The Cost Comparison
- Planet Fitness Black Card: $25/month — $300/year — $1,500 over 5 years
- Plus gas and travel time — add $500-1,000 over 5 years
- Complete home gym: $427 one time — $0 ongoing forever
- Home gym savings over 5 years: $1,573-2,073
What Planet Fitness Has That a Home Gym Does Not
- Heavy barbells and squat racks for powerlifting
- Cable machines and a wide variety of cardio equipment
- Social environment and workout partners
- Tanning beds and massage chairs on Black Card plan
- Group fitness classes
What a Home Gym Has That Planet Fitness Does Not
- Available 24 hours a day with zero commute
- No waiting for equipment during peak hours
- Complete privacy — train however you want
- Your own music, temperature, and environment
- Saves 1-2 hours per session in total travel time
- No annual contract or cancellation fees
The Verdict
For general fitness, weight loss, and toning — a home gym beats Planet Fitness on cost, convenience, and consistency. For serious powerlifting or if you genuinely need barbell work, keep the gym membership. For everyone else, the home gym wins.