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Staff Writer CHICOPEE With its "judgement free" atmosphere, Planet Fitness, opening this week on 1183 Memorial Drive, aims to offer the "typical" gym-goer a comfortable, friendly environment to stay fit, according to owners John Tucker and Steve Rondeau. And, according to Tucker, the fitness center tops off its comfortable atmosphere with a "very affordable" membership fee, ranging between $10 and $19 a month. "It's nothing more than a round of drinks," Tucker said. For an additional $5 a month, the facility also offers unlimited tanning. Rondeau and Tucker, who also own Planet Fitness in Springfield the first Planet Fitness franchise to open as well as the Planet Fitness in West Springfield, which opened in February, explained that the facility offers the kind of equipment that caters to the "average person." Rondeau said that the majority of members of the Springfield and West Springfield Planet Fitness facilities are women, and that 80 percent of the overall members had never been to a gym before joining Planet Fitness. "A lot of the people who come to [Planet Fitness] are not the type that come every day and work out for hours," Tucker said. "They might just want to come a few times a week, or once a week." Rondeau said the low membership fee is especially beneficial for these such people who do not want to commit to a rigorous exercise routine. "This way, they don't feel like they're losing money if they don't come everyday," he said. According to Rondeau, the equipment that the gym offers reflects the exercise needs of the average person. "We stick to the basic fitness equipment," Rondeau said. Among this equipment is 85 pieces of cardio machines, including 33 treadmills, 30 elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles, and stair climbers, as well as a variety of free weights, and a 12-piece circuit training center, he said. And for those who are unfamiliar with how to use any of this equipment, Rondeau said that the membership fee includes a group orientation led by one of the fitness centers' 9 employees, who instructs members on proper use of the equipment and in setting up a personal fitness routine. Although Planet Fitness does not have on-staff personal trainers, the facility will bring in personal trainers who are sub-contracted with the facility upon request of a member. Planet Fitness members will be able to watch television as they work out, on one of the 16 cardio theaters, according to Tucker, and will be able to stop by the gym's juice bar to pick up a protein bar or shake. Planet Fitness also offers its members free pizza on "Pizza Night" on the first Monday of every month from 5 - 8 p.m., along with free bagels every second Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 a.m. According to Rondeau, renovations on the 28,000 square foot facility began when he and Tucker purchased the building six months ago. As of last week, Tucker said that gym has already attracted 2,000 members. Rondeau said that Planet Fitness in Springfield and West Springfield are "doing really well," with over 11,000 members between the two locations. "We wouldn't be opening this one if we weren't doing so well," Tucker said. Rondeau added that the location is "great for business," as Planet Fitness joins Wal-Mart, Home Depot as well as a slew of other businesses that are contributing to the booming retail along Memorial Drive. "The area is really taking off," Rondeau said. Hours for Planet Fitness are Monday - Friday, 4:30 a.m. - 10 p.m., and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m on weekends Anyone interested in joining Planet Fitness or for more information, can call the gym at (413) 593-5566, or visit their website at www.planetfitness.com. |
