Posted on May 16, 2022 at 2:26 pm by West Side Rag
208 West 125th Street (Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevards).
by Scott Atkin
Teens in the Upper West Side can work out for free at Planet Fitness Clubs this summer. National series High School Summer Ticket The program aims to give children a way to stay active when school sports programs and after-school activities are closed. The day runs from May 16 to August 31.
“Especially here in New York City, when you see violence, gun violence on TV, in the news every day, it’s a great safe way to keep kids occupied in those summer months when they’re not in school,” said Dale, Baden, vice president of marketing for group that manages 80 Planet Fitness clubs in four states.
The program debuted in 2019, but has been skipped over the past two years due to the pandemic.
The closest Planet Fitness gyms to UWS are at 55y Ben 9 . Streety and 10y Avenues, and 125y A street between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevards. In 2019, 278 teens participated in 55y Street location and 1,035 participated in 125y St.
423 W. 55th Street (9-10).
The program is open to teens aged 14-19 and uses the Planet Fitness website and app, since teens often prefer digital options. Teens can register online and their parent/guardian can also give consent through the website, which is essential for children under 18, Dale said. “So we’re trying to make it as easy as possible.”
Dell said that how familiar each teen is with using fitness equipment varies. To help educate newcomers, each exercise machine has a QR code that teens can scan to bring up an educational video.
“With this demographic, they’re on TikTok all day, and they’re on Snapchat all day, so having a PF app in your pocket with the ability to see workouts, and learn new techniques, is really helpful,” he said.
Gym trainers are also available to provide pointers for free. “At every location there is at least one certified trainer on the staff,” Dale said. “They are always down to earth. Teens can ask any employee or coach how to use the equipment.”
The program also aims to help address physical and mental health issues among adolescents. Rates of obesity and depression in adolescents have risen in recent years. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Open Network, during the pandemic, fewer than 15 percent of teens have met the recommended amount of 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Planet Fitness reports that a healthy adherence to fitness can improve these trends.
Dell said the influx of teens is not expected to disrupt the experience of existing Planet Fitness members. 55y Street and 125y He said street sites are among the two largest. Before heading to the gym, members can check how crowded it is using the Planet Fitness app.
All Planet Fitness gyms have essentially the same equipment, so members have a similar experience no matter which gym they choose. 55y and 125y Both street locations are open seven days a week, but the Harlem location is unique in that it is open 24 hours.
“I hope there won’t be teenagers too late,” he laughed. “But it’s a great feature.”
