Previously, red light therapy was mostly reserved for high-end spas and clinics or as at-home devices. But with Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and Club Fitness all installing red light therapy machines at locations around the world, it’s important to ask the big question: how do these devices compare to those premium at-home options? Do they really provide the benefits they say they do, or are they simply a gimmick to increase membership revenue?
It's true that RLT is very real, and so are the benefits. Still, there may be more to the Planet Fitness machines than meets the eye. Let’s take a closer look…
What is total body enhancement at planet fitness?
After all, adding RLT differentiates gyms from competitors, providing a unique service that attracts new members and retains existing ones. And since modern fitness centers aim to support overall wellness, not just physical fitness, RLT fits into the trend of promoting recovery.
As more people become aware of the benefits of RLT, demand for this service continues to grow. Since Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness are some of the largest chains in the world, they have the means to respond to this demand by integrating red light therapy into as many facilities as possible.
The best part? They know they can guarantee their clients will see results. RLT is proven to help decrease muscle soreness and inflammation post-exercise, enabling faster recovery. Regular use also promotes tissue repair and reduces the time needed to heal from minor injuries or strains. Finally, RLT helps stimulate collagen production, which can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
People who are at the gym are generally there because they want to look better. Since red light therapy has the power to benefit them inside and out, most customers see it as a complimentary service that can do them a lot of good.
Red light treatment planet fitness
Planet Fitness is one of the biggest fitness club franchises of them all, with over 2,000 clubs spread out all around the world. It offers red light therapy through its Total Body Enhancement machine, which is available to Black Card members. What is total body enhancement planet fitness? This is the premium membership option offered by Planet Fitness, which allows you to work out at any Planet Fitness location worldwide and offers a wide variety of special privileges, such as the use of massage chairs, discounts on drinks, and numerous other benefits.
Since its introduction, the Total Body Enhancement has driven thousands of Planet Fitness members to upgrade to the Black Card, which can cost double a normal membership in some areas. Clearly, the benefits are there for Planet Fitness. However, are the clients getting the same level of benefit from Planet Fitness’s red light therapy device?
Planet Fitness recommends 12-minute sessions after workouts, which they claim can help promote quicker muscle repair and reduced inflammation. As far as the process goes, the Total Body Enhancement machine resembles an upright tanning bed with 32, 180-watt lamps.
These are designed to emit red light instead of UV light, so you don’t have to worry about skin damage or sunscreen. To use the TBE (planet fitness total body enhancement), you simply strip down to your underwear, walk into the device, put on protective goggles, and hit the button. There’s also a vibrating footplate designed to stimulate your muscles and increase circulation while you use the device.
Red light therapy lights at Crunch Fitness
Crunch Fitness started as a tiny gym in New York City. However, the business model proved so profitable that the chain has since grown into a massive chain, with more than 300 total locations across three countries. While it is by no means as big as Planet Fitness, Crunch knows how to learn from the competition. This being the case, the company was quick to offer red light therapy to mid-tier members and anyone above that level.
In Crunch Fitness’ case, they are doing things a bit differently. Rather than use an RLT device like the Total Body Enhancement at every location, they’ve instead opted to install RLT-infused saunas. These devices combine the aesthetic appeal of traditional Nordic saunas with the benefits of Red Light Therapy. It’s more about creating a soothing environment than “fitness recovery.” That’s why the company mostly focuses on the “skin health and beauty” angle to promote RLT to their clients.
Beauty Angel: The RLT Company Behind total body enhancement planet fitness.
It’s important to note that neither Planet Fitness nor Crunch Fitness are RLT device manufacturers. So, we can’t really look at their services without considering the company that does make the products. In this case, both Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness use Beauty Angel Red Light Therapy machines. Planet Fitness’ TBE utilizes the Beauty Angel RVT 30 model, specifically.
This is very important, because this particular company and device both focus on skin health, beauty benefits, and overall wellness. While it’s true that modern fitness centers aim to enhance a person’s whole aesthetic, this means that some of the “recovery” aspects being touted by Planet Fitness’ Total Body Enhancement system might not be entirely accurate.
Indeed, these machines use wavelengths between 620 nm and 700 nm, which are effective for skin rejuvenation and superficial benefits but do not penetrate deeply enough for muscle recovery. So, while these wavelengths can enhance skin health by promoting collagen and elastin production, they aren’t going to do much for someone looking to bounce back after a hard workout.
