Planet Fitness is an American franchise of fitness centers based in Dover, New Hampshire. Each gym features exercise equipment and personal trainers to assist its members. It markets itself as a "Judgement Free Zone".

Contents 1 Origins 2 Litigation 3 Memberships 4 Judgement Free Zone® 5 Rules 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Origins

The fitness club was founded in 1992, when Michael Grondahl acquired a financially struggling gym and dramatically reduced prices to compete against better-known brands. The high-value, low-cost business model focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time health club members rather than hard-core fitness fanatics.

Planet Fitness, which started franchising in 2003, now has 300+ clubs in 31 states and a membership base nearing 2 million. In 2008, Planet Fitness posted revenues of $100 million. There are eleven corporately owned gyms, with the rest being independently owned and operated.^[1] The franchise is concentrated mostly in the Northeast, with many also in Florida and California, but it is a nationwide franchise. ^[2] The Franchise has been added to the Inc. 500 list, and exceeds all industry averages.^[3]

[edit] Litigation

The chain came under controversy because of a New York Times article^[4] describing the public cancellation of one patron's membership (for "grunting") at their Wappingers Falls, NY location. The event resulted in the club calling the police, and a lawsuit for defamation on the part of the ex-member.

[edit] Memberships

Memberships vary from location to location, but every gym is required to offer the Black Card Membership. This gives the member benefits such as^[5]:

• A free guest once a day
• Use of any Planet Fitness location
• Unlimited use of message chairs
• Use of tanning beds
• Half price cooler drinks
• Free Planet Fitness t-shirt
• Free Planet Fitness Key Tag

Most of the other memberships vary from $10 a month- $19 a month, but non-black card membership offers are based upon the deals of the individual location. The Black Card Membership has a 12-month minimum membership term standard in all locations, but most gyms offer other memberships with no commitment, meaning it can be canceled at any time.^[6]

[edit] Judgement Free Zone®

The Judgement Free Zone®, or simply JFZ, is the philosophy that the gym bases its foundation upon. What the Judgement Free Zone stands for is a comfortable, non-intimidating environment in which anyone and everyone can feel comfortable working to achieve their fitness goals.^[7] What separates the Judgement Free Zone® from other typical gyms is that all of the equipment is catered to first-time gym users, who compose the vast majority of the members.^[8] In addition, the franchise prides itself on cleanliness and friendly staff, which the franchise hopes will keep customers coming back. One way the franchise preserves the Judgement Free Zone® environment is the non-catering to bodybuilders, power lifters, or other hardcore fitness enthusiast. This is accomplished by limiting the available weight amount, as well as very strict enforcement of the rules, which lead to litigation at the Wappingers Falls location.

[edit] Rules

• An alarm (referred to as the "lunk alarm") is set off when individuals drop weights, "grunt" when lifting.
• The banning of grunting, swearing and psyching-up rituals.
• No cell phone use on the gym floor.
• The banning of excessive noise from bar drops etc. e.g. Olympic lifts.
• The restriction of dumbbell weights to a maximum of 80 pounds
• The banning of chalk.
• No jeans, bandannas, do rags or skullcaps.
• Must wipe down equipment after each use.
• Short or revealing attire for men or women is banned.
• References to sexual orientation or any other offensive conversation is prohibited.

While these are the standard rules within the company, actual weight availability may vary from location to location, as the Judgement Free Zone is left up to interpretation by gym management. The rules are sometimes taken as discriminatory, but any rule which interferes with religious observation or medical treatment can be exempted for a member by the manager.^[9]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Site
• PF in the News
• Planet Fitness Review