Member News

EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness were once again the presenting sponsors for Walk for Wishes in Detroit, Michigan on May 4. The event benefited Make-A-Wish Michigan, which provides life-changing “wishes” for kids with critical illnesses.

The franchises worked hard to raise money for the cause, and the hard work paid off, as the groups surpassed their fundraising goals this year and raised the largest amount of money collected in all nine years of their sponsorship. Including the groups’ sponsorship fee, they were able to raise over $130,000. This greatly surpassed their fundraising goal of $125,000. Additionally, the total raised was more than last year’s amount raised at around $75,000. EPIC’s Utica, Michigan, club raised the most money out of all its locations, with over $4,300 in donations.

This was the two franchises’ ninth year as presenting sponsor. Over the years, the franchises have raised more than $730,000 for Make-A-Wish. Each wish is, on average, around $10,000, so at least 73 children in Michigan have had a wish granted, thanks to the franchise groups’ efforts. The list of children still waiting for a wish has nearly 600 names. The groups plan to continue to partner with Make-A-Wish, so they can give as many kids as possible the chance at gaining a wish.

“Each year, this event gets bigger and better. It was inspiring to see so many people gather to participate in support of this worthy cause. The best part is meeting the children and families impacted by a wish; there aren’t words to describe what a wish means to them,” said Mary Scott, vice president of marketing for EPIC Fitness Group.

Easy Mile Fitness stepped up to benefit a good cause by volunteering at the Puerto Rico 10K Run, also known as the Puerto Rico 10K Run La Carrera del Puente Teodoro Moscoso, on May 5. The race benefitted the Pediatric Hospital Foundation and the Trauma Center Assistance Foundation.

The group’s volunteers led the warmup before the race, pumping up runners before the start. Charlie Santiago, a Planet Fitness^® certified trainer with Easy Mile, led the session to loosen up participants.

“l felt grateful and honored to represent Planet Fitness in this sport event in front of Puerto Rico. I have done warm-ups but never to a crowd like this one where you feel the excitement, the energy and the emotions minutes before the race started,” said Santiago.

As part of the sponsorship, not only did Easy Mile Fitness lead the race preparations, but it also gave all runners a purple waist bag, branded with the Planet Fitness logo. The group was also able to negotiate a $10 discount code for members to enroll via the website. During the race, the group hosted the official race timing team at the finishing point in a PF^® tent.

This year was the third time the race has been held, and Easy Mile’s second time sponsoring it. The race did not disappoint! There was a record number of 6,250 runners gathered for the race, an increase of 1,000 runners from the previous year. Additionally, Easy Mile Fitness had 45 employees who participated in the race.

For the first time, the group will be sponsoring the Susan G. Komen 5K in October, and after that, they plan on sponsoring more races in the future. Easy Mile Fitness has 17 clubs in Puerto Rico and is adding two new clubs before the end of 2024.

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.