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{{short description|American fitness center franchise}}
'''Planet Fitness''' is an American franchise of ]. Each gym features a wide array of ] and ]s to assist its members. It has a policy of being a "Judgement Free Zone," meaning that it caters to the common fitness novice.
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox company
⚫ | name = Planet Fitness, Inc.
| trade_name = Planet Fitness
| logo = Planet Fitness logo.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| image = Planet Fitness Cincinnati.jpg
| image_caption = A Planet Fitness location in ]
| image_size = 200
| type = ]
| traded_as = {{ubl|class=nowrap|{{NYSE|PLNT}} (Class A)|] component}}
| industry = ]
| area_served = North America <br> ] <br> Australia
| hq_location = {{nowrap|], U.S.}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1992}}
| founders = {{ubl|Michael Grondahl|Marc Grondahl|Rich Berks}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/business/2012/05/19/at-youfit-health-clubs-patrons/7332606007/ | title=At Youfit Health Clubs, patrons can feel the burn without bells, whistles }}</ref>
| locations = 2,400<ref name="2023 report"/>
| key_people = Colleen Keating (CEO)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planet Fitness Names Colleen Keating Chief Executive Officer |url=https://investor.planetfitness.com/investors/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Planet-Fitness-Names-Colleen-Keating-Chief-Executive-Officer/default.aspx |publisher=Planet Fitness |date=16 April 2024}}</ref>
| num_employees = 3,411 (2023)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planet Fitness, Inc. (PLNT) |url=https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/plnt/employees/ |publisher=stockanalysis.com}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|planetfitness.com}}
}}


'''Planet Fitness, Inc.''' is an American ] and operator of ]s based in ].<ref name="Sullivan, November 10, 2016">{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Max |date=November 10, 2016 |title=Planet Fitness headquarters moving to Hampton |url=http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20161110/planet-fitness-headquarters-moving-to-hampton |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925124137/https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20161110/planet-fitness-headquarters-moving-to-hampton |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=31 May 2017 |website=Seacoast online.com |publisher=GateHouse Media}}</ref> The company has around 2,400 clubs,<ref name="2023 report">{{cite web |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Planet Fitness Sets New Membership Records |url=https://insider.fitt.co/planet-fitness-sets-new-membership-records/ |work=Fitt Insider}}</ref> making it one of the largest fitness club franchises by number of members and locations. The franchise has locations in the ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Nick |title=4 international franchises that landed Down Under in 2019 |url=https://www.franchisebusiness.com.au/international-franchises-2019/ |website=Inside Franchise Business |date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref> It markets itself as a "Judgement Free Zone" that caters to novice and casual gym users.
==Memberships==
Planet Fitness gyms offer a wide variety of cardiovascular machines and selectorized equipment (with weight stacks). The franchise is geared towards attracting the average person wanting to get in better shape, not towards body-builders, power lifters, or other achievers.


==Rules== ==History==
In 1992, Planet Fitness founders Michael and Marc Grondahl acquired a struggling Gold's Gym franchise in ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Turner|first=Jeremiah|title=Fit for franchising: From first gym in Dover, Planet Fitness building big brand|url=https://www.fosters.com/article/20091108/GJBUSINESS_01/711089989|access-date=2020-07-01|website=fosters.com|language=en}}</ref> They eventually closed that original location, opened a gym called Coastal Fitness and brought on a third partner, former CEO Chris Rondeau.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Planet Fitness Became the Leader in Fitness Franchising - News|url=https://www.franchise-info.ca/franchise_news/2014/01/how-planet-fitness-became-the-leader-in-fitness-franchising.html#.Xvz5Lud7mUk|access-date=2020-07-02|website=www.franchise-info.ca}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> In 2002, they purchased the rights to the name Planet Fitness from Rick Berks and renamed their franchise.<ref name=":2" />
* The restriction of dumbbell weights to a maximum of 80 pounds
* The banning of chalk, often used for heavy lifts such as deadlifts.
* The banning of grunting, swearing and psyching-up rituals.
* The banning of excessive noise from bar drops etc. e.g. Olympic lifts.
* An alarm (referred to as the "lunk alarm") is set off when individuals drop weights or "grunt" when lifting.
* No cell phone use on the gym floor.
* No jeans, do rags or skullcaps.


