Planet Fitness requires a checking account because they use it to collect monthly membership fees automatically

Planet Fitness, like most gyms with monthly memberships, needs a way to charge you regularly without asking you to pay each month. A checking account lets them set up what's called an automatic recurring payment — a standing instruction to your bank to transfer money from your account to theirs on the same day each month. This is faster and cheaper for the gym than processing individual credit card charges, and it reduces the chance you'll forget to pay.

The gym doesn't actually need your physical checkbook or even a debit card. What they need is access to the routing number and account number printed on the bottom of a check, or the ability to store those numbers in their system. Some gyms will accept a debit card instead, but many prefer the checking account route because it's a more direct link to your bank.

This requirement also protects the gym. If you stop paying, they can see the payment failed when ready rather than discovering it weeks later. It also makes it harder for someone to dispute the charge later and claim they never authorized it — your bank has a record of the automatic payment instruction you signed.

Key Takeaways

  • Planet Fitness uses automatic payments from your checking account to collect monthly fees without processing a new transaction each month.
  • The gym needs your routing number and account number, which they can get from a blank check or by having you enter them directly into their system.
  • Automatic payments are cheaper for the gym to process than credit card charges, so they often won't accept other payment methods for ongoing memberships.
  • You can cancel the automatic payment by contacting Planet Fitness or your bank, though the gym may charge a cancellation fee depending on your membership agreement.

What happens if you don't have a checking account

If you don't have a checking account, you have a few options. Some Planet Fitness locations will accept a debit card instead, though this varies by location and by which payment system they use. Call your local gym directly to ask — don't assume the answer is no based on what the website says, because individual franchises sometimes have flexibility.

A second option is to open a checking account specifically for this purpose. You don't need a large balance or direct deposit. Many banks and credit unions offer basic checking accounts with no monthly fee, and some have no minimum balance requirement. Once you have the account, you can set up the automatic payment and leave just enough money in it each month to cover the gym fee.

A third option is to look for a gym that charges by the visit rather than by monthly membership. Some YMCAs, community centers, and independent gyms let you pay as you go. This costs more per visit but avoids the automatic payment requirement entirely.

How to set up the automatic payment safely

When you sign up for a Planet Fitness membership, you'll be asked to provide your checking account information. The gym will give you a form or direct you to enter the details online. You'll need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have.

Before you hand over this information, read what you're signing. The agreement should say when the payment will be charged each month, how much it will be, and how to cancel. Keep a copy of this agreement. Some gyms charge on the 1st of the month, others on the day you sign up — knowing this helps you plan your budget.

After you've signed up, check your bank account on the day the first payment is supposed to go through. Make sure the amount is correct and that it came from Planet Fitness. If something is wrong, contact the gym when ready. If they won't fix it, you can contact your bank and dispute the charge, though this should be a last resort.

Canceling the automatic payment

To stop the automatic payments, you have two routes. The first is to contact Planet Fitness directly and ask them to cancel your membership. They may ask why you're leaving or try to offer you a discount to stay. Be clear that you want the membership canceled and the automatic payments stopped. Ask them to confirm in writing or by email that the cancellation is complete.

The second route is to contact your bank and revoke the automatic payment authorization yourself. This is called stopping a recurring debit or ACH payment. Your bank can do this, though it may take a few business days to take effect. You should still notify Planet Fitness that you're canceling, because if they don't know, they may try to collect the fee and report you to a debt collector when the payment fails.

Be aware that some Planet Fitness memberships have a cancellation fee or require you to cancel in person at the gym, not by phone or email. Check your membership agreement before you cancel. If the gym charges a cancellation fee and you've already stopped the automatic payment at your bank, they may send you a bill or refer you to a collection agency. It's better to follow their cancellation process, even if it's inconvenient.

Why gyms prefer automatic payments over other methods

Automatic payments from a checking account are the cheapest way for a gym to collect money. When you use a credit card, the credit card company takes a percentage of the charge — usually 2 to 3 percent. When you use a debit card, the bank takes a smaller cut, but it's still something. When the gym pulls money directly from your checking account using an ACH transfer, there's almost no fee.

Automatic payments also reduce what's called churn — the rate at which customers cancel their memberships. If you have to remember to pay each month, you might forget or decide the gym isn't worth it. If the payment happens automatically, you keep paying even if you haven't been to the gym in weeks. This is good for the gym's revenue, which is why they push this method so hard.

There's also a behavioral reason: people are more likely to cancel something they have to actively cancel than something that just keeps happening. This is sometimes called negative option billing, and it's legal as long as the gym clearly discloses the terms and makes cancellation possible. But it's designed to work in the gym's favor.

What to watch out for

The biggest risk with automatic payments is forgetting about them. If you sign up for a membership and then stop going to the gym, the payments keep coming. Check your bank statement regularly — at least once a month — and look for recurring charges you don't recognize. If you see a Planet Fitness charge and you don't remember signing up, contact the gym and your bank right away.

Another risk is overdraft fees. If you don't have enough money in your checking account when the automatic payment is due, your bank may charge you an overdraft fee on top of declining the payment. To avoid this, keep a small buffer in your account — enough to cover the gym fee plus a little extra. Some banks offer overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account and automatically transfers money if you run short.

Finally, be cautious about giving your checking account number to any business. Once they have it, they can theoretically use it to collect payments without your permission, though this is illegal and banks have protections against it. Only give your account information to businesses you trust, and only after you've read and understood the payment agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?

Most gyms won't accept a savings account for automatic payments because the routing and account numbers work differently. Some banks may allow it, but you'd need to call your bank and the gym to confirm. A checking account is the standard method, and it's usually free to open if you don't already have one.

What if my bank declines the automatic payment?

If your account doesn't have enough money when the payment is due, your bank will decline it. Planet Fitness will usually try again a few days later. If it fails multiple times, the gym may charge you a late fee, suspend your membership, or refer you to a collection agency. Contact the gym when ready if a payment fails so you can resolve it before it escalates.

Can I change the payment date?

This depends on the gym's policy. Some Planet Fitness locations let you change the date your membership renews, while others don't. Call your local gym and ask. If they won't change it, you could cancel and re-sign up on a date that works better for your budget, though this might trigger a cancellation fee.

Is it safe to give Planet Fitness my checking account number?

Planet Fitness is a large, established company, so the risk of them misusing your account number is low. The bigger risk is that your information could be exposed in a data breach. To reduce this risk, use a checking account you don't use for other purposes, keep only the amount needed for the gym fee in it, and monitor it regularly for unauthorized charges.

What if I want to cancel but the gym won't let me?

If Planet Fitness refuses to cancel your membership, you can stop the automatic payment through your bank. Contact your bank and ask them to revoke the recurring debit authorization. This will stop the payments, though the gym may send you a bill or refer you to a collection agency if they have a cancellation fee. Document everything in writing so you have a record if there's a dispute.