West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

Search the site

No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

AVAILABLE NOW!


HERE

Teens Exercise for Free at Planet Fitness This Summer

May 16, 2022 | 2:26 PM
in NEWS
5
208 W. 125th Street (Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevards).

By Scott Etkin

Teenagers on the Upper West Side can work out for free at Planet Fitness gyms this summer. The chain’s national High School Summer Pass program is intended to give kids a way to stay active when school sports programs and after school activities are closed. It runs from today, May 16 to August 31. 

“Especially here in New York City, when you see the violence, the gun violence on TV, in the news every day, it’s a great safe way to keep kids occupied in those summer months when they’re not in school,” said Dale Paden, Vice President of Marketing at a group that operates 80 Planet Fitness clubs in four states.

The program debuted in 2019, but was skipped the past two years because of the pandemic.

The closest Planet Fitness gyms to the UWS are on 55th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, and 125th Street between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevards. In 2019, 278 teens participated at the 55th Street location and 1,035 participated at 125th Street.

423 W. 55th Street (9-10).

The program is open to teens aged 14 to 19 and makes use of Planet Fitness’ website and app, since teens often prefer digital options. Teens can sign up online and their parent/guardian can also give consent through the website, which is needed for kids under 18. “Obviously, it’s 2022, and that generation is very online focused,” said Dale. “So we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for them.”

How familiar each teen is with using fitness equipment varies, said Dale. To help educate newcomers, each workout machine has a QR code that teens can scan to bring up an instructional video.

“With that demographic, they’re on TikTok all day, they’re on Snapchat all day, so having the PF app in your pocket with the ability to see workouts, to learn new techniques, it’s very useful,” he said. 

Trainers at the gyms are also available to give pointers for free. “Every location has at least one certified trainer on staff,” Dale said. “They’re always out on the floor. The teens can ask any staff member or the trainer on how to use the equipment.”

The program is also intended to help address issues of physical and mental health among teens. Rates of teenage obesity and depression have increased in recent years. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, during the pandemic less than 15 percent of teens met the recommended amount of 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Planet Fitness suggests a healthy commitment to fitness could improve these trends. 

Dale said an influx of teens isn’t expected to disrupt the experience of existing Planet Fitness members. The 55th Street and 125th Street locations are among the two largest spaces, he said. Before heading to the gym, members can check how crowded it is using the Planet Fitness app.

All Planet Fitness gyms basically have the same equipment, so members will have a similar experience no matter which gym they choose. The 55th and 125th Street locations are both open seven days per week, but the Harlem location is unique in that it’s open 24 hours.

“I hope teenagers aren’t there too late,” he laughed. “But it is a nice perk.” 

Share this article:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Nelson
Nelson
1 year ago

Fantastic program. Kudos to Planet Fitness for this proactive community effort!

0
Reply
ST
ST
1 year ago

Open a Planet Fitness on the UWS!!

0
Reply
Eelin Wilson
Eelin Wilson
1 year ago

This is such a great idea and an amazing community service. I love seeing teens play sports in the public playgrounds and parks and now, Planet Fitness! Thank you, Planet Fitness!

0
Reply
say-moi
say-moi
1 year ago

Great to have these facilities for teens.. However, are there classes for them in person at the gyms? Thanks.

0
Reply
Ramona Minor
Ramona Minor
1 year ago

How do they sign up

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Mayor Announces New Partnership With Faith-Based Group to House Asylum Seekers
NEWS

Mayor Announces New Partnership With Faith-Based Group to House Asylum Seekers

June 5, 2023 | 7:27 PM
After 42 Years, West Side Kids Toy Store Is Moving
NEWS

After 42 Years, West Side Kids Toy Store Is Moving

June 5, 2023 | 5:50 PM
Previous Post

Here’s the Dish: Saiguette’s Bun Noodle with Grilled Chicken, Side of Shrimp Dumplings

Next Post

New Draft of Congressional Map Merges East and West Sides, Pitting Nadler Against Maloney

this week's events image

Explore Your Favorite Subject

20th precinct 24th precinct american museum of natural history animals art bicycling bulletin central park closings columns community board 7 coronavirus crash crime dogs events fdny fire food gale brewer helen rosenthal history homelessness jcc lincoln center monday bulletin morning bulletin nypd openings openings and closings pedestrian safety photography photos politics public schools pupper west side real estate restaurants riverside park silver stars fitness snow sponsored subway upper west side uws

CITY NEWS

The City
Brick Underground
City Limits
Eater
Gothamist
NY Daily News
NY Post
NY Times

LOCAL RESOURCES

Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group
Central Park Conservancy
CB7
Community Education Council 3
Assembly District 67
The New York Historical Society
Riverside Park
West End Preservation

UWS Blogs

Bloomingdale History Central Park Blogger
North River Notes

Next Post
New Draft of Congressional Map Merges East and West Sides, Pitting Nadler Against Maloney

New Draft of Congressional Map Merges East and West Sides, Pitting Nadler Against Maloney

Movies Under the Stars: ‘The Riverside Bench’; Free Screening and Q&A Thursday Evening in Riverside Park

Movies Under the Stars: 'The Riverside Bench'; Free Screening and Q&A Thursday Evening in Riverside Park

Motorino Pizza Chooses Works of a Local Artist to Display

Motorino Pizza Chooses Works of a Local Artist to Display

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.