Planet Fitness Offers Free Workouts To Douglas County High Schoolers

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Planet Fitness is inviting high schoolers ages 14–19 to work out for free at any of its Georgia locations, including in Douglas County. The fitness center chain has nearly 100 locations in the Peach State, with one in Hiram.

Georgia teens can work out at their nearest Planet Fitness May 16 through Aug. 31 as part of the company's High School Summer Pass initiative. In Douglas County, the location is at 4215 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, fewer than 15 percent of teens met the 60-minute daily physical activity recommendation during the pandemic.

In Georgia, 18.3 percent of high schoolers are obese, according to a 2020 health report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report also found that 14.9 percent of youth ages 10 to 17 are obese, giving the Peach State a ranking of 24 among the 50 states and D.C.

See also: Where Georgia Childhood Obesity Ranks Among The States

According to Planet Fitness, it found that 93 percent of American teens want to stay healthy and active over the summer months, but many lack the motivation or access to do so.

"As the leader in fitness, we believe we have a responsibility to provide a welcoming, safe, and Judgement Free environment for high school students to improve their physical and mental wellness, particularly given the challenges they have and continue to face in the wake of the pandemic," Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer at Planet Fitness, said in a news release.

To help motivate Georgia high schoolers to make fitness a priority, all participants who sign up starting May 16 are automatically entered into The Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Sweepstakes.

Planet Fitness said it will award one $500 scholarship in each state and the District of Columbia, and one grand prize $5,000 scholarship at the end of the summer. These scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities or programs.

For more information on High School Summer Pass, including how to sign up for the free membership at any of the more than 2,200 Planet Fitness locations nationwide, visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass.

Related: Planet Fitness To Offer Free Workouts To Georgia High School Students