Berks had started his own Planet Fitness gym in 1993 in ], and eventually expanded it to three clubs, along with a ] franchise.<ref name="Herald2">{{Cite web|title=YouFit Health Club expanding across South Florida, around nation {{!}} The Starting Gate|url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/the-starting-gate/2014/01/youfit-health-club-expanding-across-south-florida-around-nation.html|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Miami Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brochu|first=Nicole|title=No-frills gym offers fitness without flash|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-xpm-2013-05-01-fl-youfit-health-clubs-20130501-story.html|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Sun-Sentinel.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The company name was derived from his daughter's school project, which was titled "Fitness Planet".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-02-24|title=Meet Youfit's CEO Rick Berks|url=https://www.youfit.com/blog/heart-heart-ceo-rick-berks/|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Youfit Youniverse|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Litigation==

The chain came under controversy because of a New York Times article <ref>No Grunting, They Said, and He Was at the Gym. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/18/nyregion/18grunt.html?em&ex=1163998800&en=e846705f7752894f&ei=5087%0A</ref> describing the public cancellation of one patron's membership (for "grunting") at their Wappingers Falls, NY location, an event which resulted in the club calling police, and a lawsuit for defamation on the part of the ex-member.
As early as March 2015, the "Judgement Free Zone" policy was expanded to allow ] to use the women's locker room. The policy states that "members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity."<ref name="Grinberg, Emanuella, CNN 2015">{{cite web|last1=Grinberg|first1=Emanuella|date=March 9, 2015|title=Planet Fitness revokes woman's membership after transgender complaint|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/07/living/feat-planet-fitness-transgender-member/index.html|access-date=16 July 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref>

In the fall of 2013, ] LLC became an equity partner in the Planet Fitness franchise.<ref name="Lawrence">{{cite news|last=Lawrence |first=Kelli |url=http://profilemagazine.com/2013/planet-fitness/ |title=A World Of Their Own |work=Profile Magazine |date=August 15, 2013 |access-date=2014-06-08}}</ref> Michael Grondahl, co-founder of Planet Fitness stepped down as CEO, and was succeeded by Chris Rondeau.<ref name="TSG -Jan. 17, 2013">{{cite web|title=Planet Fitness Has New Investor; Promotes Rondeau To CEO|url=http://www.tsgconsumer.com/news/article/index.php?id=15|publisher=TSG Consumer Partners|date=January 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Former Radio Shack CFO Fills Planet Fitness Hole|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2013/07/26/former-radio-shack-cfo-fills-planet-fitness-hole/ |work=] |date=July 26, 2013}}</ref> The company went public on August 6, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-planet-fitness-stock-20150806-story.html|title=Planet Fitness goes public, hits mark in first day of trading|date=2015-08-06|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>

In September 2024, National Fitness Partners acquired over 20 Planet Fitness Clubs across the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Mac |date=17 September 2024 |title=Pennsylvania fitness company acquires 20+ Planet Fitness locations |url=https://www.abc27.com/local-business/pennsylvania-fitness-company-acquires-20-planet-fitness-locations/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=abc27.com}}</ref>

