*Franklin* Planet Fitness Club Offers Free Recovery for Boston Marathon Runners

Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, invites Boston Marathon runners to work out and recover for FREE at Planet Fitness locations in Massachusetts from race day on April 15 through April 19.

*Franklin* Planet Fitness

This year marks the 128th Boston Marathon and in recognition of the world's most elite runners, Planet Fitness is allowing FREE use of their state-of-the-art equipment and Black Card® Spa for anyone with a race bib. Everyone taking advantage of this free offer will need to provide ID at the front desk. You do NOT have to be a member to participate.

Most importantly, runners will need to recover after the big race and Planet Fitness is opening its doors for them to do so all week. Relax before or after in the PF Black Card® Spa or try a cool down workout. Enjoy HydroMassage Loungers, Cryo Loungers, massage chairs, and the RelaxSpace Wellness Pod, where members can reset and focus on their mental health for 15 minutes by selecting videos, scents and even temperatures while learning more about diet, nutrition, breathing, and the benefits of exercise. Locations with a RelaxSpace Wellness Pod are noted below with a single asterisk and locations with a Cryo Lounger have a double asterisk. Some clubs offer both. Planet Fitness locations also offer dedicated stretching areas.

All Planet Fitness locations are spacious, clean and judgement free, with free fitness training for members.

WHEN:    April 15 through April 19

WHERE:  Massachusetts

Planet Fitness – Franklin 

166 Grove St

Franklin, MA 02038

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2023, Planet Fitness had approximately 18.7 million members and 2,575 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Reminder: Teens Can Work Out FOR FREE All Summer Long at Planet Fitness with High School Summer Pass

PLANET FITNESS INVITES HIGH SCHOOL TEENS TO WORK OUT FOR FREE ALL SUMMER LONG TO IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH

'High School Summer Pass' Program Allows High Schoolers Ages 14 – 19 to Get Active at Planet Fitness' 2,200+ Locations in the U.S. and Canada From May 16-August 31

New Study Finds that While Almost Half (48 Percent) of American Teens Admit they Struggled with Mental Health for the First Time Ever During the Pandemic, Nearly All (92 percent) Agree Regular Physical Activity Helps Them Feel Much Better Mentally

Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, is inviting high schoolers ages 14 – 19* to work out for free at any of its more than 2,200 Planet Fitness locations throughout the United States and Canada from May 16 through August 31 as part of the High School Summer Pass initiative.

High School Summer Pass was formally known as Teen Summer Challenge, which was the first program of its kind launched in 2019 and saw more than 900,000 teens sign-up and complete more than 5.5 million workouts over a three-and-a-half-month period. Starting today, high schoolers can visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass to pre-register, and get a reminder to formally sign up when the program officially kicks off on Monday, May 16. Teens under 18 must register with a parent or guardian online or in-club.

PLANET FITNESS EMPOWERS TEENS TO STAY ACTIVE

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, less than 15 percent of teens met the 60-minute daily physical activity recommendation during the pandemic.** And a national study*** commissioned by Planet Fitness found that 93 percent of American teens want to stay healthy and active over the summer months, but many lack motivation or access to do so. High School Summer Pass offers a solution for teenagers eager to stay active when school sports programs, gym classes and after school activities wind down. 

Planet Fitness Opens Its Doors to Teens 

FOR FREE All Summer Long

"As the leader in fitness, we believe we have a responsibility to provide a welcoming, safe, and Judgement Free environment for high school students to improve their physical and mental wellness, particularly given the challenges they have and continue to face in the wake of the pandemic," said Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer at Planet Fitness. "Our study found that nearly all (92 percent) high school students agreed that when they are regularly physically active, they feel much better mentally. Fitness is about feeling good, too, and our hope is that High School Summer Pass empowers teens to create life-long workout habits to help them succeed in every aspect of their lives."

To further motivate high schoolers to make fitness a priority, all participants who sign up starting May 16 are automatically entered into The Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Sweepstakes. Planet Fitness will award one $500 scholarship in each state (and the District of Columbia), and one grand prize $5,000 scholarship at the end of the summer****. These scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities or programs.

