The Shady Side Of The Crowd Meter On The Planet Fitness App

Planet Fitness added the Crowd Meter in its efforts to encourage more people to work out while still following safety policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In theory, the idea is impressive. In real life, it doesn't seem to always work perfectly. Luxe Luminous says the feature lets you plan your workout depending on how many people are at your Planet Fitness. Though it helps you see how full the gym is, it doesn't quite tell you whether you have to wait in line. It only shows capacity; the Crowd Meter doesn't indicate if a particular section of the gym (like the treadmills) is busier. 

There have also been discrepancies regarding how accurate the feature is, according to reviews on Reddit. Some claim the app shows the gym as busy even when it is not to keep people away. They claim that it is a way for Planet Fitness to give the illusion that the gym is full, so more people do not come in while still selling memberships to others. 

Becky Zirlen, director of public relations for Planet Fitness, told PopSugar that the app allows you to decide whether or not you want to go to the gym. It also helps you determine how safe you'll feel with crowds. "No matter their schedules, peak times tend to be early in the week coming off the weekend and before and after work hours." Zirlen added.