Planet Fitness – Staten Island Forest

I visited this gym with the hope of joining. I obviously was expecting something basic and nothing fancy. I wanted a space where I could do free weights. I didn’t need any machines or anything more. The place was horrid throughout, typical fluorescent lighting, black mats, grayish and depressing looking. I couldn’t wait to leave. It was really dreary and dingy.

You definitely get what you pay for. Staff that talk to clients unprofessional (we arent friends lets keep it professional) then dont make an appointment with the personal trainer because he never shows up. The facility is fairly clean (during the morning shift)

Having been here several times, I find the setup satisfying. It’s usually not too crowded with ample machines and a nice atmosphere. The music is nothing amazing but it works fine for working out. The staff never gets in the way of service and though I never use them, it’s nice to have the option of tanning booths and protein drinks. They paint their exterior every several months so they always look fresh.

It’s ok … Paper towels are often out when you want to wipe a machine or you see the paper towels but the mechanism won’t push them out — a lot of the head phone jacks don’t work. But 20.00 a month what can you expect

I never have had to wait for machine. They have many ellipticals which are my favorite. You can buy water for 50 cents there. You can bring a friend as many times as you like. Make sure to wipe down the machines after using them. Bring your own towel as they have none. Very clean place. Several television on you can plug in your headphones into the machines to tune into any of the television and many shows they have playing. Good price, inexpensive. If you looking for that high end or personal experience or several classes then this is not the place for you. This is a place to sweat be left alone, use the equipment, use the weights just get a good burn and sweat in. Which is what most gyms should be

The price is right and I like that I’ve never had to wait for any machine I’ve wanted to use, which is a plus. It’s a bare bones gym but I already knew that because staff will gladly give you a free tour before you sign! I only intended to use the gym for cardio and light weight lifting, so this gym fits that bill.
The issue I have with the gym is the lack of staff. The gym is pretty big and normally I only see 1 person working at the front desk, which means no one EVER comes up to the 2^nd story. On the second floor, people often misuse equipment, talk loudly on cell phones, slam machines down, scream when they work out… all things this gym promises not to have.
The price is so cheap it’s hard to argue with the lack of staff but the issue is becoming worse… I’ve actually seen people lay across treadmill hand bars and use them for sits ups…

As a review had said before you get what you pay for. I’ve been there as a guest and if you’re looking for a place to actually train this isnt for you. If you’re looking just to skim thru workout this is where you need to be. The only thing good actually do here is a good ab workout and hit cardio.
This place makes dolphin fitness seem like Gold’s Gym Venice beach.

You get what you pay for, which isn’t much. I do cardio on the gliders in the row right in front of the TVs… noticed lately that on about half of the machines the option to increase incline on manual doesnt work[used to]…lovely.
Machines are frequently mismanaged/​out of order. Free weights downstairs are never organized in order of ascending weight. The disinfectant spray you use to wipe down machines is just water [in other planet fitness locations its purple, assuming because thats the gym color, but also assuming that that means it actually has some disinfectant in it]…this location cuts corners on their cost everywhere they can, other planet fitness locations dont do as much.
Staff are a mixed bag, mostly friendly, mostly disinterested in working. I’ve seen staff set lunk alarms off on guys lifting a lot and not setting the weight down too gently which is fine BUT, a couple of weeks ago I was on the 1^st floor when a guy was literally throwing down 50 lb weights by letting them go after pulling the weight down… not a word from any staff member, even though this was done repeatedly and a number of people working out were glaring at the person doing this and the staff.
By far the most disappointing thing though is the lack of diverse equipment. And yes, I know, you pay either 10 or 20 bucks a month so how much can you really hope for. I thought the same thing… until I visited other Planet Fitness locations. I was shocked at how much more equipment there is at other locations. All PFs charge the same so I am led to believe it is possible for the gym to afford more diverse equipment… but the owners are being cheap. You can def get a good workout here if you know what to do and you cant complain about the price, so I will give them that one. They do have a lot to work on if they want to be a great gym. I hear synergy on the island is not bad but for me its not conveniently located.

i joined on sunday on line and since joining, i have had a one star experience. i gave them 2 stars because i added one star for my ignorance.
not realizing there were two forest ave locations, i joined 2040 forest when i live nearby 591 forest. on sunday night when i went to workout after joining on line, the young lady at the counter was nice and said no problem, both gyms are owned by the same owner and tomorrow go to the other location and they will give you a card. she let me workout.
4 days later, after going to 2040 forest, sending an email to transfer@ going back to 591, calling the corporate office, calling back to 2040, i had to pay $ 5 to workout today because i was not a member of 591 forest. than after paying i was thrown out for wearing my harley boots that i always workout in.
several people told me not to go there for various reasons to include overcrowding but the $ 10 a month for an old man who will probably only get to the gym twice a month seems like a deal. and besides i am self employed and will find the off hours. i will buy sneakers today and will bring my $ 5 tomorrow to workout and see if they can improve customer service so i can up their stars.
my tip of the day: once in awhile, you need to give up the computer and go back to good olé fashion customer service. this seems to be a computer problem because you need to be a member for 3 moths to transfer? seems like a simple fix if management override their computer program?

