‘Judgement-free’ gym opens at youth club as part of anti-bullying initiative
by Tom Walker | 08 Nov 2016
Designed to have the look of a Planet Fitness club, the gym is located at the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester
US-based gym chain Planet Fitness – which markets its gyms as having non-intimidating environments – has opened a “judgement free” gym at a youth club in New Hampshire (NH).
Described as the first “mini” Planet Fitness, the gym is housed at the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, NH, and will provide nearly 1,700 children and teenagers with a space to work out and learn about healthy lifestyles.
Designed to have the look and feel of a Planet Fitness club – but aimed at younger users – the facility includes a number of cv and resistance stations as well as a free weights area.
The opening is part of Planet Fitness’ national philanthropic initiative, called The Judgement Free Generation. The campaign launched in March with a US$1.3m (€1.2m, £1m) commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America – a non-profit youth organisation – and Stomp Out Bullying to fund anti-bullying programmes across the US.
The initiative has been designed to combat bullying and other forms of abuse faced by teens and “empower a generation of teens to choose kindness and accept and respect one another”.
Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Manchester said: “The fitness centre allows us to reinforce the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally.
“We are confident that it will make a huge impact on our kids’ and teens’ overall health and help build their confidence and self-esteem.”
There are plans to build additional “mini Judgement Free Zones” in local Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country in the future.
“With nearly one in five teens reporting that they’ve been bullied, and Boys & Girls Club’s desire to teach their kids and teens the importance of living a healthy lifestyle,” said Jessica Correa, Planet Fitness’ senior vice president of marketing.
“We’re excited to give kids the opportunity to get active in a non-intimidating, safe environment and empower them to be kind and accepting of one another.”
Planet Fitness gym US
US-based gym chain Planet Fitness – which markets its gyms as having non-intimidating environments – has opened a “judgement free” gym at a youth club in New Hampshire (NH). Described as the first “mini” Planet Fitness, the gym is housed at the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, NH, and will provide nearly 1,700 children and teenagers with a space to work out and learn about healthy lifestyles. Designed to
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