The Total Body Enhancement machine at Planet Fitness is a stand-up booth that combines two technologies: red light therapy and whole-body vibration. You step inside, stand on a vibrating platform, and the walls of the booth emit red light while the plate beneath your feet oscillates rapidly. Each session lasts up to 12 minutes, and the machine is available exclusively to PF Black Card members.
How the Two Technologies Work
The booth uses red light at a primary wavelength of 630 nanometers, which falls in the visible red spectrum. This light penetrates the skin about 1 to 4 millimeters deep, reaching the upper layers where collagen and elastin are produced. The idea is that consistent exposure stimulates your skin cells to ramp up production of these structural proteins, which naturally decline with age. The manufacturer claims visible improvements in skin appearance within about 90 days of regular use.
The vibration plate under your feet works on a different principle entirely. When the platform oscillates (typically between 20 and 40 Hz), the rapid movement triggers your stretch reflex, the same involuntary muscle contraction that happens when a doctor taps your knee. Your central nervous system detects the vibration as an external disturbance to your balance and responds by activating motor units in your legs, core, and other stabilizing muscles. Research published through the National Institutes of Health found that vibration at 20 Hz can activate roughly 70% of maximum voluntary muscle contraction in older adults, making it a surprisingly effective form of passive muscle engagement.
What the Research Says About Results
Red light therapy has more clinical backing than many people expect. A controlled trial published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery treated subjects with red light over 30 sessions and had blinded evaluators assess before-and-after photographs. In the red light group, 69% of participants showed measurable improvement in wrinkles. In the control group that received no light treatment, 74% actually looked worse over the same period. The treated groups also showed measurable increases in collagen density and reductions in skin roughness, both confirmed by ultrasound imaging rather than subjective opinion alone.
That said, the machines used in clinical studies are calibrated for research conditions, and a 12-minute session on a gym floor isn’t identical to a controlled lab environment. The wavelength is the same, but factors like how close you stand to the panels and how much skin you expose all affect how much light your cells actually absorb. Most people who report noticing changes describe subtle improvements in skin tone and texture over weeks, not dramatic overnight transformations.
Whole-body vibration research is similarly encouraging but measured. Studies consistently show it activates muscles and may improve circulation in the lower body. For people who are older or less mobile, vibration training can serve as a meaningful supplement to traditional exercise. For younger, active gym-goers, the effect is more modest. Think of it as a complement to your workout, not a replacement.
What a Session Looks Like
You’ll find the Total Body Enhancement booth in the same area as the tanning beds at most Planet Fitness locations. Sessions run up to 12 minutes, though some hybrid booths (which combine tanning and red light features) cap sessions at 9 minutes. You select a program on the touchscreen, step onto the vibration plate, and the red lights activate around you. Most machines offer several intensity settings for the vibration.
To get the most from the red light, you want as much skin exposed as possible. Athletic shorts or swimwear work best. Clothing blocks the light from reaching your skin, so a full tracksuit would defeat much of the purpose. The booth is private with a door that closes, so you have the same level of privacy as a tanning room.
Eye protection isn’t strictly required because the machine doesn’t emit UV rays. However, the red lights are intensely bright, and most regular users recommend wearing protective eyewear. Planet Fitness locations typically sell goggles designed for their light therapy and tanning booths. Standard sunglasses won’t provide the right type of protection.
Who Can Use It
Access requires a PF Black Card membership, which is the gym’s premium tier. Classic membership holders cannot use the machine. As a Black Card member, you can use the Total Body Enhancement booth as many times as you’d like, with each session capped at 12 minutes per cycle. There’s no enforced weekly limit, though most people use it three to five times per week based on the general recommendations for red light therapy consistency.
Many users step into the booth right after a workout, using the vibration as a cool-down and the red light as a recovery tool. Others treat it as a standalone visit on rest days. There’s no evidence that timing matters significantly, so it comes down to whatever fits your routine.
What to Expect Realistically
The Total Body Enhancement machine isn’t going to replace a solid workout routine, a dermatologist visit, or a dedicated red light therapy panel that you’d use at home for 20 minutes at close range. What it does offer is a convenient, low-effort way to get consistent red light exposure and mild muscle activation as part of a membership you may already be paying for.
People who stick with it for two to three months tend to report softer skin, a more even complexion, and a general sense of relaxation after sessions. The vibration component adds a mild muscle-engagement element that can feel surprisingly tiring in the legs if you’ve never tried it. Neither technology carries significant risks for healthy adults, making it a low-downside addition to your gym routine. If you’re already a Black Card member and walking past the booth on your way out, there’s little reason not to try it.