Planet Fitness Partners with BLKHLTH to Advance Health Equity

Championing Inclusive Fitness for Black Communities

As one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, Planet Fitness has the responsibility to advance the health of the communities where we live, work, and workout. Driven by the mission to enhance people’s lives and create a healthier world, we are committed to providing accessible and inclusive fitness spaces that allow members of all races, backgrounds, and ethnicities to feel like they belong.

However, the reality is that racial health inequities, including access to fitness and a lack of inclusion in today’s fitness culture, continue to negatively impact Black people and communities. Access to physical activity is just one of many social determinants of health that result in disparities in chronic conditions, access to care, preventative screenings, and mental health. For example, 58.4% of non-Hispanic Black people did not meet physical activity guidelines, compared to 45.1% of non-Hispanic white people.1

This is why Planet Fitness is honoring Black History Month as a time to champion and advance health equity and address fitness barriers to help create inclusive fitness spaces for Black communities.

Here’s what we’re doing to honor Black History Month:

• To  amplify the voices of Black public health professionals and experts in racial health equity, Planet Fitness is partnering with BLKHLTH, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization founded by four graduates from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health: Khadijah Ameen, Matthew McCurdy, Mercilla Ryan-Harris, and Paulah Wheeler. BLKHLTH offers a variety of workshops and training, community-based events, digital health education, and additional resources to engage the public and health professionals on the impact of racism on health—then equip them to do something about it. To learn more, check out BLKHLTH’s resources for educational articles and recommended reading and viewing lists.
• As part of this partnership, Planet Fitness is providing a minimum donation of $25,000 in support of BLKHLTH’s work to advance health equity for Black communities. This commitment includes a corporate contribution, along with funds raised through the option to donate to BLKHLTH as part of the new member online join process during the month of February. To support BLKHLTH’s work, consider making a donation on the organization’s website.
• In addition, Planet Fitness is sharing educational content throughout the month, including a joint podcast episode with BLKHLTH and PF’s National Lead Trainer, Teddy Savage. This podcast covers a variety of topics, giving listeners the opportunity to learn about health and fitness inequities, and individual and systemic strategies for intervention. The episode also explores PF’s efforts to break down fitness barriers and create accessible and inclusive fitness spaces for our 18.7 million members worldwide. To join the conversation, stream this episode on BLKHLTH’s podcast, which is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Black History Month is just one moment in time where we aim to use our size and scale to champion and advance inclusive fitness for Black communities. These efforts are part of our ongoing commitment to increase access, equity, and inclusion in fitness to create spaces where everyone feels like they belong.

In addition to offering inclusive club cultures and policies, affordable membership fees, and more than 2,500 locations worldwide, Planet Fitness champions access, equity, and inclusion through its Judgement Free Generation® philanthropic initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). This initiative provides support in many ways, such as Mini Judgement Free Zones®, and scholarships for BGCA youth, many of whom are from underserved communities. As part of this effort, Planet Fitness has given $1.15M in scholarships to BGCA youth since 2017, of which 81% of recipients identify as underrepresented minorities.

To learn more about Planet Fitness’ year-round purpose to create a more judgement free planet where health and wellness is within reach for all, click here.

* Johns Hopkins, Disentangling Race, Poverty, and Place in Disparities in Physical Activity