Planet Fitness — the fitness center that promises no “gymtimidation” — has opened its third location in Toledo at 2630 W. Laskey Road near Wernert’s Corners.
People who like a friendly, non-intimidating style gym will like Planet Fitness, where they shun the body builder-type mentality, owners say. If someone grunts, for example, while lifting a weight, or drops a weight, staff activate the Lunk Alarm. A light flashes and a siren sounds to warn the offender.
“It sends a message that we practice what we preach and we are there to make everyone feel comfortable,” said Laura Rief, who owns the facility with her husband Bryan. “… We don’t want that in our club.”
The 28,000-square-foot facility boosts 350 pieces of equipment, three circuit training areas, a water massage bed, massage chairs, tanning and what is called “total body enhancement.”
“You can’t beat what we have to offer,” Laura said. “The equipment is state-of-the-art.”
“There’s over 120 pieces of cardio (equipment) alone,” Bryan said. “We’re designed to accommodate the traffic. There’s no sign up for equipment and no time limit.”
The husband-and-wife team opened their first Planet Fitness in the area in Sylvania in 2011 and a second in December 2012 on Glendale Avenue.
The new facility on West Laskey Road opened two weeks ago and has 1,000 members signed, said manager Matt Lemon. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be 10 a.m. Dec. 16.
Planet Fitness opened its first club in New Hampshire in 1992. The latest tally is 718 clubs in the United States, Bryan said.
Laura grew up in Michigan and her husband is from the East Coast.
“We were living on the East Coast about five years ago and we decided to take a leap of faith and open (a club) in Livonia and we moved back in 2008 to do that,” Laura said.
The Riefs’ franchise spreads throughout metro Detroit from Livonia, Farmington Hills and Taylor to Dearborn Heights and Southfield. The couple attributed their success to Planet Fitness’ winning philosophy of no intimidation, affordable membership fees and a clean facility.
The company targets women and first-time gym users who want a friendly, noncompetitive atmosphere. Members can join for as low as $10 a month. Other memberships are also offered.
The cardio equipment includes stair climbers, elliptical, arc trainers and bikes. Members can listen to their ipods and iphones and watch TV from large-screen monitors attached to the wall. Members can also make use of the facility’s circuit training areas, including the “30-minute express” and “12-minute ab” workouts, in which select equipment is placed in a circle for quick use.
A personal trainer is on staff to personalize a workout for members. If a member wants to focus on their arms or legs or just cardio, trainer Tyler Welch is there to help them get focused. Welch said he’s a people-person who wants his clients to reach out of their comfort zone and enjoy doing it.
“I want them to have fun when they’re here,” Welch said.