INSIGHT INTO TEEN HEALTH & FITNESS

To uncover how high schoolers view health and fitness today, Planet Fitness commissioned a national study in partnership with Material to shed light on mental and physical health from both teens' and parents' perspectives.  Although negatively impacted by the pandemic, teens are ready to make a commitment to getting healthy, both physically and mentally.

Key findings include:

• Physical Fitness for the Win. Despite three in five teens (60 percent) reporting their usual health and fitness routines were severely disrupted over the last two years, nearly all (89 percent) of their parents credit regular exercise and physical activity as helping their teens cope with the challenges of the pandemic. And nearly all (92 percent) teens agree that when they are regularly physically active, they feel much better mentally.
• Although many teens make exercise and fitness a priority in their life (65 percent), there are significant barriers to doing so. In fact, 78 percent of teens note that just having access to a place to work out and being able to do so with friends (72 percent) would benefit their health and fitness journeys.
• A majority of teens who exercise also agree that physical fitness makes them feel healthier (61 percent), stronger (57 percent) and happier (50 percent). It also provides the meaningful health benefits of more energy (69 percent), increased strength (64 percent) and stress relief (61 percent).
• And 84 percent of teens agree that there has never been a better time than now to focus on their health.
• Mental Health Takes Center Stage. Almost half (48 percent) of teens admit that they struggled with mental health for the first time during the pandemic. And more than half (51 percent) explain they currently struggle with anxiety.
• Parents are overwhelmingly concerned about how the past two years have impacted their teens' mental health (71 percent), overall health (66 percent) and physical fitness (60 percent). And 71 percent are equally concerned for their high schooler's academic progress and preparedness for college.
• That said, more than four in five teens report they are feeling hopeful about what's to come in the future (85 percent) and that the pandemic showed them how strong they really are (82 percent).
• Let's Get Talking. Parents have overwhelmingly spoken more regularly to their teens over the past two years about topics like self-esteem and confidence (92 percent), exercise and working out (88 percent) and mental health (82 percent). The majority of teens today also say they are now more open and communicative about their feelings (79 percent).
• Screen Time, More Time. A majority of parents (55 percent) also report the time their teens spends on social media has increased since the start of the pandemic. In fact, many parents feel their teens are spending more time being sedentary than active – 54 percent noted their teens text more today, 52 percent saw an uptick in playing video games and 50 percent of parents say their teen is spending more time watching TV.
• And more teens agree they spend too much time in front of screens than they did right before the pandemic (61 percent in 2022 versus 52 percent in 2020).

A SAFE, CLEAN AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT TO GET MOVING

In addition to free in-club fitness training that all High School Summer Pass participants will have access to, the certified trainers at Planet Fitness have also designed 15 trainer-led workout videos and 10 downloadable workouts – encompassing cardio, strength, toning and sports circuits – just for high schoolers (across all fitness levels). This content will be available on the Planet Fitness App and at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass starting May 16.

This summer and all year-round, Planet Fitness' top priority continues to be keeping its members and employees safe and is the first fitness brand to receive the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The rating recognizes Planet Fitness' leadership in adopting the leading framework to ensure a safer and healthier environment for its employees and members across all of its more than 2,200 facilities.

Enhanced COVID-19 safety and sanitization protocols at its well-ventilated and spacious clubs include:

• Touchless check-in via the free Planet Fitness App – available to all High School Summer Pass participants
• A Crowd Meter on the Planet Fitness App that allows members to check club capacity in real-time before even leaving the house
• Increased sanitization to continually clean and sanitize high-touch areas, with cleaning stations available for member use
• Mask policies in accordance with local guidelines

For more information on High School Summer Pass, including how to sign up for the free membership at any of the more than 2,200 Planet Fitness locations nationwide, visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass.

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*Teenagers ages 14 – 19 can visit any Planet Fitness location in the United States. Teens must work out at the location they sign up at and are not permitted to use other locations. Teens under 18 must sign-up with a parent or guardian in-club or online at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass. Once the parent or guardian waiver is signed for teens under 18, teens can work out alone. Students who are already 18 do not need a parent or guardian to be present during the sign-up process.
** Association of Children's Physical Activity and Screen Time With Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic, JAMA Network Open
*** Online survey conducted by Material to 1,012 nationally representative American teens aged 15 – 18 and their parents, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
****No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., who are 14-19 years of age (with parent approval if under age of majority). Begins 12:00 am ET on 5/16/22; ends 11:59 pm ET on 8/31/22. For Official Rules, visit PlanetFitness.com/sweepstakes-rules.

