Reality Behind the Hype: What Is Total Body Enhancement at Planet Fitness

In today’s hustle and bustle, the allure of quick fixes and instant results often dominates our approach to fitness. Yet, with all the new technology out there, it’s crucial to maintain a sense of rationality towards our own well-being.

Advertised as Total Body Enhancement, the device at Planet Fitness aka the “Beauty Angel”, has piqued the curiosity of many, including newbie gym-goers as well as seasoned fitness enthusiasts. This might sound like a fairy tale, but…from improving skin texture to boosting muscle recovery, these machines are alleged to offer it all.

Then, the age-old questions: What’s the scientific secret behind the Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement machine? How does this fitness equipment work its magic? Does it genuinely deliver on its grand claims?

C’mon! Let’s find out.

Total Body Enhancement: What is it?

With eye protection goggles on, you step into a private, enclosed booth like a space pod. Press the button and boom, your body is instantly enveloped in dazzlingly bright red light beams. Just stand still, and the grey rubber pad beneath your feet begins to vibrate, giving you a therapeutic massage.

Each session takes about 12 minutes and some call it a joyful mood lifter. According to Beauty Angel, its German manufacturer, the Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement session is designed to stimulate beneficial biological processes that ENHANCE the body’s overall health and vitality by promoting the natural regeneration of collagen and elastin, improving the flow of blood and oxygen alongside the renewal of cells. Specifically, whether you use it before or after a workout, Total Body Enhancement appears to have some effectiveness in relieving stiffness and fatigue in muscle tissue, thereby enhancing your muscle capabilities.

Regarding the usage experience of Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement, one of the most representative reviews comes from an Exercise Physiologist. She expresses a nuanced perspective, acknowledging both the potential benefits and limitations of this fitness cabin. While she recognizes its potential to enhance skin texture and possibly increase energy levels, she remains cautious about its effectiveness for weight loss and muscle toning. Meanwhile, she highlights a notable improvement in skin texture as the most significant effect she observed on her body.

Total Body Enhancement: Who can access it?

For those who haven’t tried out Total Body Enhancement yet, please note that this amenity is currently exclusive to Planet Fitness Black Card members. According to the latest update from the brand, Black Card membership costs $50 annually, with an additional monthly fee of $24.99.

Total Body Enhancement: how does it work?

The Beauty Angel from Planet Fitness boasts two novel features: Red Light Therapy and Whole-Body Vibration Technology. If this piques your interest, stay tuned as we decode it for you.

An Overview of Red Light Therapy

Simply put, the Total Body Enhancement system is essentially a vibrating platform with full-body red light treatment as its core technology. Whether it’s truly effective or just hype remains a question, but delving into the scientific basis behind it is unavoidable. So, first and foremost, we need to understand what the red LED light, reported to have healing effects, actually is.

Red Light Therapy: What is it?

To explain what RLT is, we first need to realize a simple fact: our bodies are constantly surrounded by light. Humans need certain level of light exposure to stay healthy, like sunlight helping the body absorb calcium.

RLT, also called Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, uses exactly two “bioactive” types of light: natural red and near-infrared light, to benefit the body.

The science of therapeutic light is definitely not something new: since the 1800s, pioneers like Niels Ryberg Finsen used light energy for treating diseases, winning a Nobel Prize. NASA further explored these red LED lights, noting improvements in mood, healing, and physical conditioning. These historical insights contribute to the principles behind the Total Body Enhancement facility, merging past discoveries with today’s workout practices.

Red Light Therapy: How does it work?

The Total Body Enhancement machine from Planet Fitness incorporates RLT system because it has long been proven to be a safe, UV-free, non-invasive light-emitting diode (LED) treatment form. Just as we briefly covered, there are two types of light energy utilized by RLT units. These two light sources have different wavelengths, thus, they penetrate your body at varying depths.

• Red light, visible to the human eye, is most effective when applied to the skin’s surface. It occupies the “long end” of the visible spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from 600nm to 700nm.
• Near-infrared (NIR) light encompasses wavelengths between 770 and 1200 nm¹. It is invisible and can penetrate approximately 1.5 inches into the body.

How does red light work?

Red light stands out for its capacity to promote collagen synthesis, as it operates within the range of 700nm, which is optimal for collagen production. This also explains why many beauty facilities, spas and studios use red light waves to provide facial or body treatments for customers.

A facial mask, as you’ve likely noticed either during visits to your dermatologist’s office or while browsing online ads for home gadgets, typically employs red light treatment, often in the form of illuminated boards or handheld devices fitted with small LED bulbs.

SELF magazine has interviewed professionals about the effects of RLT on skin health: Jared Jagdeo, MD, chief medical officer of Ever/Body cosmetic dermatology spa in New York City, suggests that RLT initiates a series of cellular changes. These alterations lead to several benefits, such as enhanced collagen production and reduced skin inflammation, pigmentation, and redness. Furthermore, red light therapy stimulates cellular repair and improves circulation, resulting in a healthier appearance and a more radiant complexion.

