I have been known to take my dog with me everywhere. Literally. So when signing up for a gym, finding one that is pet-friendly would be a major plus.
With Planet Fitness being around every corner and offering competitive prices, they were my first option. But what about their pet policy? Does Planet Fitness allow dogs?
Does Planet Fitness Allow Dogs?
Dogs are not allowed in Planet Fitness. However, there is an exception for service dogs. The service dogs allowed should be classified as service animals according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not allowed at Planet Fitness because they aren’t considered service animals.
To learn more about Planet Fitness’s pet policy and whether or not your dog can accompany you to your next workout, keep reading…
Can I Take My Dog to Planet Fitness?
Unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring your dog to Planet Fitness unless it’s a service animal.
If you find it difficult to leave your dog at home while you exercise, you should look for a dog daycare or a gym that is pet friendly and allows you to bring your pet along with you to your gym.
The most prevalent reason that Planet Fitness does not permit dogs is that it can become a sanitary issue. Perhaps your dog is properly potty-trainer and doesn’t chew or bite things, but it just takes one poorly-behaved pup to ruin things for the rest of them.
It’s much easier to prohibit pets altogether than deal with any issues as they occur.
The second reason is that it is not safe for the dogs to run around in a location where heavy equipment is located. They might be injured or would end up getting hurt or hurting someone in the process.
Also, Planet Fitness does not have a specific spot for dogs, which enhances the odds of such incidents happening.
Lastly, except for a handful of breeds, dogs tend to shed, and some a lot. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to dog fur, and permitting dogs in Planet Fitness can jeopardize people’s health.
Read: Does Planet Fitness Have Personal Trainers?
Does Planet Fitness Allow Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)?
Some people misunderstand Planet Fitness’ policies for service animals with emotional support animals. There is a clear difference between the two, as, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, “emotional support” dogs are not “service” dogs.
The primary distinction between ESAs and service dogs is that ESAs are not taught to perform any particular jobs or duties on behalf of their owner with a disability.
However, service dogs are only legally recognized if they have undergone extensive training to carry out a series of commands for a person with a disability.
Emotional support animals are not afforded the same legal protections as service animals, are generally not permitted in most public places, and are not allowed in Planet Fitness gyms.
Even for service animals, Planet Fitness has some policies, which are as follows:
- Everyone, including the service animal, should be able to enjoy all public spaces freely.
- In cases when it is unclear whether an animal in question is a service animal, staff members may inquire as to whether or not the animal is needed because of an impairment and/or what tasks it has been trained to complete.
- The handler is in charge of the service animal’s daily needs, such as feeding, grooming, cleaning, veterinary care, and supervision.
Read: Is Planet Fitness a Good Gym?
Conclusion…
Dogs are strictly prohibited in Planet Fitness gyms as part of their policy. Even the rule is strict for not allowing emotional support animals in their gyms.
Service animals, however, are allowed in Planet Fitness gyms.
If you want to take your dog along to your workout, then Planet Fitness is not an option for you. Some other gyms may be more lenient, especially smaller, family-owned ones.
Many Crossfit gyms are famously welcoming of pets, but the policies vary from gym to gym.