Planet Fitness closes at different times depending on the location and day of the week. Most Planet Fitness locations close at 10:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 9:00 PM on Friday, and 7:00 PM on weekends.
However, many locations offer 24-hour access during weekdays (Monday through Thursday), while maintaining limited hours on weekends. Some clubs advertise as “24/5” (24 hours Monday through Friday) or even “24/7” at select locations.
Always check your local Planet Fitness hours through their app or website as schedules vary by franchise.
Key Takeaways
- Most Planet Fitness locations operate 24 hours Monday through Thursday
- Weekend hours are typically shorter, with many locations closing at 7:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays
- Friday hours often end at 9:00 PM at many locations
- Hours vary significantly between franchises, so check your local gym’s schedule
- The Planet Fitness app provides accurate hours and a crowd meter for each location
- Staffed hours differ from access hours for members with key tags
Planet Fitness Hours: The Complete Breakdown
The gym world is a strange animal. You pay your dues, you sweat, you grunt, and sometimes you wonder if anyone’s actually keeping track of when the doors lock up. Planet Fitness, that purple paradise of judgment-free lifting, has its own rhythm to the day.
I remember rolling up to my local Planet Fitness at 10:30 PM on a Friday, gym bag slung over my shoulder, pre-workout coursing through my veins — only to find the place locked up tight as a drum. The sign said 24 hours, but apparently that didn’t include Fridays. Lesson learned.
Standard Operating Hours
Planet Fitness hours aren’t as straightforward as you might think. The company operates on a franchise model, which means individual owners set their own schedules. However, there are some patterns you can count on:
Monday to Thursday: Most locations operate 24 hours
Friday: Many locations close at 9:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Typically open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
This “24/5” model has become increasingly common across the Planet Fitness network. The franchise advertises 24-hour access as a key selling point, but the fine print matters.
The 24/7 Myth
Despite what many believe, not all Planet Fitness locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, many members have reported showing up at their gym only to find it closed outside of standard hours.
As one frustrated Reddit user put it: “Wtf is the point of advertising as 24 hours if you close at 7 pm?”
The truth is that many Planet Fitness locations have reduced their hours since the pandemic. While some clubs still maintain 24/7 operations, they’re becoming increasingly rare. Most have shifted to a 24/5 model (24 hours Monday through Thursday or Friday) with reduced weekend hours.
Staffed Hours vs. Access Hours
One important distinction at Planet Fitness is the difference between staffed hours and access hours. This is particularly relevant for members with key tags.
Staffed Hours
Staffed hours are when employees are physically present in the gym. During these times, you can:
Sign up for a new membership
Ask questions at the front desk
Use tanning beds and massage chairs
Bring a guest (for Black Card members)
For example, at Planet Fitness Oak Flats in Australia, the staffed hours are:
Monday to Friday: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Saturday to Sunday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Access Hours
Many locations offer 24-hour access during weekdays for members with key tags, even when staff isn’t present. This means you can work out at 3:00 AM if that fits your schedule — just don’t expect anyone to be at the front desk.
The key tag system allows members to enter the facility during unstaffed hours. This is particularly valuable for:
Night shift workers
Early birds who want to work out before dawn
Anyone with an unconventional schedule
Why Hours Vary So Much
The inconsistency in Planet Fitness hours comes down to several factors:
Franchise Model
Planet Fitness operates primarily as a franchise business. Each location is independently owned and operated, giving owners some flexibility in setting hours based on:
Local demand
Staffing availability
Regional regulations
Profitability considerations
Staffing Challenges
Many locations have reduced hours due to staffing challenges. As one Planet Fitness employee explained on Reddit:
“We are supposed to tell people to finish up about ten minutes to seven to make sure the doors are closed at seven. We stop the tanning at 6:30. I know it’s frustrating but our corporate overlords will not stand for having to pay us time and a half, even if it’s only by a few minutes.”
This explains why some locations might announce closing earlier than the posted time — a practice that has frustrated many members.
Post-Pandemic Adjustments
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many fitness centers have adjusted their hours. Some Planet Fitness locations that were previously 24/7 have permanently reduced their hours.
As one employee noted on Reddit: “No more PFs worldwide will be opening for 24 hours any day.” While this statement isn’t entirely accurate (some locations do maintain 24/7 hours), it reflects a broader trend toward reduced hours across the chain.
How to Find Your Local Planet Fitness Hours
With so much variation between locations, how do you find out exactly when your local Planet Fitness opens and closes? Here are the most reliable methods:
The Planet Fitness App
The official Planet Fitness app is the most accurate source for hours information. It provides:
Current operating hours for your home gym
A crowd meter showing how busy the gym is
The ability to check hours for other locations
The app updates in real-time, so it’s more reliable than Google listings or even the signs posted at the gym itself.
Call Your Local Club
When in doubt, call your local Planet Fitness directly. The staff can provide the most up-to-date information about:
Regular operating hours
Holiday schedules
Any temporary changes due to maintenance or staffing issues
Check the Website
The Planet Fitness website lists hours for each location, though it may not always reflect recent changes. Still, it’s a good starting point, especially if you’re considering joining a new location.
