TIMONIUM, Md. (Oct. 12, 2020) –Planet Fitness – one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand – will hold a weeklong grand opening celebration at of its Columbia fitness center.
As Planet Fitness’ first club in Howard County and 41st club in Maryland, the 16,776-square-foot Columbia club is located in Dobbin Center at 6475-101 H East Dobbin Rd., Columbia, MD 21045.
Planet Fitness Columbia features state-of-the-art cardiomachines and strength equipment, a 30-Minute Express Circuit, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers, numerous flat screen televisions, Hydro-Massage beds, massage chairs, tanning beds, a Total Body Enhancement booth and more – in a hassle-free, non-intimidating environment.
From Oct. 16-22, new members can join for Classic membership at $0 down, $10 a month with no commitment and get one month free! Members can bring guests for free, and those who refer a friend or upgrade to Black Card® membership before Oct. 22 can get the rest of the year free.
Throughout the grand opening, Classic members can enjoy Black Card® amenities for free (including access to massage beds and chairs and tanning, among other benefits).Everyone who visits can enter to win prizes, including a 55’ Smart TV, Amazon Echo Show, Apple Watch and Maryland Terrapins memorabilia. A ribbon cutting ceremony with local dignitaries (District 13, Howard County) and the Howard County Chamber of Commerce will take place Oct. 22, from noon to 1 p.m., and will include a $500 check presentation to the Laurel Boys and Girls Club.
In addition to the festivities, the grand opening will serve as an opportunity to see enhanced protocols in place to get members back to the Judgement Free Zone® in the safest way possible. Planet Fitness has implemented such measures as: required facemasks, increased sanitation, employee temperature checks, touchless check-in featuring COVID-19 wellness questions for all members and guests, signage promoting Social Fitnessing™ throughout the facility, and Crowd Meteron Planet Fitness’ mobile app that allows members to check club capacity before coming into the gym.
“Planet Fitness believes fitness is essential to the physical and mental health of Maryland residents who are eager to get out of the house and resume their active lifestyles. Fitness also plays a critical role in building a stronger immune system, helping protect against severe COVID-19,” said Victor Brick, co-owner of PF Growth Partners, a franchise division of Planet Fitness. “Planet Fitness Columbia aims to do its part in combatting this ongoing pandemic by providing access for people to exercise and stay healthy.”
The pandemic has taken a physical and mental toll on the nation. State lockdowns led to a 32 percent reduction in physical activity among individuals who were physically active. Maryland already suffers from high obesity rates, with 32.3 percent being considered overweight. This makes access to exercise now even more vital as physical activity provides numerous health benefits including the ability to maintain weight, strengthen muscles, and prevent chronic illness.
Regular physical activity is also known to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. This takes on even more significance in light of a July poll conducted by the Kaiser Foundation which found that more than half of U.S. adults reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, up 32 percent from March.
“Fitness centers remain a critical tool in supporting the health and well-being of Americans, and we have proven that gyms can reopen and operate safely,” Brick added. “Whether or not you’ve belonged to a gym, we invite you to check out the Columbia club, meet our friendly staff, get a tour and see what the Judgement Free Zone® is all about. We’re confident that our encouraging clean and safe environment will be a welcome addition to the community.”
For more information about Planet Fitness Columbia, its grand opening or membership specials, visit www.planetfitness.com/gyms/columbia-md, email Columbia.md@planetfitness.com or call 443-545-7979. For more information about Planet Fitness overall, visit www.PlanetFitness.com or follow PlanetFitness on Facebook and Twitter.
About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, 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 June 30, 2020, Planet Fitness had more than 15.2 million members and 2,059 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico and Australia. 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 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.
PF Growth Partners, LLC owns and operates 67 Planet Fitness health clubs with over 500,000 members in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Tennessee, Florida and the State of Washington. In 2013 PF Growth Partners, LLC was named The Inaugural Franchise of the Year by Planet Fitness Corporate. In 2014 the group was named Planet Fitness Developer of the Year for opening 11 clubs in 12 months, and received the award for Highest BER (Brand Excellence Review) by Planet Fitness Corporate. In 2015 the group was again named Planet Fitness Developer of the Year by Planet Fitness Corporate. In 2016 the group received the Judgement Free Generation award for its exceptional work with the local Boys and Girls Clubs in Tennessee by Planet Fitness Corporate.
