No — Planet Fitness does not have saunas or steam rooms at any location. This applies to both standard and Black Card memberships. It's a deliberate company policy, not a location-by-location decision.
If you've been researching gym memberships and hoping to add a post-workout sauna session to your routine, Planet Fitness isn't the right fit. Despite being one of the largest gym chains in the United States with over 2,400 locations, Planet Fitness has never offered sauna or steam room access — and that's unlikely to change.
This guide explains why Planet Fitness made that call, what amenities they do offer, and which gym chains are your best options if sauna access matters to you.
Why Doesn't Planet Fitness Have a Sauna?
Planet Fitness built its brand on a very specific identity: low-cost, low-pressure fitness for casual gym-goers. Their marketing famously targets people who feel intimidated by traditional gyms — the "lunkhead" culture of heavy lifters, loud grunters, and competitive atmosphere.
Saunas and steam rooms don't fit that brand for a few reasons:
- Cost and maintenance: Commercial saunas require ongoing maintenance, humidity control, cleaning protocols, and liability management. For a gym charging $10–$25/month, these costs eat significantly into margins.
- Space requirements: Planet Fitness locations are designed for efficiency — lots of cardio machines and weight stations in a relatively compact footprint. A sauna requires dedicated space that could otherwise hold more equipment.
- The brand: Saunas attract a more wellness-focused, premium crowd. Planet Fitness has consciously positioned itself away from that market segment.
- Supervision requirements: Steam rooms and saunas require staff monitoring for safety reasons. Planet Fitness runs lean on staffing.
In short, it's a business decision that has nothing to do with your specific location. Every Planet Fitness, in every state, follows the same policy.
What Amenities Does Planet Fitness Actually Offer?
Planet Fitness does offer some recovery and wellness amenities — they're just not saunas. Here's what you get:
Standard Membership ($10/month)
- Full access to cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes)
- Strength equipment and free weights (though the free weight selection is limited)
- Circuit training area
- Clean locker rooms with showers
- Free fitness training with certified trainers (group sessions)
Black Card Membership ($25/month)
- Everything in the standard membership
- HydroMassage beds — water-jet massage beds available at most locations
- Tanning beds — UV and red light tanning options at most locations
- Massage chairs — automated chairs for quick recovery sessions
- Bring-a-guest privileges (one guest per visit)
- Use of any Planet Fitness location nationwide
HydroMassage is probably the closest thing Planet Fitness offers to a recovery amenity. The water-jet beds are genuinely relaxing and help with muscle soreness — but they're nothing like the cardiovascular and detox benefits of a proper sauna session.
Gyms with Saunas: Your Best Alternatives
If sauna access is important to you, here are the major gym chains that actually offer it:
| Gym Chain | Sauna? | Steam Room? | Approx. Cost/Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Fitness | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ~$30–$35 | Most locations; whirlpool too |
| 24 Hour Fitness | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ~$35–$50 | Varies by club tier |
| YMCA | Varies | Varies | ~$40–$80 | Many larger branches have saunas |
| Anytime Fitness | Some | Rare | ~$30–$50 | Franchise model — check location |
| Life Time Fitness | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ~$100–$200 | Luxury chain; excellent facilities |
| Equinox | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ~$150–$300 | Premium brand; best in class |
| Gold's Gym | Many | Many | ~$30–$50 | Varies by location |
| Planet Fitness | ✗ No | ✗ No | $10–$25 | No sauna, no steam room |
For most people balancing cost and sauna access, LA Fitness is the sweet spot. At around $30–$35/month, most locations include a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. That's dramatically better than Planet Fitness for recovery amenities without jumping to the $150+/month tier of Equinox or Life Time.
What About a Home Sauna or Cold Plunge?
If no gym in your area offers affordable sauna access, a home setup may be worth considering. The costs have come down significantly in recent years:
- Portable infrared sauna tent: $150–$400 — compact, easy to set up, decent for personal use
- Indoor infrared sauna cabinet: $1,000–$3,500 — full-sized, consistent heat, best long-term value
- Outdoor barrel sauna: $2,000–$8,000 — traditional Finnish experience, requires outdoor space
- DIY cold plunge: $200–$500 — stock tank or chest freezer conversion (see our DIY cold plunge guide)
If you're paying $30/month for a gym membership primarily to use the sauna, a home infrared sauna can pay for itself in 3–5 years — and you can use it any time, without driving anywhere.
Tip: Call Before You Join
Gym chains update their amenities over time. Before signing up anywhere specifically for sauna access, call the location directly and ask: "Does your location have a sauna available for members?" Don't rely on the website — franchise locations sometimes differ from corporate-listed amenities.
Summary
Planet Fitness does not have saunas, steam rooms, or hot tubs — at any location, under any membership tier. If you want sauna access as part of your gym membership, LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, and the YMCA are your most affordable options. For a premium experience, Life Time and Equinox deliver excellent facilities. And if no local gym works for your budget, a home infrared sauna or DIY cold plunge can be a surprisingly cost-effective long-term investment.