Red light therapy at Planet Fitness is available through their Total Body Enhancement booths, found in Black Card member locations.
The booth uses red light wavelengths (around 630–880 nm) combined with a vibration platform to offer potential benefits like improved skin tone, reduced inflammation, muscle recovery, and increased circulation.
Sessions typically last 12 minutes. Members stand inside the booth, which emits red and near-infrared light across the body.
While research on red light therapy is ongoing, many users report feeling more energized and noticing subtle skin improvements over time.
It’s included free with a Black Card membership — no extra charge.
Table of Contents
Quick Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Booth Name | Total Body Enhancement |
| Membership Required | Black Card |
| Session Length | 12 minutes |
| Light Wavelengths | ~630–880 nm (red & near-infrared) |
| Extra Cost | None (included with Black Card) |
| Key Benefits | Skin tone, muscle recovery, circulation, reduced inflammation |
| Also Includes | Vibration platform |
| Availability | Black Card Planet Fitness locations |
Red Light Therapy at Planet Fitness
Let me be honest — I walked past that red glowing booth at my Planet Fitness for three months before I ever stepped inside it. I thought it was a tanning bed.
A fancy, overpriced tanning bed that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie. My buddy Jake kept telling me to try it after his workouts. I kept brushing him off.
Then one Tuesday in January, my legs were absolutely wrecked from back-to-back leg days. I’d been pushing hard, trying to hit a new squat PR, and both my quads and my sleep were suffering for it.
Out of sheer desperation — and partly because I had nothing to lose — I finally stepped inside that red booth.
Six months later, I’m a regular. Not a “fanatic who believes it cures everything” regular — I’m a “this actually fits into my routine and I’ve noticed real differences” regular. And that’s the honest story I want to share with you today.
“Red light therapy isn’t magic. But used consistently and correctly at Planet Fitness, it’s become one of the most underrated perks of the Black Card membership.”
What Planet Fitness Actually Offers (And What It Isn’t)
First, let’s clear up the confusion I had for those first three months. The red light booths at Planet Fitness — officially called Total Body Enhancement booths — are NOT tanning beds. There’s zero UV light involved. You won’t get a tan, and you won’t get a sunburn.
The machines are made by a company called Beauty Angel, and they combine two things: red light at around 633 nanometers wavelength, and vibration plate technology at the base. You stand inside (fully clothed or in minimal clothing, your call), the red lights surround you, and the platform vibrates gently beneath your feet.
The sessions are either 8 or 12 minutes depending on your gym’s setup — mine defaults to 12. You just stand there. That’s genuinely it.
Important — This Is a Black Card Perk
- Total Body Enhancement is only available to Planet Fitness Black Card members — the higher-tier membership ($25/month as of this writing, though prices vary by location).
- Standard memberships do NOT include access to the booth.
- You can use it once per day, every day if you want.
- It’s free with membership — no separate booking or add-on fee.
The Science Behind It (Without Getting Too Nerdy)
I’m not a doctor. I won’t pretend to be. But I did fall down a research rabbit hole on this, and here’s what the evidence actually says in plain language.
Red and near-infrared light at specific wavelengths can penetrate your skin and reach the mitochondria in your cells — the little energy factories inside you.
When this light hits them, there’s a process called photobiomodulation that essentially stimulates those mitochondria to produce more energy (ATP).
More cellular energy means cells can function better, repair faster, and reduce inflammation more efficiently.
Studies have shown legitimate results in areas like muscle recovery, skin health (collagen production, reduced fine lines), sleep quality, and inflammation reduction.
It’s not pseudoscience — NASA actually did early research on it. But it’s also not a miracle cure, and the machines at Planet Fitness are consumer-grade, not clinical-grade.
“Think of it like sunlight for your cells — but just the beneficial wavelengths, with none of the UV damage.”
That framing helped it click for me.
633nmRed light wavelength used
12 minTypical session length
~$25Black Card monthly cost
3–4 wksWhen I noticed results
How to Actually Use the Total Body Enhancement Booth
The machine itself isn’t complicated, but there are things I wish someone had told me upfront. Here’s exactly how to use it:
- Find the booth first. At most Planet Fitness locations, it’s near the tanning beds or in a separate wellness area. Look for a tall, cylindrical or oval booth glowing red. It usually says “Total Body Enhancement” on it.
