Planet Fitness Student Discount does not currently offer a formal, widely advertised student discount on their standard memberships.
However, students can still save in several ways. Planet Fitness memberships are already among the most affordable in the fitness industry, with Classic memberships starting as low as $10 per month.
Some locations may offer special promotions during back-to-school seasons, so it’s worth checking with your local club directly.
Additionally, students should explore whether their school, university, or employer offers wellness reimbursement programs that could offset membership costs.
Signing up during promotional periods — often with no startup fee — is the best way for students to save.
Table of Contents
Quick Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Formal Student Discount | Not widely available |
| Classic Membership Cost | Starting at ~$10/month |
| Black Card Membership Cost | Starting at ~$25/month |
| Back-to-School Promotions | Available at some locations seasonally |
| No Startup Fee Deals | Offered periodically — great for students |
| Wellness Reimbursement | Check with school or employer |
| Best Way to Save | Sign up during promotional periods |
| Enrollment Fee | Sometimes waived during promotions |
| Minimum Age | 13+ (with parental consent) |
Planet Fitness Student Discount
eating ramen four nights a week and trying to figure out how to stay in shape without bleeding out my already-thin bank account.
A gym membership felt like a luxury I couldn’t justify — until a friend mentioned she was paying basically nothing at Planet Fitness.
That sent me down a rabbit hole I wish someone had mapped out for me. So here it is.
First, Let Me Clear Up the Big Confusion
Here’s something that trips up a lot of students: Planet Fitness doesn’t advertise a universal student discount the way some gyms do. There’s no promo code you type in at checkout for 20% off because you have a .edu email. No “show your student ID” banner on the website.
When I first searched for this, I found a bunch of articles claiming Planet Fitness has a “student discount” — and half of them were just… wrong, or outdated, or vague.
I actually called my local Planet Fitness to ask directly, and the answer I got was something like: “We don’t have a formal student discount, but our Classic membership is already pretty affordable.”
Which is technically true. But that’s not the whole story.
The Real Deal: Planet Fitness Pricing Is Already Student-Friendly
Planet Fitness built its entire brand around being the “Judgment Free Zone” and, more practically, being cheap.
Their Classic membership typically runs around $10/month (sometimes $15 depending on location and current promos). That’s legitimately one of the lowest gym membership prices you’ll find anywhere.
The Black Card membership, which adds perks like guest privileges, unlimited tanning, massage chairs, and access to any Planet Fitness location, usually runs around $24.99/month.
So while there’s no “student discount” sticker on it, $10/month is already designed for people on tight budgets — including students. I’ve seen friends pay more for a Spotify subscription.
That said, there ARE ways students can pay even less or get better deals. Let me walk through them.
Ways Students Can Actually Save at Planet Fitness
Check If Your College Has a Partnership
This one is underused and honestly a bit of a lottery depending on where you go to school.
Some colleges — particularly those without great on-campus gym facilities — have negotiated partnership deals with Planet Fitness. These might offer:
- Reduced monthly rates (I’ve seen as low as $6–$8/month in some regions)
- No enrollment fee waiver
- Semester-based billing that syncs with the academic calendar
How do you find this? First, check your university’s student services or recreation department website. Second, ask your student union or campus wellness center directly.
Third, just walk into your nearest Planet Fitness and ask “do you have any arrangements with [your university]?” — honestly, the staff usually know.
I didn’t find one at my school, but a friend at a state university nearby had a deal through her campus that cut her rate down significantly.
Time Your Sign-Up Around Promotions
Planet Fitness runs enrollment fee waivers fairly regularly — sometimes tied to the calendar (January for New Year’s resolutions, back-to-school season in August/September), sometimes just local promotions.
The enrollment fee is normally around $1–$49 depending on timing, so catching a waiver can save you real money.
As a student, back-to-school season is perfect timing. Late July through September is when Planet Fitness tends to push deals because they know students are moving to new cities and looking for gym options. That’s the window I’d watch.
Sign up for Planet Fitness’s email list and check their website directly — they usually announce these on their homepage.
Use UNiDAYS or Student Beans (Check Current Availability)
This is where things get tricky. Discount platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans partner with brands to offer student-verified deals.
Planet Fitness has appeared on these platforms in the past with limited-time offers, and they do pop back up periodically.
It’s worth signing up for UNiDAYS (free with a .edu email) and searching for Planet Fitness.
The deal might not be live right now, but it has been before. When it is, it’s usually something like a waived enrollment fee or a discounted first few months.
Corporate Wellness Benefits (For Students Who Work Part-Time)
If you have a part-time job — retail, campus jobs, internships — it’s worth asking your employer if they have a corporate wellness program.
Many companies partner with gyms and reimburse memberships or negotiate group rates, even for part-time workers.
I never thought to ask at my campus bookstore job until a coworker mentioned it, and sure enough, there was a reimbursement benefit nobody had told me about.
Annual Membership Commitment
Planet Fitness offers a PF Black Card at a reduced annual rate if you prepay for the year.
If you’re staying in the same city for the full academic year (or the full calendar year), doing the math on annual vs. monthly can save you $20–$50 over the course of 12 months.
For the Classic $10/month membership, it’s harder to negotiate down further with an annual commitment since it’s already low.
But for Black Card members, it’s worth asking at the front desk about annual options.