How does near-infrared light work?

Now, who still recalls the wavelength of NIR light?

You might not remember the exact figures, but you probably have a sense that NIR light has a longer wavelength. Needless to say: the longer the wavelength, the deeper the penetration into your body to deliver energy to your cells.

Already bored? Quiz time! Near-Infrared Light’s Biological Mechanism in the Human Body is closely related to this thing, which is known as the “powerhouses” of cells, serving as the “energy currency” for cellular energy transfer. And it is abundantly present in our muscle cells.

Ta-da! This pivotal thing is mitochondria. As mentioned earlier, NIR light penetrates beyond the skin’s surface layer, known as the epidermis, revitalizing mitochondria through enhanced electron transport and oxygen consumption. Mitochondria take in glucose and oxygen to generate energy, which they store as ATP molecules. Now, what exactly is ATP, you might wonder. In simple terms, it serves as the primary fuel for muscle contractions. Without ATP, muscles would remain contracted instead of relaxing.

Red Light Therapy: what are the overall benefits?

As per a 2018 scientific literature review, there is a wealth of evidence suggesting promising outcomes with RLT application. However, more studies are necessary to confirm its effectiveness.

The good news is that clinical research over the last two decades indicates that RLT can provide benefits in:

• Muscle Pain Soothing: In space, scientists have explored the medicinal properties of red light and used it to aid in the treatment of muscle atrophy. Nowadays, this source of light energy is frequently used to facilitate muscle relaxation, easing muscle spasms and pain related to muscle strains or soreness after workouts. Additionally, it assists in joint health by mitigating discomfort, alleviating aches, and reducing stiffness.

• Wound Healing: Published on December 27, 2022, an Article on Wound Healing Effects Using a Scratch Assay Fibroblast Model, indicates that red light has the potential to speed up wound healing by boosting the growth of various cells like fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

• Skin Rejuvenation: A 2020 study discovered that using LED treatment, especially RLT, might help older skin. RLT appears to improve skin by encouraging the growth of cells that make collagen, which keeps skin firm and flexible.

• Acne Treatment: Acne caused by a chronic skin condition might find relief with therapeutic red light, as the longer wavelengths in RLT equipment can reach deeper layers of the skin to help calm and rejuvenate tissue.

An Overview of Whole-Body Vibration

The Total Body Enhancement pod at Planet Fitness comes with the vibrational massage plate underfoot for gym goers. Just to clarify, full-body vibration training isn’t some brand-new, high-tech craze. In fact, it was first invented in the late 1890s.

Whole-Body Vibration: what is it?

A vibrating pad, also called a power plate, is an approach commonly used in sports therapy, fitness coaching, physiotherapy, and recovery programs for exercise and treatment purposes. In typical usage scenarios, people can stand, sit, or lounge on machines fitted with vibrating technology. As the machine shakes, it sends energy through your body, making your muscles twitch and unwind dozens of times a second. It might make you feel like you’re really pushing yourself.

The platform utilized by Planet Fitness’s Total Body Enhancement vibrates continuously throughout the entire session, lasting for 12 minutes. The outcomes induced by its vibration are akin to those achieved through resistance training with weights, offering comprehensive workouts that engage multiple muscle groups throughout the body.

Whole-Body Vibration: how does it work?

In essence, this kind of vibration is intended to generate three outcomes: motion, the body’s response to that motion, and gravity. But how? Here’s what’s happening: To maintain balance on the platform, the body initiates rapid muscle contractions and relaxations each time the platform shifts. This muscle activity is believed to facilitate healthy weight loss, improve blood circulation, and shorten muscle recovery time after exercise.

Whole-Body Vibration: what are the overall benefits?

As stated by Planet Fitness, the Total Body Enhancement system aims to offer a holistic enhancement for both dedicated and novice gym-goers. The potential enhancements that vibrating plates can bring include:

• Weight Loss: In 2019, researchers investigated how whole-body vibration affects fat levels in a study involving 280 participants. While it didn’t greatly impact body fat percentage in short-term trials (<6 months), it did visibly trim down fat content.

• Lowered Blood Pressure: In a 2012 study, 10 overweight females tried whole-body vibration training for six weeks, while another group didn’t. Results showed improved arterial stiffness and lower blood pressure in the vibration group, hinting at benefits for those unable to exercise conventionally.

• Increased Metabolic Rate: In a 2018 study, researchers found that full-body vibration training increased calorie burn by 22% during a 20-minute session, potentially aiding weight management.

Vibra Shape: what is it?

