Planet Fitness is known for many differentiating factors when it comes to working out. It’s one of the most popular gyms in the United States! It’s cheap monthly fees are among the lowest in the industry (starting at $10/month – still true in 2023!) and they run their gyms on a ‘judgement free’ philosophy that doesn’t require monitoring. There’s a lot of perks to such a place to workout and get your fitness on! It’s said to be the best gym because of this.
With over 2,100 Planet Fitness gyms, there’s probably one close to you. You’ll have access to all kinds of machines and free weights in a safe, judgement-free environment.
They also have a program, known as the Black Card Membership (at $24.99 a month plus taxes in 2023), that gives you access to additional perks. As a Black Card Member, you’ll also get access to a plethora of bonuses, including the Total Body Enhancement Device, and you get to bring a guest!
Your membership fees cover things like massage chairs, hydromassage beds, locker rooms, a tanning booth and tanning beds, and more.
If you’re reading this article, the Total Body Enhancement Device, otherwise known as the Planet Fitness infrared sauna is probably a specific thing you’re interested in, so let’s dive into that!
We love learning more about body technologies like Cryotherapy, Intermittent Fasting, Saunas, and deep breathing. So when we heard about red light technology as part of your fitness routine, we had to dig deeper.
While Red Light Therapy has been around for a while, it seems like fitness fans everywhere are using the technology more and more these days!
What is an infrared sauna or Red Light Therapy?
The infrared sauna booth at Planet Fitness is also called the Total Body Enhancement Machine or the Beauty Angel.
In short, it’s a red light therapy machine that you stand in for a short period of time and allow the infrared rays to envelope your body. The red light wavelengths stimulate ATP production and that is what provides energy to your cells.
The perks from these types of saunas comes from infrared light rather than wood-burning or electric heat sources.
This is different from the type of sauna you are likely familiar with, which is a dry heat that comes from steam created by water poured on heated stones, like in traditional Finnish saunas.
While traditional saunas have their benefits too, many people have been raving about the help of red light therapy to their fitness routines.
For a unique and rejuvenating experience, consider exploring the benefits of an outdoor sauna, where you can combine the advantages of infrared light therapy with the refreshing outdoors for a holistic wellness approach. The combination of nature and therapeutic heat can elevate your relaxation and well-being to a whole new level.
Infrared saunas use red light therapy to achieve results including accelerated tissue healing, reduced inflammation throughout the body, improved circulation and blood flow, and also detoxification of the body. It targets your entire body and is a great addition to your workout routine.
With proper nutrition, you’ll be seeing results in no time.
Using it regularly can help improve your skin, provide pain relief, improve muscles recovery, help you lose weight, and repair tissues.
For best results, you’ll want to use the machine after workouts. You can also use it before, but end capping a workout with 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after might add quite a bit of time to your already busy schedule.
This perk is not available at all Planet Fitness locations so be sure to check with the locations near you if it’s something you’re interested in.
How does the machine work?
When you think of a sauna, you might think of steam rooms. However, an infrared sauna is different.
The machine works by producing certain wavelengths of visible light that increase the adenosine triphosphate or ATP production in your cells.
ATP is an organic compound that provides energy to living cells. By increase the ATP production, your cells are getting more energy and benefitting from an accelerated healing process. This increases blood circulation throughout the whole body which has a plethora of benefits.
Infrared light has been used to heal the body in many ways for years and is particularly useful for improving your skin. It has been shown to reduce fine lines. Clinical trials showed that it did this effectively and safely.
Planet Fitness’ machine, also called the Beauty Angel, uses gentle waves that offer a whole-body vibration effect that is not supposed to damage the body in any way.
Using “red light” or infrared light means there are no harmful effects like with UV light. Using the machine increases the blood flow throughout your body so that your muscles can heal more quickly. This is the main reason people use red light therapy and reap the benefits of infrared rays.
Clinical studies have shown that using red light therapy devices can help improve your immune system, reduce joint pain, promote muscle recovery, and promote weight loss.
