When joining Planet Fitness, you may be surprised to learn that your local club asks for your checking account and routing number instead of accepting only a credit or debit card.
Planet Fitness commonly uses an Electronic Funds Transfer, also known as EFT, to collect recurring monthly membership payments directly from a member’s checking account. According to Planet Fitness, this payment method helps prevent membership interruptions when a credit or debit card is lost, stolen, replaced, declined or expired.
However, payment requirements can vary by location. Some Planet Fitness clubs may offer additional payment options, while many clubs require a checking account for monthly membership billing.
Quick Answer
Planet Fitness may need your checking account because many clubs collect monthly membership dues through an Electronic Funds Transfer.
A checking account usually remains active longer than a credit or debit card. Cards can expire, become invalid or need replacement after being lost or stolen. Using EFT allows Planet Fitness to continue collecting agreed membership payments without requiring members to update an expired card.
The available payment methods depend on the individual Planet Fitness location and membership agreement.
Planet Fitness Checking Account Requirement at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Planet Fitness request a checking account? | To collect recurring membership payments through EFT |
| Is a checking account required everywhere? | Not necessarily; payment methods vary by club |
| Can I use a credit card instead? | Some locations may allow it, but many require checking-account billing |
| What information is usually needed? | Account holder’s name, routing number and checking-account number |
| Does a credit card expiration affect EFT? | No, because EFT is linked directly to the checking account |
| Can I change my billing information later? | Generally, account details can be managed through your account or home club |
| Does stopping a bank payment cancel membership? | No, the official cancellation procedure must still be completed |
What Is an Electronic Funds Transfer?
An Electronic Funds Transfer is a digital transfer of money from one financial account to another.
For a Planet Fitness membership, EFT commonly means that the club is authorized to withdraw recurring charges directly from the checking account listed in the membership agreement.
These charges may include:
- Monthly membership dues
- Annual membership fees
- Applicable taxes
- Past-due balances
- Other charges authorized under the membership agreement
The specific amount and billing schedule should be shown in the membership agreement before enrollment is completed.
Why Does Planet Fitness Prefer a Checking Account?
Planet Fitness explains that EFT helps maintain uninterrupted membership billing.
Credit and debit cards can create recurring-payment problems because they may:
- Expire
- Be lost
- Be stolen
- Be canceled
- Become invalid
- Be replaced with a new card number
- Be temporarily declined
A checking account and routing number usually remain the same even when the account holder receives a replacement debit card.
This means the member may not need to update payment details every time a card changes.
Is a Checking Account Required at Every Planet Fitness?
No single payment method necessarily applies to every Planet Fitness location.
Planet Fitness states that the way members can pay monthly membership dues varies by location. However, many Planet Fitness clubs accept recurring payments through checking accounts only.
This variation can occur because many Planet Fitness clubs are independently owned and operated.
Before signing up, ask your selected location:
- Is checking-account billing mandatory?
- Can monthly dues be paid with a credit card?
- Can I use a debit card?
- Is a prepaid membership available?
- Which account will be charged for the annual fee?
- Can I use a different method for startup fees?
- When will the first monthly payment be withdrawn?
Getting these answers before joining can prevent billing confusion later.
Can I Pay Planet Fitness With a Credit Card?
Credit-card acceptance depends on the location.
Some clubs may accept a credit or debit card for:
- Enrollment fees
- Startup fees
- A prorated first-month charge
- In-club purchases
- Certain membership balances
However, the same club may still require a checking account for recurring monthly dues and annual fees.
Do not assume that paying the initial fee with a card means future membership charges will also be taken from that card.
Ask the club which payment method will be used for each charge.
Can I Use a Debit Card Instead of a Checking Account?
A debit card and a checking account are connected, but they are not treated as identical payment methods.
Your debit card has:
- A card number
- An expiration date
- A security code
Your checking account has:
- A bank routing number
- An account number
A club requiring EFT may ask for the checking-account and routing numbers rather than the debit-card number.
Even if your debit card expires or is replaced, the underlying checking account may remain active. This is one reason direct EFT billing can reduce interruptions.
What Banking Information Does Planet Fitness Need?
When a checking account is required, you may need to provide:
- Name of the account holder
- Bank routing number
- Checking-account number
- Billing address
- Authorization for recurring withdrawals
The routing number identifies the financial institution, while the account number identifies your checking account.
These numbers may be found through:
- Your bank’s mobile app
- Online banking
- A paper check
- A bank statement
- Customer support from your bank
Avoid guessing your account or routing number. An incorrect number may result in a failed payment or delay in activating the membership.
Is It Safe to Give Planet Fitness My Checking-Account Information?
Providing bank information for recurring billing is a personal decision. Before submitting it, confirm that you are dealing with the correct Planet Fitness location or official account portal.
For better protection:
- Use the official Planet Fitness website
- Verify that the website address is correct
- Avoid entering bank details through unknown links
- Do not share banking details through social-media messages
- Review the membership agreement before authorizing EFT
- Check the payment amount and billing dates
- Keep a copy of the signed agreement
- Monitor your account statements
- Report unexpected withdrawals promptly
Never provide your online banking password, PIN, full debit-card security code or bank login information to a gym employee.
