Planet Fitness requires a checking account to set up automatic payments
Planet Fitness does not accept cash or debit cards for their standard membership. They require a checking account — specifically, they need your routing number and account number so they can pull your monthly membership fee directly from your bank. This is called an automatic payment or ACH debit, and it's how the gym ensures they get paid on the same day each month without you having to remember to pay.
If you don't have a checking account, you cannot sign up for a Planet Fitness membership. Some gyms offer alternatives like credit cards or debit cards, but Planet Fitness does not. This is a hard requirement, not a preference.
Key Takeaways
- Planet Fitness pulls your membership fee directly from a checking account each month, so you must have one to join.
- The gym needs your routing number and account number to set up this automatic payment, which you provide when you sign the membership agreement.
- If you don't have a checking account, you'll need to open one before you can become a member.
- Other gyms have different payment rules — some take credit cards or debit cards — so if you can't open a checking account yet, comparing gyms may give you other options.
How the automatic payment works
When you sign up at Planet Fitness, you give the gym permission to take money from your checking account on a set date each month — usually the date you joined or a date you choose. The gym submits this request to your bank, and your bank transfers the money. You don't write a check or go online to pay; it happens automatically.
This system protects the gym because they know the payment will arrive on schedule. It also protects you because once the payment is set up, you don't have to think about it — as long as you keep money in your account, your membership stays active. If you forget to pay, your account gets overdrawn, which costs you overdraft fees, but the gym still gets their money.
What happens if you don't have a checking account yet
If you want to join Planet Fitness but don't have a checking account, you have two paths. The first is to open a checking account at a bank or credit union before you go to sign up. This takes a few days to a week, depending on the bank. You'll need an ID and proof of address, and you'll start with a zero balance — you don't need money in the account to open it, but you'll need to deposit money before your first membership payment is due.
The second path is to look for a different gym. Some gyms take credit cards, debit cards, or even cash. Planet Fitness is popular and affordable, but it's not the only option. If opening a checking account is difficult for you right now, comparing what other gyms in your area will accept might save you time.
Why gyms use automatic payments instead of other methods
Gyms use automatic payments because they reduce the number of people who stop paying but keep coming in. If someone has to remember to pay each month, some will forget or decide not to. If the money comes out automatically, the gym gets paid whether the person thinks about it or not. This is especially important for gyms because many people sign up with good intentions but stop going after a few weeks — the gym wants to make sure they still get paid during that time.
Automatic payments also cost the gym less to process than credit card payments. When you use a credit card, the credit card company takes a percentage of the transaction. With an ACH debit from a checking account, the fee is much smaller or sometimes zero. That's why Planet Fitness requires a checking account specifically — it's the cheapest way for them to collect money.
Opening a checking account if you're new to banking
If you've never had a checking account before, opening one is straightforward. You go to a bank or credit union, bring a government ID and a piece of mail showing your current address, and fill out a form. The bank runs a background check (usually through a service called ChexSystems), and if you pass, your account opens the same day or within a few days.
You don't need to have money in the account to open it. You can open it with zero dollars. However, you will need to deposit money before your first Planet Fitness payment is due — the gym will tell you when that is when you sign up. If you're worried about overdraft fees, ask the bank about their overdraft policy when you open the account. Some banks let you turn off overdraft protection so that a payment straightforward fails instead of charging you a fee.
What to bring when you sign up for Planet Fitness
Bring your checking account information — your routing number and account number — when you go to sign up. You can find both of these on the bottom left of any check you write, or you can call your bank and ask. You'll also need a government ID and proof of your current address, just like you needed to open the checking account.
Planet Fitness will ask you to sign an agreement that authorizes them to pull money from your account. Read this carefully. It will tell you the amount they'll charge, the date they'll charge it, and how to cancel if you decide to leave. Keep a copy for your records.
Canceling your membership if you need to
If you join Planet Fitness and later decide you want to cancel, you can do so by going to the gym in person or calling them. The process varies slightly by location, but generally you'll need to give notice — usually 14 days — before your next payment is due. Once you cancel, the gym stops pulling money from your account.
If you cancel but the gym pulls money anyway, contact your bank and ask them to reverse the charge. You can also set up a dispute with your bank if the gym continues to charge you after you've canceled. Keep any cancellation confirmation the gym gives you so you have proof of when you ended your membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
No. Planet Fitness specifically requires a checking account. Savings accounts work differently and don't have the routing and account numbers set up for automatic payments in the same way. You'll need to open a checking account.
What if I don't have an ID or proof of address to open a checking account?
If you don't have a government ID, you can get one through your state's DMV or a passport office. If you don't have proof of address, some banks will accept a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and address. Call your bank first to ask what they accept — requirements vary.
Will Planet Fitness charge me if I don't have enough money in my account?
Yes. If your account doesn't have enough money when Planet Fitness tries to pull the payment, your bank will charge you an overdraft fee (usually $25 to $35), and the gym may charge you a returned-payment fee as well. Make sure you have enough money in your account before each payment date.
Can I change the date my membership payment comes out?
This depends on your specific Planet Fitness location. Some allow you to choose your payment date when you sign up, and some let you change it later by calling or visiting in person. Ask when you sign up, or call your local gym to ask about changing your payment date.
What if my checking account gets closed?
If your bank closes your account, Planet Fitness will try to pull the payment and it will fail. You'll get a returned-payment fee from both your bank and the gym. Contact Planet Fitness right away to give them your new checking account information so they can resume pulling payments.