What Is the Total Body Enhancement at Planet Fitness? A 1000-Word Guide (2025)
What Is the "Total Body Enhancement" at Planet Fitness? A 1000-Word Deep Dive (2025)
If you're a Planet Fitness member, especially a Black Card® holder, you've almost certainly seen it: the mysterious, futuristic, glowing red pod tucked away in the PF Black Card® Spa area. It’s called the Total Body Enhancement machine, and it’s the subject of endless curiosity.
What is it? What does it actually do? Is it a tanning bed? A gimmick? Or is it a hidden wellness gem?
The short answer is that it's a wellness device that combines two distinct technologies: Red Light Therapy (RLT) and Whole-Body Vibration (WBV). This 1000-word guide will definitively explain the science behind it, its real-world benefits, exactly how to use it, and who it's for.
The Big Secret: It's Not a Tanning Bed, It's a Red Light Therapy Booth
Let's clear up the biggest misconception immediately. The Total Body Enhancement machine is not a tanning bed. It uses zero UV light and will not give you a tan. In fact, it’s designed to do the opposite—to improve your skin.
The machine, often a "Beauty Angel RVT 30" or similar model, is a form of Red Light Therapy (RLT).
What is Red Light Therapy? In simple terms, RLT uses specific, safe wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. Unlike damaging UV light, these wavelengths can penetrate the skin to a cellular level.
How does it work? The light is absorbed by your mitochondria, which are the "powerhouses" of your cells. This stimulates them to produce more ATP (cellular energy). This boost in cellular energy can, in turn, help your cells repair themselves, regenerate, and function more efficiently. This process is claimed to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
What Are the Claimed Benefits of the Total Body Enhancement?
The machine is designed to offer a wide range of "enhancements." While some claims are stronger than others, here are the primary benefits associated with its two technologies.
H3: Claim 1: Skin Rejuvenation and Collagen Production (The "Beauty" Benefit)
This is the main reason the machine is often found in the spa area. Red light therapy is widely used in dermatology for its potential skin benefits.
- Collagen and Elastin: RLT is claimed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for your skin's firmness and elasticity.
- Reduces Fine Lines: By boosting collagen, it may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
- Improves Skin Tone: It can help improve overall skin tone and texture, potentially reducing the appearance of sun spots and other mild discoloration.
- Acne and Scarring: RLT's anti-inflammatory properties may help calm acne and, by promoting cellular repair, it's suggested to help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks over consistent, long-term use.
H3: Claim 2: Pre-Workout Energy and Post-Workout Recovery (The "Fitness" Benefit)
This is where the "Total Body" part comes in.
- Pre-Workout: Using the machine for 10 minutes before your workout can help warm up your muscles and increase blood flow, potentially leading to better performance and reduced risk of injury.
- Post-Workout: This is the more popular use. The red light's anti-inflammatory properties are claimed to help reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It aids in recovery by promoting blood flow to tired muscles, helping them repair faster.
The "Enhancement" Part: The Vibrating Footplate
This machine isn't just a light booth. Once you step inside, you'll notice the floor is a vibrating plate. This is the "Vibra Shape" or Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) feature, and it works simultaneously with the red lights.
This plate oscillates at different speeds, forcing your muscles to involuntarily contract and relax dozens of times per second. It's like a low-impact workout while you simply stand there.
The claimed benefits of this vibration include:
- Muscle Toning: Activates muscles and improves muscle tone.
- Improved Circulation: The vibrations further enhance blood flow, complementing the red light.
- Lymphatic Drainage: Can help stimulate the lymphatic system, which aids in detoxification.
How to Use the Total Body Enhancement: A Step-by-Step Guide
Using the machine is simple, but there are important things to know.
Who Can Use It? The Total Body Enhancement is an exclusive perk for Planet Fitness Black Card® members only.
- Step 1: Sign Up at the Front Desk You can't just walk in and use it. You must sign up for a time slot at the front desk. Sessions are typically 10 to 12 minutes long.
- Step 2: What to Wear (or Not Wear) This is the most common question. For the red light to work, it must be able to hit your skin directly. Clothing will block the light. The room is private and the door locks from the inside.
- Nude: Most people use the machine fully nude to get the "total body" effect.
- Underwear/Bathing Suit: This is also a common option.
- Lotion: You can apply a red-light-specific lotion (which Planet Fitness often sells) before going in to enhance the effects, but regular tanning lotion is not recommended.
- Step 3: Inside the Booth You will step into a stand-up booth. It's clean and private. You'll pull the door shut, and it will lock.
- Step 4: The Controls The control panel is simple. You will typically select:
- Session Duration: Usually 10 or 12 minutes (often set by the front desk).
- Vibration Intensity: There are often 4 settings (e.g., "Relax," "Medium," "Intense," "Mixed"). It's best to start with a lower setting if you're new to it.
- Fan Speed: To keep you cool.
- Step 5: Goggles Protective eyewear (similar to tanning goggles) is provided and highly recommended. The red lights are extremely bright and can be uncomfortable for your eyes.
- Step 6: The Experience You'll stand in the booth, holding onto handles for stability. The machine will get warm, but not uncomfortably hot like a sauna. The floor will vibrate according to your setting. Just relax and enjoy the 10-minute session.
Does It Actually Work? A Realistic Look at the Science
So, is this a miracle machine or just a gimmick? The truth is somewhere in the middle.
- The Science is Legitimate: Both Red Light Therapy and Whole-Body Vibration are legitimate therapeutic modalities studied by scientists and used by dermatologists and physical therapists. The science behind them is sound.
- Consistency is Key: The primary question is whether a 10-minute session in this specific machine is potent enough to deliver the full benefits. Like a real workout, you cannot expect results from one session.
- The Verdict: It is not a magic bullet. It will not melt 20 pounds off, cure chronic disease, or erase all your wrinkles in a week.
Think of it as a valuable wellness tool. Users who use it consistently (3+ times per week for several weeks) are the most likely to see and feel the benefits, particularly in improved skin texture and reduced muscle soreness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does the Total Body Enhancement machine tan you? A: No, absolutely not. It contains zero UV (ultraviolet) light.
Q: How often should you use the Total Body Enhancement? A: For best results, Planet Fitness staff and RLT advocates often recommend consistent use, such as 3-5 times per week for 10-12 minutes.
Q: Can you use it before or after a workout? A: Both. Many people use it before a workout to warm up their muscles and get energized. Many others use it after a workout to help with recovery and reduce soreness.
Q: Does it help with weight loss? A: Not directly. It is not a "fat-melting" machine. However, by helping you recover faster and feel less sore, it might empower you to work out more consistently, which does lead to weight loss.
Conclusion: A Powerful Perk
The Total Body Enhancement machine is far from a gimmick. It is a powerful combination of two legitimate wellness technologies—Red Light Therapy and Whole-Body Vibration. While it's not a miracle cure, it is an incredibly valuable perk for Planet Fitness Black Card® members, offering real benefits for skin health, muscle recovery, and overall wellness. It's a fantastic tool to complement the hard work you put in on the gym floor—work that's best guided by an understanding of how to build your own Delta Fitness Authority.
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