Planet Fitness Machines: The Full Equipment Guide
Every cardio machine, strength machine, and muscle group Planet Fitness actually covers — plus what it doesn’t have, like squat racks and barbells — broken down so you know exactly what to expect before you walk in.
Exact equipment brands, models, and quantities vary by club since Planet Fitness locations are independently owned and operated and refresh equipment on their own schedules.
Quick Overview: What’s on the Floor
The short version
A typical Planet Fitness club carries somewhere around 80+ pieces of equipment: a large cardio section, a full circuit of selectorized (pin-loaded) strength machines covering every major muscle group, a Smith machine setup in place of a traditional squat rack, dumbbells up to roughly 75–80 lbs, and a dedicated 30-Minute Express Circuit. It’s built for beginners and casual gym-goers rather than serious powerlifters, which is why you won’t find barbells, squat racks, or kettlebells at a standard club.
Below is the complete breakdown by category, including which pages on this site cover each muscle group and machine type in more depth.
Cardio Machines
The cardio section is usually the largest area of any Planet Fitness club, and it’s where most members spend the bulk of their workout time.
- Treadmills — adjustable speed and incline for walking, jogging, or interval running.
- Ellipticals — a low-impact, joint-friendly option that still gets the heart rate up.
- Stationary & recumbent bikes — upright and seated options for endurance-style cardio.
- Stair climbers / StepMills — a higher-intensity option that also builds leg endurance.
- Rowing machines — a full-body cardio option that also loads the back, arms, and legs.
- Arc trainers, where available — a hybrid between a stair climber and an elliptical.
For a closer look at rowers specifically, including proper form and how to fit them into a routine, see the dedicated guide to rowing machines at Planet Fitness, or the breakdown of the elliptical machine if low-impact cardio is your priority.
Strength Machines by Muscle Group
Planet Fitness leans heavily on selectorized, pin-loaded machines rather than free weights, which makes it easier for beginners to learn correct form without worrying about balance or spotting. Each muscle group has its own cluster of machines on the floor:
Chest Machines
Chest press, pec deck & more
Back Machines
Lat pulldown, seated row & more
Arm Machines
Bicep curl, tricep extension & more
Leg Machines
Leg press, leg curl & extension
Glute Machines
Glute kickback & hip stations
Ab & Core Machines
Ab crunch, torso rotation & more
Quick summary of the main machines in each group
- Chest: chest press machine, pec deck (butterfly).
- Back: lat pulldown machine, seated row machine, assisted dip/chin-up machine where available.
- Shoulders: shoulder press machine, lateral raise machine.
- Arms: bicep curl station, tricep extension machine, cable bicep/tricep attachments.
- Legs: leg press machine, leg curl machine, leg extension machine, calf raise station.
- Glutes: glute kickback machine, hip abduction/adduction machines where available.
- Abs & core: abdominal crunch machine, torso rotation machine, captain’s chair, decline bench.
Every selectorized machine has an instructional placard on it showing correct form and the muscles it targets, which is genuinely useful if you’re new to lifting and not sure where to start.
Smith Machine & Free Weights
This is where Planet Fitness looks noticeably different from a traditional lifting gym. Standard clubs don’t have squat racks or power racks; instead, they use a Smith machine, which guides the barbell along a fixed vertical track so squats, bench presses, and shoulder presses feel more controlled and don’t require a spotter.
- Dumbbells: typically ranging from 5 lbs up to 75–80 lbs at most clubs.
- Fixed-weight barbells: available at some locations, generally in the lighter-to-moderate range.
- Smith machine: the standard substitute for a free squat rack or bench press setup.
- No kettlebells at most standard clubs — dumbbells and cable machines cover similar movement patterns instead.
The 30-Minute Express Circuit
One of Planet Fitness’s signature setups is the 30-Minute Express Circuit: a loop of 10 strength machines alternating with 10 cardio steps, arranged in a fixed order so you move through a complete full-body workout in half an hour. A red-and-green light system on each station signals when to work and when to rest, which keeps the pace consistent without you needing to track intervals yourself.
Strength stations in the circuit commonly include a mix of chest press, leg press, shoulder press, and leg curl machines, paired with cardio steps in between. It’s a popular option for members who want a complete workout without planning their own routine from scratch.
