Planet Fitness Announces Company's First International Expansion Into Canada

America's fastest-growing full size health club opens in Toronto for only $10 a month

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Oct 22, 2014, 08:15 ET

NEWINGTON, N.H., Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Fitness, the innovative health club franchise known for its Judgement Free Zone® and affordable prices, today announced plans to enter Canada, the company's first international expansion. Planet Fitness is the fastest-growing full size health club franchise in the United States with more than 850 clubs. The brand will open its first international location in December in Toronto, Ontario at the Galleria Mall, 1245 Dupont Street, and a second club in Brampton, Ontario at Centennial Mall, 227 Vodden Street East, in early 2015.

The company has also begun franchising in Canada as part of its commitment to developing and growing the brand across the country. To date, the brand has received interest from over 10 franchise groups to purchase over 150 clubs across eight provinces coast to coast, with development beginning in early 2015.

"Planet Fitness' first international expansion represents a major milestone for our brand, and underscores the tremendous success we've had in the U.S. making fitness affordable and non-intimidating for everyone, regardless of their fitness level," said Chris Rondeau, CEO and co-founder of Planet Fitness. "The Canadian market presents a huge opportunity for us, as we believe that the value, quality, and environment we provide are truly unlike that of any other gym in the industry. We are confident that our winning formula will resonate with Canadians and shake up the fitness landscape there as well."

Planet Fitness has revolutionized the fitness industry with extremely low prices (memberships for just $10 or $19.99 a month) and offers a variety of benefits including a hassle-free environment called the Judgement Free Zone®, state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, fully equipped locker rooms, flat screen televisions, unlimited small group fitness instruction by a certified trainer through the pe @ pf ® program, and much more.

Planet Fitness recently commissioned a survey in Canada and found that nearly 81 percent of Canadians are put off by the price, intimidation, and inconvenience associated with gym memberships^[1]. Cost is an important factor for Canadian gym-goers when it comes to membership, among both current (41%) and lapsed members (66%). Six out of 10 Canadians feel intimidated by gyms, with not knowing how to use equipment (27%) and pushy sales people (24%) as factors.

Planet Fitness has more than 850 locations nationwide, and is also a national brand partner of NBC's The Biggest Loser®. For more information or to join online, please visit www.planetfitness.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PlanetFitness) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PlanetFitness).

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H., Planet Fitness is the fastest-growing full size health club franchise in the United States, and has revolutionized the industry with a combination of extremely low prices and a unique, friendly, and hassle-free environment called the Judgement Free Zone®.

Planet Fitness has over 850 locations nationwide. The company prides itself on giving people an unbeatable value, top-notch facilities, and an atmosphere that focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time gym users rather than hard-core fitness fanatics. All Planet Fitness clubs feature a wide selection of brand-name cardio and strength equipment, and provide unlimited fitness instruction with all memberships.

Planet Fitness is a national brand partner of NBC's The Biggest Loser®. For more information, visit www.PlanetFitness.com.

Contact

McCall Gosselin
Planet Fitness
603-750-0001 x 199
[email protected]

^[1] According to a survey of 1502 Canadians conducted between September 1 and 4, 2014 by Leger online panel, LegerWeb, with a margin of error of +/- 2.6%, 19 times out of 20

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SOURCE Planet Fitness