- Check if it’s occupied or cooling down. There’s usually a light indicator. If someone just used it, the booth needs a brief cooldown. You might wait 5–10 minutes at peak hours.
- Decide what to wear (or not). Red light penetrates thin clothing somewhat, but your skin absorbs it most directly. I usually go in shorts only. Some people go in their full workout clothes. Eye protection isn’t required (the lights aren’t UV), but close your eyes or look away from the panels — staring directly at bright lights for 12 minutes isn’t fun.
- Scan your Black Card. There’s a reader outside the booth. Tap your keychain tag or scan the app — this logs your session and unlocks the machine.
- Set your preferences on the screen. You can usually adjust intensity and whether the vibration plate is on. I do about 70% red light intensity and medium vibration. Beginners: start at 50% and no vibration until you’re comfortable.
- Stand on the platform, relax, and breathe. Don’t overthink it. You can do stretches, light movement, or just stand still. I usually do some hip circles and light shoulder rolls while I’m in there — doubles as extra mobility work.
- Use it post-workout for recovery, not pre-workout. More on this below — it’s a mistake I made early on.
My Actual Experience: What Changed, What Didn’t
I want to be careful here, because the internet is full of people either claiming red light therapy cured their everything or dismissing it entirely as a scam. My experience falls somewhere honest in the middle.
What I actually noticed:
Muscle soreness recovery was noticeably faster. This was the first real change I observed. In week three or four of regular use (4–5 sessions per week, always post-workout), my DOMS — that delayed soreness that kicks in a day or two after heavy lifting — felt less severe.
My legs would be sore after squats, but by day two I was moving more freely than usual. I can’t say red light was 100% responsible — I was also sleeping better around this time — but the timing correlated.
Sleep quality improved. This surprised me. I started falling asleep faster and feeling more rested. Red light therapy has some research support for improving circadian rhythm and melatonin production.
I honestly didn’t expect this benefit at all.
Skin texture — subtle but real. My wife noticed before I did. My skin looked slightly less dull, and some rough patches on my forearms smoothed out. Nothing dramatic. But it was there.
What I didn’t notice:
Fat loss or metabolism changes. Zero. None. If you’re going in expecting weight loss results, manage those expectations hard. This is not a fat-burning device.
Pain relief for joint issues. I have mild knee discomfort from old sports injuries. The red light didn’t touch it. Clinical-grade devices targeting joints at higher intensities might help, but not this.
Dramatic skin transformation. The skin improvements I mentioned were subtle. If you’re expecting a cosmetic overhaul, you’ll be disappointed.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Using it BEFORE my workout instead of after
For the first two weeks, I used the booth as a warm-up before lifting.
Turns out, for recovery benefits, post-workout is far more effective — your muscles have already been stressed and the light can support the repair process. Save it for after.
Starting at full intensity immediately
I cranked it to 100% on day one because why not, right? My skin felt slightly irritated and warm for a couple hours — not painful, just uncomfortable. Start at 50–60% and build up over a week or two.
Expecting results after two sessions
I almost gave up after a week. Red light therapy is cumulative — the benefits build with consistent use over weeks. Don’t judge it in the first 7 days. Give it a genuine 4–6 week run before you decide.
Wearing heavy gym clothes the whole time
Light travels through thin fabric to some extent, but thick cotton blocks a significant portion of it. You don’t need to go naked, but lighter is better. Try a tank top and shorts at minimum.
Using it every single day during a rest week
More isn’t always better. On complete rest days where I’m not training, I skip the booth. There’s no strong reason to stress your body with any additional stimulus on true recovery days.
How Planet Fitness Compares to Dedicated Red Light Therapy Devices
This is worth addressing because it’s the most common question I get: “Is this as good as buying a real red light therapy panel?”
Short answer: No. The Total Body Enhancement booths are consumer-grade, not clinical-grade.
A dedicated device like a Joovv panel or a Red Light Rising device operates at higher irradiance levels and often includes near-infrared wavelengths (around 850nm) that penetrate deeper into tissue for more substantial cellular effects.
But — and this is a significant but — those devices cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000+. The Planet Fitness booth costs you nothing beyond your $25/month Black Card membership, which you probably already have for the other perks like guest privileges and massage chairs.
The Value Equation
A dedicated Joovv Solo 3.0 panel costs around $699. If you use Planet Fitness’s Total Body Enhancement 4 days a week, you’re getting red light exposure for essentially free (built into membership).
