Geared Up Issue 3 2016 | Page 6

member news 2016 Issue 3 | GearedUp 4 Team Members at Fit Guys Georgia, LLC Walk 72 Hours Straight to Raise Money for Relay for Life T eam members at the Cartersville, Georgia, Planet Fitness® had two reasons to don purple this past September. A total of 12 employees participated in a challenge representing the Planet Fitness brand and raised awareness for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life by taking turns walking on a treadmill for three days straight, starting Oct. 6. “Most members thought we were crazy, but some were proud of us for actually completing the entire walk and not giving up,” said club manager Allie Juchem. Two treadmills were decorated with balloons, and a sign encouraged members to donate during the three-day walk. Four staff members each walked 12 hours straight, while the other participating staff members walked anywhere from three to eight hours at a time. A total of 223 miles were traveled by the PF® Cartersville team.“This walk was the hardest thing some of us have ever done,”said Juchem.“It was mentally and physically challenging. To pass the time, we watched TV shows and movies and had some members join and talk with us.” A total of 43 members logged their time and completed an additional 162 miles. The PF team also participated in the local community Relay for Life event where their tent featured games that attendees could play for a donation. Games included a water balloon towel toss and a Challenge Our Trainer game where participants tried to outlast a club trainer in pushups, situps, jumping jacks and squats. Between the Relay for Life event and collecting donations both in-club and online, the group raised $1,003. “We strive to create a fun, clean and comfortable environment for everyone,”added franchisee Garth Bolton, who owns the sixunit Fit Guys Georgia, LLC with Bill Merckel and Todd Walker. G Team members at Fit Guys Georgia, LLC walked for 72 hours straight, covering a total of 223 miles.