Top 9 Planet Fitness Interview Questions & Answers (2024)

With locations spread across the city of New York, Planet Fitness promises a warm, welcoming workout environment. In parallel, the company has also promoted a combination of positivity and inclusiveness with the purpose of trying to target all those interested in fitness. According to the company’s website, this includes everything from novices to seasoned veterans.

This environment has attracted both fitness professionals and everyday locals as employees at the fitness company. Today, we’ll be looking deeper into what it’s like to interview at a Planet Fitness location — the types of questions that might come up and solid ways to try answering them.

If you're eager to explore more about career opportunities at Planet Fitness, our collection of related articles is a great place to start. Discover invaluable tips and insights with our guides on how to land a job at Planet Fitness, how to write the perfect resume, and how to write a great cover letter that can set you apart in the fitness industry. For even more helpful content tailored to your job search and career growth, don't miss out on our additional resources.

Common Planet Fitness Job Interview Questions

Here is a starting list of some commonly asked questions that could come up during a Planet Fitness job interview:

Background-Relevant Interview Questions

1. Can you share your personal fitness journey and how it aligns with Planet Fitness' mission?
2. How has your previous work experience prepared you for a role at Planet Fitness?
3. As Planet Fitness places a strong emphasis on a judgment-free zone, can you provide an example of when you promoted inclusivity in a previous role?

Role-Specific Skills Interview Questions

1. Handling gym equipment requires knowledge and safety awareness. Could you share your familiarity with gym equipment and any relevant certifications you have?
2. Planet Fitness is known for its exceptional customer service. How would you handle a situation where a member is unsatisfied with a class or service?
3. Many roles at Planet Fitness require physical stamina and the ability to work flexible hours. Can you discuss how you have managed these demands in a previous role?

Question: Can you share your personal fitness journey and how it aligns with Planet Fitness' mission?

The way this first question is worded shows how Planet Fitness starts by evaluating your own fitness journey and seeing how it might fit with the brand. The question is actually a great opportunity; it’s a chance to show how your own personal experiences match with the fitness brand’s culture.

Here’s a few examples to get your brain muscle going:

Sample Answer 1: "I began my fitness journey as part of a desire to improve my health. Over time, this passion evolved, leading me to become a certified trainer. I think that everyone should have access to an open and safe environment to reach their fitness goals. Based on my own experience at Planet Fitness locations versus other gyms, this is not always the case."

Sample Answer 2: "My personal fitness journey started when I was overweight and feeling self-conscious, but I found solace at a judgement-free gym like Planet Fitness. This encouraged me to help others feel the same positivity about their own fitness journeys."

For starters, the first answer sticks to how the person journeyed from wanting to simply improve their health all the way to becoming a trainer. There’s nothing like stories from a personal journey to help highlight the connection to a company—and its values.

The second answer takes a different approach. It focuses on how the person experienced Planet Fitness for themselves and then was hooked to the setting. The additional focus on the welcoming environment of the gym location itself is a great addition to the answer as well.

Question: How has your previous work experience prepared you for a role at Planet Fitness?

Overall, this standard interview question looks towards the past with an eye towards how the interviewee might fit in at Planet fitness in the future. As a respondent, a tried-and-true approach is to reference prior experiences and skills built up that would indicate being a great fit for the role at Planet Fitness.

Take these responses for example:

Sample Answer 1: "In my previous role as a fitness coach, I worked with diverse clients, emphasizing inclusivity and positive reinforcement, which mirrors Planet Fitness' approach towards fitness."

Sample Answer 2: "As a front desk associate in a busy gym, I mastered managing memberships and providing excellent customer service. Being constantly in touch with customers day-by-day have given me a lot of experience to excel in an equally customer-focused environment like Planet Fitness."

Both answers, while brief, do a good job connecting prior experiences in the fitness world to connect to why they might be good candidates for a role at Planet Fitness. At the same time, both answers also speak to certain skills—such as customer service and serving clients for personal athletic training—as reasons for why the role at Planet Fitness is a good fit.

Question: As Planet Fitness places a strong emphasis on a judgment-free zone, can you provide an example of when you promoted inclusivity in a previous role?

From their branding and positioning, Planet Fitness seeks to be one of the most inclusive fitness gyms around. With a “no judgment” philosophy, the company invites as many people through its doors as possible. This comes, as we noted at the start of the article, regardless of fitness background.

In line with this philosophy, this question seeks to understand how the interviewee would be a puzzle piece fit for helping to create such an environment. Given how focused the company and company’s brand is on inclusivity, it’s important to cite specific examples of how you could also reflect the company’s values were you to start working at the company.

