Planet Fitness Redwood City: Affordable Fitness with Spa Perks in California

Planet Fitness Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For California residents seeking a simple, low-cost entry point into fitness, Planet Fitness—located at 242 Walnut St in Redwood City—offers a highly accessible option. Positioned as the "Judgement Free Zone®," this facility is designed to welcome everyone, from first-time gym users to those returning to a routine. The core philosophy is to provide a comfortable, non-intimidating environment where members can pursue their fitness goals without the pressure often associated with more intensely focused gyms.

The business model centers around providing tons of quality cardio and strength equipment at an extremely competitive price. While the affordability successfully attracts a large membership base—sometimes leading to crowded conditions, as noted by local reviews—the gym delivers on its promise of accessible fitness. Furthermore, the staff behind the desk is consistently praised for being "really great" and friendly. The most compelling value, however, lies in the upgraded PF Black Card® membership, which unlocks premium spa-like amenities that can transform the gym experience from a simple workout into a holistic wellness break, offering excellent recovery tools.

Location and Accessibility

Planet Fitness is conveniently situated at 242 Walnut St, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA. Its location is advantageous for the local California community, often found near large retail centers, which typically ensures ample parking and easy navigation for a quick gym visit. The specific Redwood City branch is reportedly located between major retailers, providing a familiar and accessible landmark.

Key accessibility features for members include:

Free Parking: The surrounding retail environment often translates to ample parking availability for members.
Locker Rooms and Showers: Essential amenities are provided for members to change and refresh post-workout.
Free WiFi: Available throughout the club to keep members connected during their session or for using the PF App.

This central location makes it a straightforward choice for residents and those who work nearby, minimizing the time spent traveling and maximizing the time spent on fitness.

Services Offered

Planet Fitness is structured to deliver essential fitness services alongside distinct member perks, primarily through its two main membership tiers—the Classic and the PF Black Card®:

Cardio and Strength Training: Unlimited access to a wide array of equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, dual adjustable pulleys, Smith machines, cable towers, and a selection of free weights.
30 Minute Circuit: A structured circuit area designed for quick, full-body workouts.
Free In-Club Fitness Training: Unlimited access to certified trainers for small group fitness classes, equipment instruction, and assistance with customized workout plans.
PF App Workouts: Access to the free PF App for on-demand digital workouts, equipment tutorials, and a crowd meter to check club busyness.
PF Black Card® Amenities: (Available with the upgraded membership) Unlimited use of Massage Chairs, HydroMassage™ beds, Tanning facilities, and Total Body Enhancement (Red Light Therapy with vibration).
Guest Privileges: PF Black Card® members can Bring a Guest Anytime for free on every visit.
Worldwide Access: PF Black Card® members have access to any of the 2,700+ Planet Fitness locations worldwide, an invaluable perk for traveling California professionals or those who use multiple locations.

Features / Highlights

Planet Fitness in Redwood City has several distinguishing features that set it apart in the local fitness market:

Unbeatable Value: Offering a low monthly fee (starting with the Classic membership) makes high-quality fitness access affordable for all California budgets.
The PF Black Card® Spa: The 'Black Card Room' amenities, including HydroMassage and Massage Chairs, are often cited by local users as being 'excellent' and worth the entire membership price for relaxation and recovery alone.
The Judgement Free Zone®: The core commitment to a welcoming environment, discouraging 'lunk' behavior and aggressive weight dropping, is an attractive feature for beginners and those seeking a more relaxed gym setting.
Friendly and Helpful Staff: Despite the occasional overcrowding issues, customer reviews consistently highlight the staff behind the desk as "really great," professional, and friendly.
24/7 Availability: This specific location is often open 24 hours a day, providing maximum flexibility for members to work out at any time, a crucial feature for the unpredictable schedules in the Bay Area (users should verify current hours).
Modern Equipment: The facility is noted to have new, modern equipment, particularly in the cardio section (treadmills and ellipticals), ensuring a quality workout experience.

Contact Information

Planet Fitness

Address: 242 Walnut St, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA

Phone: (650) 363-1641

Mobile Phone: +1 650-363-1641

What is Worth Choosing

Planet Fitness at 242 Walnut St is worth choosing for California residents who are either budget-conscious or primarily focused on general fitness and post-workout recovery. For the entry-level price, the access to quality cardio and strength machines, plus free fitness training, is unmatched in value. However, the true value proposition lies in the PF Black Card® membership.

