Member News

EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness partnered once again with the Detroit Lions and United Dairy Industry of Michigan to provide a lucky high school football team with its very own Mini Judgement Free Zone. In April, the group unveiled the mini JFZ at Pershing High School, which was the 2023 “Touchdown in Your Town” contest winning school. The gym includes everything necessary to help the high schoolers stay in shape, including cardio and strength equipment and milk refueling stations.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Detroit Lions and United Dairy Industry of Michigan and give back to the community with this donation to Pershing High School. We hope students use this space to form good exercise and nutrition habits early on, which will serve them well beyond their high school years,” said Bryan Rief, CEO of EPIC Fitness Group.           

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 16 to celebrate the opening of the Mini JFZ. Students from Pershing High School’s football team, along with Principal Bryant Tipton, coaches and representatives from the Detroit Lions, EPIC Fitness, Impact Fitness and UDIM, came out to celebrate the grand opening. The Pershing High School football team was granted the new fitness space to help them stay healthy during not only the sporting season but also during the offseason.

“Without the help of the Pershing High School community partners, our student-athletes would not have a place to train or condition,” said Tipton. “This weight room is a boost to the Pershing school and community and will allow our teams to play on a level playing field. Thank you, Planet Fitness^®, Detroit Lions, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and everyone who made this possible. Your commitment to children, the community and Detroit is truly valued.”

The “Touchdown in Your Town” program has been helping Michigan high school student athletes for six years. Applications for this year’s winner were accepted through May 29. High school football programs are also allowed to apply for resources, such as helmets, practice equipment and uniforms, as well as grant funding. Additionally, cheer and spirit programs can apply for resources, such as uniforms, warm-ups, pom poms and equipment, as well as support for camps and competitions.

Core Development and Management Fitness Holdings (CDM) is broadening fitness and fun across the Pacific Northwest. The franchise group purchased seven Planet Fitness^® clubs in the Tacoma, Washington-area. On Feb. 21, CDM purchased the clubs from Jeg Viper of Philadelphia.

The seven clubs included Bonney Lake, Milton, Puyallup, Tacoma (Fern Hill), Tacoma (West End), University Place and Tacoma (Eastside). The total square footage of the properties came up to nearly 162,000 square feet. The clubs have a total of around 60,000 members.

“Seattle-Tacoma is a diverse, vibrant market, and we believe underserved in terms of affordable fitness options,” said Bruce Edwards, CEO of CDM Fitness Holdings. “We have experienced a positive reception since entering the greater Seattle market, and our immediate plans are to reinvest in and enhance our existing locations with new equipment and facility upgrades to ensure that our member experience rivals that of a brand-new facility. We are also actively looking to expand our Planet Fitness network to additional areas in and around the region.”

With this acquisition, CDM Fitness Holdings now has 17 Planet Fitness locations in Washington, as well as 80 locations in total across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington state.

Midwest Fitness Partners was a sponsor for the Make-A-Wish Walk at Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 13. Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas grants life-changing wishes for kids with critical illnesses.

As a sponsor for the event, Midwest Fitness Partners donated $7,500 to Make-A-Wish. The group also set up a tent at the Make-A-Wish Walk to help promote health and fitness and hand out free items to attendees. The group had five staff members managing the tent. The day was a success as $565,000 was raised at the Make-A-Wish Walk, which was enough to grant 56 wishes!

Midwest Fitness Partners was happy to support an incredible mission and organization, as well as help children and families in need. The event was also a great way for the franchise to share the benefits of a Planet Fitness^® membership with attendees.

“We are deeply committed to supporting children, as they are our future. Contributing to Make-A-Wish is a noble cause that helps children in need, and we are honored and delighted to be a part of it,” said Sam Glassman, CFO of Midwest Fitness Partners.