Does Planet Fitness Have Squat Racks? The Truth About Leg Day

You just signed up for the gym, walked past the purple and yellow gear, and scanned the floor for a barbell. You might be asking yourself: does planet fitness have squat racks?

It is the most common question for lifters considering the "Judgement Free Zone." If you are trying to build serious leg strength, the equipment available to you dictates your programming. The answer isn't what most powerlifters want to hear, but it doesn't mean you can't get a good workout.

Here is the honest breakdown of the equipment situation and how to adapt your training.

Quick Summary: The Equipment Reality

• No Standard Racks: Planet Fitness does not have traditional power racks or free-weight barbell squat racks.
• The Alternative: You will find multiple Smith Machines (guided barbells) at every location.
• Free Weight Options: You can perform goblet squats using the dumbbell rack (usually up to 75lbs).
• The Policy: The lack of racks is a deliberate choice to maintain their specific casual-friendly gym culture.

The Hard Truth: Why Doesn't Planet Fitness Have Squat Racks?

If you search the floor for a planet fitness barbell rack, you won't find one. This is by design, not an oversight. Planet Fitness markets itself to the general population, not bodybuilders or powerlifters.

The company views the standard power rack planet fitness setup as "intimidating" to the average user. Furthermore, there is a liability aspect. Free-weight barbell squats require knowledge of bailing out safely or using spotter arms. By removing the racks, they reduce the risk of injury for untrained members and eliminate the "slamming weights" culture that triggers their infamous Lunk Alarm.

So, planet fitness no squat rack is a feature of their business model, not a bug.

The Smith Machine: Your "Planet Fitness Squat Rack"

Since there are no squat racks at planet fitness, the Smith Machine is the primary substitute. You have likely seen these tall machines with a barbell attached to vertical rails.

Smith Machine vs. Free Weight Squat

It is vital to understand that a smith machine squat planet fitness style is biomechanically different from a free-weight squat. Because the bar travels on a fixed vertical path, you cannot move naturally. The machine balances the weight for you.

This means your stabilizer muscles (abs, lower back) work less. However, it allows you to isolate the quadriceps more effectively if you adjust your foot placement.

How to Squat at Planet Fitness (Safely)

If you are wondering how to use the smith machine at planet fitness to mimic a squat, you need to adjust your form. Do not try to squat exactly as you would with a free bar, or you will stress your lower back.

1. Bar Placement: Set the bar at chest height. Step under it and rest it on your traps (upper back), not your neck.
2. Foot Position: This is the secret. Step your feet out forward about 6 to 12 inches in front of the bar. If you stand directly under the bar, your knees will travel too far forward.
3. Unrack: Lift the bar and rotate your wrists back to disengage the safety hooks.
4. The Descent: Sit back as if aiming for a chair. Keep your chest up.
5. The Drive: Push through your heels to return to the start.

Other Ways to Do Squats at Planet Fitness

If the Smith machine is occupied or feels unnatural, you aren't out of luck. You can do squats at planet fitness using other gear.

Dumbbell Goblet Squats

Head to the dumbbell rack. Grab a single heavy dumbbell, hold it vertically against your chest with both hands, and squat deep. This is actually better for your core mechanics than the Smith machine because you have to stabilize the weight yourself.

Leg Press

While not a squat, the leg press allows you to load heavy weight safely. If your goal is hypertrophy (muscle growth), this is a superior option to a planet fitness squat machine variation.

My Training Log: Real Talk

I’ve spent plenty of time training at Planet Fitness while traveling for work. I know the frustration of walking in ready to hit a PR and seeing endless rows of cardio equipment but no rack.

The first time I tried to heavy squat in their Smith Machine, it felt jarring. The bar at PF usually has zero knurling (the rough grip texture), so it felt slippery on my back. I also realized quickly that the "bar" doesn't weigh 45 lbs—it usually has a starting resistance of 15 to 20 lbs due to the pulley counterweights. I had to do quick mental math to figure out my working weight.

The biggest nuance? The bar path. I tried to squat with my normal powerlifting stance, and my hips felt locked up because the machine wouldn't let me lean forward naturally. I learned that I had to treat it almost like a Hack Squat—walking my feet way forward and leaning back against the bar. It destroyed my quads, but it definitely wasn't a "squat" in the traditional sense. It gets the job done, but you have to respect the machine's limitations.

Conclusion

So, does planet fitness have racks? No. But does that mean you have to skip leg day? Absolutely not. By utilizing the Smith machine correctly, leveraging heavy dumbbells for goblet squats, and using the leg press, you can still build a strong lower body.

Adjust your expectations, tweak your form for the fixed rails, and ignore the Lunk Alarm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do squats at Planet Fitness without a rack?

Yes, you can perform squats using the Smith Machine, which guides the bar on a rail, or by using dumbbells for goblet squats and lunges. You just cannot perform free-weight barbell squats.

Why doesn't Planet Fitness have squat racks?

Planet Fitness excludes squat racks to maintain a non-intimidating environment for casual gym-goers and to reduce liability associated with heavy free-weight training.

How much does the bar weigh on the Planet Fitness Smith Machine?

Unlike a standard 45lb Olympic bar, the Smith machine bar at Planet Fitness typically offers a starting resistance of 15 to 20 lbs due to the counterweight system.