How Planet Fitness Paid Me $1,600 for One UGC Video

How Planet Fitness Paid Me $1,600 for One UGC Video (My Full Behind-the-Scenes Process)

If you’ve ever wondered whether UGC creators can really make good money… here’s your answer:
Planet Fitness paid me $1,600 for one UGC video.

Yes — ONE video.
And today, I’m breaking down exactly how it happened, what the project looked like from start to finish, and how brands like this choose creators (even without a huge following).

Whether you’re new to UGC or trying to level up your content game, this behind-the-scenes walkthrough will give you a realistic idea of how professional UGC deals actually work.

How the Deal Started: Why Planet Fitness Reached Out

Brands reach out when your portfolio looks professional and your content matches their aesthetic. Planet Fitness found my work, saw that my videos were clean, energetic, gym-friendly, and aligned with their audience — and contacted me about creating a UGC-style video for their social platforms.

They needed:

• A fun, high-energy gym video

• Shot inside a Planet Fitness location

• Edited in their brand style

• Delivered professionally and on deadline

So we agreed on a rate: $1,600 for one video, including filming, editing, and usage.

Getting Ready: Planning the Shoot Like a Pro

Before filming, I went through the same prep system I teach UGC beginners:

1. Reviewing the Brief

Planet Fitness’ team shared:

• The message they wanted the video to communicate

• The vibe + pacing

• Their brand colors + fonts

• Example videos they liked

• Required shot list

• Upload format

This is why understanding briefs is everything — it saves you from reshoots and helps you hit the mark on the first try.

2. Choosing the Outfit & Look

For a gym brand, you are part of the visual aesthetic.

I chose:

• A clean, bright gym outfit

• Simple makeup (camera-friendly)

• Hair styled clean and athletic

I also practiced a few lines and transitions because UGC looks natural, but it’s still strategically planned.

Driving to Planet Fitness & Setting Up to Film

Once I arrived at the gym, I scoped out the quietest areas with:

• Even lighting

• Minimal foot traffic

• Clean backgrounds

I filmed with my phone in 4K 30FPS on a tripod — nothing fancy, just intentional angles.

Here’s what I captured:

🎥 Hook Clips

Fast-paced intro shots to grab attention in the first 1–2 seconds.

🎥 B-Roll

Close-up shots of equipment, walking into the gym, locker room moments, weights, cardio machines, etc.

🎥 Movement Shots

Dynamic angles to keep the video visually interesting.

I filmed everything in sections so I’d have options when editing — UGC creators are essentially their own production team.

Editing the Video: Where the Magic Happens

Editing is where UGC goes from “okay” to “brand-ready.”

My editing process:

1. Selecting the strongest clips

I chose:

• The brightest

• Most dynamic

• Most on-brand shots

2. Cutting everything into a clean flow

UGC needs pacing — short clips, fast transitions, no dead space.

3. Adding text + captions

Planet Fitness provided guidelines, and I matched their bold, fun style.

4. Syncing to music

I picked upbeat, gym-friendly audio that fit their vibe.

5. Color-correcting

Warm, bright, accessible — the Planet Fitness aesthetic.

6. Final polish

Every clip exported clean, crisp, 1080p/4K depending on their requirements.

I exported, triple-checked the quality, and delivered it to them through Google Drive.

Delivery & Approval: The Easiest Part

Planet Fitness loved the finished video (the goal 🟣💛).
They approved it with no revisions, which is the dream scenario when you follow a brief correctly.

Then… they posted it on their official Instagram page, giving the content even more visibility.

Seeing a huge brand publish a video you created is one of the best feelings as a UGC creator — and a major credibility boost.

So… How Did I Get Paid $1,600?

The rate included:

• Filming

• Editing

• Equipment

• Travel time

• Rights for them to use the video on Instagram

UGC creators don’t get paid for views — you get paid for the asset you create.
Brands pay more for:

• Quality

• Reliability

• Fast turnaround

• Strong storytelling

• Clean editing

• Knowing how to follow a brief

When you act like a professional, brands compensate you like one.

The Real Reason This Deal Happened

It wasn’t luck.
It wasn’t a huge following.
It wasn’t connections.

It was because I had:
✔ A clean UGC portfolio
✔ High-quality example videos
✔ A clear personal style
✔ Professional communication
✔ Consistent content that showed brands I understood their audience

This is exactly what I teach in my UGC course — because once you understand how the industry works, these opportunities become normal.

Final Takeaway: If I Can Do It, You Can Too

This wasn’t my first big project, and it won’t be my last — but it all started with a simple beginner portfolio and a few practice videos.

If you’re dreaming of working with big brands, remember:
UGC is the fastest way to get paid for your creativity right now.

One video can pay your rent.
One deal can build your confidence.
And one portfolio can change your entire year.