How Well Does It Work? Power, Efficiency, and More
There are thousands of studies showing that red light therapy (RLT) is extremely beneficial when it comes to reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, improving recovery times, and helping to reduce the signs of aging. However, in order to get all the benefits of red light therapy, a device needs to provide specific wavelengths and the right amount of power.
The power output of a red light therapy device is typically measured in irradiance (which is labeled as Ee). This is meant to quantify the radiant flux over a specific surface area and is crucial because it determines the concentration of light reaching the skin.
Research shows that the Beauty Angel RVT 30 model used at Planet Fitness delivers approximately 83.87 milliwatts per square inch (mW/in²) of light intensity. The Beauty Angel RVT 30 delivers this light intensity to every square inch of bare skin facing the light. However, anything between your skin and the light, like your clothing, would dramatically reduce the therapeutic light dose.
But that’s not the problem. This issue is the Beauty Angel’s power. You see, research shows that for optimal surface-level treatment of the skin, you only need about 64.5 Joules per square inch (J/in²). If you want to see benefits like muscle recovery and joint health, you need a lot more power. With the radiance of around 83.87 mW across 12 minutes of treatment time, you’re only going to get surface-level benefits, not deeper tissue treatments.
Health and Beauty vs. Deep Recovery
Let’s get technical for a few more moments just so that you can better understand the problem (and, later, the solution). The Beauty Angel RVT 30 machine primarily emits light at 620 nanometers (nm), which is ideal for skin health. Remember that different types of light have different wavelengths, and these differences are what our eyes perceive as different colors. Red light has the highest wavelength in the visible spectrum, followed by infrared light, which is invisible to the naked eye.
Scientific studies have shown that the best wavelengths for mitochondrial performance are around 620 nm and 670 nm, while the 620 nm range is more ideal for skin health. The Beauty Angel RVT 30 emits the most light at 620 nm and a very small amount at 700 nm (infrared). Unfortunately, it is not quite enough to result in significant mitochondrial absorption. In fact, maximizing mitochondrial health would require wavelengths in the 800 to 850 nm range, which are simply not emitted by the Beauty Angel RVT 30.
As if any doubt remained that the Beauty Angel does not really target cells themselves, the non-red wavelengths present in the mix include 595 nm and 546 nm. These amber and yellowish tints are mostly focused on reducing inflammation, redness, and hyperpigmentation. In short: the device is primarily a skin health RLT machine and is not even designed for the deep tissue repair benefits some Planet Fitness clients might think they are getting.
This conclusion is backed up by an analysis of the power rating of the device. For instance, the power output of the Beauty Angel RVT 30 is only really adequate for surface-level treatment if a person completes a full 12-minute session. The therapeutic red light concentration just isn’t there. This means that light from the Beauty Angel only penetrates 1-4 millimeters deep, which is nowhere near enough to offer any deep tissue benefits.
Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness RLT vs. At-Home Therapy
This information isn’t intended to convince any Planet Fitness clients that they are getting scammed or that the Beauty Angel RVT 30 isn’t doing them any good. The point is that this device is primarily a skin health and rejuvenation machine, not a muscle recovery or deep tissue stimulation treatment. No doubt a regular dose of RLT in 12-minute increments will have you looking great and feeling energized after your workout. However, your muscles won’t see any of the benefits.
What is important to note is that while red light therapy machines are often seen as a great addition to gym amenities, there are other ways to enjoy the benefits. After all, most gyms will require premium memberships for access to the device, and the fact that even Planet Fitness locations will only boast a single device could mean long wait times, which is very inconvenient.
When you consider all this, at-home red light therapy panels like those provided by Recover Red provide a convenient and effective alternative. Not only do these devices offer the most beneficial, scientifically studied wavelength, but they and allow for easy use without the need for a gym visit. Because devices like these are specifically designed multiple wavelengths of light, you can dial in your treatment as you please.
Investing in an at-home red light therapy product can support overall health and wellness, skin health, or deep tissue recovery at the same time or as required – all from the comfort of your own home. So, while the red light therapy machines at Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness offer valuable benefits, they simply can’t match the convenience, personalization, and overall effectiveness of at-home options.