Sample Answer 1: "In my previous role, I initiated 'Fitness for All' sessions, where we encouraged people from different fitness backgrounds to exercise together. It created a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere, which I believe aligns with Planet Fitness' ethos."

Sample Answer 2: "I worked with a team to organize wellness workshops that catered to different age groups, fitness levels, and abilities. Our goal was to send a message that everyone is welcome, a philosophy I know Planet Fitness also upholds."

Being hands-on and leading from the front in prior roles are some great things to highlight if that’s a part of your background and experience. In addition, you’d want to further underscore your candidacy and how it aligns with the Planet Fitness mission wherever possible.

Both of these responses do a good job to show the applicants’ penchant for an inclusive work environment. Creating and fostering judgment-free fitness zones are important for Planet Fitness, and your ability to connect on this front is key for the success of your interview.

Question: Handling gym equipment requires knowledge and safety awareness. Could you share your familiarity with gym equipment and any relevant certifications you have?

The aim of this question is to assess your competence in handling gym equipment safely and effectively, a crucial task in fitness roles. It's key to highlight any specific qualifications you possess that demonstrate your relevant skills and to illustrate your hands-on experience.

Sample Answer 1: "I'm well-versed in using a variety of gym equipment from my past role as a personal trainer. I also hold a certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association which has trained me in safe equipment handling."

Sample Answer 2: "As a fitness instructor, I've worked with different types of gym equipment, ensuring they're used effectively and safely by gym-goers. My CPR and First Aid certifications further equip me to handle any emergencies."

In the first example, the candidate highlights their practical experience with gym equipment and strengthens their claim with a relevant professional certification. This demonstrates their technical competency, an essential trait for a role at Planet Fitness. As you can see in the examples, both responses show how the applicants already know how to operate fitness equipment well. This is music to the ears of any fitness center interviewer.

Question: Planet Fitness is known for its exceptional customer service. How would you handle a situation where a member is unsatisfied with a class or service?

Regardless of how perfect the service is, customer dissatisfaction will be a fact of life in retail. This is true of Planet Fitness as well.

Accordingly, this interview question tries to understand how you’d react in a situation with an unhappy camper of a customer. Empathy, experience, listening, and resolution-finding are potential skills you could highlight in an answer:

Sample Answer 1: "In such situations, I would first empathize with the member and listen to their concerns attentively. After understanding their issues, I would work to find a solution that aligns with both the member's expectations and Planet Fitness' policies."

Sample Answer 2: "My approach involves three steps: Listen, Acknowledge, and Resolve. I'd listen to the member's concerns, acknowledge their feelings, and then explore possible solutions within the company's guidelines."

Both responses display immediate empathy through listening to concerns. Of course, that’s not enough—trying to seek out a full solution to whatever issue may come up is important too.

Showing some sort of structured strategy or approach for handling these complaints can also help distinguish your answer from others for this interview question. Strong customer service comes with a balance of both structure and empathy. These answers point towards just a few of the key principles for great customer service.

Question: Many roles at Planet Fitness require physical stamina and the ability to work flexible hours. Can you discuss how you have managed these demands in a previous role?

While according to anti-discrimination laws for employment, you cannot be discriminated against for your fitness physically as a candidate, the fact still remains that Planet Fitness is still a fitness business. As a result, there are parts of the job that will regularly require interaction with fitness equipment, machines, and personnel. Being able to accordingly demonstrate some minimum baseline aptitude for being able to handle this type of work will help your candidacy.

Sample Answer 1: "In my previous job as a fitness trainer, I maintained my own regular fitness regimen while accommodating various shift times. While it’s not always perfect, I’ve tried to use this to stay active and alert, independent of my schedule."

Sample Answer 2: "As a yoga instructor, I often worked early morning and late evening classes. Regular yoga practice and mindful eating helped me maintain my stamina and ensure I was always ready to perform."

Displaying some sort of affinity towards personal fitness, being in shape, and/or familiarity with the rigors of a fitness environment are definitely helpful for your candidacy here, as the sample answers demonstrate. Both responses demonstrate the applicants' readiness for the physical parts of the job, regardless of whether the applicant is necessarily a fitness buff or professional in the space.

Mastering the Planet Fitness Interview

Whether it’s a fitness environment like Planet Fitness or any other customer-facing environment, polishing up your story around why you are a match for the company, industry, and role is a great place to start.

Once you have a handle of the basic interview questions in this article that we covered, you can also dive deeper into the specific company. This might include things like their mission, culture, values, and people. This will give you a better sense of what recruiters at the company and specific Planet Fitness location might be looking for. And in an interview setting with a company like Planet Fitness, each response gives you a chance to show why you're the right fit for the role.