Blog Posts

Starr Group Teams Up With Local College to Get Students Focused on Fitness

Two Planet Fitness® locations in Danville and Martinsville, Virginia, owned by Starr Group, have teamed up with a local college to make the cost of working out even more affordable.

When Katherine Pappas, associate director for the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program at Averett University, reached out to her local gym to form a partnership, the clubs immediately jumped on the opportunity.

“Katherine reached out to me at our Danville location and asked if she could visit the club and set up a table to promote and attract interest from our members to Averett’s GPS program,” said club manager Misty Adams. “Katherine and I discussed a membership offer for the GPS students that would be affordable. Once she learned about the $10 membership, we decided to make it even more affordable by waiving the enrollment fee and giving them their first month free.”

The club invited Pappas to set up a table during the March pizza Monday, which provided the GPS program great exposure.

“We understand that college can be a very stressful time, and exercise is a great way to relieve stress,” added Adams. “The health benefits and the absence of a campus gym created the perfect partnership with Averett GPS students.”

In addition to partnering with Averett’s GPS program, the clubs have also been highly involved with Averett athletics for the past four years. PF® often provides game tickets at the front desk, and the football mascot will even visit the club from time to time to hand out tickets as well.

The clubs also donate $2,000 per year to the athletic teams and in return have a banner that is displayed on the football field and logos that can be seen on the digital scoreboard during football games.

“Averett’s GPS program seeks to partner with local businesses with which our missions align,” concluded Ron Lonzo, executive director of GPS enrollment. “The partnership with the Danville and Martinsville Planet Fitness locations will not only encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, but also strive to meet their educational goals at a more affordable cost.”

in Uncategorized  by 22 Jun 2017

PF Michigan Group Renovates Gym for Detroit Police

PF Michigan Group franchisees Bryan and Laura Rief renovated a gym for the Detroit’s 11th Precinct Police Department, which was unveiled during National Police Week May 16 at the precinct’s Health & Fitness Expo. 

After the loss of two colleagues in his precinct, neighborhood police officer Danyell Robinson Sr. was moved to reach out to the Riefs to see if they would be interested in helping the precinct update their current fitness room. Moved by his passion to educate his fellow officers on the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle, the Reifs obliged and agreed to not only update the equipment but to completely renovate the room.

“When we first saw the room they were using with torn-up benches, random weights and make-shift exercise equipment, we knew right away that we could give the space an overhaul,” said Laura Rief. “These men and women who serve us so well definitely deserved a better facility.”

Renovations of the space included all new flooring, a fresh coat of paint, mirrors and new lighting. The room was then outfitted with new Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment, along with new free weights, stretching mats, a cleaning station and a wall-mounted TV.

“We wanted to give the 11th Precinct a space that they would not only be proud of, but one that they could actually use with as wide a variety of exercise equipment that we could fit in the space,” added Laura.

During the expo, Renee Gray, the certified trainer from Planet Fitness® in Southfield, offered fitness tips and even ran through an exercise demonstration with a group of officers.

“Our police are under a lot of stress and work difficult schedules,” said Gray. “We know that getting exercise can help to reduce stress and heart disease. These men and women have enough things to worry about, and their health shouldn’t be one of them.”

in Uncategorized  by 02 Jun 2017

Meridian Enterprises Sponsors Annual March for Babies Walk in Knoxville

On April 29, thousands of businesses and families congregated at Zoo Knoxville for the annual March for Babies event organized by the March of Dimes.

The organization reached out to a nearby Planet Fitness®, which quickly agreed to become a local sponsor. The PF® club, owned by Meridian Enterprises, provided water bottles and banners for the event.

“We want to do everything we can to support our community,” said franchisee Kira Ehly. “It’s an honor to be a part of this great event and cause.”

The event raised over $72,000, and attendees were invited to stick around and explore the zoo following the two-mile walk.

