Member News

United Fitness Partners kicked a winning goal, as the official gym partner for Kansas City’s professional Major League Soccer club, Sporting Kansas City. Six of UFP’s Kansas City staff members showed their support for the team by attending the Sporting KC versus Miami FC match on April 13.

UFP had a booth at the soccer game, where team members invited soccer fans to participate in fitness challenges led by an onsite Planet Fitness^® trainer. The staff got the fans excited about being a Planet Fitness member by offering cornhole and raffles. The raffle winner scored a signed jersey, four tickets to an upcoming Sporting KC match, and a one-year Black Card membership.

UFP is a proud sponsor of Sporting KC. The sponsorship includes in-stadium creative, partnership with Sporting KC’s nonprofit, the Victory Project, onsite game activations, youth tournament activations and mascot appearances. UFP operates 18 clubs in the Kansas City DMA.

The PF^® booth run by United Fitness Partners attracted a lot of attention, as there were around 72,600 people who stopped by to see everything Planet Fitness had to offer.

“Planet Fitness was excited to be in front of the largest soccer game crowd in Kansas City history. The iconic game at GEHA Field (Arrowhead) was filled with fans and families from all over ready to see a great match. PF had the opportunity to interact with these fans in the hours leading up to the match against Miami. Fans lined up to test their skills at our fitness challenge, soccer shoot and cornhole, with each winner taking home some PF swag,” said Shelbi Seward, district manager for UFP. “The day was filled with fun, excitement and an amazing game!”

Three of United Fitness Partners’ staff members volunteered at the Dream Program’s 18th annual Charity Golf Tournament in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Dream Program helps improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by offering inclusive leisure and recreational experiences for these individuals. The Dream Program’s golf tournament was held in April and had at least 100 golfers registered – a huge increase from the previous year.

UFP’s staff members worked hard at the event! They were placed along the green to assist and cheer on the athletes. After the putting competition was over, the staff members served meals to the athletes and coaches, as well as to the golfers. In total, there were hundreds of people served at the event.

“The Dream Project is an organization that was created out of love, and it was so clear to see on that perfect Saturday in April. The most evident thing I witnessed that day was the spirit of overwhelming love for these athletes. So many parents and volunteers put time and effort into enriching the lives of these athletes. There is a very special place in my heart for the special needs community, and the Dream Project supports some of my favorite people,” said Natalie Kirk, district manager for UFP. “Our business is about changing the lives of our members, but it is really the Dream Program athletes and volunteers who help change our lives.”

Books are a great source of knowledge and entertainment. In a technologically heavy world, encouraging children to read can be difficult, especially if entertaining books are not readily available to them. United Fitness Partners’ Pennsylvania clubs hosted in-club book donation drives in honor of National Library Lovers Month. The franchise group was looking for ways to engage the local community during the winter months and came up with the idea of hosting the book drive.

The drive lasted from Jan. 29 to Feb. 16. The book collections were held in Planet Fitness^® clubs. UFP’s Uniontown, Latrobe and North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, clubs partnered with West Mifflin Area High School, which was also collecting books in honor of Read Across America, to provide the donations to the Best of the Batch Foundation. Books were also donated to nonprofits Rainbow Kitchen and Shared Blessings. There were about 3,200 donations given away for children and local residents in need.

“We are proud of our members who quickly came together to support our donation drive and were thrilled to partner with West Mifflin High School to give back to the Best of the Batch Foundation who will use the donations toward their Batch Pack and summer reading programs,” said Devin Onorato, club manager at UFP’s North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, club.

Best of the Bath Foundation is a nonprofit that helps improve children’s lives in distressed communities. One of their initiatives is running a seven-week summer basketball camp where the kids read and discuss pre-selected books.

Like many PF^® franchisees, United Fitness Partners is constantly giving back to its local community. Last year, UFP’s Pennsylvania and Ohio clubs also hosted a book drive.