Planet Fitness Is Offering Free Passes to Teens All Summer
Teens may be increasingly unwelcome in places such as shopping malls, movie theaters, and amusement parks. But true to its marketing as a "Judgement Free Zone," Planet Fitness, one of the most popular fitness chains in the United States, is welcoming teens at clubs across the country all summer, completely free of charge.
The promotion is being called the High School Summer Pass '23, and teenagers from 14 to 19 years old are eligible through Aug. 31. To sign up, teens simply register online or in person and download the Planet Fitness app, where they will have access to free workouts designed specifically for high school students.
The company will then use a leaderboard to track of the number of sign ups from each school. At the end of the summer, the Top 10 schools will each receive a $10,000 grant to go towards new athletic equipment, field renovations, fitness classes, and health and wellness classes. Participants can also submit a video for a contest to win a $10,000 scholarship.
Financial perks aside, the motivation behind the program is to get teens off the couch and get them moving. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents from ages six through 17 should have 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day.
Dr. Colin Knight, a pediatrician at HC Florida Kendall Hospital, told CBS News Miami that its important for kids to start being active at a young age.
"I think it's important even before the pre-teen years being physically active in any way playing games, joining a sports team or a program of exercise," Knight explained. "It doesn't have to be organized thing but getting into the habit of being physically active is a lifetime of good habit that will help you live longer and healthier."