Julia Sanders

Pinnacle Service Brands partnered up with the Starkville Chamber of Commerce to sponsor The Starkville Stride, a team competition for local businesses to reach the highest number of steps between March 1 and April 14. The Greater Starkville Development Partnership aims to enhance the quality of life and economic vibrancy for residents, visitors and business owners. For the past three years, the Partnership has run the Starkville Stride Challenge to get local businesses up and moving with the goal of improving the overall health and wellness of the Starkville community.

During the Starkville Stride Challenge, teams competed to win a trophy, while individuals on a team could be entered into drawings for cash prizes or door prizes donated by local businesses. Everyone had to pay an entry fee of $10 to enter the challenge. Once the entry fee was paid, each participant received a link to sign up for the MoveSpring app, which is the Partnership’s primary fitness tracker. The app can be used on any smart device to track activity. Every participant received a registration bag with a water bottle, health and wellness information, coupons from local businesses, and more. Over 50 local businesses participated in the Starkville Stride this year.

As part of the sponsorship, Pinnacle Service Brands provided an exclusive offer and coupons in the official race swag bag. The group also had an advance preview night for Stride participants and an online workout session. The franchise awarded a free year of a Black Card membership for the top two male and female finishers.

The franchise’s sponsorship was in lieu of the Starkville grand opening March 19. The Starkville Chamber of Commerce attended the grand opening. Other attendees for the grand opening event included the Mississippi State University mascot and the members of the Golden Triangle Boys & Girls Club. Pinnacle donated $2,500 to the local Boys & Girls Club in celebration of the grand opening.

This summer, CDM Fitness Holdings experienced significant growth. The group’s expansion took place by acquisition as well as opening new locations.

In May, CDM Fitness Holdings acquired 10 Planet Fitness^® locations in the Seattle metro area from Lucky Star Enterprises. This acquisition allowed the group to expand outside of New England for the first time. The addition to CDM Fitness Holdings’ portfolio brings the franchise group to 69 locations total. The move includes clubs across the state of Washington, including Renton, Federal Way, Kent, Woodinville, Des Moines, Covington, Marysville, Auburn and Kent Valley.

On July 28, CDM Fitness Holdings opened the newest Planet Fitness club in Bellevue, Washington, with more than 17,000 square feet of space. The club features 72 pieces of cardio equipment, 86 pieces of strength and free weights equipment, free fitness training through the PE@PF program, dedicated stretching and abs area, training area equipped with the PF 30-Minute Express Circuit, private locker rooms, a Black Card Spa, four HydroMassage Loungers, a RelaxSpace Wellness Pod and more. Promotions for new members encouraged local residents to join the latest addition to CDM’s portfolio.  

“As the largest health club provider in New England, CDM is grateful for this opportunity to continue a national presence for our brand and bring affordable access to fitness to the Pacific Northwest. We are actively seeking additional 15,000- to 20,000-square-foot spaces in the community to continue our growth,” said Bruce Edwards, CDM chief executive officer. “We’re excited about the expansion out of New England and will bring the same energy and effort to running amazing Planet Fitness clubs in Washington state.”

Even though the summer months are often not as busy for franchisees, Alder Partners is making the most of the slower season by getting involved with its local community. On June 3, Alder Partners donated over 300 Planet Fitness^® duffle bags, which were handed out to participants at two separate events: the New Balance Foundation 5k for Fitness and the Fitness on the Field event.

The New Balance Foundation 5k for Fitness was held by the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. This event was in support of its Let’s Get Movin’ initiative, a lifestyle-change program for children and teens that promotes healthy living and exercise, teaches proper nutrition and helps younger people to make healthier lifestyle choices. There were about 300 runners in the New Balance Foundation 5k for Fitness.

Fitness on the Field was held in Conyers, Georgia. The event’s participants were welcome to join in a wide array of outdoor workouts. The event was free and promoted the importance of health and wellness. Over 150 participants took part in the Fitness on the Field event.

Also in June, the franchise group had to complete a full cardio reequip. After the reequip, the group donated almost a dozen pieces of cardio equipment to the Revere School Department, which allowed the Revere High School to upgrade their current weight room.

Alder Partners also donated a pallet of PF^®-branded waters to the Garfield School in Revere, Massachusetts. The group wanted to make sure that the local students were able to stay cool and hydrated during their field day. Since Alder Partners has 28 locations in Georgia and nine locations in Massachusetts, the group tries to stay involved in those two states as much as possible.

“As always, we feel it is important to give back to the community any way we can, and when we are able to help the youth, it just makes it that much more fulfilling,” said Area Manager Joseph Perrella.