In September, thousands of United Auto Workers members went on strike against the Big Three automakers in Michigan. In response to the factory strikes, EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness allowed factory employees from any industry to go to Detroit-area Planet Fitness^® locations to work out for free. Those interested just needed to show their photo I.D. and employee I.D. when they walked in the clubs to redeem the offer.

Initially, the free access offer was planned for the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 1. However, with the strikes continuing in the region, EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness decided to continue to allow factory employees to use the club facilities free of charge during the weekends until further notice. The hope was the offer would allow factory workers to relieve the stress and anxiety they may be feeling from the strikes.

After EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness extended their offer to factory employees, several other Planet Fitness franchisees jumped in to offer this deal in their clubs as well, including Cambridge Fitness and Red Mountain Group. There was a total of 95 clubs participating in the offer.

“Our communities have supported us from the very beginning. Current events are causing stress and anxiety for neighbors that need our support right now. What we can offer is a brief escape for exercise, which has been proven to reduce anxiety, depression and negative moods,” said Bryan Rief, CEO of EPIC Fitness Group.