Every time the new year rolls around, people flock to the gym with hopes of working out often, getting in shape, and being healthier. However, buying a membership to a gym can be a big investment. If you do not stick with the resolution, it is easy to waste a lot of money. Luckily, for anyone who has trouble keeping commitments, there is a gym out there that offers a solution.

I am one of these people who decided to join a new gym for the new year, and the new gym I chose was Planet Fitness. At a price of only $10 a month, it was definitely a cheap investment and not a big commitment. Not only is the price cheap, but the gym itself is good for what you pay. It is well-equipped with up-to-date machinery and it is always clean.

Also for an extra $10 a month, you can become a black card member. Black card members receive extra benefits such as the ability to go to any Planet Fitness location, half off the drinks they sell, and unlimited use of tanning booths, fitness training, and massage chairs.

There is enough equipment in the gym to do whatever you need. There are free weights, weight machines, treadmills, and elliptical machines, to name a few. Because there are multiples of each machine and weight, you hardly ever have to wait for an open machine. All of the equipment is also fairly new. If you have questions about how to use a piece of equipment, staff members are always happy to help you.

Locker rooms are open to all customers, and there are lockers spread throughout the gym for people who only want to lock up smaller items like purses, wallets, and keys. You have to supply your own lock, though. The staff is friendly and attentive if you need them.

Planet Fitness is a great place to join if you plan on mainly using the gym for working out or if you do not want to make a huge commitment. Although it does not have the amenities of larger gyms such as pools and sport courts, it has the essentials that you need for working out for a much lower price. Although there are not as many amenities as the Bel Air Athletic Club or the Arena Club, Planet Fitness is good if you solely want to get your workout in and nothing else. I recommend it to anyone looking for a cheaper gym to join.

Planet Fitness has multiple locations. It’s Harford County locations are 1449 Rock Spring Dr in Bel Air and 3442 Emmorton Road in Abingdon. The phone numbers for these two locations are 443-360-0600 and 410-809-2593 respectively.

Cole Alban is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.