’s Missing
What Planet Fitness Offers
Planet Fitness substitutes thermal recovery (heat-based amenities) with mechanical and light-based recovery, including:
- HydroMassage beds – water-powered massage for post-workout recovery
- Massage chairs – full-body relaxation
- Red Light Therapy – marketed for muscle recovery and skin health
- Tanning beds / booths (location-dependent)
- Extensive cardio machines and selectorized strength equipment
❌ What Planet Fitness Does NOT Have
- Sauna
- Infrared sauna
- Steam room
- Swimming pool
- Jacuzzi / hot tub
This absence is consistent across the brand, not an oversight.
Why Doesn’t Planet Fitness Have a Sauna? (The Real Reasons)
From a gym owner and business planning perspective, the answer is straightforward.
1. Cost and Liability
Saunas and pools require:
- High installation costs
- Continuous maintenance
- Strict safety compliance
- Increased insurance liability
Including them would immediately raise membership prices — breaking Planet Fitness’s core value proposition.
2. Space Efficiency
Most Planet Fitness locations are designed for maximum equipment density, not wet areas. Saunas and pools consume square footage that could otherwise support revenue-generating machines.
3. Brand Positioning
Planet Fitness markets itself as:
- Beginner-friendly
- Non-competitive
- Simple and accessible
Luxury amenities often attract a different demographic — one that expects a premium experience and is less tolerant of shared, high-traffic environments.
Red Light Therapy vs. Sauna: Are They the Same?
No — and they serve different purposes.
| Feature | Sauna | Red Light Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Heat exposure | High | None |
| Sweat / detox | Yes | No |
| Cardiovascular stress | Moderate | Minimal |
| Muscle relaxation | Strong | Mild to moderate |
| Cost to gym | High | Low |
Planet Fitness chooses red light therapy because it:
- Requires no plumbing
- Has minimal maintenance
- Fits small spaces
- Supports recovery without risk
From a budget-gym standpoint, it’s a scalable substitute, not a replacement.
If You Want a Sauna, Where Should You Go Instead?
If sauna access is non-negotiable for you, consider these alternatives:
- LA Fitness – pools, saunas, and steam rooms at moderate pricing
- YMCA – community-focused facilities with aquatic amenities
- Lifetime Fitness – premium experience with full spa features
- Equinox – luxury clubs with high-end recovery facilities
Each comes with higher monthly fees — because saunas are expensive to operate.
Is Planet Fitness Worth It Without a Sauna?
From a user perspective:
If your goal is consistent workouts, basic recovery, and low monthly cost, Planet Fitness delivers strong value.
From a gym owner perspective:
Planet Fitness proves that amenity restraint can be more profitable than feature overload.
From a business strategy perspective:
Planet Fitness is not a spa.
It is a habit-forming fitness system optimized for scale.
You’re not choosing “less.”
You’re choosing different priorities.
Final
Planet Fitness does not have a sauna — and that’s by design.
If you want heat therapy, look elsewhere.
If you want affordable, low-pressure fitness with basic recovery tools, Planet Fitness remains one of the most cost-effective options on the market.
if want to give your members unbeatable value? Let’s talk about building a gym that balances cost, quality, and an inviting atmosphere—just like Planet Fitness does so well.