Vibra Shape, a sought-after feature of the Beauty Angel fitness cabin, offers users three different levels of vibration training intensity, along with a fourth mode that mixes these intensities. These vibrations are marketed to not only provide gentle joint exercise but also mimic the swaying motion of normal walking. Additionally, by alternating side-to-side movements, Vibra Shape targets muscles from the legs to the abdomen and back. Hence, it aids in calorie burning, prevents cellulite formation, and improves blood circulation and microcirculation.

Total Body Enhancement: So what to Expect?

So far, we’ve taken a glimpse into the world of Total Body Enhancement in terms of the science behind it. Whether you’re newcomers or aficionados to the gym, we’re all on the journey to a healthier self. But before stepping into any local Planet Fitness gym boasting the Total Body Enhancement machine, let’s find out what awaits as we explore the exciting prospects ahead.

Total Body Enhancement & Skin Health

Maybe you recall that review where the blogger thought skin texture was one of the biggest changes after trying out the Beauty Angel? Planet Fitness’s Total Body Enhancement tool may potentially benefit your skin because LED light therapy helps stimulate collagen synthesis and reduce inflammation. Through interaction with the skin, it stimulates cell regeneration, healing, and repair, while supporting healthy collagen production and skin elasticity. So here’s the kicker: When you step into this walk-in Total Body Enhancement device, the first thing to look forward to is hopefully, the rejuvenation it brings to your skin.

Total Body Enhancement & Muscle Performance

How about getting down to the practical side: What do gym lovers most hope to achieve through their fitness journey? One of the most common answers is undoubtedly – muscle. This is also what Planet Fitness hopes to help its customers achieve.

The Total Body Enhancement machine is said to help balance your muscle tone. The futuristic Beauty Angel emits red and near-infrared light, and increasing evidence suggests that both play a role in increasing muscle mass and strength during workouts.

Therefore, the Total Body Enhancement may effectively increase muscle mass, reduce muscle fatigue, and improve muscle performance when applied before or after workouts.

Total Body Enhancement & Workout Recovery

Muscle recovery is also a key factor in improving athletic performance. Faster recovery means shorter rest periods between workouts, reducing the time spent feeling sore.

The red and near-infrared light of the Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement device aids in muscle recovery by increasing blood circulation and oxygen supply, as well as promoting cell regeneration. These benefits have long been proven to help alleviate post-workout muscle soreness, fatigue, and stiffness. Research also indicates that RLT in Beauty Angel can reduce muscle damage and oxidative stress (an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in cells, limiting the body’s detoxification capacity), both of which are significant barriers to muscle tissue repair.

Other studies suggest that RLT alone is more beneficial for muscle recovery than using cryotherapy alone or in combination with RLT. When considering Planet Fitness’s Total Body Enhancement, it’s worth noting that RLT has shown to be more effective than cold water immersion therapy in improving short-term recovery after exercise.

Total Body Enhancement & Fat Loss

For those of you looking to shed some pounds or planning to, adding the Total Body Enhancement machine to your self-discipline toolkit can be worth a try.

Losing fat can be tough. Even with exercise and a proper diet, stubborn “problem areas” can persist, leading even the most dedicated dieters to frustration. In pursuit of results, people often resort to invasive surgical treatments, potentially harmful weight loss teas and supplements, or pricey creams and lotions in hopes of temporarily reducing cellulite.

Dig into the Total Body Enhancement therapy, and you’ll find its built-in vibrational training may be a bit more trustworthy. Planet Fitness’s built-in shaking plate helps activate muscles across the body, triggering rapid muscle contractions and relaxations akin to mini workouts. Such swift muscle activity consumes additional energy, promoting fat burning.

Total Body Enhancement: does it actually work?

To wrap it up, Planet Fitness’s Beauty Angel comes with some pretty big promises. It’s touted not only for easing post-workout soreness and hastening injury recovery but also for enhancing your skin’s appearance.

So, Total Body Enhancement is the perfect solution for all? Hmm…Consider Frodo and the One Ring series. Like the Ring, Beauty Angel has its aura. But just as the Ring carries significant risks and dangers, the device also has its downsides. Now, keep reading until the end of this article.

Skin: Check. Muscle: Not Quite.

The Total Body Enhancement chamber primarily utilizes light at 630 nanometers, which falls into the category of wavelengths associated with skin health and rejuvenation. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that this wavelength significantly improved skin texture, tone, and firmness. Thus, it’s reassuring to know that Planet Fitness delivers on its promise to improve skin with its machine.

However, as its name implies, Beauty Angel may only deliver on its cosmetic promises. The Total Body Enhancement red light system utilizes 32 CFL bulbs manufactured by Ergoline. It’s worth noting that these bulbs are not as powerful as the LEDs and thus fall short in terms of spectrum accuracy and intensity compared to medical-grade red light devices.

