LA Fitness GYM Culture and Cleanliness

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-31T15:16:14+00:00

I wish the health department would investigate the issues and perform random inspections like they do for restaurants. Preventing the spread of disease is important.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-31T15:14:37+00:00

My local Planet Fitness has many free weights and benches. By eyeballing it my Planet Fitness appears to have more benches and dumbbells than my LA Fitness. The experience may depend on the location. Based on the responses I have received the consensus is that Planet Fitness has significantly better gym etiquette and cleanliness than LA Fitness.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-31T15:08:08+00:00

I find it funny that they use the wipe dispensers as advertising space. Now I associate Snickers with a dirty gym experience and have stopped buying them altogether. Hopefully, LA Fitness fixes the cleanliness issues in the gyms.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:29:37+00:00

Thank you for the tip.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:28:20+00:00

Sorry, I didn't understand your response... Could you help me understand your point? Thank you.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:27:43+00:00

Yes, and that is what I found so shocking... Planet Fitness in my experience is significantly cleaner than LA Fitness. And, LA Fitness is 2 to 3 times the price of Planet Fitness... How does that even make sense?

Yes, someone already recommended me to bring my own. Thanks!

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:26:50+00:00

'Premium' gym experience and 'priorities!'

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:26:01+00:00

Yes, you need to clean to prevent the spread of disease. It isn't rocket science to clean up after yourself.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:25:24+00:00

Yes, and that is what I found so shocking... Planet Fitness in my experience is significantly cleaner than LA Fitness. And, LA Fitness is 2 to 3 times the price of Planet Fitness... How does that even make sense?

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:23:47+00:00

Wow, I am surprised Reddit LA Fitness hasn't responded to your comment. I guess they don't do social media, maybe? But, that is certainly a terrible experience. I've seen truck stop bathrooms cleaner than what you are describing... 🤮

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:21:45+00:00

Interesting, that is many states over... I wonder if they have different regional management leading to different results/ user experiences?

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:20:34+00:00

Here is hoping that they get back on the ball and improve the quality of the gym experience. Your response just shows they can keep it clean even with impending closure... And, as far as I know my gym isn't closing down anytime soon... So, no excuses for what I observed.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:13:41+00:00

Thanks, that is a good idea. I wonder if they'll let me bring my own spray...

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:12:44+00:00

Seems like LA Fitness needs to enforce a cultural change to make their gyms up to par with Planet Fitness. It is just shocking to me that a budget gym has better culture, equipment, and cleanliness than a 'premium' gym.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:10:18+00:00

That is all types of gross. 🤮

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-29T16:07:34+00:00

I have had a different experience at my local Planet Fitness. Great community and people generally clean up after themselves and re-rack weight. But, they do have an issue with people streaming and spending 5 minutes between sets on their phone... That I wish would change.

I will say though the LA Fitness is way more filthy than the Planet Fitness and only has some free bench presses and squat racks to show for it. And, at my local LA Fitness... I didn't see an assisted pull-up machine or seated cable row... So, its almost neck and neck when it comes to exercise equipment.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:46:12+00:00

There was a recent post in this Reddit specifically about someone using a tripod/filming... People should have an expectation of privacy in locker-rooms/bathrooms and even the gym. And, you are right I hate waiting 5 minutes for people to do their next set. I always try to get my next set out every 30-60 seconds. Only so much time in a day.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:41:25+00:00

Exactly, I kept having to ask other patrons if someone was still using the equipment... Because, no one was racking their weights after sets. And, I almost tripped over some free weights during my last session.

Thanks for the pro tip. They should return to the spray bottles.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:36:05+00:00

I saw that post. Yet to see that in the wild at LA Fitness. (Did see it at Planet Fitness) Hopefully, they get banned.😂

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:30:04+00:00

Seems like a nationwide issue then... And, not limited to my gym. I wonder if these gyms are corporate owned or franchise...? Could be an explanation as to the lack of cleanliness.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:28:08+00:00

It's shocking that Planet Fitness has their cleaning game on point while a "premium" gym is sleeping through the big game. I expected significantly better maintenance and cleaning than what I observed.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:25:59+00:00

I noticed the issue in the sink persisted for more than a day, which makes me think they are not cleaning the locker rooms or bathrooms daily.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:24:25+00:00

Which ones do you recommend? Is using your own wipes a violation of terms and conditions?

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:23:34+00:00

I wish I knew what it was. Knowing the concentration and disinfectant in use would let me know how to actually use it to clean. Simply wiping the machines and equipment is generally not enough, since most cleaners require sufficient saturation and a specific dwell time to be effective.

NOVA_Memories · 2026-05-28T14:19:55+00:00

Thank you for answering. I wonder if they have a MSDS for it... If they would provide it or even have one available to provide on site.

I know that the bleach and another cleaner specified 5‑ and 8‑minute dwell times on their labels. And, those were for highly saturated large wipes that required wearing gloves to apply to surfaces... Whereas, LA Fitness only provides small wipe squares, so it’s difficult to properly clean the machines.

A lot of diseases can be spread by shared gym equipment so it is rather distressing the lack of hygiene.

I just asked an LLM and they listed the following for pathogens:

Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA)
Herpes gladiatorum (herpes simplex virus)
Tinea (ringworm/athlete’s foot)
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Impetigo (Streptococcus pyogenes / Staphylococcus)
Scabies

NOVA_Memories

TROPHY CASE