Planet Fitness

Scott Lyons is about making fitness realistic. His gyms offer fitness equipment appropriate for first time gym users — and for only $10 a month.

“We don’t cater to body builders,” said the Planet Fitness owner and franchisee, “but are geared toward regular folks who want to get in shape. Anyone can come in and feel comfortable in our gym.”

The Homewood Planet Fitness, located in Wildwood, hosts 91 pieces of Life Fitness and Cybex cardio equipment: treadmills, elliptical machines and bicycles. Even at 5:30 p.m., Lyson said there is enough equipment to accommodate everyone without anyone having to wait. The machines do not have time limits or sign-up sheets.

“That’s why we put 80-100 pieces in each location, so that there is no waiting,” Lyons said.

Twenty-four 60-inch TVs hang alongside the cardio equipment to keep members entertained while they work out, and a giant fan above each area ensures the air is cool and circulating.

In addition to the use of cardio equipment, members have access to unlimited fitness training in small groups of no more than five people. Members can meet with a fitness instructor to design an individual program based on their needs. There are also 30-minute sessions each day that target individual muscle groups: chest, back, abs, arms, legs or shoulders.

In back right Planet Fitness space is a 30-minute workout area. There, members can engage in a circuit workout rotating between different resistance machines and steps on a bench to raise heart rate. A special red light/green light switches regularly to keep the time for each station. 

“You burn more calories doing circuit than regular resistance because you are keeping your heart rate elevated the whole time,” Lyons said.

A similar area in the back left provides equipment and red and green lights for a 12-minute ab workout.

The gym also features tanning beds, locker rooms and areas for stretching.

The Homewood Planet Fitness is one of more than 820 locations; the chain is the fastest growing franchisor of full-size fitness clubs in the country. Around 200 locations are on track to open in 2014 in total. But Lyons didn’t just acquire the business because of its success.

“I got in it because I was working out a lot and wanted a certain type of place to work out,” he said, noting that he has more than 25 years experience in the fitness industry.

That’s when he opened his first facility.

“I have stayed in this business because it is a positive atmosphere,” he said. “People come in and they feel better.”

The Wildwood Planet Fitness is Lyons’ fourth location to open in Birmingham, and he hopes to open at least one more a year for the next six years.

Lyons’ tip for getting in shape is in keeping with the philosophy of Planet Fitness.

“Start slow and build on that,” he said. “I’d rather someone workout two days a week the first month, then three days a week the next, and four days a week the next. It’s better than if you say you will come four days a week at first and then are not able to do it.”

Memberships are $10 per month. The enrollment fee varies by time of year. A $19.99 Black Card membership includes unlimited guest privileges, reciprocal use at other Planet Fitness locations, unlimited tanning, use of the massage chairs and a hydromassage bed, and half price on cooler drinks.