Planet Fitness To Open First New Construction Center In Maryland At Ordnance Plaza
Location in Anne Arundel County represents inaugural center built to "company specifications," with opening scheduled for March 1
Baltimore, MD (February 19, 2007) – The first Planet Fitness franchise constructed from the ground up and built to “company
specifications” will be located at Ordnance Plaza in Glen Burnie, according to KLNB Retail,
which brokered this transaction. While two other Planet Fitness facilities are currently open in
Ellicott City and Lutherville, those sites represent conversions of existing fitness centers, while
this Anne Arundel location will be created to match the intended Planet Fitness prototype, explained
Keith Barnett, a principal with KLNB Retail. The center is expected to be operational by March
1.
The New Hampshire-based company operates more than 130 centers across the country and, since it
starting offering franchise opportunities in 2002, is currently on a pace to open one new facility
each week. Planet Fitness differentiates itself from the competition by offering a low monthly
fee of $10.00 per month – with no short or long-term commitment required to join – as
well as its “Judgment Free Zone.” This zone was created to ensure an environment that
is pleasant, non-threatening and supportive for both men and women who wish to partake in workout
activities. It includes provisions to eliminate the use of “grunting” while exercising
and the dropping of weights to cause attention to the individual.
“There is a wide disparity in the level of services, cost per use and overall environment
among fitness and weight training centers, and Planet Fitness is working hard to establish itself
in the intermediate market,” explained Keith Barnett of KLNB Retail. “Management of
the concept feels it is extremely important to remove the feelings of inadequacy and self-consciousness
that many first-time and regular customers feel while working out. The popularity of Planet Fitness
is quickly growing across the country,” he added.
The 22,425 square foot center at Ordnance Plaza will feature more than 90 pieces of cardio equipment,
including forty treadmills, thirty elliptical machines, ten arc trainers, and ten stationery bicycles.
It will also have thirty pieces of Cybex strength machines and a free weight section. Included
in the $10 monthly fee is the opportunity for unlimited group fitness training, so exercisers can
learn more about the proper way to build muscle, endurance or lose weight.
Ordnance Plaza is positioned near the Arundel Expressway (MD Route 10) and features anchors such
as Costco, The Sports Authority, PetsMart, Home Depot, Sears and Staples.
“While there is a lot of discussion about Americans being overweight and out-of-shape, there
also is a growing trend – particularly among the baby-boomer demographic – to take
exercising and dieting more seriously. We are witnessing an absolute explosion in the amount and
popularity of fitness centers,” Barnett stated. “The Glen Burnie marketplace features
outstanding demographics that match the profile of Planet Fitness customers, and Ordnance Plaza
is an extremely high traffic generator,” he added.
Founded in 1968, KLNB features more than 75 full-time real estate brokerage professionals
and provides a full range of brokerage, financial and investment services, property/facilities
management and strategic advisory services to the commercial office, industrial and retail sectors.
The company achieved more than $1 billion in sales and leasing volume in 2006.
For additional information contact:
Larry Lichtenauer, LH&A, Inc. 410.719.3081
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