Does Planet Fitness Have Childcare?
Many parents juggle work, fitness goals, and childcare responsibilities. If you’re a Planet Fitness member with kids, you may wonder if the gym offers on-site childcare services.
The answer is most Planet Fitness locations do not provide childcare facilities.
However, there are some important details worth knowing about what’s available and how to work around this limitation.
Key Highlights
- Planet Fitness does not operate childcare services at most of its 2,000+ locations nationwide.
- Some franchise locations may offer limited childcare options, so contacting your specific gym is essential.
- Planet Fitness does allow children in certain areas under parental supervision, with age restrictions varying by location.
Does Planet Fitness Offer Childcare?
Planet Fitness does not have a standardized childcare program across its franchise network.
As a budget-friendly gym chain, the company prioritizes low membership costs over premium amenities like on-site daycare. This is one of the trade-offs members accept when choosing a lower-cost fitness facility.
Important
A small number of individual Planet Fitness franchises may offer childcare or child supervision services. These decisions are made at the franchise level, not corporate headquarters.
Your best approach is to call your local gym directly and ask if they provide any child-related services.
What Are Your Realistic Options?
Bringing Children to the Gym
Planet Fitness allows parents to bring children into the facility under direct supervision. However, rules vary by location.
➤ Some gyms have age restrictions, requiring children to be at least 12 or 14 years old in certain areas like the free weight section. Others may allow younger children in cardio zones or family-friendly spaces.
Call ahead to understand your gym’s specific policies on children in different sections. You’ll want to know which areas are accessible to kids and which require adult supervision at all times.
Using Independent Childcare Services
Many parents use third-party childcare options while they work out.
Mobile babysitting apps like Care.com, Bambino, or Sittercity connect you with local babysitters who can watch your children at home while you exercise. This gives you flexibility without relying on gym-based services.
Note
Another option is hiring a babysitter to stay with your kids at the gym in a waiting area, if your location permits. This requires paying for childcare separately, but it keeps your children nearby.
Scheduling Workouts Around Childcare
Many parents time their gym visits when a spouse, family member, or regular caregiver is available.
If your gym is open early or late, you might fit in workouts before kids wake up or after bedtime. This requires discipline but avoids childcare costs entirely.
Planet Fitness Membership and Child Policies
Age Restrictions by Area
Planet Fitness locations typically have different rules for different zones.
Common policies include allowing children aged 12 and up in free weight areas with parental supervision. Younger children may be restricted to cardio equipment, stretching areas, or may not be allowed in certain sections at all.
Planet Fitness staff enforce these rules for safety and liability reasons. Heavy weights and machines can be dangerous for unsupervised young children, making age restrictions necessary.
Supervision Requirements
If your gym allows children, a parent or guardian must remain present and actively supervise at all times. You cannot drop your child off in a waiting area and leave them unattended while you exercise. This means you’ll be splitting your focus between your workout and watching your kids.
For families with very young children, this often makes working out at Planet Fitness impractical. You may get interrupted frequently or have difficulty completing full workout sessions.
How Other Gyms Compare
If childcare is essential for your fitness routine, you might consider other gym chains. Some facilities offer more robust childcare services:
- YMCA locations often provide childcare services for members, though fees apply and availability varies.
- LA Fitness and Gold’s Gym franchises occasionally offer childcare at select locations.
- Equinox and premium gym chains often feature on-site childcare as a membership perk.
These gyms typically charge higher membership fees to offset childcare costs. If childcare is a deal-breaker, the extra expense may be worth it for your family’s situation.
Asking Your Local Planet Fitness About Childcare
Since policies differ by franchise, contact your local Planet Fitness directly. Call during business hours and ask these specific questions:
✦ Do you offer any childcare or child supervision services?
✦ What are the age restrictions for children in different gym areas?
✦ Is parental supervision required at all times?
✦ Are there any family-friendly times or programs?
✦ Do you allow babysitters to wait in the facility while parents work out?
Having these answers before joining saves you from discovering limitations after you’ve already committed to membership.
Practical Workarounds for Parents
If you want to maintain a Planet Fitness membership despite the lack of childcare, several strategies work well:
Partner Workouts
If you have a partner or spouse, split gym time. One person works out while the other watches the kids at home. This requires coordination but keeps costs low and avoids childcare expenses.
Home Workouts as Backup
Combine Planet Fitness visits with home exercise on days you can’t arrange childcare. This flexibility keeps you committed to fitness without relying solely on gym access.
Gym Buddy System
Team up with another parent friend. You watch each other’s children on alternating days, allowing both of you to get consistent gym time.
In-Home Childcare Services
Hire a part-time caregiver or nanny who comes to your home a few times per week during your gym sessions. This works best if you live near your Planet Fitness location.
My Suggestions
Planet Fitness remains an excellent option if you can find time to work out without needing on-site childcare. The gym’s low membership cost, 24-hour access, and casual atmosphere appeal to many busy parents.
However, if you need professional childcare integrated into your fitness routine, you may get better value from a gym that offers these services built in.
Calculate if the extra membership fee for childcare access would cost more or less than your current childcare solution.
Your fitness goals and family schedule ultimately determine either Planet Fitness fits your needs or not. Being honest about these factors upfront helps you make the best decision.