About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2021, Planet Fitness had 15.2 million members and 2,254 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Planet Fitness Supports Franklin First Responders with Donation of Cardio and Strength Equipment

Planet Fitness is committed to supporting its local communities and first responders. In 2022, 100% of equipment from Planet Fitness' corporate clubs was either donated or resold.

Local franchise group CDM Fitness Holdings, whose first location was Franklin, Mass., Planet Fitness, recently donated three treadmills, one stair-climber, and one stationary bike to the Franklin Fire Department.

Exercise and physical fitness are important for first responders’ mental health as they experience prolonged levels of high-stress, work long shifts and may not have access to workout equipment at work or at home. This Mental Health Awareness month, we’re thrilled to be giving back to local first responders. Exercise not only promotes physical and mental wellness, but it can also help ease stress.

Pictured in the group photo from left to right are: Keith Darling, Battalion Chief; Taylor Pryor, Planet Fitness; James McLaughlin, Fire Chief; Keith Schnabel, Firefighter/Paramedic; Pete Ballou, Firefighter/Paramedic; Tommy Bianco, Planet Fitness; Kevin Marshall, Captain; Jim Polito, Firefighter/Paramedic; Rich Salve, Firefighter/Paramedic

stair climber

stationary bike

treadmill

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2022, Planet Fitness had approximately 17 million members and 2,410 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. Approximately 90 percent of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Teens Can Work Out FOR FREE All Summer at Planet Fitness: May 15-August 31

PLANET FITNESS INVITES TEENS TO WORK OUT FOR FREE ALL SUMMER LONG FROM MAY 15 – AUGUST 31

'High School Summer Pass™' Program Welcomes High Schoolers Ages 14 – 19 to Get Active at Planet Fitness' 2,400+ Locations in the U.S. and Canada

National Survey Finds More than 61 Percent of Teenagers Admit They Struggle with Mental Health

Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announces the return of its High School Summer Pass™ program, inviting high schoolers ages 14 – 19¹ to work out for free at any of its more than 2,400 Planet Fitness locations throughout the United States and Canada from May 15 through August 31. Starting today, high schoolers can visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass to register for the program before gaining club access starting Monday, May 15. Teens under 18 in the U.S. and under 19 in Canada must register with a parent or guardian online or in-club.

Teens Can Work Out FOR FREE All Summer at Planet Fitness: May 15-August 31

PROVIDING ACCESS IS ESSENTIA

In its third year, High School Summer Pass continues to offer high schoolers a way to stay active during the summer months in a fun, safe, and Judgement Free environment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), youth up to 17 years of age should get a recommended average of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity to boost their physical and mental health². Furthermore, in 2021, The Youth Risk Behavior Survey commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 29 percent of high school students experienced poor mental health, a steady biannual increase since the survey was first fielded in 2011³, demonstrating that youth today consistently – and increasingly – face mental health struggles.

Launching during Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, High School Summer Pass allows teens the opportunity to prioritize their mental and physical wellness goals during a critical time when school is out and important academic and extracurricular programs such as sports, gym class and after-school activities are in recess. Research also shows that students who complete the recommended amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity experienced greater academic achievement compared to those who did not⁴. Last year, Planet Fitness' High School Summer Pass program motivated 3.5 million high school-aged students to prioritize their health who completed 17 million workouts at Planet Fitness over a three-and-a-half-month period.

"At Planet Fitness, it's our continued mission as the leader in fitness to provide high school students free access to our more than 2,400 locations in the U.S. and Canada to start and stick with a health and fitness journey. Research shows that teens are struggling with overall wellness, and this is one of the many reasons why the High School Summer Pass program is so important," said Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer at Planet Fitness. "Having joined the gym for the first time when I was 16, I know firsthand the benefits exercise has had on my life, so we look forward to helping teens create lifelong habits in the Judgement Free Zone® this summer."