An EFT authorization generally requires the routing and account numbers, not access to your online banking account.
What Is a Routing Number?
A routing number is usually a nine-digit number used to identify a U.S. bank or credit union during financial transactions.
A financial institution may have different routing numbers for:
- Paper checks
- Electronic payments
- Wire transfers
- Different geographic regions
Use the routing number designated for electronic or ACH payments when requested.
Your bank can confirm the correct number.
Where Can I Find My Checking-Account Number?
Your checking-account number may appear:
- In your bank’s mobile application
- In your online banking account
- Along the bottom of a paper check
- On a bank statement
- Through your bank’s customer-service department
Do not confuse the checking-account number with:
- Debit-card number
- Routing number
- Check number
- Bank login ID
When using a paper check, the routing number, account number and check number appear in separate sections.
How Does Planet Fitness EFT Billing Work?
When you authorize EFT billing, Planet Fitness or its billing provider can withdraw membership charges from the listed checking account according to the membership agreement.
The process generally works like this:
- You select a membership plan.
- You review the membership price and fees.
- You provide checking-account details.
- You authorize recurring electronic withdrawals.
- The monthly payment is withdrawn on the scheduled billing date.
- The annual membership fee is withdrawn on its separate scheduled date.
- Billing continues until the membership is properly canceled or otherwise ended.
Review the agreement carefully because the monthly fee and annual fee may have different billing dates.
Does Planet Fitness Charge a Monthly and Annual Fee?
Many Planet Fitness memberships include:
- A monthly membership charge
- An annual membership fee
- An initial enrollment or startup fee
- Applicable taxes
The exact prices and billing dates vary by membership offer and club.
The annual fee is separate from the monthly membership payment. Members sometimes overlook it because it is charged only once each year.
Before joining, review:
- Monthly dues
- Annual fee amount
- Annual fee billing date
- Startup fee
- Commitment period
- Buyout or early cancellation fee
- Late or returned-payment fees
- Taxes and other authorized charges
When Does Planet Fitness Take Money From My Account?
The billing date should be listed in your membership agreement or account details.
Planet Fitness monthly dues are commonly billed according to a recurring schedule, while the annual fee has its own billing date.
Do not rely only on a general billing date found online because your agreement may have different terms.
You can confirm the schedule by:
- Reviewing your membership agreement
- Logging in to your Planet Fitness account
- Contacting your home club
- Checking previous bank statements
Can Planet Fitness Withdraw Money Without Permission?
Planet Fitness must have an authorization or contractual basis to process agreed membership charges.
When joining, the member generally signs or accepts a membership agreement authorizing recurring payments.
Before accepting the agreement, review:
- Which account will be charged
- How much will be withdrawn
- When charges will occur
- Whether the amount may change
- How notice of changes will be provided
- How to cancel the membership
- How to revoke or update payment authorization
If you see a charge you do not recognize, contact your home club and financial institution promptly.
How Do I Update My Planet Fitness Billing Information?
Planet Fitness members may be able to manage membership and billing details through their online account or by contacting their home club.
To update your information:
- Log in to your Planet Fitness account.
- Open the membership or billing section.
- Look for an option to update payment details.
- Enter the new information carefully.
- Save the changes.
- Confirm that the update was accepted.
- Keep a screenshot or confirmation email.
When online updates are unavailable, contact the home club responsible for the membership.
Make changes before the next payment date to reduce the risk of a failed payment.
What Happens If My Checking Account Is Closed?
Closing the account does not automatically cancel the Planet Fitness membership.
If the listed checking account is closed:
- Scheduled payments may fail
- The membership may become past due
- Returned-payment fees may apply
- Access to the club could be affected
- The balance may remain due
- The club may request a new payment method
Contact the home club before closing or changing the account.
Update the billing method or formally cancel the membership according to the membership agreement.
What Happens If an EFT Payment Fails?
A payment may fail because of:
- Insufficient funds
- Incorrect account information
- Closed checking account
- Bank restriction
- Payment stop
- Account freeze
- Technical processing error
A failed payment may result in a past-due balance or other consequences described in the membership agreement.
Contact your home club promptly if a payment fails. Ask for:
- The amount due
- The reason for the failure
- Any returned-payment fee
- Instructions for updating billing
- Written confirmation after payment is corrected
Can I Use a Savings Account?
Whether a savings account is accepted depends on the club and its billing system.
Planet Fitness commonly refers to EFT through a checking account. A savings account may not support the same type of withdrawal or may have additional bank restrictions.
Ask your selected club before providing a savings-account number.
Can I Use Someone Else’s Checking Account?
A club may allow another person, such as a parent or spouse, to pay for the membership. However, the account holder may need to authorize the recurring withdrawals.
The club may ask the account holder to:
- Provide identification
- Sign the EFT authorization
- Approve the membership charges
- Provide accurate account details
Never use another person’s bank account without clear permission.
