Planet Fitness Flexes to Fight Bullying and Encourages Everyone to Spread Kindness

NEWINGTON, N.H., Nov. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As a company committed to eliminating judgement and intimidation while promoting kindness and acceptance, Planet Fitness is launching a special promotion to continue its fight against bullying – the #1 concern for parents today*.

From November 9 through November 16, Planet Fitness is inviting everyone to join for only a $10 enrollment fee for both the $10 and $19.99 monthly memberships, and the company and its franchisees will donate 100% of the enrollment fees to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and STOMP Out Bullying™ to benefit its philanthropic initiative, The Judgement Free Generation™. Each $10 donation will support The Judgement Free Generation's mission of combatting the judgement and bullying faced by teens through funding programming, training and resources.

Planet Fitness has been a proud champion of encouraging people to be "judgement free," inviting members to come work out as they are, without fear of being criticized or judged. With more than 1,200 locations nationwide, each location's walls provide inspirational messages of encouragement such as "You Belong" and "No Critics."

Planet Fitness launched The Judgement Free Generation™ in March 2016 with an initial $1.3M commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and STOMP Out Bullying™ to fund pro-kindness and anti-bullying programs nationwide. Since the program's introduction, anti-bullying tools and resources created by STOMP Out Bullying™ have been made available to the more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, and trainings have been held for Boys & Girls Clubs' staff to create positive, judgement free environments that will help kids thrive.

According to Chris Rondeau, Planet Fitness' Chief Executive Officer, "Making people feel accepted and respected is something we have always proudly stood behind. With 1 in 4 kids reporting being bullied today** we are truly approaching an epidemic, which is why we have joined this movement to take a stand against bullying and focus on promoting kindness and inclusion. Through the collective work with our two non-profit partners Boys & Girls Clubs of America and STOMP Out Bullying™, we have the opportunity to positively impact so many of our nation's kids and teens, and this eight-day national sale is just one of the many ways we're going to continue our support for this cause."

Additionally, to bring its judgement free philosophy into another deserving community, Planet Fitness along with EXTRA host Mario Lopez will unveil a brand new mini Planet Fitness within the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, CA. Mario Lopez, who is a Boys & Girls Club alumnus and STOMP Out Bullying™ Global Ambassador, helped Planet Fitness finish the renovation and reveal the new fitness facility to the Boys & Girls Club kids and teens.

The new mini Judgement Free Zone® in the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena is the second of its kind in the country. Featuring the same motivational and inspirational messages on the walls and the brand's signature purple and yellow colors and branded equipment, the fitness room mirrors Planet Fitness clubs throughout the U.S. Local California Planet Fitness franchisees supported the renovation by donating equipment, and the Company's staff helped transform the room from a storage closet to a bright workout space. The first mini fitness facility was built in the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, NH in September, and is part of Planet Fitness' and its franchisees' plan to provide safe and welcoming workout environments to local Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country.

"Our young people face many barriers to leading a life of positive health and wellness, including social challenges like bullying," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Our partnership with Planet Fitness, and the creation of Judgement Free Zones in select Clubs around the country provide critical resources, putting our kids and teens on the path to a great future."

Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of STOMP Out Bullying™ said, "We are deeply grateful to Planet Fitness for their generosity and for their commitment to sharing our vision of kindness, empathy and no judgment. It is my hope that other companies will follow suit, thereby creating a world of kindness for all youths."

To watch Mario Lopez unveil the new mini Judgement Free Zone at the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, tune in to EXTRA on Thursday, November 10. Check local listings.

* The Healing Power of Doing Good
** Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H., Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of September 30, 2016, Planet Fitness had more than 8.6 million members and more than 1,200 stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Dominican Republic. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,200 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.

About STOMP Out Bullying™
STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national anti-bullying and cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. Created in 2005, STOMP Out Bullying™ is recognized as the most influential anti-bullying organization in the country. It focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying, as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns. Learn more at www.STOMPOutBullying.org, Facebook and Twitter.

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McCall Gosselin
Vice President of PR & Communications
603-957-4650
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Becky Zirlen
PR Manager
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SOURCE Planet Fitness

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