Geared Up Issue 4 2017 | Page 4

the president E 2 very journey begins with a single step. When the first Planet Fitness® opened in New Hampshire in 1992, it was the beginning of an amazing adventure. Planet Fitness has grown exponentially in the 25 years since then – reaching more than 1,400 clubs and 10 million members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Many franchisees have been with the PF® system since the early days, growing with the brand and experiencing milestones for themselves. When you hear from those first franchisees and see photos from the early days, it is impressive how far Planet has come in a relatively short amount of time. PF made what many thought was impossible a reality. The model trans- formed the fitness industry. Not only did Planet Fitness bring integrity to the gym business, PF made fitness affordable and accessible to the millions who had never belonged to a club. With its $10 member- ship and Judgement Free Zone®, Planet Fitness ensured its position as the industry leader. As the system looks to the future, remaining true to the model and continuing to differentiate ourselves from the competition will cement PF’s ability to grow. CEO Chris Rondeau talked with PFIFA, for this issue of Geared Up, about PF’s 25-year