Treadmills At Planet Fitness

I went to Planet Fitness for the first time since surgery.   All I wanted to do was to walk a few minutes on the treadmill and then head home.  I was feeling good after a decent nights sleep and really wanted to make the most of the feeling and start moving more.   Well, I got on my first treadmill, fired it up and the darn thing started to skip and stop and sputter.  I got off that one and moved to another one and the same thing.   I read the instructions on the treadmill and lo and behold the treadmill is not for folks over 400 lbs...  Can you believe it, they have about 40 treadmills and not a one can handle someone my weight (431 as of yesterday)?  I was irritated but I really wanted to walk so I went to a third treadmill that I put up to 3 mph and was able to walk without the skipping.

I guess this is why I chose to have surgery to get myself into a "normal" weight but just pissed that I can't escape the norm even when I'm trying to be good.  Well, the good news is that I'll be kicking 400 lbs in the ass before I know it and those treadmills will no longer skip.  Gotta keep on moving forward and keep my eyes on the prize.

Do you live in one of those freezing places that we westerners keep hearing about on the news?  Otherwise, why use a treadmill?  Sidewalks are free.

Yup, unfortunately there is still about 10 inches of snow/ice on most sidewalks around my house.  Soon enough I'll be able to get around in the neighborhood without slipping and landing on my surgery!!!

The good news is that in a few months it won't be an issue at walking speeds. I have a membership to a gym with 4 locations. The one I use most often has some pretty good treadmills that don't skip but two of the locations have TM's with loose belts. There is not much scarrier than running at a good clip and all of a sudden the belt skips. Any time I do speed work, I hook up the safety line just in case. Can't wait to get back outside though! Good luck

Thanks Scott.  That is good news.  I can't imagine that skip at a good clip.  Its scary enough at a slow speed.  But like you said, before long it won't be happening any more and soon enough I'll be able to just walk around the neighborhood.  Thanks!

Keep your spirits up and know that all your work will be worth it and this will be a non issue shortly.   

I loathe the dreadmill but find myself on them all the time.

Yup, will do and I made it back there again today for 15 mins.  Must have been on a better TM today as it didn't skip that much.  Thanks and as you said it will definitely be a non issue before long!!

Hey man -

Been there and done that with treadmills.  Used to be 404, now 280 in just under 4 months.  Soon it won't be a problem for you.

Good luck!

Good work guys...

I am seriously thinking about joining Planet Fitness too, I am having my bypass next week and I know I have to put aside my dislike of running and the treadmills are probably the way to go, but I was wondering about the attitude of the staff towards us larger folk... how have you found them to be?

I go to two different Planet Fitness locations and have found them both to be fine.  My experience is that their price is so low that there are tons of people there and even at our sizes we just blend in.  No problems at all especially where there are really not many lunk heads!!  Good Luck!