A new Planet Fitness location opened its doors at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 11.
Prior to the opening, the staff welcomed NYS Senator Joseph Addabbo to tour the fitness club—in order to get a feel for what it will offer to the community.
The facility features various amenities for its members, such as diverse fitness equipment, QR codes that direct users to tutorials on how to use the machines, ample space to work out, Planet Fitness app workouts, free fitness training and free Wi-Fi.
State Senator Joe Addabbo at the opening of the new Planet Fitness in Forest HIlls.
(Photo by Jessica Meditz)
The Black Card membership includes more features, such as bringing guests, tanning, massage chairs, HydroMassage, total body enhancement, and more.
The entire space is 16,000 square feet in size—and no matter what type of membership one has, Dale Paden, vice president of marketing for Planet Fitness, places an emphasis on the company’s “judgment-free zone.”
During the tour, Paden, and Carlos Lopez, general manager of the location, enlightened Addabbo on the function of their infamous “Lunk Alarm,” which blares from time to time.
“We have very specific occasions of people dropping weights, grunting, and just being a little extra,” Lopez said. “At the end of the day, Planet Fitness is a judgment-free zone. The whole idea is to be non-intimidating, and with someone throwing weights around, it’s really easy to get scared if you’re not used to that environment.”
Planet Fitness as an organization is a national charity partner with Boys & Girls Club of America, and for each new location that opens, a $1,000 donation is made to a local club.
The new Planet Fitness in Forest Hills
Paden said that while the gym has already opened, the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens will be in attendance at their grand opening ceremony on July 26 to accept the check.
There will also be prizes, food, and other giveaways along with the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
After the tour, Addabbo thanked the staff for their hospitality and reflected on how far the neighborhood has come since pandemic-related lockdowns.
“Any time we can get to a point pre-COVID, it’s important for people’s normal way of life. That includes mental health and physical health, and this is what it’s all about,” Addabbo said.
“And of course, jobs are being created,” he continued. “This is definitely a positive for the community.”
Planet Fitness of Forest Hills is located at 10702 Queens Blvd, and operates 24 hours from Monday to Friday, opening at 7 a.m. on Monday and closing Fridays at 10 p.m. Weekend hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
