Member News

EPIC Fitness was the presenting sponsor for the eighth annual Walk for Wishes, held on May 6. The annual event helps raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which gives life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness had a goal of raising $125,000 this year. In the eight years the groups have participated in Walk for Wishes, they have managed to raise over $650,000 for the cause. This has led to the granting of about 65 wishes for children in need – changing these children’s lives for the better. The group partnered with Jay Towers from 100.3 and FOX2 Detroit to help promote the walk.

The co-op held two different pre-walk fundraisers to further support Make-A-Wish. One event was held by Impact Fitness in Canton, Michigan. The other event was hosted by EPIC Fitness in Warren, Michigan. EPIC Fitness hosted the pre-walk, in-club fundraiser in April to raise awareness of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to help increase donations. During the event, Hollywood actor James Jude Courtney, more commonly known as Michael Meyers from the “Halloween” movie series, made an appearance.

Courtney is a longtime Planet Fitness^® member in his hometown gym in South Carolina. His filmmaking and appearance schedule causes him to have to travel across the country. He shared that having a Planet Fitness Black Card allows him to stay fit, even with his jam-packed work and travel schedule.

Courtney offered to make an appearance to help raise money for Walk for Wishes. He signed autographs and took pictures with attendees. Staff members who raised more than $1,000 for the walk were welcome to meet with him at a staff lunch. They were able to hear stories about the actor’s time in Hollywood. Additionally, for each dollar a staff member raised, they received a ticket to enter one of the raffles, which included prizes for Tigers baseball tickets, a one-year pass to the local zoo and Taylor Swift concert tickets.

Additionally, EPIC Fitness Group owner Bryan Rief had the opportunity to appear on two major Detroit news stations and on the radio alongside Courtney. Courtney’s appearance at the Planet Fitness in-club, pre-walk fundraiser helped raise even more money for Walk for Wishes.

 “We have been sponsoring Walk for Wishes for several years, and each year it gets better. Our friends at iHeart Media are always thinking of new ways to increase participation from their listeners. These events accomplished that – we welcomed many people into our gyms who were unfamiliar with our Make-A-Wish partnership and who walked away with an appreciation for what this organization means to so many,” said Vice President of Marketing for EPIC Fitness Mary Scott.

On April 1, EPIC Fitness held its third annual Detroit Fitness Challenge at its Planet Fitness^® location on Maple Road in Troy near Detroit, Michigan. The event started in 2019, and it is a co-op-run event with EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness, along with their partners at the Audacy network of radio stations.

The franchise group is paired up with on-air talent from Audacy’s Detroit radio networks. The radio talent spends one quarter training in their in-studio Mini Judgement Free Zone^® or at their local Planet Fitness clubs so they can compete in a 60-minute indoor triathlon. There were nine individuals from Audacy who participated, and five Planet Fitness trainers who assisted in the training. If the radio talents finish the challenge, EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness makes a $10,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of SE Michigan. Each year, the challenge has been completed with sizeable donations going to the organization.

Members and non-members were welcome to cheer on the radio talent. There was food, games and prizes. Attendees were also given the opportunity to win a dream vacation worth over $5,000 and a $100 Visa Gift Card and one year of a PF^® Black Card membership. This grand raffle prize led to more engagement from listeners and helped draw a bigger crowd for the Detroit Fitness Challenge event.

“I love participating in the PF Challenge. It is a great opportunity to help the youngsters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of SE Michigan. It is also another excuse to use a Planet Fitness facility, which keeps my physical and mental health top notch. In addition, I get to meet some of our great listeners and fans of Planet Fitness. Endorsing a product that I use is very important to me,” said Michael “Stoney” Stone, host of Mornings with Stoney and Jansen on 97.1 The Ticket.

Pinnacle Service Brands partnered up with the Starkville Chamber of Commerce to sponsor The Starkville Stride, a team competition for local businesses to reach the highest number of steps between March 1 and April 14. The Greater Starkville Development Partnership aims to enhance the quality of life and economic vibrancy for residents, visitors and business owners. For the past three years, the Partnership has run the Starkville Stride Challenge to get local businesses up and moving with the goal of improving the overall health and wellness of the Starkville community.

During the Starkville Stride Challenge, teams competed to win a trophy, while individuals on a team could be entered into drawings for cash prizes or door prizes donated by local businesses. Everyone had to pay an entry fee of $10 to enter the challenge. Once the entry fee was paid, each participant received a link to sign up for the MoveSpring app, which is the Partnership’s primary fitness tracker. The app can be used on any smart device to track activity. Every participant received a registration bag with a water bottle, health and wellness information, coupons from local businesses, and more. Over 50 local businesses participated in the Starkville Stride this year.

As part of the sponsorship, Pinnacle Service Brands provided an exclusive offer and coupons in the official race swag bag. The group also had an advance preview night for Stride participants and an online workout session. The franchise awarded a free year of a Black Card membership for the top two male and female finishers.

The franchise’s sponsorship was in lieu of the Starkville grand opening March 19. The Starkville Chamber of Commerce attended the grand opening. Other attendees for the grand opening event included the Mississippi State University mascot and the members of the Golden Triangle Boys & Girls Club. Pinnacle donated $2,500 to the local Boys & Girls Club in celebration of the grand opening.