Planet Fitness vs. Competitors’ Hours
How do Planet Fitness hours compare to other major gym chains? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Gym Chain | Typical Hours | 24-Hour Options |
|---|---|---|
| Planet Fitness | 24/5 at many locations | Some locations 24/7 |
| 24 Hour Fitness | Many locations 24/7 | Yes, widely available |
| Anytime Fitness | 24/7 at most locations | Yes, standard |
| LA Fitness | 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM weekdays, shorter weekend hours | Limited |
| Gold’s Gym | Varies widely by location | Some locations |
As you can see, despite the name, 24 Hour Fitness and Anytime Fitness typically offer more consistent 24-hour access than Planet Fitness.
Weekend Hours: The Biggest Frustration
The most common complaint about Planet Fitness hours relates to weekend schedules. Many locations close as early as 7:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, which can be inconvenient for those who work during the day.
One Reddit poll asked members whether they’d prefer 24-hour access Monday through Thursday with early weekend closings, or consistent midnight closings seven days a week. The results heavily favored the latter option, suggesting many members value consistent weekend hours over 24-hour weekday access.
Why Early Weekend Closings?
Planet Fitness justifies earlier weekend closings based on usage patterns. Simply put, fewer people work out late on weekends. By closing earlier, franchises can reduce staffing costs during low-traffic periods.
However, this explanation doesn’t satisfy everyone. As one member noted: “Friday night at 10 or 11 would be a particularly convenient time for me to go and unwind at the end of the week, and it’s particularly annoying that it’s closed then.”
Holiday Hours
Holiday schedules add another layer of complexity to Planet Fitness hours. Most locations operate on reduced hours during major holidays, and some close completely on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.
Typical holiday hours might be:
- New Year’s Eve: Close early (around 4:00 PM)
- New Year’s Day: Open late (around 8:00 AM)
- Christmas Eve: Close early (around 4:00 PM)
- Christmas Day: Closed or very limited hours
- Thanksgiving: Closed or limited hours
- Other federal holidays: Normal hours or slightly reduced
Always check the app or call ahead before planning a holiday workout.
The Staffing Reality
Understanding the staffing situation helps explain why Planet Fitness hours can be inconsistent and why you might be asked to leave before the posted closing time.
Overtime Concerns
As mentioned earlier, many locations are strict about avoiding overtime pay. This means staff often need to complete closing procedures before their shift ends, resulting in members being asked to leave 10-15 minutes before the official closing time.
Overnight Staffing
Locations that offer 24-hour access during weekdays typically have minimal overnight staffing. This might be just one employee responsible for:
Monitoring the facility
Basic cleaning
Security
Emergency response
This limited staffing explains why services like tanning beds and massage chairs aren’t available during overnight hours.
Making the Most of Planet Fitness Hours
Given the variability in Planet Fitness hours, here are some tips to ensure you can work out when you want:
Check Before You Go
Always verify hours before heading to the gym, especially on weekends, holidays, or late at night. The app is your best resource for this.
Plan Around Peak Times
The Planet Fitness app’s crowd meter can help you avoid busy periods. Typically, the gym is most crowded:
Weekdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Monday and Tuesday evenings
Early January (New Year’s resolution season)
If you’re looking for a less crowded experience, consider trying HIIT workouts at home on the busiest days.
Consider Multiple Locations
If you have a Black Card membership, you can access any Planet Fitness location. This means you could potentially use different clubs based on their hours. For example, if one location closes early on weekends but another stays open later, you have options.
Communicate with Management
If the current hours don’t work for your schedule, let management know. Franchises do respond to member feedback, and enough requests might lead to adjusted hours.
The Future of Planet Fitness Hours
Will Planet Fitness return to more consistent 24/7 operations? The trend suggests otherwise. Many locations that reduced hours during the pandemic have maintained those changes, citing staffing challenges and cost considerations.
However, competition from truly 24/7 gyms like Anytime Fitness might eventually push Planet Fitness to reconsider. The fitness industry is highly competitive, and operating hours are a significant differentiator.
For those who need more flexibility, you might want to explore alternatives to HIIT or home workout options that aren’t constrained by gym hours.
Conclusion
Planet Fitness hours vary widely by location, with most following a 24/5 model (24 hours Monday through Thursday or Friday) and reduced weekend hours. While some locations still maintain 24/7 operations, they’re becoming less common.
The best way to confirm your local Planet Fitness hours is through the official app, which provides real-time information about operating hours and gym capacity. Remember that staffed hours differ from access hours, and services like tanning beds may close earlier than the gym itself.
Understanding these nuances will help you plan your workouts more effectively and avoid the frustration of showing up to locked doors. And remember — in the world of fitness, consistency is key. Finding a gym with hours that match your schedule is crucial for maintaining a regular workout routine.
If you’re looking to maximize your fitness journey, consider exploring how to make fitness a part of your lifestyle or checking out how to track your fitness progress to stay motivated regardless of when you can make it to the gym.
References
As a veteran fitness technology innovator and the founder of GearUpToFit.com, Alex Papaioannou stands at the intersection of health science and artificial intelligence. With over a decade of specialized experience in digital wellness solutions, he’s transforming how people approach their fitness journey through data-driven methodologies.