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Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David C. Banks Partner With Planet Fitness To Provide Free Summer Access to Fitness for All NYC High School Students
The following press release is from the NYC Department of Education.
NEW YORK – Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor David C. Banks today joined Planet Fitness and 15 student athletes at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn to promote the High School Summer Pass program to New York City teenagers.
New York City teens ages 14 – 19 are invited to get active this summer with free access to Planet Fitness clubs across the five boroughs, through August 31. High School Summer Pass gives teens a zero-cost, judgement free space where they can prioritize their mental and physical wellbeing during the summer, when many have limited access to sports programming, gym classes, and after fitness activities.
Teens can sign up and learn more about the program by visiting PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass. Teens under 18 must register with a parent or guardian online or in-club.
“As teenagers gear up for the summer, it is important to provide activities and recreation to keep them busy and out of harm’s way,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Planet Fitness, which will allow our young New Yorkers to focus on their physical and mental health in a judgment-free space, free of charge."
"The health and wellbeing of our students goes beyond the classroom, lunchroom, and school gymnasium," said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. "It's important that we provide our students with tools and opportunities to make healthy choices and to build a healthier lifestyle no matter how much your family makes — and the High School Summer Pass initiative does just that. Thank you to Planet Fitness for giving our teenagers a free, safe environment to practice and build life-long healthy habits this summer."
Additionally, High School Summer Pass participants have access to 15 trainer-led workout videos and 10 downloadable workouts exclusively for teens across all fitness levels. To promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle beyond the gym, all parents and guardians of High School Summer Pass participants have the ability to download a free digital copy of Robert Irvine's “Family Table” cookbook once their teen signs up for the program.
All participants who sign up are also automatically entered into The Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Sweepstakes. Planet Fitness 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[i]. These scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities or programs.
“By encouraging teens to start working out now, they can start to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime,” said James Innocenti, Chief Operating Officer of PF Supreme LLC, a Planet Fitness franchise. “The pandemic really served as a reminder of the importance of exercise for improved physical and mental health and we hope as many teens as possible use this program as an opportunity to get active in an environment that welcomes all.”
“Kids should be given affordable opportunities to stay active and occupied during their summer breaks and this is just what High School Summer Pass at Planet Fitness is bringing to our communities,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thank you to Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks on this partnership.”
Teens across the nation are feeling the emotional and physical toll of the pandemic. This administration is proud to prioritize the wellness of all New Yorkers and to promote a healthy lifestyle for teens and families. The Department of Education is prioritizing the physical and mental wellbeing of this city's young folks by providing access to a 5,000-member-strong-network of school-based social workers and guidance counselors and investing in a major PSAL expansion that will provide our schools with over 200 new sports teams across the five boroughs, giving students from every zip code access to vital athletic programs, and more. High School Summer Pass gives all of New York City's teenagers the opportunity to get up, get active, make healthy lifestyle choices, and prioritize their mental and physical health and wellness.
About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of March 31, 2022, Planet Fitness had more than 16.2 million members and 2,291 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent businessmen and women.
[i] No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., who are 14-19 years of age (with parent approval if under age of majority). Begins 12:00 am ET on 5/16/22; ends 11:59 pm ET on 8/31/22. For Official Rules, visit PlanetFitness.com/sweepstakes-rules.
