Julia Sanders

Excel Fitness Staff Act Quickly to Save a Life

Planet Fitness® works hard to cultivate a Judgement Free Zone® in its locations, creating a place where members feel safe, supported and cared for. Staff members at an Excel Fitness club in Durham, North Carolina, showed their commitment to care when they acted heroically to save a member’s life.

What started out as a normal Saturday in the summer turned into a nightmarish situation when a PF® member went into cardiac arrest in the gym. The member was lying on his left side, unable to breathe. Member Services Representative John Wayne sprung into action and immediately called 911. Following the instructions of the 911 operators, Wayne calmly and clearly directed Shift Lead Olivia Williamson to retrieve the automated external defibrillator (AED) and instructed some members in the club to help the member lay on his back. Then, Williamson managed to attach the AED to the member in need, despite never having done so before. With the help of Williamson, Wayne, several PF members, the fast response of a nearby deputy and the immediate response from EMT personnel, the member survived and is well on the path to recovery.

John Wayne and Olivia Williamson, team members at Excel Fitness’s club in Durham, North Carolina, demonstrated extreme heroism by jumping in to save a member’s life.

“To say it was scary is an understatement. To know he’s alive today because of everyone’s efforts is incredible,” said Williamson. “This experience has motivated me to know more about emergency situations so I can feel more confident if a situation like this occurs again.”

Wayne agreed that it is always important for gym employees to be ready to step up and help a member when needed. “When a situation arises that becomes intense for all those around, it pays to always be ready. Everyone needs a 5- to 10-minute plan for when something like this happens.”

in Recognitions  by 01 Oct 2025

Midwest Fitness Partners Strengthens Community Bonds with ProCamps Partnership

In a world where kids are constantly on their screens, Planet Fitness® works hard to coax kids into enjoying the outdoors and start healthy habits early. This summer, Midwest Fitness Partners joined forces with ProCamps, a local football camp in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their efforts helped young athletes build not only strength but also confidence and healthy habits early.

The football day camp brought together over 300 kids for a day filled with athletic drills, skill-building and inspiring moments on the field. The kids were able to learn from NFL star Ja’Marr Chase, as he led the football camp drills.

Midwest Fitness Partners helped set the tone of positivity for the kids on the field. The group led the warm-up sessions with enthusiasm and energy, representing Planet Fitness well by being decked out in purple and yellow. The MFP staff members motivated the kids to get moving, stretch out and get their heads in the game, while promoting PF®’s mission of a judgment-free, active lifestyle.

“We’re thrilled to have partnered with ProCamps for this incredible event,” said Mike Hamilton, COO of Midwest Fitness Partners. “It’s always special to see kids having fun while learning the value of staying active and working as a team.”

in Member News  by 01 Oct 2025

Impact Fitness Makes an Impression by Supporting Local Charity Organizations

At Impact Fitness, the mission is to “impact someone today.” The franchise group stayed true to this mission during its Annual Leadership Retreat at Boyne Mountain in July, in which the group supported Room 156 at Boyne City Middle School. Room 156 is an in-school pantry sponsored by the Manna Food Project in Michigan, and it provides essential items like food, hygiene products, clothing and winter gear for students in need.

During the leadership retreat, Impact Fitness staff teamed together to package 200 hygiene kits filled with necessary items. The kits included deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, razors and combs. They also included fun, motivational stickers to make the kids’ day a little brighter. Additionally, they wrote 120 motivational cards for the students with positive messages to uplift the kids’ spirits. They also decorated boxes containing 13 pairs of name-brand shoes with glitter pens, stickers and gems, turning the simple boxes into personalized gifts for the kids. The staff had a friendly competition to see who could create the most appealing kits, which helped encourage the staff to create the best possible packages for the students at Boyne City Middle School.

“Seeing the enthusiasm from everyone involved reminded me why I love being part of this team,” said Alicia Calcamuggio, VP of human resources for Impact Fitness.

In addition, Impact’s support team spent one day this summer volunteering at Gleaners Food Bank in southeastern Michigan. The group was able to make a huge impact, as it helped pack 17,000 pounds of food. This is equivalent to 13,600 meals for those in need. Both initiatives highlighted how hard Impact Fitness works to make a positive impact on its local communities.

in Member News  by 01 Oct 2025