Health and Fitness Club Industry News: Chains
Saturday, March 28th, 2026
Planet Fitness, Home of the Judgement Free Zone, and the Coalition for Inclusive Fitness, Announce Accessible Exercise Equipment Commitment Benefitting People with Disabilities
Posted: September 21, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Council on Independent Living, and American Council of the Blind (collectively "Coalition for Inclusive Fitness" or the "Coalition") have announced a commitment to expand access to accessible exercise equipment. Planet Fitness is committed to providing inclusive equipment in all new clubs and adding it to existing clubs across the country as franchise owners replace current offerings, as inclusive commercial grade equipment becomes available for purchase and is approved by Planet Fitness for inclusion in its clubs. Read More...
Planet Fitness To Celebrate Grand Opening Of New “Judgement Free” Club In Elizabethton, Tennessee
Posted: September 8, 2021 in Chains
ELIZABETHTON, TN - Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the grand opening for its new club in Elizabethton on Wednesday, September 15. The grand opening will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM with the Planet Fitness team, representatives from the Elizabethton Carter County Chamber of Commerce and local officials. The new club offers state of the art cardio machines and strength equipment, 30-Minute Express Circuit, numerous flat screen televisions, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers and more. Read More...
Planet Fitness Names Publicis Groupe as New Agency of Record
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announced it has selected a newly formed unit within Publicis Groupe, a global communications leader and the number one media buyer in the U.S., as its new agency of record following a strategic competitive review. Read More...
Planet Fitness To Expand Global Footprint In Mexico
Posted: August 9, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced that it has signed a franchise agreement with Fitness Para Todos, S. de. R.L. de C.V. ("FPT"), to accelerate growth and dramatically expand its footprint in Mexico with the development of a minimum of 80 new stores over the next five years. Read More...
Planet Fitness Awards $150,000 In Scholarships To 30 Boys & Girls Clubs Of America Teens For Their Efforts To Promote A Kinder And More Inclusive World
Posted: June 30, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the recipients of its annual Judgement Free Generation scholarships, which recognize teens for their commitment to promoting inclusion, acceptance and kindness in their communities. Thirty deserving Boys & Girls Clubs of America teens were each awarded $5,000 for their inspiring efforts to create a brighter, more accepting future, of which nearly two-thirds (63%) of recipients will be first-generation college students. Read More...
Planet Fitness Appoints Sherrill Kaplan Chief Digital Officer
Posted: June 9, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. with more members than any other fitness brand, announced that Sherrill Kaplan has been appointed Chief Digital Officer. Ms. Kaplan joins the brand this month leading the company's digital vision and strategy, including the continuous evolution of its mobile app, with a focus on consumer engagement, loyalty and a differentiated omni-channel experience to accelerate Planet Fitness' growth and success. She will report directly to Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer. Read More...
Planet Fitness Opening in Ellicott City
Posted: June 3, 2021 in Chains
TIMONIUM, MD - Planet Fitness, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand announces further expansion in Maryland. In mid-August, its second Howard County location is scheduled to open in Elliott City. Read More...
Planet Fitness and iFIT Strengthen Partnership
Posted: May 6, 2021 in Chains, Suppliers
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced a minority investment in iFIT, a leading global health and fitness technology company that develops and sells interactive software, content and equipment. This investment builds upon Planet Fitness and iFIT's existing collaboration announced in April 2020, in which Planet Fitness partnered with iFIT to accelerate Planet Fitness' digital offerings with expanded and enhanced content. Read More...
Planet Fitness Study Finds More Than Three in Four Americans (77%) Say the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Negatively Impacted Their Overall Health
Posted: May 3, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Results from a national study**, commissioned by Planet Fitness in April, show more than three in four (77%) Americans report that at least one aspect of their overall health and wellbeing has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. The American Psychological Association similarly found*** that more than half of U.S. adults (53%) have been less physically active than they wanted to be since the pandemic started, with a majority (61%) experiencing undesired weight changes, averaging 28 to 41 pounds gained. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, with Planet Fitness finding that 92% of impacted Americans noting they are proactively doing at least one thing to improve their mental health. Read More...
Planet Fitness Appoints Mary Bradley, Senior Vice President of Corporate Club Operations
Posted: April 27, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the appointment of Mary Bradley as Senior Vice President of Corporate Club Operations, effective immediately. Bradley will be responsible for all facets of the Company's Corporate Club portfolio, leading and developing the team, overseeing overall operations, implementing cross-functional initiatives and identifying strategic growth and future expansion of the brand's corporate store fleet, which currently consists of 104 stores across 10 states and Canada. She will report directly to Bill Bode, Chief Operations Officer. Read More...
PF Growth Partners Making California Debut
Posted: April 12, 2021 in Chains
TIMONIUM, MD - PF Growth Partners, LLC (PFGP), an award-winning franchise division of Planet Fitness, is going to “The Golden State.” In June, the Timonium, Maryland-based group is scheduled to open its first California gym in San Bruno, bringing its portfolio to 70 U.S. clubs and six Australian clubs. The 11,996-square-foot San Bruno club will offer state-of-the-art cardio machines and strength equipment, 30-Minute Express Circuit, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers, numerous flat screen televisions, HydroMassage beds, massage chairs, tanning beds, a Total Body Enhancement booth and more. Read More...
Planet Fitness Franchisee National Fitness Partners Grows Footprint, Acquires 16 Clubs in Ohio and Pennsylvania
Posted: January 27, 2021 in Chains
CAMP HILL, PA, CHARLOTTE, N.C. and ATLANTA, GA - Planet Fitness franchisee National Fitness Partners (“NFP” or the “company”) has announced the acquisition of 16 Planet Fitness clubs, including 15 locations in the greater Cleveland and Akron-Canton, Ohio markets and one location in central Pennsylvania from two different sellers (the “transaction”). The transaction, which was financed with junior capital from funds managed by the Credit Group of Ares Management Corporation (“Ares”), strategically expands NFP’s growing footprint, which now includes 94 Planet Fitness clubs with exclusive rights to develop 40 plus additional clubs in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, North Carolina and South Carolina. Read More...
Planet Fitness Expands Board of Directors with Two New Appointments
Posted: January 20, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the appointments of Bernard Acoca, Chief Executive Officer and President for El Pollo Loco, and Christopher Tanco, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for 7–Eleven, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Read More...
New Planet Fitness Prototype Unveiled for the New Year
Posted: December 30, 2020 in Chains
ST. LOUIS, MO - In 2020, Planet Fitness partnered with Poettker Construction on three health fitness clubs located throughout the greater St. Louis area. Poettker also served as the construction manager for the Festus, Washington and Ballwin, Missouri locations, which opened to members in time for the New Year. The Festus and Washington locations each feature a new two-story ground-up prototype with a gross floor area of 30,000 square feet, allowing ample space for hundreds of machines and free weights. Planet Fitness and Poettker Construction already have plans for several more facilities to break ground in 2021. Read More...
Fitness is an Essential Component of Overall Health and Wellness: New National Survey Finds That 91% of Americans with a New Year’s Resolution for 2021 Set One Tied to Fitness
Posted: December 29, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - In reflecting on 2020, Planet Fitness set out to understand how Americans feel about New Year's resolutions and which ones are most top-of-mind moving forward. The Judgement Free Zone commissioned a national study*, which identified that more than four in five (84%) of those surveyed plan to make at least one resolution in 2021, with fitness and overall health and wellness being key priorities. Additional survey insights include... Read More...