I’ve been a member of this gym for about 2 years, can’t beat the price. The upstairs positives: there’s a row of 10 – 15 gliders, same for elliptical machines, and twice as many treadmills. I rarely go during the busiest times, but when I have, there’s been no trouble getting an aerobic machine. The nautilus circuit has doubles of many of the machines. There’s a space for stretching, spray and paper towels for wiping off the machines. Happily, people do wipe off the machines after using, which isn’t the case for all gyms. There’s a row of TV’s and speakers attached to your aerobic machine into which you can plug your headphones. The floors are clean, the surfaces are clean.
The bad part of the upstairs: until recently, many of the speakers attached to the aerobic machines were either broken or missing. It seems as if they’ve replaced them, but I’ve had no incentive to check it out. The row of TV’s now have a terrible choice of channels — CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, ESPN, NY1. If you arrive in the late afternoon, you have nothing but news for hours. Previously, they had the CW, Telemundo, and the Food Network. I’m not a fan of Telemundo or the Food Network/​Channel, but they could use more variety. Also, staff has no ability to correct any malfunctioning TV. Last Sunday I arrived, wanting to watch football, but the channel was missing, replaced by yet another NY1, side by side with the TV which was supposed to show NY1. I spoke to the desk staff, where a woman responded to my question «do you know why the TV which is supposed to show CBS is showing NY1?» She looked and sounded irritated, replying that she didn’t. I said «neither do I, but then again I don’t work here». The male staff then said that they are not able to do anything with the TV’s, only the manager is capable of correcting any problem, and apparently she doesn’t work weekends. Despite the signs prohibiting cell phone use, there’s always at least one or two people too self-​important for this to apply to them, and converse loudly enough to be heard under noise canceling headphones. And the paper towels? Nice to have, but would also be nice if people wouldn’t leave them stuffed into the drink holders in the machines.
Downstairs are the free weights, a 30-​minute quick work-​out circuit (which has signs warning of dire consequences, should you monopolize the machines in this section. A good idea since people «resting» between reps on a machine puts it out of commission for everyone), equipment for exercising using just your body weight (for the back and stomach), and the same towel/​paper supply. There is also the sole water fountain, and a selection of bottled drinks (differently priced, depending upon whether you have the $ 10 — one branch Planet Fitness membership, or the other, where you can use more than one branch. Obviously the less expensive membership means you pay more for your purchased drink).
There are also 2 massage chairs, with a sign stating they are free for the black (more expensive) membership, but does not give a price for the less expensive white membership, or even if they are available at all for those with the white membership. There are also horizontal tanning booths. I’m not into tanning, so never even inquired about the terms of their use.
I can only speak of the women’s locker room and facilities. Until recently, there were always fresh flowers on the double sink countertop, a nice touch. The bathrooms are clean, not so much because the clientele are exceptional, but the staff are vigilant. I’ve seen toilet «misses» disappear by the next time I was in the room. The locker room is also clean, has a TV running, but the background music is the sound (the music selection varies by time of day, and is good). The door to the changing room is directly opposite the entrance to the locker/​bathroom area.
There are three showers, and here’s where it falls apart. The fixed shower heads are water-​saving of course, but they fail miserably in achieving that goal. While one shower head is somewhat better, the remaining two shower heads disperse water in a circular pattern, with no flow in the middle. This means that when water hits your hair, your face and everywhere down to your ribcage is in the middle of the circle and out of range of the spray. If you’re narrow, the side spray from the circular shower head doesn’t even touch your body, but sort of flows past it. You’re always adjusting, moving, to try and get some spray. If you want to get clean, there’s no such thing as a quick shower here. A hand held shower head would be a great substitute. Not only could you direct the spray and actually spend a normal amount of time in the shower (and save instead of waste water), but it would be easier for whoever cleans the showers to actually clean them. I’ve left shampoo suds on the walls which I would have loved to rinse off, but cupping my hands and trying to fling water at them doesn’t cut it.

