Total Body Enhancement is a booth-style machine available at Planet Fitness Black Card locations that combines red light therapy with a vibrating platform. You stand inside for a 12-minute session while non-UV light panels surround your body and a platform beneath your feet vibrates at a steady frequency. It’s designed to improve skin appearance, support circulation, and complement your workout routine.
The machine itself is a Beauty Angel RVT 30, manufactured by Ergoline. It contains 30 low-pressure lamps that emit light in the red and near-infrared spectrum, no ultraviolet light at all. It is not a tanning bed, despite looking like one.
How the Red Light Component Works
The lamps inside the booth emit light in the 620 to 700 nanometer range (red) and up into the near-infrared range (700+ nanometers). These wavelengths penetrate the skin and are absorbed by structures inside your cells, particularly within the mitochondria. When that light energy hits the mitochondria, it triggers increased production of ATP, the molecule your cells use as fuel. More cellular energy means cells can do their jobs more efficiently, including repairing tissue and producing collagen.
Research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences has shown that exposure to 660 nm LED light increases the secretion of procollagen (a collagen precursor) from human skin cells while simultaneously reducing the enzymes that break collagen down. This two-pronged effect, building more collagen while slowing its degradation, is the foundation of the skin-firming claims behind the machine. The light also appears to activate signaling pathways related to anti-inflammatory responses, cell migration, and antioxidant enzyme production.
What the Vibration Platform Does
The floor of the booth uses what Ergoline calls “Vibra-Shape Technology,” a whole-body vibration platform. As you stand on it, rapid micro-vibrations travel through your legs and into the rest of your body. The primary effect is improved circulation: the vibrations stimulate blood flow and encourage the movement of lymph fluid through your lymphatic system.
Your lymphatic system is essentially your body’s drainage network. It removes waste products from tissues and plays a role in immune function, but unlike your blood, it doesn’t have a pump. It relies on muscle contractions and movement to keep fluid flowing. Vibration plates act as a shortcut, gently shaking the fluid along. A 2020 study of 30 women found that vibrotherapy paired with manual lymphatic drainage was more effective at reducing swelling symptoms than drainage alone. On a practical level, the vibration component may help reduce minor swelling, support post-workout recovery, and leave your legs feeling less heavy after a long day.
What to Expect During a Session
Each session lasts exactly 12 minutes. You step into the booth, close the door for privacy, and select your settings. Most locations have a simple control panel that lets you adjust the vibration intensity and choose a pre-set program. The light turns on automatically, bathing the interior in a warm red glow. The vibration is noticeable but not jarring, more of a steady hum through your feet and legs than aggressive shaking.
For the red light to work, it needs to reach your skin directly. Most users remove their shirt at minimum, and many strip down to just underwear or socks. The booth is private and locks from the inside. You’ll also want to wear protective eyewear. Some Planet Fitness locations provide goggles near the machine, but bringing a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses is a reasonable backup. Avoid applying thick lotions or oils beforehand, as they can create a barrier between the light and your skin. The manufacturer actually recommends using their own vitamin-enriched skin formulations in conjunction with sessions, but this isn’t required.
Realistic Results and Timeline
Red light therapy is not a one-session transformation. The benefits are cumulative and depend on consistent use, ideally three to five sessions per week. Here’s a general timeline based on reported outcomes from regular red light therapy users:
- Weeks 1 to 2: Skin may look slightly calmer and more hydrated. Redness from irritation or minor breakouts often begins to fade.
- Weeks 3 to 6: Smoother skin texture and more even tone become noticeable. Breakouts may decrease.
- Weeks 6 to 12: Deeper changes emerge. Fine lines may soften, acne scars can fade, and skin generally feels firmer due to increased collagen production.
Early improvements typically appear within two to four weeks, but the firming and anti-aging effects that most people are after don’t kick in until the eight- to twelve-week mark. If you use the machine once a week or sporadically, you’re unlikely to see meaningful results.
The vibration benefits are more immediate. Many users report feeling lighter and more relaxed in their legs right after stepping off the platform, similar to the feeling after a good stretch. Over time, consistent use may contribute to improved circulation and reduced fluid retention.
Who Should Skip It
Total Body Enhancement is safe for most people, but a few groups should avoid it. Anyone with a history of skin cancer or systemic lupus erythematosus should not use red light therapy. People with retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, should also steer clear, as light therapy can affect the eyes even through closed lids.
Certain medications increase your skin’s sensitivity to light. These include lithium, melatonin supplements, some antipsychotic medications, and certain antibiotics (particularly tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones). If you’re taking any photosensitizing medication, red light exposure can cause redness, stinging, and burning that may take weeks to resolve. When in doubt, check whether your medication label includes a photosensitivity warning.
For the vibration component, people who are pregnant, have joint replacements, or have cardiovascular conditions like a pacemaker should avoid whole-body vibration platforms.
How to Access It
Total Body Enhancement is included with the Planet Fitness Black Card membership, which costs more than the basic tier but also includes perks like guest privileges and hydromassage access. You don’t pay per session. The machine is typically located near the tanning beds in a designated wellness area. At most locations, you can walk up and use it whenever it’s available, no appointment needed. Some busier clubs may have a sign-up sheet during peak hours.
Since sessions are only 12 minutes long, many members use the booth right before or after their workout. Using it before a workout can help loosen up your muscles through the vibration component. Using it afterward may support recovery by promoting circulation and lymphatic drainage. There’s no wrong time, so it comes down to personal preference and what fits your routine.