Functional & Core Equipment
Beyond the muscle-group-specific machines, most clubs also carry general-purpose functional training gear:
- Cable towers / dual adjustable pulley: lets you do dozens of exercises — tricep pushdowns, cable crossovers, face pulls, and more — by adjusting the pulley height and handle.
- Medicine balls for core and full-body movements.
- Stretching area and mats for warm-ups, cool-downs, and mobility work.
- Adjustable benches for use alongside dumbbells or the Smith machine.
Tanning & Recovery Machines
Not everything on the floor is for lifting. PF Black Card® members typically get access to a separate set of recovery-focused machines that aren’t part of the standard workout equipment:
Tanning Machines
Available where local rules and club space allow it, reserved for Black Card members.
HydroMassage™
Water-jet massage bed for post-workout muscle recovery.
Total Body Enhancement
Red-light and vibration booth, available at select clubs.
For the full rundown of how tanning machines work, bulb types, and session guidance, see the dedicated page on Planet Fitness tanning machines.
Equipment Brands Used at Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness generally stocks its clubs with commercial-grade equipment from a handful of established manufacturers rather than a single house brand:
- Life Fitness — commonly used for treadmills, bikes, and other cardio equipment.
- Matrix — cardio equipment seen at many locations, particularly newer builds.
- Hammer Strength — plate-loaded machines for chest, back, and leg presses at some clubs.
- Cybex and Precor — commonly used for selectorized strength machines.
The exact mix depends on the club and when it last refreshed its equipment; most locations update machines every five to seven years, with no single nationwide replacement schedule since clubs are independently owned and operated.
What Planet Fitness Doesn’t Have
Setting accurate expectations matters just as much as knowing what’s included. At a standard Planet Fitness club, you generally won’t find:
- Squat racks or power racks — the Smith machine is used instead.
- Heavy Olympic barbells for traditional squats, deadlifts, or bench press.
- Kettlebells at most standard locations.
- Group fitness classes in the way a full-service gym runs them — Planet Fitness instead offers free small-group training led by staff.
- Pools, basketball courts, or saunas at the vast majority of clubs.
If serious barbell training is central to your routine, it’s worth comparing equipment lineups directly — see how the equipment compares in the full Planet Fitness membership overview before deciding which gym fits your goals.
Tips for Building a Workout Around These Machines
- New to lifting? Start with leg press, chest press, and lat pulldown — these mimic natural movement patterns and are the easiest to learn first.
- Short on time? The 30-Minute Express Circuit gives you a complete full-body session without having to plan your own routine.
- Want the best calorie burn? Treadmills and stair climbers are generally considered the most effective cardio options on the floor.
- Joint concerns? Recumbent bikes and ellipticals are the more joint-friendly cardio choices.
- Unsure how a machine works? Every station has an instructional placard, and free small-group fitness training is included with every membership if you want a walkthrough from staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What machines does Planet Fitness have?
A typical club has treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, stair climbers, and rowing machines for cardio, plus a full circuit of selectorized strength machines covering chest, back, shoulders, arms, legs, glutes, and core, along with a Smith machine and dumbbells.
Does Planet Fitness have squat racks?
No, standard locations don’t have squat racks or power racks. They use a Smith machine instead, which guides the barbell along a fixed track for a more controlled squat or bench press.
How heavy do the dumbbells go at Planet Fitness?
Most clubs carry dumbbells ranging from 5 lbs up to around 75–80 lbs, though the exact top weight can vary slightly by location.
Does Planet Fitness have kettlebells?
Most standard clubs don’t carry kettlebells. Dumbbells and cable machines are used to cover similar exercise patterns instead.
What is the 30-Minute Express Circuit?
It’s a fixed loop of 10 strength machines and 10 cardio steps that guides you through a complete full-body workout in half an hour, using a red-and-green light system to signal work and rest periods.
Are Planet Fitness machines good for beginners?
Yes. The gym leans heavily on selectorized, pin-loaded machines with instructional placards on each station, which makes it easier to learn correct form without needing a spotter or prior lifting experience.
Does every Planet Fitness have the exact same equipment?
Not exactly. The core lineup is consistent across most clubs, but exact machine brands, models, and quantities can vary since locations are independently owned and operated and update equipment on their own schedules.
Can I do a full workout with only machines, no free weights?
Yes. Between the strength machine circuit, cable towers, and the Smith machine, you can train every major muscle group without relying on free-weight barbells.