I signed up for a year and so far I am liking it.
Lots of machines!
I go only in the mornings so it’s less people.
Only 3 showers and locker area is small.
There are lots of brown paper and these soapy water spray for you to clean the machine AFTER you work out on them.
Down side is that they don’t offer free towels to use for wiping off sweat like other gyms. well not really a down side since it’s better to just get your own instead.
But for the price, it’s great. However, I don’t think I see any water fountains so if you are in need of water. you gonna have to buy bottles that cost $ 1.50-$ 3.00 depending on the beverage.
If you are a black card member then it’s 50% off the drinks.

Hey people, the price is right. They have similar machines that they have at those other gyms on the island that cost an arm and a leg. They have paper towels and cleaning spray all the time. The staff are pretty cool and accommodating to all the customers need.
The first Monday’s are pizza night and Tuesday morning are bagel day… does your gym do that… hahaha… i know, i know, but it’s pretty interesting.
For those that are high baller and picky, this is not the place for you. But let me just let you know they have expanded all over SI and they are even out in the city.

This place is what it is. A low-​end, bare-​bones facility, with not a lot of free weight equipment (or equipment in general), and little to no personal training or group fitness. The upside… it is DIRT CHEAP! Plus, for me, it is less than 5 minutes from my house.
The weight floor is generally pretty clean (the locker rooms are another story). However, if your looking for a place to pop in and have a quick workout or cardio session, this fits the bill. I have another membership to a full-​scale gym close to my job in Manhattan, so this place suits my needs perfectly.

So after years of working out at home, I decided to join Planet Fitness bc my boyfriend and friends started to go there. For the past 3 years, I have been going and enjoying my workouts there, until about 6 months ago.
Unfortunately, I had to spend $ 1000 to buy my own elliptical for my house because I dont know what the heck happened to this gym!!!
My complaints:
1. Theres never any paper towels!
2. Theres never any cleaning spray [a.k.a. WATER] !
3. People come here to hang out on the treadmills & talk to their friends… WALK OR RUN ON YOUR TREADMILL & SHUT UP ALREADY! DON’T JUST STAND THERE WHILE OTHER PPL R WAITING FOR A TREADMILL!
4. EXCUSE ME, GHETTO FABULOUS… HOW U WEAR UR CLOTHES IN THE ‘HOOD IS ONE THING, BUT PICK UP UR PANTS WHILE UR ON THE TREADMILL! WE DONT NEED TO SEE YOUR UNDERWEAR!!! HOW ARE U EVEN «WORKING OUT» WHILE UR PANTS ARE FALLING OFF UR @SS???
5. This is a gym… not a runway. Take off your large hoop earrings.
6. There are signs EVERYWHERE stating that there are certain areas for cell phone use… so why are you on the machine talking on your cell? We don’t need to hear what your wife wants to cook for dinner !
7. Plan to spend some time driving around looking for parking.
8. MAKE SURE U CLEAN A MACHINE BEFORE U GET ON SINCE HALF THESE DISGUSTING PEOPLE DON’T EVEN CLEAN THEIR MACHINE AFTER SWEATING ON IT FOR 45 MINS!!!

This gym is clean (also because it is fairly new), and the price is fantastic. Second floor is filled with cardio machines and I always seem to find one without waiting. Could use a few more bench press machines but overall I am a happy camper.

While I was growing up, I always opted to work out in the comforts of my own home through the many fitness videos that worked so well for both of my older sisters. The thought of working out in front of people didn’t really appeal to me and I was quite content with doing it my way. Plus, I really didn’t have the money to afford it, of course lol.
But when a new gym opens ridiculously close to home and is only $ 10 a month, how can I resist? To be honest, a lot of close friends of mine go to this gym, and they all say how great it is. And when my best friend joined, how could I say no? So I joined back in May and although I am in the process of a mini hiatus from it, I have been there consistently through out the whole summer. And I absolutely loved it. I have also recruited a few people there, including my brother who now goes more than I do!
The best part about this gym, for me, is the fact that Monday — Thursday it is open 24 hours. This works out so well for me, since I am extremely nocturnal and have my biggest spurts of energy around midnight, lol. Although this gym is not particularly huge and the South Avenue location is more spacious, I feel it makes up in quality what it may lack in quantity. Every single time I have gone there is virtually no wait for any machinery. They have a line of about 30 treadmills, ellipticals, stairmasters, etc. So you never have to worry about waiting for someone to finish their work out.
And when you join, they provide you with a schedule of their busiest hours so you can avoid the rush. Staff are accomodating, environment is friendly and clean, and equipment is new.
The only downfall is that due to it’s busy location, there is no parking lot and it can be difficult finding parking on the residential streets around Forest Avenue.
To wrap it up, if you are looking for a great gym at very affordable rates, look no further than Planet Fitness!