LaShawna Holliday (left), a fitness trainer at Planet Fitness in Warren, works out with Anthony Davis, one of many teens taking advantage of the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass program, which allows teens ages 14 to 19 to train at the gym for free during the summer. Gina Joseph – The Macomb Daily
Anthony Davis, 19, of Warren, played football in high school and now that summer is here he plans to take advantage of Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass program to stay in shape.
“This is a really good opportunity,” Davis said of the annual program that gives teenagers passes to work out for free throughout the summer at Planet Fitness gyms across the U.S. and Canada.
“I know a lot of kids who want to exercise but don’t have the money or the space to go,” said Davis, who showed up on the first day of the program, which runs from June 4 to Aug. 31.
“This is the fourth time we’ve offered this program,” said Mary Scott, Planet Fitness’ vice president of marketing, as she greeted guests at an open house event Tuesday. “When kids get out of school, they stop exercising, but they still need to stay active.”
According to a national survey commissioned by Planet Fitness, 94% of American teens suffer from mental and physical health issues, and 63% recognize that fitness has a positive impact on their lives and will lead to a healthier lifestyle as adults.The High School Summer Pass program continues when school is out and sports and extracurricular activities are on hiatus.
“We’ve had a fantastic response,” Scott said, noting that many teens who worked out in high school are returning as members.
Since 2019, seven million young people have participated in the program, waiving membership fees worth $210 million.
Planet Fitness will begin accepting applications in May, but youth ages 14 to 19 can apply any time throughout the summer.
Another great thing about teen programs is that there is no stress.
“We start with light weights and let them work at their own pace,” says LaShawna Holliday, fitness trainer at the facility at Van Dyke and 12 Mile Road in Detroit. “They also learn how to use the equipment properly to avoid injury.”
Davis, as a former football player, has experience using weight training and bodybuilding equipment, while Holiday offered tips on some equipment, including a machine that uses something that resembles a large bicycle handle to pull down weights.
Holliday will attest to the fact that he has seen the program since its inception and that it helps teens in many ways.
“One year, two teenagers, a brother and sister, who had never been to a gym before, decided to join us,” she says.
By the end of the summer, her stronger muscles gave her better posture, made her walk more confident, and she weighed 10 pounds less.
The other boy was already a runner but wanted to get stronger so he could make the school’s track team.
“He had already run two miles, but we wanted to build up his leg strength so he could compete in faster races,” Holliday said.
Holliday works with teenagers in classes and groups during the summer, because many teens, once they see what the program can do for them, end up asking their friends and parents to join.
“I feel good after a workout,” Davis said after lifting several 10-pound weights.
“It gives you more energy.”
For more information about the High School Summer Pass, including how to sign up for a free membership at any of the more than 2,500 locations across the U.S. and Canada, visit PlanetFitness.com/summerpass.
Participating Locations: For a complete list by city, visit planetfitness.com/gyms. Hours vary by location.
