Alright, so you're asking about the tanning situation at Planet Fitness, yeah? Blimey, that takes me back. I remember when I first signed up at the PF over on Holloway Road, must've been… 2018? Something like that. Thought I’d get all fancy with a bit of colour before a mate’s wedding in Brighton. What a laugh that was.
Let's talk about what you actually get. Right, first off – and this is the bit they don't always make crystal clear – not every Planet Fitness has tanning. It’s not like the treadmills, you know? It depends entirely on the specific club. The bigger ones, the so-called "PF Black Card" locations, they're the ones that usually have the tanning beds or those stand-up booths. The classic, no-frills membership? Forget about it. Tanning’s a Black Card perk.
So availability. Even if your gym has it, you can't just waltz in and hop on a bed. You have to book a session, usually through their app or at the front desk. And here’s the kicker – time slots go quickly, especially in the evenings and weekends. I learned that the hard way. Turned up on a Tuesday at 7 PM thinking I’d be sorted, only to be told by a very bored-looking lad at the counter that the next free slot was next Thursday. So much for my pre-wedding glow! You’ve got to be a bit strategic, plan it like a military operation.
Now, the fees. This is where it gets interesting, or maybe a bit cheeky, depending on how you look at it. You don’t pay per session. Nah. Tanning access is bundled into that Black Card membership, which is about… oh, twenty-odd quid a month on top of the basic fee? But hold on, there’s always a catch, innit? That membership gets you *unlimited* tanning, in theory. But "unlimited" doesn't mean "whenever you fancy." They have these rules about spacing out sessions – something about health regulations. Pretty sure it was 24 hours between goes at my local. So you can’t just live in the thing, more’s the pity.
And the beds themselves? Look, manage your expectations. We’re not talking high-end spa luxury here. The one I used had a faint smell of… disinfectant and warm plastic, with a poster on the wall reminding you to wear the goggles (which, by the way, felt like something from a Year 7 science class). It did the job, gave me a bit of colour, but it was a bit… functional. A means to an end.
Honestly, the whole *planet fitness tanning* setup feels like a bonus feature, not the main event. It’s there if you want it, and it makes the Black Card feel like a better value if you’ll use the massage chairs or the hydro-massage too. But if you're joining purely for a perfect, salon-quality tan? I’d probably look elsewhere, love. I ended up with slightly streaky knees and the distinct feeling I’d forgotten a patch on my back. Spent the whole wedding reception trying to stand at a flattering angle!
It’s convenient, sure. Cheap, if you’re already paying for the top membership. But is it defining? Nah. It’s just… there. Like the vending machine in the lobby. Sometimes you use it, most times you just walk on by to the weights section. My advice? If your local PF has it and you’ve already got the Black Card, give it a whirl. But maybe do a trial run before any big events. Trust me on that one.
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