SCHOOL AND STUDENT REWARDS

To further motivate high schoolers to prioritize fitness, all participants who sign up are encouraged to enter the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Contest⁵. Planet Fitness will award 10 lucky teens in the U.S. and Canada with $10,000 individual academic scholarships ($100,000 total) via a TikTok video submission contest. To enter, teens are asked to post a TikTok video tagging @planetfitness using the hashtags #contest and #HSSP23US (U.S. members) or tagging @planetfitnessca using the hashtags #contest and #HSSP23CAN (Canada members) that describes their High School Summer Pass experience. The contest submission period runs through August 31.

Additionally, the top 10 schools on the leaderboard across U.S. and Canada in each tier (as described in the rules) will each receive $10,000! These scholarships can be used to fund athletic equipment, field renovations, physical fitness classes and health and wellness initiatives.

OVERCOMING MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES WITH FITNESS

To understand what is top-of-mind among high schoolers today to better support them over the summer, Planet Fitness commissioned a national study⁶ which found 61 percent of teens face mental health struggles and 93 percent of teens appreciate how fitness can positively impact their lives and lead to healthier lifestyles into adulthood.

Key findings include:

• Mental Health Stress Test. Close to three in four (73 percent) parents report they are concerned about their teen's mental health struggles. Similarly, they also worry about their child's stress levels (76 percent), mood (72 percent) and self-confidence (72 percent).
• Setting a Good (Exercise) Example. Parents recognize that their teens simply may not have the right guidance when it comes to working out. In fact, 83 percent of parents wish they could set a better example for their teens about working out and exercising.
• Teen Motivation is High. Teens are looking to make positive, healthy changes in their lives, like improving their mental (91 percent) and physical (89 percent) health. Three in four (75 percent) are ready and willing to get into the gym and start working out.
• Screen Stare. A majority of teens report that they spend up to four hours a day playing video games (84 percent), watching TV (84 percent), on social media (80 percent) or text messaging (82 percent).
• Low Energy Drain. Two in three (66 percent) teens admit they sometimes struggle with having energy throughout the day, while 61 percent generally struggle to stay energized. However, teens who do stay physically active say working out makes them more energetic, helps them have more energy for the day and keeps them focused and more productive.

All High School Summer Pass participants will have access to free fitness training from in-club certified trainers⁷, free workouts designed specifically for high schoolers in the free Planet Fitness App as well as workout plans available at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass.

For more information on High School Summer Pass, including how to sign up for the free membership at any of the more than 2,400 Planet Fitness locations in the U.S. and Canada, visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass.

About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2022, Planet Fitness had approximately 17 million members and 2,410 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. Approximately 90 percent of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

¹ Teenagers ages 14 – 19 can visit any Planet Fitness location in the United States and Canada. Teens must work out at the location they sign up at and are not permitted to use other locations. Teens under 18 must sign-up with a parent or guardian in-club or online at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass. Once the parent or guardian waiver is signed for teens under 18, teens can work out alone. Students who are already 18 do not need a parent or guardian to be present during the sign-up process.
² Recommendation of Level of Physical Activity by Age – United States, October 2022, World Health Organization.
³ Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary & Trends Report – United States, 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
⁴ Academic Achievement and Physical Activity: The Ideal Relationship to Promote a Healthier Lifestyle in Adolescents – 2020, Human Kinetics Journal.
⁵ NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to residents of the 50 US/D.C. and Canadian provinces of ON, AB, MB, SK, NB, NL & BC, 14-19 years of age (with parent approval if a minor). $100,000 USD available in the U.S. and $100,000 CAD available in Canada. Void where prohibited. Begins 12:00 a.m. ET on 5/15/23; ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 8/31/23. Grand Prizes (5 for US Students): a $10,000 USD scholarship. Grand Prizes (5 for CAN Students): a $10,000 CAD scholarship. School Prizes (5; 1 per US school tier): $10,000 for athletics and fitness. School Prizes (5; 1 per CAN school tier): $10,000 CAD for athletics and fitness. Winning schools selected based on number of HSSP members from the school and applicable school tier. All prizes awarded as a check to schools/winners (or parent/legal guardian if winner is a minor). For Official Rules, eligibility, entry and school tier details, visit www.pfsummerpasscontest.com. Sponsor: Planet Fitness Holdings, LLC.
⁶ Online survey conducted by Wired Research to 1,000 parents of teens ages 15-18 and their respective teens, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.
⁷ Locations are independently owned and operated; please check your local club for details.