Planet Fitness announced plans to enter Canada, the company’s first international expansion. The first Canadian club will open in December 2014 in Toronto, Ontario. A second location will open in Brampton, Ontario in early 2015.
The company has also begun franchising in Canada as part of its commitment to develop and grow the brand across the country. To date, Planet Fitness has received interest from over 10 franchise groups to purchase over 150 clubs across eight provinces coast to coast, with development beginning in early 2015.
“Planet Fitness’ first international expansion represents a major milestone for the brand and underscores the tremendous success we’ve had in the U.S. making fitness affordable and non-intimidating for everyone, regardless of their fitness level,” said Chris Rondeau, the CEO and co-founder of Planet Fitness, in a press release. “The Canadian market presents a huge opportunity for us, as we believe that the value, quality and environment we provide are truly unlike that of any other gym in the industry. We are confident that our winning formula will resonate with Canadians and shake up the fitness landscape there as well.”
Planet Fitness, known for its “Judgement-Free Zone: and affordable prices, recently commissioned a survey in Canada and found that nearly 81 percent of Canadians are put off by the price, intimidation and inconvenience associated with gym memberships.
According to the survey results, cost is an important factor for Canadian gym-goers when it comes to membership, among both current (41percent) and lapsed members (66 percent). Six out of 10 Canadians feel intimidated by gyms, with not knowing how to use equipment (27 percent) and pushy salespeople (24 percent) as factors.
Planet Fitness currently has 850 locations in the U.S.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
