No, standard Planet Fitness locations do not have traditional dry saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, or swimming pools. The vast majority of clubs across the chain skip these high-maintenance wet amenities entirely. However, the company has introduced a RedZone infrared sauna pod at a growing minority of select locations as part of its Black Card spa area.
Understanding what your membership includes prevents disappointment when you walk into the club expecting post-workout heat therapy. This guide breaks down the actual amenities available, why traditional steam rooms are absent, and how to verify what your local club offers before signing up.
Why Planet Fitness Skips Traditional Saunas and Steam Rooms
Traditional saunas and steam rooms require intensive daily upkeep, strict health department monitoring, specialized plumbing, and constant ventilation. Managing wet areas introduces high liability risks related to slip-and-fall accidents, mold growth, and bacterial spread.
Planet Fitness operates on a high-volume, low-cost business model designed to keep monthly membership dues exceptionally low. Installing and maintaining wet infrastructure consumes valuable square footage that the brand prefers to allocate toward high-density weight training and cardio equipment. Omitting saunas allows the company to keep overhead low, passing those savings directly to members through affordable pricing tiers.
What You Get With a Planet Fitness Black Card
While traditional steam rooms are absent from almost every location, upgrading to a PF Black Card membership grants access to the Black Card Spa area. Depending on your specific club, these alternative recovery tools replace thermal heat rooms:
- HydroMassage Beds: Water-powered massage loungers that target sore muscles through high-pressure jets enclosed beneath a waterproof barrier.
- Total Body Enhancement: A standing booth that combines red light therapy with light whole-body vibration to support skin appearance and post-workout recovery.
- Massage Chairs: Traditional mechanical full-body chairs designed to loosen tight shoulders and back muscles after a heavy lifting session.
- RedZone Infrared Saunas: Rolled out to a limited number of corporate and franchise locations (roughly one hundred clubs nationwide), these private infrared pods use radiant heat and red-light panels for short, ten-to-fifteen-minute sessions.
These amenities focus on dry, low-maintenance recovery rather than high-heat detoxification or steam.
How to Check Your Local Club Amenities
Because amenities vary significantly by franchise owner and building layout, you should never assume a specific perk is available at your neighborhood gym. Use these steps to verify club features before joining:
- Navigate to the official Planet Fitness Club Finder.
- Search for your specific city or zip code and click on the individual club page.
- Scroll down to the Amenities or Features section to view a complete list of what that specific location offers.
- Look specifically for line items such as "Red Light Sauna" or "HydroMassage" under the Black Card banner.
- Call the front desk directly if the online list appears ambiguous or outdated.
Alternative Gym Chains With Saunas and Steam Rooms
If a traditional dry sauna, wet steam room, or hot tub is a non-negotiable part of your fitness routine, Planet Fitness is unlikely to satisfy your needs. Alternative national and regional fitness chains incorporate these amenities into standard or premium tiers:
- Life Time Fitness: Features upscale wet areas, including eucalyptus steam rooms, dry saunas, and indoor or outdoor lap pools.
- Equinox: Offers luxury spa facilities with eucalyptus-infused steam rooms and cold plunges.
- Chuze Fitness: Provides budget-friendly memberships while including infrared saunas and steam rooms at select locations.
- EōS Fitness: Combines low-cost monthly dues with cold plunges, saunas, and large recovery areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any Planet Fitness locations have a steam room?
No. No Planet Fitness club lists a traditional wet steam room on its official amenity menu.
Is the RedZone sauna available at every club?
No. The infrared sauna pod is restricted to a small percentage of participating clubs and requires a Black Card membership. Most locations do not feature any form of sauna.
Can Classic members use the spa amenities?
No. Classic memberships grant access to standard workout equipment and home-club floor space, while Black Card perks include guest privileges and spa equipment access.
Why do some online reviews mention saunas at Planet Fitness?
Some older reviews reference locations that were converted from legacy gyms (such as Gold's Gym) where old steam rooms were permanently sealed off, while others describe newly installed RedZone infrared pods. Always check the club's current digital amenity list.
