[NFBC-SFV] Article on Planet Fitness to Offer Commitment to Accessible Equipment to People with Disabilities

Fri Sep 24 18:52:16 UTC 2021

Just sharing.

Planet Fitness, Home of the Judgement Free Zone, and the Coalition for
Inclusive Fitness Announce Accessible Exercise Equipment Commitment
Benefitting

People with Disabilities

Hampton, N.H. (September 21, 2021) -- Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one
of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of
fitness

centers with more members than any other fitness brand, and the Paralyzed
Veterans of America, National Council on Independent Living, and American
Council

of the Blind (collectively "Coalition for Inclusive Fitness" or the
"Coalition") today announced a commitment to expand access to accessible
exercise equipment.

"As a leader in the industry and home of the Judgement Free ZoneR, it is our
mission to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment to anyone who
comes

through our doors," said Chris Rondeau, Planet Fitness' Chief Executive
Officer. "People with disabilities face significant barriers when attempting
to

access health and wellness activities, and it's clear that health inequity
is often due to a lack of access and opportunity. Today's commitment is
another

way we are working to eliminate barriers and enhance people's lives by
providing a high-quality fitness experience for everyone."

The Coalition is focused on working with global organizations to build
inclusive health communities that provide people with disabilities equal
access

to, and opportunities for, healthy living. Planet Fitness is committed to
providing inclusive equipment in all new stores and adding it to existing
stores

across the country as franchise owners replace current offerings, as
inclusive commercial grade equipment becomes available for purchase and is
approved

by Planet Fitness for inclusion in its clubs.

Planet Fitness will enhance the amount and variety of accessible equipment
provided at its clubs by adding new inclusive equipment that conforms with
ASTM

standards as it becomes commercially available for purchase after clearing
through a due diligence process, in accordance with set phased-in time
parameters.

This equipment will include:

- An inclusive dual cable strength machine that allows a person to perform
multiple exercises from a seated position, including from a wheelchair.

- A recumbent cardio machine where movement of the arms can move the legs,
and vice-versa, and, in addition, the seat can be removed so it can be
operated

from a wheelchair.

- Multiple cardio machines, which, depending upon availability, can include:
treadmills, elliptical devices, upright bikes and / or recumbent bikes.

- All new cardio machines will have inclusive features including raised
tactile buttons and the ability to receive audible instructions and
performance

feedback through headphones. This will enable blind users to operate cardio
machines independently.

Planet Fitness will also include the inclusive fitness symbol on all
accessible equipment, share information about the roll-out of accessible
equipment

on its website (as it becomes available in its clubs), and continue its
practice of providing customer service regarding the use of accessible
equipment.

"We applaud Planet Fitness for this historic commitment to the disability
community," said Richard Thesing, Coalition for Inclusive Fitness' Chief
Executive

Officer. "At the present time, there are no cardio machines that can be used
by blind people and very few fitness centers have cardio or strength
machines

that can be used by people with mobility disabilities. This marks a huge
step forward towards providing individuals with disabilities with a truly
inclusive

fitness experience. We hope this will be the start of an industry-wide
effort to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy an
accessible

fitness experience and take similar steps to making that a reality."

"People who are blind face a myriad of chronic health conditions due in no
small part to the lack of accessible exercise and fitness equipment
available

in the market today," said Eric Bridges, Executive Director, American
Council of the Blind. "The lack of accessible user interfaces and audible
output

for nearly all types of exercise and fitness equipment prevents people who
are blind and experiencing vision loss from independently operating,
purchasing

and enjoying the use of fitness and exercise equipment, and thereby taking
control of their own health and wellbeing. ACB applauds Planet Fitness for
their

collaboration with the disability community, and we encourage other fitness
and exercise providers to follow their leadership to enable people with
disabilities

the freedom to take control of their health."

"Exercise is for everyone," said Emily Seelenfreund, Staff Attorney at
Disability Rights Advocates - one of the organizations representing the
Coalition.

"Planet Fitness' pioneering commitment to increasing accessibility should
serve as a model for fitness facilities across the country."

"For people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, being able to access
exercise equipment that meets their needs can be essential to maintaining an

exercise program that increases their strength and endurance for
rehabilitation, health, and overall sense of well- being," said Heather
Ansley, Associate

Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
"We believe that this commitment will help make accessible equipment more
available

in people's communities and we are pleased that Planet Fitness has stepped
forward to help meet this critical need."

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 June 30, 2021, Planet Fitness had
more than 14.8 million members and 2,170 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 ZoneR. More than 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and

operated by independent business men and women.

About Paralyzed Veterans of America

The Paralyzed Veterans of America (pva.org), is a congressionally chartered
veterans' service organization and is the largest organization for veterans

with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
and other diseases and conditions resulting in paralysis.

About The National Council on Independent Living

The National Council on Independent Living (ncil.org), is a national cross
disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities

representing thousands of organizations and individuals, including
individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living, Statewide
Independent

Living Councils, and other organizations that advocate for human and civil
rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.

About The American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind (acb.org), is comprised of approximately
70 state chapters and special interest affiliates representing a diverse
range

of groups within the blind community.

About Mobility Fitness

Mobility Fitness' mission is to ensure that every entity, worldwide, that
offers exercise equipment to its patrons will also offer inclusive
equipment.