Over 12 months, that’s nearly $700 in savings compared to a mid-tier device.
Is it as powerful? No. Is it worth using if you already have access? Absolutely yes.
Think of it as a solid B-grade tool you have unlimited access to, versus an A-grade tool that costs a lot more and requires a significant upfront investment.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Try This
Red light therapy is generally well-tolerated and safe for most people. But there are some common-sense guidelines:
Good Fit For:
- People focused on muscle recovery and reducing post-workout soreness
- Anyone looking to improve sleep quality alongside consistent training
- Those interested in skin health benefits (collagen, texture, mild anti-aging)
- Black Card members who want to maximize value from their membership
- People curious about red light therapy but not ready to invest in a home device
Proceed with Caution or Skip:
- Anyone on photosensitizing medications (some antibiotics, certain acne treatments) — check with your doctor first
- Pregnant women — research is limited; consult your OB before using
- Anyone with active cancer — red light stimulates cell growth, which may not be advisable
- People expecting dramatic fat loss, pain relief for serious injuries, or clinical-level results from a consumer booth
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Each Session
After six months of regular use and quite a bit of experimentation, here’s what’s actually made a difference for me:
Time it right. Use it within 30–60 minutes after your workout, while your muscles are still in repair mode. This is when the cellular energy boost seems most useful.
Hydrate before you go in. The combination of post-workout dehydration and a warm, enclosed booth can make you feel lightheaded. Drink water first.
Use the vibration plate actively. Don’t just stand there like a statue. Do some gentle calf raises, hip shifts, or light stretching. The vibration adds a myofascial relaxation element that compounds nicely with the light.
Be consistent for at least a month. I can’t stress this enough. The benefits are cumulative. Missing sessions frequently will keep resetting your baseline. Try to hit 4–5 sessions per week for a full month before you evaluate it.
Pair it with your other Black Card perks. I usually do: workout → red light booth → massage chair. That 30-minute post-gym recovery block has become one of my favorite parts of the whole routine.
A Note on Managing Your Expectations
Here’s the part I feel like most articles skip: red light therapy is a support tool, not a transformation tool.
If your training is inconsistent, your sleep is poor, and your nutrition is off, spending 12 minutes in a red light booth three times a week isn’t going to change much.
It’s like the massage chair after a workout — deeply pleasant, probably helpful, but it only adds value on top of an already functional routine.
I started noticing the benefits of the booth at Planet Fitness around the same time I got more consistent with sleep and protein intake. I genuinely can’t attribute every improvement to the light therapy alone.
What I can say is this: in the context of a consistent training and recovery routine, it seems to add a real, if modest, edge.
And at zero additional cost beyond my existing Black Card membership, that edge is absolutely worth showing up for.
FAQ’s
How often should I use Total Body Enhancement at Planet Fitness?
Most users find 3–5 sessions per week optimal for noticeable results over time.
Do I need to wear anything special inside the booth?
Minimal clothing is recommended to maximize skin exposure to the red light.
How long before I see results?
Many users notice improvements in skin and energy levels within 4–8 weeks of consistent use.
Is red light therapy safe?
Yes, it is generally considered safe for most people. Those with light-sensitive conditions should consult a doctor first.
Can I use it before or after a workout?
Both work well — before a workout to warm up muscles, or after to aid recovery.
Conclusion
Red light therapy through Planet Fitness’s Total Body Enhancement booth is one of the most underutilized perks of a Black Card membership.
For no additional cost, members gain access to a therapy that spas and wellness clinics typically charge premium prices for.
Whether your goal is healthier-looking skin, faster muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, or simply a boost in daily energy, consistent use of the booth can deliver meaningful benefits over time.
The addition of a vibration platform makes each 12-minute session even more effective by stimulating circulation and muscle activation simultaneously.
The key to seeing real results is consistency.
Sporadic sessions here and there won’t move the needle much, but committing to several sessions per week alongside your regular workout routine can compound the benefits significantly.
If you’re already a Black Card member and haven’t tried Total Body Enhancement yet, there’s no reason to wait.
Step in, stand tall, and let the light do the work. It’s a simple, painless, and science-backed addition to your wellness routine that costs you nothing extra — making it one of the smartest fitness hacks available at Planet Fitness today.
