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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Just sharing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Planet Fitness, Home of the Judgement Free Zone, and the Coalition for Inclusive Fitness Announce Accessible Exercise Equipment Commitment Benefitting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>People with Disabilities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hampton, N.H. (September 21, 2021) -- Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>centers with more members than any other fitness brand, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Council on Independent Living, and American Council<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of the Blind (collectively “Coalition for Inclusive Fitness” or the “Coalition”) today announced a commitment to expand access to accessible exercise equipment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“As a leader in the industry and home of the Judgement Free Zone®, it is our mission to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment to anyone who comes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>through our doors,” said Chris Rondeau, Planet Fitness' Chief Executive Officer. “People with disabilities face significant barriers when attempting to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>way we are working to eliminate barriers and enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience for everyone.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Coalition is focused on working with global organizations to build inclusive health communities that provide people with disabilities equal access<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to, and opportunities for, healthy living. Planet Fitness is committed to providing inclusive equipment in all new stores and adding it to existing stores<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>across the country as franchise owners replace current offerings, as inclusive commercial grade equipment becomes available for purchase and is approved<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by Planet Fitness for inclusion in its clubs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Planet Fitness will enhance the amount and variety of accessible equipment provided at its clubs by adding new inclusive equipment that conforms with ASTM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>standards as it becomes commercially available for purchase after clearing through a due diligence process, in accordance with set phased-in time parameters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This equipment will include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>- An inclusive dual cable strength machine that allows a person to perform multiple exercises from a seated position, including from a wheelchair.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>- 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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>from a wheelchair.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>- Multiple cardio machines, which, depending upon availability, can include: treadmills, elliptical devices, upright bikes and / or recumbent bikes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>- All new cardio machines will have inclusive features including raised tactile buttons and the ability to receive audible instructions and performance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>feedback through headphones. This will enable blind users to operate cardio machines independently.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Planet Fitness will also include the inclusive fitness symbol on all accessible equipment, share information about the roll-out of accessible equipment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>on its website (as it becomes available in its clubs), and continue its practice of providing customer service regarding the use of accessible equipment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“We applaud Planet Fitness for this historic commitment to the disability community,” said Richard Thesing, Coalition for Inclusive Fitness’ Chief Executive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>that can be used by people with mobility disabilities. This marks a huge step forward towards providing individuals with disabilities with a truly inclusive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>fitness experience and take similar steps to making that a reality.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in the market today,” said Eric Bridges, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind. “The lack of accessible user interfaces and audible output<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>for nearly all types of exercise and fitness equipment prevents people who are blind and experiencing vision loss from independently operating, purchasing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>collaboration with the disability community, and we encourage other fitness and exercise providers to follow their leadership to enable people with disabilities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the freedom to take control of their health.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Exercise is for everyone,” said Emily Seelenfreund, Staff Attorney at Disability Rights Advocates – one of the organizations representing the Coalition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Planet Fitness’ pioneering commitment to increasing accessibility should serve as a model for fitness facilities across the country.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"For people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, being able to access exercise equipment that meets their needs can be essential to maintaining an<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>exercise program that increases their strength and endurance for rehabilitation, health, and overall sense of well- being," said Heather Ansley, Associate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America. "We believe that this commitment will help make accessible equipment more available<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in people's communities and we are pleased that Planet Fitness has stepped forward to help meet this critical need."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About Planet Fitness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>experience in a welcoming, non- intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>operated by independent business men and women.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About Paralyzed Veterans of America<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Paralyzed Veterans of America (pva.org), is a congressionally chartered veterans’ service organization and is the largest organization for veterans<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other diseases and conditions resulting in paralysis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About The National Council on Independent Living<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Council on Independent Living (ncil.org), is a national cross disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>representing thousands of organizations and individuals, including individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living, Statewide Independent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Living Councils, and other organizations that advocate for human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About The American Council of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The American Council of the Blind (acb.org), is comprised of approximately 70 state chapters and special interest affiliates representing a diverse range<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of groups within the blind community.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About Mobility Fitness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mobility Fitness’ mission is to ensure that every entity, worldwide, that offers exercise equipment to its patrons will also offer inclusive equipment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Read more at mobilityfitness.org. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About Disability Rights Advocates<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With offices in New York and California, Disability Rights Advocates is the leading nonprofit disability rights legal center in the nation. Its mission<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>is to advance equal rights and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities nationwide. DRA represents people with all types of disabilities in<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>complex, system-changing, class action cases. DRA is proud to have upheld the promise of the ADA since our inception. Thanks to DRA’s precedent-setting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>work, people with disabilities across the country have dramatically improved access to education, health care, employment, transportation, disaster preparedness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>planning, voting, and housing. For more information, visit dralegal.org.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Media Contacts:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Planet Fitness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>McCall Gosselin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SVP Corporate Communications press@pfhq.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Coalition for Inclusive Fitness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Richard Thesing President Mobility Fitness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>richard@mobilityfitness.org 650.269.6889<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>