Teens can work out for free at company’s Macomb County gyms

Lashawna Holliday, left, a fitness trainer at Planet Fitness in Warren works with Anthony Davis, one of many teens taking advantage of the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass program that allow teens, ages 14-19 to work out at the gymp for free during the summer months. GINA JOSEPH – THE MACOMB DAILY

Anthony Davis, 19, of Warren played football in high school but now that summer is here he’s going to take advantage of Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass program to stay in shape.

“It’s really a good opportunity,” Davis said of the annual program that gives teenagers a free pass to work out during the summer at any Planet Fitness gym in the United States and Canada.

“I know a lot of kids who want to work out but they don’t have the money or anywhere to go,” said Davis, who showed up on the first day of the program that runs, June 4 through Aug. 31.

“This is the fourth time we’ve offered it,” said Mary Scott, vice-president of marketing for Planet Fitness and among the people greeting guests during Tuesday’s open house event. “When the kids get out of school their physical activities stop but there’s still a need to stay active.”

A national study commissioned by Planet Fitness found that 94% of American teens face physical and mental health struggles and 63% appreciate how fitness can positively impact their lives and lead to healthier lifestyles as adults. The High School Summer Pass program just carries on when school is out and sports and extracurricular activities are in recess.

“We’ve had a fantastic response,” Scott said, noting many of the teens who workout in high school end up returning as members.

Since 2019, seven million teens have participated in the program, which equals $210 million in waived membership fees.

Planet Fitness starts taking applications in May but teens, ages 14-19, can apply at any time during the summer months.

What’s also great about the teen program is it’s stress free.

“We start off slow with smaller weights and let them work at their own pace,” said Lashawna Holliday of Detroit, a fitness trainer at the location on Van Dyke and 12 Mile Road. “They also learn the right way to use the equipment so they don’t hurt themselves.”

While Davis has had experience with weights and bodybuilding equipment, being a former football player, Holliday provided a few tips on several of the machines including one that had him using something that resembled the handlebars on a large bicycle to pull down weights.

Having seen the program since its start, Holliday will attest to the fact that it helps teens in many ways.

“I had two teens, a brother and a sister, who had never been to a gym come together one year,” she said.

By the end of the summer she was walking with confidence and better posture, created through strengthened muscles and he was 10 pounds lighter.

Another boy, who was already a runner but wanted to build up his strength to make an impact on his school’s track team.

“He was already running two miles but he wanted to build up his leg strength so he could compete in faster races,” Holliday said.

During the summer Holliday also works with teenagers in a class and or group setting as many teens end up inviting their friends, even parents to join them, once they discover what the program can do for them

“I like the way I feel after a workout,” Davis said, after lifting a few 10 pound weights.

“It gives you more energy.”

For more information on High School Summer Pass, including how to sign up for the free membership at any of the more than 2,500 in the U.S. and Canada, visit PlanetFitness.com/summerpass.

Participating Locations:  For a full list of locations by city name, visit  planetfitness.com/gyms.  Hours vary by location.