Planet Fitness membership requires a checking account because the gym charges monthly dues through automatic bank withdrawals
Planet Fitness does not accept cash, debit cards, or credit cards for ongoing membership payments. The gym uses a system called Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), which pulls money directly from your checking account on a set day each month. This is how they process the membership fee, any add-on charges, and the annual membership tag fee that hits in July.
The reason is operational: automatic bank withdrawals are cheaper for Planet Fitness to process than card transactions, and they reduce the number of failed payments. When a payment fails because a card expired or was declined, the gym has to chase you down. A checking account withdrawal is harder to accidentally miss, so fewer memberships lapse unpaid.
You cannot set up a membership without providing checking account details. The gym will ask for your routing number and account number during sign-up, either online or at the front desk. They do not store your full account number — they use it to create an authorization that lets them pull funds on the billing date you agree to.
Key Takeaways
- Planet Fitness charges membership fees through automatic bank withdrawals from a checking account, not through credit or debit cards.
- You must provide your routing number and checking account number at sign-up; the gym uses this to set up recurring monthly charges.
- The monthly membership fee, any add-on fees, and the annual tag fee in July all come out of the same checking account.
- If your checking account is closed or has insufficient funds on the billing date, your membership may be suspended until the charge goes through.
- You can update your checking account information online through your Planet Fitness account or by visiting your home gym.
What happens if your checking account does not have enough money
If your account lacks funds when Planet Fitness attempts to withdraw the monthly fee, the transaction will be declined. The gym will typically retry the charge a few times over several days. If it continues to fail, your membership will be frozen — you will not be able to use your key tag or app to enter the gym.
Once you deposit money and the charge goes through, your membership usually reactivates within 24 hours. However, Planet Fitness may charge you a fee for the failed transaction attempt, depending on your gym's policies. Some locations waive this; others do not. Call your home gym to ask whether they will reverse a failed-payment fee if you bring your account current.
How to update your checking account information
You can change the checking account linked to your membership through the Planet Fitness app or website. Log in to your account, go to billing or payment settings, and select the option to update your payment method. You will need to enter your new routing number and account number. The change usually takes effect within one business day.
If you prefer to update in person, visit your home gym and ask the front desk to change your account information. Bring a blank check or your bank statement so the staff can verify your routing and account numbers. This method is slower — it may take several days for the change to process — so update online if you need the change to take effect before your next billing date.
What to do if you want to close your membership
Closing your membership stops the automatic withdrawals from your checking account. You must cancel in person at your home gym or by calling the membership services line; Planet Fitness does not allow cancellation through the app or website. Bring your key tag or have your membership number ready.
When you cancel, the gym will stop charging your account immediately if you cancel before the billing date. If you cancel after the charge has already been processed that month, you will not receive a refund for that charge, but no future charges will occur. Ask for written confirmation of your cancellation date so you have proof if a charge appears after you have closed the membership.
Alternatives if you do not have a checking account
Planet Fitness does not offer a workaround for members without a checking account. You cannot use a savings account, prepaid card, or money order to pay membership dues. Some prepaid cards that function like checking accounts — such as Chime or NetSpend — may work because they have routing and account numbers, but Planet Fitness does not officially support these, and success varies by card type.
If you do not have a checking account and cannot open one, you have two options: look for a different gym that accepts credit or debit card payments, or open a basic checking account at your bank or a credit union. Many banks offer no-fee checking accounts with no minimum balance, which takes about 15 minutes to set up online or in person.
How Planet Fitness protects your account information
Planet Fitness uses encryption to protect your routing and account numbers when you enter them online or at the gym. The gym does not store your full account number — they store only a token that allows them to process recurring charges. This token cannot be used to access your account or withdraw money outside the agreed membership charges.
Your bank also protects you through federal law. If an unauthorized charge appears on your account, you can dispute it with your bank within 60 days. Your bank will investigate and typically refund the charge while they look into it. Planet Fitness is required to cooperate with these disputes, though the gym will ask you to contact them first if the charge is a legitimate membership fee you forgot about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Planet Fitness requires a checking account specifically. Savings accounts have different routing structures, and the gym's system is set up for checking account withdrawals only. You will need to open a checking account to join.
What if I close my checking account after I join Planet Fitness?
If you close your account without updating your membership payment method, the next charge will fail. Your membership will freeze. Update your payment information to a new checking account before closing the old one, or cancel your membership before closing the account.
Does Planet Fitness charge anything besides the monthly fee?
Yes. Most memberships include a monthly fee and an annual tag fee charged in July. Some add-ons — like personal training or tanning — cost extra. All charges come from the same checking account on their scheduled dates.
How far in advance should I update my checking account if I am switching banks?
Update at least five business days before your billing date to make sure the new account information is processed in time. If you update after the charge has already been pulled from your old account, you will not see a refund — the charge is final once it clears.
What if Planet Fitness keeps charging me after I cancel?
Contact your bank immediately and dispute the charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation as proof. Your bank will refund the unauthorized charge while they investigate. Also call Planet Fitness membership services to report the error and ask them to stop the charges on their end.