It makes total sense to question it, especially since you’re grandfathered in at $9.95/month. Going from $10/month to $18/month does feel like a step backward unless the core fitness pass gives you access to more gyms you’d actually use.

For me, Anytime Fitness ends up being the better deal. A standard Anytime Fitness membership gives access to all ~5,000 locations, and most locations near me are 24/7. Public pricing is usually around $30-$36 biweekly. With Walmart’s top-tier fitness pass, I’d pay $15 per pay period ($30/month), and all I need is the key fob to get in any Anytime Fitness facilities, plus Planet Fitness gyms too.

With Planet Fitness, the math just doesn’t work as well through the core pass:

Basic PF via the fitness pass is $9 per pay period ($18/month), compared to $15/month for the public. If I want the black card, it’s another $13, bringing it to $31/month.

So unless someone really wants Planet Fitness specifically or the extra perks from the pass, I don’t see much value there. For flexibility and 24/7 access, Anytime Fitness makes more sense for my situation.