HUNTER HALTERMAN
Staff Writer
Many students were surprised to return to Fredonia for the spring semester to see that a brand new Planet Fitness had opened up.
This “judgment free” gym first opened its doors on Dec. 22, 2023, for a soft launch, taking over a previously vacant area on Bennett Road.
It shares a plaza and parking lot with Dollar Tree, the Dunkirk Multiplex, Domino’s and other businesses.
Although it came as a shock to many students, the opening of a new Planet Fitness has actually been in the works for a long time.
Ashleigh Polverini, the general manager of the Dunkirk Planet Fitness, has been with the company for over two years. She shared that a Dunkirk location has been on the radar for a couple of years now.
“They came and asked around if there’s any areas that they think might be a good spot to put another Planet Fitness in our franchise, and I know they mentioned it here,” Polverini said.
Since returning to Fredonia only a couple weeks ago, some students have had a chance to try out the new gym. Jordan Budd, a senior double-majoring in music industry and journalism, was one of the many.
“I wanted to try it because it seemed to be really cheap and they were offering a free day to try things out and get a tour if you downloaded the app,” he said.
Budd wasn’t the only one that took this opportunity, though.
“We have quite a bit of members so I’d say the majority is locals, but we have seen an influx of students now that they’ve come back after winter break.” Polverini said.
She noted that they’re “exceeding expectations,” and estimates that they have reached a couple thousand members.
What is the draw of going to Planet Fitness, though?
For many members, it’s a low-budget gym with a basic plan coming in at only $10 per month. There is, however, a $39 startup fee and $49 annual fee.
Although it may seem to be a good, cheap experience for students on a budget, it’s not the most budget-friendly option.
Students of SUNY Fredonia have access to the on-campus gym in Dods Hall, free of charge.
The Blue Devil Fitness Center is accessible to students Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 1-7 p.m., and Sundays from 4-7 p.m.
The gym is equipped with your standard workout equipment for cardio, weightlifting and more. It also features a two-sided rock climbing wall available to all members.
This gym, however, is closed during breaks, leaving students staying on campus without a gym.
With Planet Fitness’s basic plan, you get access to the gym 24 hours a day Mondays through Fridays, or 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays or Sundays. This may be eye-catching for some busy students who don’t have the time to work out during the day, or for those who prefer to wake up and work out early in the morning.
In addition to this, Planet Fitness is open year-round, only closing on Christmas day.
With the $24.99 per month plan, students traveling home for breaks may even benefit from their membership far away from Fredonia.
This higher-tier membership grants you with a PF Black Card, giving the user access to any Planet Fitness location in the world.
As of Jan. 30, 2024, there are over 2,400 locations, 138 of which are within New York State, according to data company ScrapeHero.
The experience becomes much more than just a fitness gym with this plan, though.
With a PF Black Card, you also get access to the gym’s massage chairs, HydroMassage, tanning beds and wellness pod.
“If you need to just kind of get away or need something to relax with, I feel like that’s a good opportunity,” Polverini said. “We want to keep you mentally healthy as well as physically [healthy].”
There may be more perks coming to Planet Fitness members in the near future, though, regardless of membership level.
Polverini explained that they are, “actually hiring a trainer as well … so if [customers] wanted to do some free fitness training to design [their] own programs or to do fitness classes, that’ll be available for them.”
Overall, Planet Fitness brands itself as a very non-judgemental, welcoming space for newcomers or experienced members.
As shown on their website, the core focus areas of Planet Fitness are access, inclusion and sustainability.
They claim to strive to be an environment where members can relax and go at their own pace, without any fear or worry of being judged by others. Customers also have access to staff at any time if they need help.
“It’s a slow and steady process,” Polverini said. “We don’t try to be like ‘here’s our quick fix in 10 days’ … I try to make sure everybody’s fitness journey is healthy.”