In simpler terms, the light from the Total Body Enhancement session doesn’t penetrate deep into muscles like the 810 and 850 nanometer wavelengths do. Therefore, it might not provide the full muscle recovery benefits as advertised.

nnEMF Risk Alert

According to light therapy experts, the levels of non-native electromagnetic frequencies (nnEMF) generated during the Total Body Enhancement session are concerning. Studies suggest that prolonged exposure to high levels of nnEMF may pose danger to human health on a cellular level.

While Planet Fitness recommends using the device 2 to 3 times per week for 12 minutes each time, it’s important to be cautious and ensure there is at least a 24-hour gap between two consecutive sessions.

Eye Safety Concerns

Professionals remind users that despite Planet Fitness’s assurance that the Total Body Enhancement facility is UV-free, there’s a risk associated with using the Beauty Angel red light therapy. And that is, exposure to high-energy purple and blue light.

While these light waves might help with acne, they could also lead to skin irritation for some folks. What’s more, spending too much time under these lights might mess with your sleep schedule, making it tough to drift off at night. So, when you hop on the Total Body Enhancement program, consider popping on the officially recommended protective eyewear. It’s a simple step that could help keep your eyes and body safe from potential harm.

Total Body Enhancement: Who should not use it?

One’s meat is another man’s poison. Total Body Enhancement is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For some, the Beauty Angel may not be an angel at all. Using this device may not only fail to deliver the expected benefits but also expose them to various risks and harms. This group includes:

• Those who suffer from migraines.
• People with heart conditions who are taking heart medication.
• People with light-sensitive conditions.
• People weighing over 300 pounds.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Persons with epilepsy.
• Those under 18 without parental consent.
• Individuals with recent deep vein thrombosis.
• Those who have recently undergone surgery.
• Users of pacemakers.
• People at risk of or experiencing retinal detachment.
• Those who have undergone spinal or brain surgery.
• Individuals with osteoporosis.
• Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• People taking medications containing Vitamin A.
• Individuals taking photosensitive drugs (such as anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, or antifungal medications).
• Those taking antiplatelet medications to reduce blood clotting.
• Those who have recently undergone surgery or surgical procedures.

Total Body Enhancement: What to prepare before my session?

Firstly, make sure you are a Planet Fitness Black Card member. You can schedule your usage time either at the front desk or on self-service kiosks available in some locations. When it’s your turn, the front desk will assign you a private room equipped with the beauty angel amenity. Remember to lock the door for your own privacy.

A friendly reminder here: You can wear loose, comfortable outerwear over your swimsuit and make use of the lockers provided by Planet Fitness in the changing room to store your personal items. This way, you only need to remove your outerwear to let your skin bask in the Total Body Enhancement light therapy.

Wait, before using the Total Body Enhancement machine, there are some suggested steps to follow:

• Avoid applying moisturizers, makeup, or sunscreen if possible. This is to ensure the effectiveness of the light therapy.

• Remove all jewelry, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, and piercings, to avoid interfering with the light therapy.

• Feel free to wear underwear or expose as much skin as you feel comfortable with to ensure maximum exposure during the red light therapy session.

• Step into the booth and stand straight on the grey rubber pad, ready to begin using the device.

• Use eye protection glasses, or you can also choose to close your eyes during the session to prevent eye strain.

Total Body Enhancement: how to use it actually?

Expect to spend roughly 12 minutes during each session. To fully enjoy the experience, here is your step by step guide:

• Bend your knees and hold onto the straps on the ceiling to maintain balance, which helps to stay steady during the vibrations.

• Adjust the intensity of the vibration footplate to your preference using the buttons located in the booth.

• Choose one of the four programs tailored to your needs and goals, such as relaxation, wellness, fitness, or beauty.

• Once you’ve adjusted the settings, press the start button to initiate the session, activating both the vibration plate and the red light bulbs.

• During the session, you can control the lights by pressing the start/stop button and adjust the fan speed as needed.

• If required, you can activate the voice guide to assist with basic controls, ensuring you operate the device correctly.

• After 12 minutes, the machine will automatically stop, allowing you to exit the booth and get dressed.Note: As your session nears its end, you might notice the vibration getting less intense. Don’t worry, it’s the machine’s cooling time.

Finally, The Frequently Asked Questions​

Do all planet fitness gyms have total body enhancement?

Unfortunately not all locations offer this service. Additionally, note that access to the Beauty Angel is exclusive to Planet Fitness Black Card members. This membership requires an annual fee of $50, along with an extra monthly charge of $24.99. It’s essential to check its availability at your local gym before paying for the Black Card membership.

How Frequently Should I Utilize the Beauty Angel?

According to the brand, it’s best to use the device 2-3 times per week, with each session lasting 12 minutes. Stick with it for at least 90 days to see real changes in your skin health and appearance. Also, keep in mind that it’s important to take at least a day off between sessions.

1. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2018/6510159/ ↩︎