Can a Teen Membership Use a Parent’s Checking Account?
A parent or guardian may be responsible for billing when a minor joins Planet Fitness.
Members between 13 and 17 generally require parental or guardian involvement during enrollment. The adult may also need to sign the membership agreement, legal waiver and payment authorization.
The exact signup and billing requirements should be confirmed with the local club.
Can I Remove My Checking Account After Joining?
You may be able to replace the account with another approved payment method, but removing the only valid billing method does not cancel the membership.
Before changing it:
- Contact the home club.
- Ask which replacement methods are accepted.
- Update the billing details.
- Confirm when the change becomes effective.
- Keep written confirmation.
Do not simply remove funds, close the account or request a payment stop without addressing the membership agreement.
Does Stopping EFT Cancel a Planet Fitness Membership?
No. Stopping an EFT payment is different from canceling the membership.
Your membership agreement may remain active even when a payment is blocked or fails.
To cancel properly, follow the cancellation method stated by Planet Fitness and your home club. Depending on the membership and location, this may involve:
- Online cancellation through the member portal
- A written request sent to the home club
- An in-person cancellation at the home club
Keep proof showing the cancellation date and final account status.
What If Planet Fitness Keeps Charging After Cancellation?
First, review:
- The cancellation confirmation
- Effective cancellation date
- Monthly billing deadline
- Annual fee date
- Final balance
- Membership agreement
Then contact your home club and provide:
- Cancellation confirmation
- Screenshots
- Copy of a mailed request
- Delivery tracking
- Bank statement showing the charge
- Previous communication
Ask the club to explain the charge and provide the resolution in writing.
When a charge appears unauthorized or continues after confirmed cancellation, contact your bank to ask about its dispute process.
Questions to Ask Before Providing Your Checking Account
Before completing enrollment, ask:
- Is a checking account mandatory at this club?
- Can I pay monthly dues by credit card?
- Which fees will be withdrawn by EFT?
- What is the monthly billing date?
- When is the annual fee charged?
- How much is the annual fee?
- What happens if a payment is returned?
- How can I change my checking account?
- How do I cancel recurring withdrawals?
- How do I cancel the membership itself?
- Is there a commitment period?
- Is there an early cancellation fee?
- Will I receive advance notice of price changes?
- Can I obtain a copy of the agreement?
- Who should I contact about a billing error?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Planet Fitness need my checking account?
Many clubs use checking-account EFT to process recurring membership payments without interruption when a credit or debit card expires, is lost, stolen, replaced or becomes invalid.
Does every Planet Fitness require a checking account?
No. Payment methods vary by location, although many Planet Fitness clubs require checking-account EFT for recurring dues.
Can I pay Planet Fitness with a credit card?
Some clubs may accept credit cards for certain charges, but they may still require a checking account for monthly and annual membership fees.
Can I use a debit card?
A club may accept a debit card for some payments. However, a location requiring EFT may request the checking-account and routing numbers instead of the debit-card number.
What is EFT?
EFT stands for Electronic Funds Transfer. It allows agreed membership payments to be withdrawn electronically from a bank account.
Why is EFT more reliable than card billing?
Checking-account details often remain unchanged when a debit or credit card expires, is lost or is replaced.
What information do I need to provide?
You may need the account holder’s name, bank routing number, checking-account number and authorization for recurring payments.
Does Planet Fitness need my online banking password?
No. You should not provide your online banking password, PIN or other bank-login credentials.
Can I use a prepaid card?
Acceptance varies by club. Many clubs requiring EFT may not accept a prepaid card as the recurring billing method.
Can I use a savings account?
It depends on the club and bank. Confirm with your home club before providing a savings-account number.
Can I use my parent’s checking account?
Potentially, but the account holder must authorize the recurring charges. Additional identification or signatures may be required.
How do I change my bank account?
Log in to your Planet Fitness account or contact your home club to ask how to update billing details.
Will closing my bank account cancel the membership?
No. Closing the bank account does not terminate the membership agreement.
Does blocking the payment cancel Planet Fitness?
No. A stopped or failed payment is not the same as an official membership cancellation.
What should I do if I see an incorrect charge?
Contact your home club, review your agreement and gather confirmation documents. Contact your bank if the charge appears unauthorized.
Final Thoughts
Planet Fitness may require your checking account to collect recurring monthly and annual membership payments through Electronic Funds Transfer.
According to Planet Fitness, EFT helps prevent payment interruptions when a card is lost, stolen, replaced, invalid or expired.
However, payment methods vary between Planet Fitness locations. Before joining, confirm:
- Whether checking-account EFT is mandatory
- Which fees will be withdrawn
- Monthly and annual billing dates
- Available alternative payment methods
- Returned-payment policies
- Cancellation requirements
Always read the membership agreement before authorizing recurring withdrawals and keep a copy for your records.
Disclaimer: This article provides general membership and billing information. Payment options, prices, fees and procedures may vary by Planet Fitness location and membership agreement. Contact your home club for the rules that apply to your account.