What the Membership Actually Includes (And Whether It’s Worth It for Students)
For a student lifestyle, the Classic membership hits a surprisingly good sweet spot. Here’s what you’re getting:
Classic Membership (~$10/month):
- Unlimited access to your home club
- Standard cardio and strength equipment
- Free fitness training (yes, really — they offer free PE@PF training sessions)
- Locker rooms with showers
Black Card (~$24.99/month):
- All of the above
- Access to any Planet Fitness location nationwide (huge if you go home for breaks)
- Bring a guest every visit for free
- Massage chairs and hydromassage
- Tanning beds
For most students, the Classic membership is the obvious pick. But here’s when I’d actually recommend Black Card:
if you split your year between your college city and your hometown (or you travel), the multi-location access pays for itself in convenience.
I upgraded to Black Card my junior year because I went home for breaks a lot, and my hometown Planet Fitness was three minutes from my parents’ house.
The free PE@PF training sessions are criminally underused by students, by the way.
It’s not personal training — it’s group fitness training led by staff — but for beginners it’s actually a solid way to learn how to use equipment and build a routine without paying for a personal trainer.
Signing Up Step-by-Step
If you’ve decided to join, here’s how to do it without paying more than you have to:
- Check your school first. Google “[Your University Name] + Planet Fitness discount” or ask your student wellness office.
- Check UNiDAYS. Go to unidays.com, verify with your .edu email, and search for Planet Fitness. Takes five minutes.
- Pick your timing. If there’s no deal right now, wait for August/September or early January if you can.
- Go to the Planet Fitness website or app. Click “Join Now” and select your club based on location. The app is clean and easy to use — you can manage your membership, check-in, and access a workout library from it.
- Choose Classic or Black Card. Don’t let upselling pressure you into Black Card unless the multi-location or guest access genuinely helps you.
- Read the cancellation policy. This is the one people mess up. Planet Fitness requires cancellation in person or by certified mail for month-to-month memberships. Know this going in so you’re not stuck paying for three extra months when you move home for the summer.
The Cancellation Thing — Don’t Skip This Part
I’ve heard the Planet Fitness cancellation complaint more times than I can count. You can’t just cancel through the app or by calling.
You either walk into your home club and fill out a cancellation form, or you send a certified letter to the club’s address.
For students, this matters because the end of the school year is when you’re most likely to move or stop needing the membership.
Put a reminder in your phone for about 30 days before your lease ends. Handle the cancellation before you leave town, not after.
I made this mistake my sophomore year — moved home for the summer thinking I’d “deal with it later” and got charged for two additional months. Not a catastrophe, but $20 I could’ve kept.
Honest Pros and Cons for Students
What works:
- The price is genuinely low
- Locations are everywhere, which matters when you’re moving around
- No pressure, no judgment (it’s not a hardcore gym culture)
- 24/7 access at many locations (great for late-night or early-morning study break workouts)
- Free training sessions are a real perk if you use them
What doesn’t work:
- No pool, no group fitness classes included (unlike some campus gyms)
- The equipment is cardio-heavy — if you’re into serious powerlifting, the lack of Olympic platforms and limited free weight selection might frustrate you
- Cancellation process is annoying by design
- Some locations get crowded in January and September
A Few Alternatives Worth Knowing
If Planet Fitness ultimately isn’t the right fit, a couple alternatives students often overlook:
- Campus rec centers: Often included in student fees or available for a reduced rate. If your school has a good gym, use it. It’s probably subsidized.
- YMCA student discounts: The Y often has legitimate student rate programs.
- LA Fitness/Crunch: Sometimes run competitive intro offers in college towns.
But honestly? For the price, flexibility, and sheer number of locations, Planet Fitness is hard to beat if you’re a student watching your budget.
FAQ’s
Does Planet Fitness offer a student discount?
Planet Fitness does not currently offer a formal student discount. However, their memberships are already very affordable, starting at just $10 per month for a Classic membership.
Can high school students join Planet Fitness?
Yes. Members as young as 13 can join Planet Fitness with parental consent, making it accessible for high school students looking for an affordable gym option.
Are there any back-to-school deals at Planet Fitness?
Some locations run seasonal promotions during back-to-school periods, often waiving enrollment or startup fees. Check with your local club or their website for current offers.
Can I use a wellness reimbursement from my school for Planet Fitness?
Possibly. Many colleges and universities offer student wellness programs or reimbursements. Contact your school’s health or recreation department to find out if Planet Fitness qualifies.
What is the cheapest way for a student to join Planet Fitness?
The best approach is to sign up during a promotional period when startup fees are waived. The Classic membership at around $10 per month remains one of the most budget-friendly gym options available.
Conclusion
For students watching their budget, Planet Fitness remains one of the smartest fitness choices available.
While a dedicated student discount program isn’t formally offered, the gym’s already low membership prices make it genuinely accessible for high schoolers, college students, and young adults navigating tight finances.
At roughly $10 per month for a Classic membership, Planet Fitness is hard to beat in terms of pure value.
That price point already undercuts most competitors significantly, even without a student-specific discount applied.
For students who want additional perks like tanning, massage chairs, and guest privileges, upgrading to the Black Card membership at around $25 per month still represents exceptional value compared to traditional gym pricing.
The key for students is timing.
Signing up during back-to-school promotions or other seasonal deals — when startup and enrollment fees are frequently waived — can make joining even more affordable.
Pairing that with a wellness reimbursement from your school or university can reduce costs further still.
Staying fit during the school years doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Planet Fitness offers a clean, judgment-free environment that welcomes students of all fitness levels.
With a little planning and smart timing, any student can access a quality gym experience without straining their budget.