The Black Card transforms the gym into a wellness center, offering unlimited access to premium spa perks like HydroMassage and Massage Chairs, which members find to be an excellent, enjoyable deal and a great reward after a long day or intense session. It also provides the ability to bring a guest anytime—an ideal way for friends or family to join your fitness journey for free. While potential members should be prepared for busy peak hours and the unique energy that comes with a high-volume, low-cost gym, the overall offering provides a safe, clean, and highly affordable gateway to fitness and relaxation in Redwood City. For the ultimate combination of value and recovery amenities, the PF Black Card® option is highly recommended.

Planet Fitness Photos

Planet Fitness Location

Planet Fitness

California San Mateo County Redwood City Walnut Street

242 Walnut St, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA

Planet Fitness Reviews

I rarely leave a bad review, but I was compelled to with this one. Way too crowded and strange energy as members were fighting for equipment and waiting in line. I’ve enjoyed every planet fitness I’ve been to except this one, so I won’t be returning.
July 29 · Darren Hart
The equipment is good. The treadmill and elliptical machines are excellent. You will have to aggressively negotiate for a weight machine in the gym as a lot of people commandeer them and then they spend time reading their cell phones. The gym does address specific issues as when I initially joined there was a real problem with people using their cell phone loudly in the bathroom stalls of the locker room which is really weird. Going #2 and using the phone, how sanitary is that phone? And for those people please courtesy flush, geesh! They also address the whole working out in Crocs thing with notices on the TV that proper attire should be used. If you're a female I think you should be assertive and comfortable saying thank you I don't need your help to other gym members without feeling bad as I've seen a few female members shy away from this gym unfortunately because of unwanted attention. The homeless recharging their portable generators in the locker room is different. But they tend to keep to themselves and for the most part aren't too weird. The cup holders on the machines are going missing and I have seen them end up in men's restroom stalls to anyone's guess. The low fees attract a lot of people good and bad, you get what you pay for. The staff are really great behind the desk. The only serious concern is around July 5 they were assisting local PD with an investigation which in the current political climate is in my opinion a violation of the 4th amendment and subject to lawsuit under trespass to chattel (chat gpt it) your personal info is chattel. The black card amenities are a excellent enjoyable deal so forget the gym floor and just join for the black card room which is excellent. If your a bodybuilder,pass. Serious athlete, pass. If you don't mind crowds, can generally stick up for yourself,then ok. Again just joining for the black card amenities is worth it. The cleaning issue, depends whose working the desk that day. Couple notes, if you have to drop your weights it means you shouldn't be lifting them as they are too heavy. Let people work in on machines, share. My advice check the gym at 5:30 pm see if you can hack it. I like this gym you might too. Maybe.
July 08 · Ordep
This gym USED TO BE clean and tidy. But, for several weeks now, (maybe a new manager?) it is filthy. Gum stuck on a free weight bench has been there since Christmas. Dust covers the base of every piece of strength equipment, bits of used paper towels litter the floor in different areas. The music has gotten louder - even though the majority of users listen to their own tunes with headphones.Some of the new Front Desk people are distracted by scrolling on their phones or chatting loudly amongst themselves (even dropping some F bombs,) which have been audible in the front half of the room.I know it takes effort, more than once per day, to keep things clean and tidy, especially in a facility that is open 24 hours. And, it takes planning and a budget line to care for cracked upholstery and worn out hand grips. The Fitness business has may challenges.But, this place has good "bones." I love the patrons (friendly, happy and diverse,) some of the staff are dynamite, and I love all of the equipment. So many folks renew and refresh here. It's a great location.Because of that, I believe excellence in the maintenance of this facility is worth striving for. I hope there is the will.
April 10 · Elizabeth Jones
Too many people for such a small spaced facility. Packed like sardines. Please open a new facility in Foster City. It would also help if there was a staff member monitoring how long people are sitting at weight stations as I experienced people taking up to 25 minutes at one station while they were visibly on their phones (scrolling) and other people were waiting in line to use the machine.
July 12 · Lauryn
If I could leave 0 stars I would.I had a terrible experience at Planet Fitness due to how I was treated by an employee named Teayah. A couple of days ago, I used the gym without any issues. This time, I didn’t have my phone to scan in, but instead of just walking in unnoticed (which I easily could have done), I chose to do the right thing and approached the front desk to explain the situation.To my surprise, Teayah was extremely rude and told me my membership was expired—something that made no sense since I had just accessed the gym recently. While I understand if she was simply following policy, the attitude and lack of professionalism were completely unnecessary. Her approach felt disrespectful and dismissive, and it left a really bad impression.I ultimately decided to cancel my membership because of how I was treated. It’s unfortunate because I was trying to be honest, and instead, I was met with hostility. I won’t be returning and would not recommend this location to anyone who values being treated with basic courtesy.
May 15 · Ahmed E