==Marketing==
Planet Fitness' business model focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time health club members, rather than more experienced members.<ref name="Schlossberg, December 2015">{{cite web |last1=Schlossberg |first1=Mallory |date=December 12, 2015 |title=The fastest-growing gym in America has $10 memberships and gives out free pizza, bagels, and candy |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/planet-fitnesss-business-profile-2015-10 |access-date=31 May 2017 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> In 2003, Planet Fitness opened its first franchised location in Florida.<ref name="Taylor, Entrepreneur 2014">{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Kate |date=July 25, 2014 |title=Franchise Players: We Were Planet Fitness's First Franchisees. Now, We Own 22 Locations |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235932 |access-date=31 May 2017 |website=Entrepreneur.com |publisher=Entrepreneur Media}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200" heights="145">
File:Planet Fitness, Waycross Mall.jpg|A Planet Fitness location in ] in 2021
File:Planet Fitness locations in the US.png|Planet Fitness locations in the United States as of 2015
File:Planet fitness.webp|Planet Fitness in Onalaska, Wisconsin
File:Shopping center in Somerset NJ 06.jpg|A Planet Fitness in ]
</gallery>

==Criticism and controversies==
Planet Fitness has alienated many serious weightlifters. The gym utilizes a "lunk alarm", which is a loud siren and rotating light that may be used when a gymgoer grunts too loudly or drops weights.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=O'Neil|first=Luke|date=2011-05-08|title=Planet Fitness vs. the lunkheads: Why is a health club trying to alienate people who love to work out?|url=https://slate.com/technology/2011/05/planet-fitness-vs-the-lunkheads-why-is-a-health-club-trying-to-alienate-people-who-love-to-work-out.html|access-date=2020-06-29 |work=] |language=en}}</ref>

Planet Fitness has been criticized for prohibiting certain weightlifting exercises—such as ]s and ]—that many experts believe are highly effective.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Carter|first=Kiera|date=2010-12-29|title=The Worst Gym in America?|url=https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19516840/the-worst-gym-in-america/|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Men's Health|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2010, '']'' magazine called Planet Fitness "the worst gym in America."<ref name=":1" />

In March 2020, the company was criticized for charging its customers membership dues despite the nationwide closure of all of its facilities due to the onset of the ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jakab|first=Spencer|date=2020-03-23|title=This Gym Chain Has Reason to Sweat|language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-gym-chain-has-reason-to-sweat-11584986375|access-date=2020-04-30|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Planet Fitness}}
*
* *{{Official website|http://www.planetfitness.com}}
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{{S&P 400 companies}}
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{{Authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 21:22, 20 January 2025

American fitness center franchise

Planet Fitness, Inc.
[REDACTED]
A Planet Fitness location in Cincinnati, Ohio
Trade namePlanet Fitness
Company typePublic
Traded as
IndustryFitness
Founded1992; 33 years ago (1992)
Founders
  • Michael Grondahl
  • Marc Grondahl
  • Rich Berks
HeadquartersHampton, New Hampshire, U.S.
Number of locations2,400
Area servedNorth America
Dominican Republic
Australia
Key peopleColleen Keating (CEO)
Number of employees3,411 (2023)
Websiteplanetfitness.com

Planet Fitness, Inc. is an American franchisor and operator of fitness centers based in Hampton, New Hampshire. The company has around 2,400 clubs, making it one of the largest fitness club franchises by number of members and locations. The franchise has locations in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. It markets itself as a "Judgement Free Zone" that caters to novice and casual gym users.

History

In 1992, Planet Fitness founders Michael and Marc Grondahl acquired a struggling Gold's Gym franchise in Dover, New Hampshire. They eventually closed that original location, opened a gym called Coastal Fitness and brought on a third partner, former CEO Chris Rondeau. In 2002, they purchased the rights to the name Planet Fitness from Rick Berks and renamed their franchise.

Berks had started his own Planet Fitness gym in 1993 in Sunrise, Florida, and eventually expanded it to three clubs, along with a Gold's Gym franchise. The company name was derived from his daughter's school project, which was titled "Fitness Planet".

As early as March 2015, the "Judgement Free Zone" policy was expanded to allow trans women to use the women's locker room. The policy states that "members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity."

In the fall of 2013, TSG Consumer Partners LLC became an equity partner in the Planet Fitness franchise. Michael Grondahl, co-founder of Planet Fitness stepped down as CEO, and was succeeded by Chris Rondeau. The company went public on August 6, 2015.

