PF Growth Partners

Planet Fitness Donates to BGCA During Open House

The Planet Fitness® in Pompano Beach, Florida, gave those looking for a total-body workout a great new option – the 360. Held in Planet Fitness Plaza, the location hosted an open house to showcase the addition of the equipment to the Broward County market.

The PF® club celebrated the open house alongside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, donating $500 to the Pompano Beach center. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County serves over 12,500 youth between the ages of 6-18 each year through 11 clubs and one teen center in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, North Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Ft. Lauderdale, Davie, Hollywood and West Park.

“We always enjoy incorporating the BGC whenever we can,” said Danielle Monroy, marketing director for Planet Fitness Growth Partners in Florida. “We are currently in discussions to use our renovation in North Miami Beach to facilitate a mini Judgement Free Zone® in the South Broward Boys & Girls Club.”

News of the open house was spread throughout local publications, and more than 250 current and prospective members enjoyed food, fun, raffles and games during the open house celebration.

In the challenging Florida market, Planet Fitness Growth Partners deploys community and grassroots marketing efforts to differentiate PF products and services. “Aside from open houses, we utilize street teams, are active members in the chambers and engage as many community events as possible,” Monroy said. “While driving revenue is a high priority, brand building continues to stay top of mind, and in our experience, moving the small dirt (community marketing), in the long run, will pay dividends for the brand.”

PF Growth Partners Teams Up With Sox in the Box Program

Planet Fitness Growth Partners has teamed up with 8-year-old Miracle Omar to help with her Sox in the Box program. The program aims to collect new pairs of socks and distribute them to homeless or needy individuals throughout the Washington, D.C., area.

The Ivy City PF® location in Washington, D.C., along with clubs in Landover and Greenbelt, Maryland, agreed to feature collection boxes where members and staff could donate pairs of socks.

“Miracle initially came into the Landover Planet Fitness® and spoke with our management team about partnering with her on her journey to give back,” said regional manager Justin Drummond. “She mentioned that she and her two friends often try to give to the homeless. It all started with handing out toiletries in a park that is known for having a high population of homeless people in Washington, D.C.”

Sox in the Box collected over 700 pairs of socks to hand out to homeless or needy individuals.

Sox in the Box collected over 700 pairs of socks to hand out to homeless or needy individuals.

This is the first time that Planet Fitness Growth Partners has partnered with Omar, but the Sox in the Box program was able to collect over 700 pairs of socks, with the Ivy City club being the largest contributor. Omar has two additional boxes set up outside of Planet Fitness – one in a local salon and one in her elementary school.

“The members loved the idea of what this donation program represented,” said Drummond. “Our Ivy City location actually has a homeless shelter around the corner from the club. The members really got behind the cause.”

Drummond also noted that, while employees did participate in the program, roughly 95 percent of donations came from members.

Omar and two of her friends distributed the socks at Franklin Square Park on Nov. 12. The outcome was overwhelmingly positive, and Omar hopes to make Sox in the Box an annual program.

“When speaking to the management teams who participated in this community outreach, all said this was a no-brainer. To see an 8-year-old girl and her friends so committed to making a difference in strangers’ lives was priceless,” said Drummond. “We had to hop on board and support our community. On a monthly basis, our clubs participate in various community outreach programs. This is our way of not only giving back to the community, but showing that we are also a part of the community.”

Firefighter Climbs 110 Flights of Stairs at Planet Fitness Location to Honor Fallen Firefighters of 9/11

On Sept. 11, Jason Harding visited a local Planet Fitness to pay tribute to fallen first responders by climbing 110 flights of stairs in full gear.

On Sept. 11, Jason Harding visited a local Planet Fitness to pay tribute to fallen first responders by climbing 110 flights of stairs in full gear.

On Sept. 11, 2001, a series of terror attacks claimed the lives of 2,996 people and wounded over 6,000. That death toll included 343 firefighters. Since that day, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has sponsored stair climbs across the nation to commemorate and show support for the fallen first responders.

Jason Harding has participated in one of the annual stair climbs for the past four years, but when his work schedule prevented him from attending a stair climb in Knoxville, Tennessee, this year, he still found a way to show his support.

Before going into work on Sept. 11, Harding went to the nearest 24-hour fitness center and asked the front desk personnel if he could climb 110 flights of stairs in full gear to honor the fallen firefighters.

The Planet Fitness® in Maryville, Tennessee, obliged, and both members and staff were moved by Harding’s actions. Team member Lezlie Bauler, photographed Harding in action and posted the image to social media. By the end of the day the story had gone viral and has now been shared over 150,000 times.

“Many stated my act brought them to tears, but little do they know, their support did the same for me,” said Harding in a released statement. “I want to thank everyone that shared and commented in response to this post. It is proof that, although we seem divided as a country at times, we unite at the most crucial times.”

Harding was not previously a member of Planet Fitness, but Planet Fitness Growth Partners, which owns 46 clubs in Maryland, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Florida and Washington, was so inspired it provided Harding and his wife a one-year, complimentary Black Card membership.

Everyone involved received overwhelming positive feedback with members expressing gratitude toward Harding and the Maryville PF staff.

“This humble act of honor and respect inspired so many. We are grateful to Jason Harding and to our team member, Lezlie Bauler, for going about this the right way and asking permission to take a photo and share with others,” said Chris Cavolo, principal at Planet Fitness Growth Partners. “There is such a bigger message and purpose here; we are just grateful to have been a part of it. God bless America and all the brave first responders.”