Julia Sanders

National Fitness Partners, along with Taymax Group and TG3 Enterprises, worked hard to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during its June campaign this year. One of the main fundraising methods involved collecting donations at the point-of-sale across all participating clubs, allowing members to easily contribute. There were QR codes set up in the clubs from St. Jude so members could easily donate to the cause.

NFP and its partner groups also collected fundraising money through its “Mileage Match” program, in which the groups donated 10 cents for every mile tracked by participants on designated treadmills at every club throughout the fundraising period. This initiative not only encouraged healthy lifestyles and friendly competition among members but also transformed everyday activities into meaningful contributions.

At NFP’s clubs, members spent time logging over 200,000 miles on treadmills, leading to about $20,000 in mileage match donations alone. In total, the three franchisee groups raised more than $62,700 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This was the second consecutive year that National Fitness Partners has worked to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and it was another successful year.

“At NFP, giving back is at the heart of what we do,” said Stephen Kindler Jr., CEO of National Fitness Partners. “The St. Jude campaign is more than just a fundraiser; it reflects our shared values and the compassion of our members and franchise partners. We were grateful to again partner with Taymax and TG3 on this incredible initiative – seeing our teams come together each year, going the extra mile both literally and figuratively to support the children and families at St. Jude, is truly inspiring. Their dedication and generosity remind us that small actions, when united, can make a powerful impact.”

At Planet Fitness^®, PF^® franchisees and team members look for ways to encourage their members to be the strongest and healthiest versions of themselves. Spartan races are known for being incredibly difficult obstacle course competitions, as they include 10 training stations and a 5K. The races take a lot of grit, strength, endurance and determination to complete.

Planet Fitness franchisees IGNITE Fitness Holdings, Eclipse Fitness Group and Ohana Growth Partners became the official sponsors of the Spartan/DEKA race at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall in Knoxville, Tennessee. The race, held on Oct. 18, brought in thousands of athletes and fitness fanatics to compete and watch the competition.

As sponsors, the Planet Fitness franchisees received high-visibility exposure to thousands of race participants and spectators. Event sponsorship included onsite activation and engagement in the race’s Festival Area, the PF logo and information in pre- and post-race participant emails, exclusive race weekend offers for participants and attendees, and much more.

The franchise groups witnessed first-hand the power of community and helping members reach their fitness goals. This race sponsorship aligned perfectly with PF’s mission of empowering more people to move, improve and belong. IGNITE Fitness, Eclipse Fitness and Ohana Growth Partners offered club open houses in their locations during the race weekend, welcoming in race participants to warm up, rest and recover before and after the race in the gym and Black Card Spa.

“The Knoxville DEKA activation was a significant success, generating strong brand visibility for Planet Fitness and reinforcing our commitment to accessible and diverse fitness options. A key focus was using this opportunity to inform the local fitness community about the updated strength and functional equipment implemented in our Knoxville area gyms, showcasing that we truly can power any workout for any fitness level. We extend our sincere thanks to our fellow franchisees, Eclipse Fitness Group and Ohana Growth Partners. Our group efforts focused on collaboration and were crucial in bringing the Judgement Free Zone^® experience to life for every athlete and spectator in attendance. This partnership is just the beginning for advancing our community presence, and we look forward to future collaborative milestones,” said Vice President of Field Operations at IGNITE Fitness Holdings Mike Shapiro.

Excel Fitness is never running out of ways to give back. During the fall, the franchise group was involved in several races and community walk events to give back to its local communities and support mental health and physical health organizations.

On Aug. 30, Excel’s Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, teams sponsored the Move for the Beat 5K, a race created to raise awareness and save lives from preventable heart disease. This event promoted free heart screenings, early detection and vital heart health education. While cheering on and supporting runners, Excel’s staff also set up a tent at the event to share how working out at Planet Fitness^® can lead to a healthier life for everyone. The team members also handed out giveaways, such as ChapStick, phone wallets and flyers.

Additionally, Excel’s Early, Texas, team worked hard to support the Disco Dash 5K, a race on Sept. 27 that benefitted the Center for Life Resources. This organization provides important mental and behavioral health services in the county. Six of Excel Fitness staff members ran in the race, showing their support for the cause and their love of fitness. The Excel Fitness team was proud to support this organization during September, which is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, as they were able to raise awareness for the organization while getting in a workout.

Lastly, Excel’s staff in Draper, Utah, joined the Out of the Darkness Community Walk to raise awareness and support for suicide prevention in mid-September. About 1,700 people came out to the walk to show their support for the cause. Thanks to Excel’s and the local community’s support, the event raised $288,365 to fund suicide research and provide support for those suffering with mental health problems.