Plant Fitness Uses the RVT30 Beauty Angel
This machine uses a combination of infrared light and vibration to create a muscle-toning, cell-boosting, fat-burning workout. The red light therapy booth is most typically available in its own room.
You get in the machine and stand on a vibrating plate. There are handles you can hold and you can choose to play music as well. You’ll also want to wear protective eyewear.
There are 4 different programs available to choose from that are all 10 minutes long with different levels of intensity:
- Feel great (low intensity)
- New You (medium intensity)
- Cross-Training (high intensity)
- Multi-Level (mixed intensity)
To start, you’ll probably want to go with low intensity after a workout. Start with once per week and build up to more often. It’s a safe technology to use and if you have questions, you can ask specifically at your Planet Fitness location.
Take it easy your first time and go with low intensity. This way you can see if you have any side effects. Staff members at Planet Fitness should be available to assist you and answer any questions – it is a judgement free zone, after all!
How often should you use the infrared sauna?
Regular visits to an infrared sauna can help you detoxify your body. You can lose weight, clean out your lymphatic system, reduce cellulite and improve your skin quality too.
The Planet Fitness infrared sauna is especially popular for people looking to lose weight, but many professional athletes swear by them as well. Athletes who visit regularly claim that it helps reduce the lactic acid in their muscles faster after an intense workout and can even increase their endurance while out on the playing field.
It can be used to help you with many different things, one of the most popular being weight loss. The heat that planet fitness infrared sauna emits helps your body release endorphins and serotonin.
These chemicals are often released when you work out but they don’t stay in your system for long because they’re quickly degraded by sunlight or high temperatures. The heat from an infrared sauna keeps them in your system for much longer, promoting weight loss and a more positive mood.
Who shouldn’t use the infrared sauna?
Always check with your doctor before starting a new health regimen, including using the infrared sauna.
Typically most people won’t have anything to worry about, but people with certain conditions may want to check in with their doctor before initiating a Planet Fitness infrared sauna treatment regimen.
If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, arthritis or any other chronic illness it’s smart to get your doctor’s approval.
It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing, as researchers still don’t know if the heat can negatively impact the baby.
Additionally, those who have just gotten a new tattoo should avoid the Planet Fitness infrared sauna for at least a month so that it can heal properly.
If you do decide to use red light therapy while your tattoo is still fresh, try to keep the affected area from touching any other part of the interior. It’s also smart to tell the attendant working at planet fitness infrared sauna that you have a new tattoo so they can ensure the heat is not too harsh.
The machine itself says to not use it if…
- you are pregnant
- have epilepsy
- have sensitivity to light
- use medications that cause light sensitivity including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
- recently had surgery
- have cardiac issues
- hip or bone diseases or have bone implants
It is recommended to wear eye protection while using the machine. You should also not wear makeup as it can reduce the effects of the light.
The Benefits of Red Light Therapy
I’ve already touched on this a bit above, but I’ll list bullet points out for you here:
- promotes muscles and tissue repair
- can improve skin complexion and can help reduce wrinkles
- may also help with stretch marks, sun damage, and scars
- can help improve joint pain
- can help with pain and inflammation
- promotes ATP production (cellular energy) to improve blood flow and cell repair in skin cells
- reduced recovery time
What if you have a personal trainer?
If you have a personal trainer, whether it’s on your own time or using personal training at fitness centers, you can talk to them about adding Red Light Therapy to your fitness routines.
It might still be worth the benefits to having a Planet Fitness membership to use the red light machine. It might be most beneficial after a tough workout.
Does it cost extra?
As mentioned above, you can access the Planet Fitness infrared sauna if you are a PF Black Card Member.
Some additional restrictions may apply so it’s best to contact your local Planet Fitness for the most accurate information.
In Summary
If you’re interested in the use of red light therapy as part of your workout routine, contact your local Planet Fitness to see if it’s available! The red light therapy bed is a great benefit to your Planet Fitness membership. It is only available with a PF Black Card.
At some locations, additional restrictions may apply. But many users report the Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement Machine (AKA the Beauty Angel booth) being worth it. If you have used it, we’d love to know what you think. Happy workout!
About the Author
Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.
Website: genthirty.com