Planet Fitness – Goffston

I went here for my first time tonight, and I think it’s my favorite Planet Fitness location yet. I still prefer the atmosphere of the Manchester West gym, but this one is outfitted with shiny, state-​of-​the-​art machines and space-​age equipment. Even the urinals look like they’re from the future. I love that kinda stuff.
As a runner, I’m psyched about one feature this location’s treadmills have: iPod docks. Being able to leave behind the awkward arm band — which makes switching albums mid-​run nearly impossible — is huge. I was able to keep running for 8 miles without getting fed up.
I haven’t used any of the weight machines yet, but if you’ve heard PF’s ads, you know they’re not catering to the Creatine crowd. As a non-​bodybuilder, I do think the stereotypes are a bit unfair, but obviously the campaign is effective or they wouldn’t keep at it. It’s also contrary to the «Judgement Free Zone» principle — we’re allowed to judge bodybuilders, but no one else — but, again, I still love the place.
But I’m digressing. I think I’ll make this my go-​to gym for when I’m on my way home from work, and stick with the Manchester West location when I’m home.

The new Pinardville Planet Fitness is up and running!
With gleaming new machines, wide open workout spaces, and circuit training, this gym is a pleasure to work out in. I’ve never visited a brand new gym before but after working out here, it’s going to be hard to go back to my basement of a gym in Boston.
The staff is friendly, the location is superb, and their presence in town has caused nearby Gold’s Gym to drop their prices and fees.
However…
I wish I could give this gym 3.5 stars because there were three things that made me want to knock it down half a star.
1. The tvs are in a long line above the workout equipment, and are set to different channels with signs above so you know which station to tune to. But this means that you’re stuck with those channels, which include two variants of FOX and neither VH1 or MTV. It also means you can only really see channels 1 – 6 from the ellipticals, though they are all visible from the treadmills. I wish there was more variation or at least less permanent options.
2. The tuners for listening to said channels only work when your machine is going, and turn off the second you stop. But on an elliptical, this means that if your workout involves backwards rotations, you lose your power and thus your channel and your volume settings every single time you reverse direction. This is just a bad choice of receiver for these machines, and should be replaced if at all possible.
3. The circuit training area, though sparkling clean, is not well labeled. Once people have entered this area, there are no signs that illustrate how the circuit works, or reminding people that these machines are for a set purpose. It would be much better if there was signage not just outside the space, but also inside so if people are misusing the equipment (getting on the machine you were about to rotate too, staying on one for many sets when you are waiting for it) you could easily point to it and gently remind them of the intention of the space.
I hope at least some of these issues will be addressed in the coming weeks — this is a great and affordable way to exercise right in town, and I’d love to see it succeed!