The new trending gym Planet Fitness’s; all you need is the logo, alongside a calorie tracker app and a TikTok workout. Graphic courtesy of sophomore Sophia Chaves.
Planet Fitness customer rates continue to be on the rise within this new year. Students at San Luis Obispo High School have taken part in this new craze, the gym culture on campus reaching new heights. As the fitness culture of dieting, calorie counting, and weightlifting consumes teens, many wonder if this is actually healthy.
“I don’t like that it got popularized so fast, because I see so many people every time I go. I think it’s good that everyone is trying to get strong,” said varsity track athlete junior Charlie Cannon.
One of Planet Fitness’s many appealing factors includes its affordable membership. For only fifteen dollars per month people have access to a “Judgement Free Zone,” for beginners in weightlifting and gym expertise. This cheap package is almost curated for broke teens and college students. Another feature is the High School Summer Pass Program, which specifically targets high school students. According to Planet Fitness Inc. PF has signed, “a record number of participants in our High School Summer Pass Program as we continue to resonate with younger consumers.”
Some students say the trend motivates them to improve themselves, while others think the focus on appearance can go too far.
“I think it can be good motivation to get healthier,” said Cannon. “But sometimes people are focused more on how they look than how they feel.”
Students say social media has played a role in the gym’s popularity. Platforms like Tiktok and Instagram frequently promote workout routines, “what I eat in a day” videos, and fitness challenges that encourage teens to adopt gym habits. One of the most popular self-improvement trends includes something called “looksmaxxing.”
“Looksmaxxing is crazy. I think that people are insecure, it’s kind of stupid and people should do their own thing. People just want to be niche and different, but it’s just going to affect their lifestyle too much so it’s going to make them depressed,” said sophomore Gage Gatti.
Looksmaxxing refers to the idea of improving one’s physical appearance through habits like working out, dieting, skincare, and fashion. On social media influencers often post tips on how to “maximize” attractiveness, with gym workouts frequently at the center of the advice. For many teens, Planet Fitness has become a place where these trends are put into practice.
“I think it’s okay to try to better yourself, but it can become genuinely unhealthy after a certain amount of time. Working for yourself is good, but putting looks over health or education can be dangerous,” said freshman Lucian Perlich.
Despite mixed opinions, the Planet Fitness trend shows no sign of slowing down. Whether students are motivated by sports, social media, or the desire to improve appearance, more teens than ever are trading their time after school, for time on the treadmill.
Source: investor.planetfitness.com
