Teenagers just caught a break this summer, in the form of free workouts. Planet Fitness, for all of their 1,806 locations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is offering free summer membership to teens aged 15-18.
“We see it, and I think others will see it as well, as a way of giving back to the community. It is one way we can truly make an impact on the youth,” said Anne Marie Lukin, owner of four Planet Fitness locations throughout Rhode Island, including the Warwick Avenue gym, when asked why Planet Fitness is taking this action.
The “Teen Summer Challenge,” as it’s called, started on May 15 and will last until September 1.
For teens who want to work out and get in shape, especially over the summer when many have an abundance of free time, it might be difficult to find the motivation. School just ended and the long-awaited break has arrived. Most people want to relax during their time off, to spend time with family and friends. Teens are certainly no exception to this feeling.
“It is really hard to get young people moving when you have all these other things keeping you inside, and busy and occupied,” said Lukin.
This is exactly why Planet fitness started the Teen Summer Challenge. While it is good for students to finally get a break they deserve, the initiative focuses on trying to keep kids motivated to stay active.
“[It] was started originally to help get teens fit and active during the summer, help them get off the couch away from videogames and get them ready for sports or just school in the fall,” said Shelby Porter, manager of the Planet Fitness on Warwick Avenue.
Maybe a student does want to use his or her free time to join a gym and workout. But then comes the problem of price. Can I afford it? Will I make the most of the experience if I do pay for a membership? Financial and motivational concerns loom. For many teenagers, the answer is no. Or they simply put the idea on hold.
“A lot of teenagers 15 to 18 don’t have jobs throughout the school year and it’s difficult to find them throughout the summer,” said Porter. “By alleviating the cost of the membership, it’s likely very helpful for these teens and their parents.”
So, the cost is completely alleviated. But what about getting this group to actually want to work out? Planet fitness is, along with offering free membership for the summer, giving teens unlimited access to certified trainers who provide a high level of expertise. There are certain blocks of time throughout the day designated for teen training sessions, where they can work out with their friends. And they can also work out in other training sessions throughout the week, at absolutely no charge.
Only time will tell how successful the initiative will be. One part of doing this may be to get people aware of Planet Fitness and what it has to offer. But, as Lukin said, the larger reason is to benefit the youth, “to help them get fit and hopefully acquire a better body image as well. Because a huge problem with most teens is, they lack a positive body image.”
This is just one of the upsides out of many stemming from the teen summer challenge and, as Lukin said, it’s difficult to see any downsides.
The company ran a trial run last year at the corporate clubs in New Hampshire. Lukin says it went very well and the company thought it would be worth offering to everybody. Speaking on behalf of her four locations, Lukin said the initiative will be great as it will bring a lot more people in during one of the slower times of the year and put the facilities to good use. Within just the first day and half, Lukin’s four locations have had over 100 teens sign up.
There are very few requirements to begin the membership, but it is mandatory that teens who join for the summer complete one initial class with a trainer who will go over gym etiquette and how to use the machines properly and safely. This session will only last about a half hour. It should also be mentioned that current members who are 15 to 18 would also receive the same benefits.
In addition to free membership and unlimited training from professionals, Planet Fitness is awarding a $500 scholarship to one teen member in every state and a $5,000 grand prize to one teen out of all 1,806 gym locations.
Lukin doesn’t expect an uptick in membership after the promotion ends, and said she doesn’t see any problem with that outcome. One thing she would like to come from the promotion, and something she feels is bound to happen, is that Planet Fitness stays in the back of these teens’ minds when they join a gym in the future.
But more than anything, said Shelby Porter, “We are really just trying to give back to the community.”
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