Blog Posts

National Fitness Partners Helps First Responders Improve Fitness with Donation

National Fitness Partners love giving back to its local communities, especially to those who help provide safety and care to the areas where NFP has clubs. Most recently, the franchise gave back by donating gently used fitness equipment to local first responders. The Planet Fitness® Macedonia, Ohio, club donated its used equipment to the local police department, as the franchise owns 16 clubs in the Cleveland/Akron, Ohio, market. The fitness equipment donated included two treadmills, two rowers and one stairstepper.

“Our team at Planet Fitness Macedonia is beyond excited to provide an equipment donation to the Macedonia Police Department,” said Phillip Blair, general manager at PF® Macedonia. “At Planet Fitness, we’re always looking for ways to better the communities we serve, and I couldn’t think of a better home for this equipment given the police department’s immense value and commitment within our local community. This is a great opportunity to provide equipment to support their health and fitness!”

Each year, National Fitness Partners and its team members find ways to support their first responders. In 2024, several of its clubs have donated equipment to local fire and police departments, which has helped these first responders stay healthy and fit as they save lives.

Grand Fitness Steps Up for Worthy Cause

May is National Fitness and Sports Month, making it the perfect time to focus on one’s health and fitness. Every year during the month of May, Grand Fitness Partners does just that by challenging its team to walk or run 1,000 miles collectively.

This year, the franchise group partnered with Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society a second time for its team walking challenge. Chromosome 18 is an organization that helps people with Chromosome 18 abnormalities overcome their obstacles and experience healthy lives.

Grand Fitness’s office and support team participated in the challenge. Many of the participating team members had standing desks and walking pads in the office to get their steps in. They tracked their miles using the honor system, based on the mileage recorded on their walking pad or smartwatch trackers.

Due to the hard work of Grand Fitness’s team, the group was able to log over 1,000 miles, while supporting Chromosome 18. Since the group was able to reach 1,000 miles, they made a generous donation to Chromosome 18. The group sponsored scholarships for new families to attend the C18 Family Conference during the summer in Charlotte, North Carolina. Grand Fitness’s staff was able to support a worthy cause through the fitness challenge while also staying in shape!

Grand Fitness Partners celebrated National Fitness and Sports Month with a Walking Challenge amongst its staff, raising money for Chromosome 18.

Grand Fitness Swings Hard at Charity Golf Championship

Grand Fitness Partners sponsored the Steve Young ★ Jerry Rice Bay Area Classic at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in April. Two team members, CEO of Grand Fitness David Bidwell and Vice President of Real Estate Brandyn Lorenz, attended the golf event. Funds raised at the event benefited the Forever Young Foundation and its 8 to 80 Zones.

Grand Fitness provides an annual sponsorship amount that is put toward all the events for The Forever Young Foundation and supports its initiatives, including the 8 to 80 Zones. The franchise group is also a hole sponsor in recognition for their donation.

The Forever Young Foundation was founded in 1993 and supports community projects and nonprofit organizations that are helping the academic and therapeutic needs of ill and underprivileged children. The foundation focuses on 8 to 80 Zones, in which they provide children living in underprivileged areas with mentorship, industry equipment and the training to later pursue jobs in gaming, mass-media, technology and more. With the help of the foundation, children can hone their artistic and creative skills, while also gaining the opportunity to learn more about virtual reality, coding, broadcasting, television, game development and more.

Grand Fitness also sponsored the event in 2023, and the franchise plans to continue to do so in the future. Steve Young, one of the creators of the event, is the co-founder of HGGC, which is an investor of Grand Fitness.

“The Bay Area Classic is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a few days in an amazing environment at the Pebble Beach Golf Links and bring support and awareness to a great organization that is doing so much for the youth in our communities. Steve Young and Jerry Rice are so gracious with their time and make sure that each person involved with the tournament has a personal interaction with each of them. The Bay Area Classic is indeed one of the most entertaining and memorable events Grand Fitness has been a part of, and we look forward to supporting the Forever Young Foundation and participating in future events,” said Lorenz.

Excel Fitness Keeps Community Fed with Local Food Drive

Excel Fitness’ Fayetteville, North Carolina, clubs worked hard at making a big impact during its Second Harvest Food Drive this year. The food drive occurred during the months of June and July. Due to the staff’s hard work, the group was able to gather 745 pounds of goods for those in need.

Additionally, the group volunteered their time at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina in June. At the food bank, they helped sort food items, allowing for the food bank to operate more efficiently and to give to those in need.

The event was such a success that the franchise group has decided to host the food drive again next year. Not only were many people fed thanks to the group’s hard work, but the group was able to feel good about their generosity.

“We love being able to give back to our community,” said General Manager Nicole Bellamy.

Excel Fitness has two clubs in Fayetteville and 38 clubs total in the state, and with the food drive, the group was able to give back to one of the local communities where it operates clubs.

Excel Fitness Crosses the Finish Line for American Cancer Society

On March 24, in Cary, North Carolina, over 300 walkers and runners joined together at the annual Running Over Cancer 5K to spread hope and raise awareness of cancer. Staff members from Excel Fitness’ Strickland Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, PF® helped keep spirits high at the race by setting up a Planet Fitness® table. The three staff members who volunteered at the race met with runners and handed out goodies. Additionally, Excel Fitness sponsored the race, giving their full support to a worthy cause.

General Manager at Excel Fitness Gerald Costen ran the Running Over Cancer 5K in memory of his father who passed away from cancer in 2019.

General Manager Gerald Costen laced up his running shoes and participated in the 5K, racing across the sports center trails in Cary. Costen lost his own father to cancer in 2019 and was able to honor his dad by supporting the event.

All race proceeds benefited the American Cancer Society, an organization that supports cancer patients and their families through advocacy, research and patient aid. Thanks to Excel Fitness’ support and hard work, the race was a successful way to give back to cancer patients.