Planet Fitness

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, 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."

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 2023, Rondeau left the company. Colleen Keating became CEO in 2024.

Marketing

Planet Fitness' founding business model focused on the needs of occasional or first-time health club members, rather than more experienced members. Since 2024, however, the company has broadened its appeal to include more experienced gym goers by adding equipment and amenities to meet their needs, emphasizing that all levels of fitness are welcome. File:Planet Fitness, Waycross Mall.jpg|A Planet Fitness location in Waycross, Georgia 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 Somerset, New Jersey

Criticism

A 2010 article in Men's Health criticized Planet Fitness for prohibiting certain weightlifting exercises—such as deadlifts and clean-and-jerks—that many experts believe are highly effective. Planet Fitness gyms have a "lunk alarm," a loud siren and rotating light that may be used when a weightlifter grunts too loudly or drops weights. This has alienated some gym goers.

COVID-19 shutdown

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 lockdown measures took effect, the company was criticized for debiting its customers' membership dues for that month, despite the nationwide closure of its facilities due to the onset of the pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reported that the company said it acted too late to cancel the March automatic payments and would reimburse customers. By March 23, 2020, the company ceased charging its customers monthly dues for as long as the clubs remained closed.

Following the closure of its gyms on March 18, 2020, Planet Fitness began offering free online workout classes; company officers announced they would take a cut in salary and that senior managers would have their pay reduced; board members waived their annual retainers. Despite the loss of revenue, once the lockdown lifted, the company was able to reopen all of its gyms.

Outreach

Beginning in February 2025, Planet Fitness offered free "Black Card" memberships to firefighters in the Greater Los Angeles area to assist in their personal fitness and health recovery following their efforts combatting the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.

In 2019 Planet Fitness began offering high-school students free June-August memberships, allowing student athletes to work out over the summer. In May 2025, Planet Fitness announced that its High School Summer Pass program had been taken up by 10 million students since its inception.

Beginning in 2016, the company has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America offering college scholarships and supported training programs and other local community-based projects.

References

References

1. "At Youfit Health Clubs, patrons can feel the burn without bells, whistles".
2. (16 April 2024). "Planet Fitness Names Colleen Keating Chief Executive Officer". Planet Fitness.
3. (June 25, 2025). "Planet Fitness CEO Charts New Path Forward for Largest Gym Chain". franchisetimes.com.
4. (February 25, 2025). "2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
5. (November 10, 2016). "Planet Fitness headquarters moving to Hampton". GateHouse Media.
6. (December 16, 2019). "4 international franchises that landed Down Under in 2019".
7. (December 24, 2024). "Why Planet Fitness is starting its New Year’s campaign early this year". Crain Communications.
8. Turner, Jeremiah. "Fit for franchising: From first gym in Dover, Planet Fitness building big brand".
9. "How Planet Fitness Became the Leader in Fitness Franchising - News".
10. "YouFit Health Club expanding across South Florida, around nation {{!}} The Starting Gate".
11. Brochu, Nicole. "No-frills gym offers fitness without flash".
12. (2016-02-24). "Meet Youfit's CEO Rick Berks".
13. Lawrence, Kelli. (August 15, 2013). "A World Of Their Own". Profile Magazine.
14. (January 17, 2013). "Planet Fitness Has New Investor; Promotes Rondeau To CEO". TSG Consumer Partners.
15. (July 26, 2013). "Former Radio Shack CFO Fills Planet Fitness Hole". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
16. (2015-08-06). "Planet Fitness goes public, hits mark in first day of trading".
17. (December 12, 2015). "The fastest-growing gym in America has $10 memberships and gives out free pizza, bagels, and candy".
18. (November 11, 2025). "Popular Gym Chain Explores High-End Recovery Amenities for Members". The Arena Media Brands LLC.
19. Carter, Kiera. (2010-12-29). "The Worst Gym in America?".
20. O'Neil, Luke. (2011-05-08). "Planet Fitness vs. the lunkheads: Why is a health club trying to alienate people who love to work out?". [[Slate (magazine).
21. Jakab, Spencer. (2020-03-23). "This Gym Chain Has Reason to Sweat". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
22. (March 23, 2020). "Planet Fitness freezes memberships during COVID-19 closures, members will not be charged". Gray Local Media.
23. (February 8, 2021). "New Hampshire gyms adapting to business during Covid-19". McLean Communications.
24. (April 24, 2020). "Publicly held firms adapt, some retrench amid Covid". McLean Communications.
25. (January 12, 2022). "Planet Fitness CEO flexes on 0 gym closures as pandemic battered industry". Yahoo.
26. (May 28, 2025). "Planet Fitness offers free summer gym membership — if you’re young enough". Nextar Media Inc..
27. (May 19, 2025). "Strength Starts Here: Planet Fitness' Annual High School Summer Pass Program Returns This June". Planet Fitness Inc..
28. (October 2, 2025). "Promoting Kindness and Advancing Wellbeing". Boys & Girls Clubs of America.