As the nation prepares to mark the 24th remembrance anniversary of September 11th, fitness brands — CR Fitness Holdings, a franchisee of Crunch Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness and Retro Fitness — are coming together with their communities to honor the heroes of that day and support those who continue to serve.
CR Fitness Holdings will once again host its annual 9/11 Stair Climb across its 86 Crunch Fitness locations in Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Open to members, non-members and first responders, participants will take on 110 flights of stairs, or 2,071 steps, symbolizing the World Trade Center towers. After the climb, attendees will be invited to sign their names and record their steps as a collective act of unity. Leading up to the event, Crunch team members will also visit local fire stations to personally thank first responders with refreshments and tokens of appreciation.
“September 11th is a day our nation will never forget,” said Tony Scrimale, the CEO of CR Fitness Holdings. “Through our annual 9/11 Stair Climb, we come together as a Crunch community to pay tribute to the bravery and enduring commitment of all first responders.”
Meanwhile, Retro Fitness is partnering with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T) to honor the bravery and sacrifice of 9/11 first responders, service members, and civilians. From September 1–15, Retro Fitness members and guests can make point-of-sale donations at the Smoothie Bar and Pro Shop to support T2T’s mission, including providing mortgage-free homes for the families of fallen first responders and service members. Select Retro Fitness locations will also host Memorial Stair Climb Challenges where members can complete 110 flights in tribute. Participants may earn app reward points or receive commemorative merchandise at participating clubs. Tribute classes, moments of silence, and other community events will also be offered.
“Our clubs have always been about more than just fitness; they are about bringing communities together,” said Andrew Alfano, the CEO of Retro Fitness. “Through our partnership with Tunnel to Towers, we’re uniting our members and neighbors nationwide to honor the heroes of 9/11 and to stand alongside first responders, veterans and their families.”
In addition, 24 Hour Fitness is providing free workouts to first responders and their guests on 9/11, as a thank you for their service.
Together, Crunch Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness and Retro Fitness demonstrate the fitness industry’s power to inspire resilience, unity and remembrance. Through climbs, community outreach and charitable partnerships, these brands are ensuring that the memory of 9/11’s heroes — and the ongoing service of first responders — will never be forgotten.