This year’s Knoxville Ambassador Family was the Vaughan Family. Ben and Rosalynn Vaughan’s twin girls, Adaline and Harper, were born at 33 weeks and have surpassed their expected progress. The girls were given surfactant, which is a March of Dimes funded agent, that allowed the twins to breathe on their own and aided in them going home from NICU nearly two months early.

“It’s a pleasure to work with March of Dimes,” said Cambrie Gagliardi, marketing director for Meridian Enterprises. “This partnership is one we want to continue.”

in Uncategorized  by 22 May 2017

Anchor Management Group Employees Lend a Hand at Miracle League Baseball Games

On Saturday, April 1, nine Anchor Management Group employees volunteered at The Miracle League of Wilmington’s baseball games at Brax Stadium Miracle Field in Wilmington, North Carolina. The volunteers buddied up with the Miracle League players who have physical and mental disabilities and assisted them with running, hitting, throwing and catching.

“Our main objective was not only to assist, but also to encourage, motivate and cheer them on,” said Reid Wolfe, regional manager for Anchor Management Group. “I dressed up as Homer, the mascot, which I think was the most fun of all. I danced, high-fived and hugged many of the participants throughout the day.”

Any person with a disability, age 4 and up, is eligible to play Miracle League baseball. The specialized field is made of a flat, rubberized surface and is barrier free for players using wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices.

“The Miracle League and Planet Fitness® are a perfect fit, combining our Judgement Free Zone® philosophy with the fun of helping provide a great day of baseball for those in our community,” Reid added.

In addition to assisting and cheering on the 80 Miracle League players, the Planet Fitness volunteers also passed out free PF® T-shirts and water bottles.

“We were so thrilled to have Planet Fitness joining us as buddies at the Miracle League,” said Jennifer Bell, executive director of ACCESS of Wilmington Inc., which operates Miracle Field. “Planet Fitness shares our same mission of promoting health for all, and we are grateful that their employees are dedicating time to encouraging our athletes. Volunteers are crucial to The Miracle League of Wilmington, and this community has definitely shown our families that Wilmington cares.”

Pablo Laredo, general manager of the Monkey Junction Planet Fitness location, discovered the rewards of volunteering are exponential.

“I headed into the day just hoping I could make an impact on at least one kid, but when walking around with Homer, I could see that our presence was putting smiles on the faces of the entire group,” Laredo said.

“Our goal is to continue to pursue our relationship with the Miracle League and its positive impact on disabled individuals and their families,” Wolfe added.

Anchor Management Group provided the volunteering club with $200 to use toward a group outing.

in Uncategorized  by 22 May 2017

Asbell Planet Services Helps Convert Teen Center into Workout Space at Local BGC

On March 8, Asbell Planet Services, LLC employees from the company’s Lynchburg, Virginia, location gave back to their community by transforming a teen center at a local Boys & Girls Club into a new workout space.

Employees spent one day painting the room and returned the following week to install the workout equipment, which included a treadmill, elliptical and a stationary bike.

“I’m so glad that we could help with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg with its renovation efforts to create a gym space that will welcome kids in the area to make the most of the clubhouse and burn some of that youthful energy to stay healthy, alert and ready to learn,” said franchisee Bill Asbell. “We love helping local youth, and we know that they’ll make the most of the equipment we donated and enjoy the new look of the gym section of the clubhouse. We look forward to more opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the great, vital work that Boys & Girls Clubs provide.”

Regional Manager Lindsay Woods noted that the company ran across a similar story in a previous issue of the Geared Up magazine and decided to donate the equipment once it was time for the club to re-equip. Woods also said that, in addition to serving the Boys & Girls Clubs, participating in activities like these gives employees a sense of purpose within their city that comes from giving back to the community and the kids.

Employees that assisted with the remodel include Lindsay Woods, Brian Winch, Elijah Tozar, Amanda Ranson, Katie Reeves, Miranda Dessalet and Nicholle Palicas.

in Uncategorized  by 15 May 2017