Geared Up Issue 1 2018 | Page 14

Excel Fitness Makes Charitable Donation to Fayetteville Firehouses L ast December, when it came time to re-equip its Fayetteville, Arkansas, club, Excel Fitness decided to give back to those who watch out for the community. The local fire stations had recently passed a rule preventing firefighters from running outside while working their shifts. To help make up for lost time and miles, Planet Fitness® donated eight pieces of cardio equipment to three firehouses. The equipment included treadmills and Arc Trainers and provided the firefighters the ability to run and train while on the clock. Team members from Excel Fitness, owned by Michael Turner, helped deliver Firefighters from three local stations in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are now able to maintain their fitness levels while on the clock due to Excel Fitness’ donation. the equipment to the fire station. “They were excited and happy for the new equipment,” said Brandon Sebald, regional director with Excel Fitness. G PF Raleigh Opens 1,500th Planet Fitness Club Before the 1,500th location was opened, PF Raleigh opened another location in Durham, North Carolina, and the grand-opening celebration was a huge hit. T 12 his past winter, PF Raleigh opened the doors to the 1,500th Planet Fitness® location situated in Durham, North Carolina. The club, built in a vacant Walmart location, is the largest club that PF Raleigh has opened, only taking 70 days to build. “Without our incredible construction crew working endlessly to get permits approved and utilities set up, the club would not be open today,” said Amanda Pleiter, marketing coordinator for PF Raleigh, which is owned by CJ Bouchard. When PF Raleigh opened its first club in 2005, it was the 23rd club in the system. Now, the PF brand is over 1,500 strong. “Our brand is unique in a way that makes us an undeniably strong force in the market. For our club to be a tangible symbol of that force is something that we will always be proud of. The successes of each franchise group are also the successes of the brand,” said Pleiter. “Every move we make and every location we bring to life is for the constant growth and betterment of Planet Fitness. It’s a great feeling to know that one of our greatest achievements as a group is also one of the greatest achieve- ments as a brand.” PF Raleigh goes above and beyond with their celebrations, turning them into grand events. With the opening of their latest Durham, North Carolina, location, the club offered $10 food vouchers for the first 100 guests, had live music, tons of food trucks and around 300 people in attendance. “Our grand openings bring together the club and those that live in the towns around it, regardless of whether they are members. It’s a community event, meant to bring people together and allow them to experience the kindness and encouragement of the Judgement Free Zone®,” said Pleiter. Alongside the opening of the 1,500th location, PF Raleigh opened a new training facility built for the purpose of training staff and franchisees. The new training center is 3,000 square feet and is equipped to fit the needs of Planet Fitness training at any level. Complete with an A/V system, huge projection screens, TVs, desks, chairs and all other proper materials, the new facility has hopes of becoming a certified training club for Planet Fitness, helping franchisees up and down the coast. “We welcome everyone in the PF community to come visit our center, bring their team out and share best practices,” said Bouchard. G