With locations in six states, Excel Fitness continually looks for ways to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America across the South and Midwest. Recently, it has undertaken several efforts to benefit local Boys & Girls Clubs in major metro areas where the company has gyms.

In North Carolina, Excel created a mini gym in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina’s O.T. Sloan Park Club. It is a 648-square-foot fitness facility, and the intent is to provide a place for youth to exercise in an environment that is welcoming and free of judgement. Excel Fitness currently operates 28 Planet Fitness^® gyms in the Raleigh-Durham area. The new mini gym contains nine pieces of cardio and strength equipment. It even features the Planet Fitness purple and yellow branding and inspirational messaging on the walls.

On Nov. 19, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the mini gym. Youth and staff from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina, representatives of Excel Fitness and representatives of the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce were in attendance.

“We’re committed to expanding our philosophy of feeling accepted and promoting kindness for kids in the community. Our mini Judgement Free Zones^® are intended to be inclusive spaces where youth can build self-confidence, develop a positive relationship with exercise, and lift each other up. We couldn’t be happier that this space will create an environment where kids feel like they belong,” said CJ Bouchard, CEO of Excel Fitness.

In addition to opening the mini gym in North Carolina, Excel Fitness gave the Dallas Boys & Girls Club the opportunity to watch the Texas Rangers play at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in September. Excel Fitness’s BGCA partners also nominated a youth to throw the first pitch of the game!

Excel Fitness looks forward to participating in future opportunities to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in its communities.