In September 2024, National Fitness Partners acquired over 20 Planet Fitness Clubs across the United States.

Marketing

Planet Fitness' business model focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time health club members, rather than more experienced members. In 2003, Planet Fitness opened its first franchised location in Florida.

  • A Planet Fitness location in Waycross, Georgia in 2021 A Planet Fitness location in Waycross, Georgia in 2021
  • Planet Fitness locations in the United States as of 2015 Planet Fitness locations in the United States as of 2015
  • Planet Fitness in Onalaska, Wisconsin Planet Fitness in Onalaska, Wisconsin
  • A Planet Fitness in Somerset, New Jersey A Planet Fitness in Somerset, New Jersey

Criticism and controversies

Planet Fitness has alienated many serious weightlifters. The gym utilizes a "lunk alarm", which is a loud siren and rotating light that may be used when a gymgoer grunts too loudly or drops weights.

Planet Fitness has been criticized for prohibiting certain weightlifting exercises—such as deadlifts and clean-and-jerks—that many experts believe are highly effective. In 2010, Men's Health magazine called Planet Fitness "the worst gym in America."

In March 2020, the company was criticized for charging its customers membership dues despite the nationwide closure of all of its facilities due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

See also

References

  1. "At Youfit Health Clubs, patrons can feel the burn without bells, whistles".
  2. ^ "Planet Fitness Sets New Membership Records". Fitt Insider. February 28, 2023.
  3. "Planet Fitness Names Colleen Keating Chief Executive Officer". Planet Fitness. April 16, 2024.
  4. "Planet Fitness, Inc. (PLNT)". stockanalysis.com.
  5. Sullivan, Max (November 10, 2016). "Planet Fitness headquarters moving to Hampton". Seacoast online.com. GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  6. Hall, Nick (December 16, 2019). "4 international franchises that landed Down Under in 2019". Inside Franchise Business. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Turner, Jeremiah. "Fit for franchising: From first gym in Dover, Planet Fitness building big brand". fosters.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. "How Planet Fitness Became the Leader in Fitness Franchising - News". www.franchise-info.ca. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  9. "YouFit Health Club expanding across South Florida, around nation | The Starting Gate". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  10. Brochu, Nicole. "No-frills gym offers fitness without flash". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  11. "Meet Youfit's CEO Rick Berks". Youfit Youniverse. February 24, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  12. Grinberg, Emanuella (March 9, 2015). "Planet Fitness revokes woman's membership after transgender complaint". CNN. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  13. Lawrence, Kelli (August 15, 2013). "A World Of Their Own". Profile Magazine. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  14. "Planet Fitness Has New Investor; Promotes Rondeau To CEO". TSG Consumer Partners. January 17, 2013.
  15. "Former Radio Shack CFO Fills Planet Fitness Hole". The Wall Street Journal. July 26, 2013.
  16. "Planet Fitness goes public, hits mark in first day of trading". Los Angeles Times. August 6, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  17. Bell, Mac (September 17, 2024). "Pennsylvania fitness company acquires 20+ Planet Fitness locations". abc27.com. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. Schlossberg, Mallory (December 12, 2015). "The fastest-growing gym in America has $10 memberships and gives out free pizza, bagels, and candy". Business Insider. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  19. Taylor, Kate (July 25, 2014). "Franchise Players: We Were Planet Fitness's First Franchisees. Now, We Own 22 Locations". Entrepreneur.com. Entrepreneur Media. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  20. O'Neil, Luke (May 8, 2011). "Planet Fitness vs. the lunkheads: Why is a health club trying to alienate people who love to work out?". Slate. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  21. ^ Carter, Kiera (December 29, 2010). "The Worst Gym in America?". Men's Health. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  22. Jakab, Spencer (March 23, 2020). "This Gym Chain Has Reason to Sweat". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 30, 2020.

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