Planet Fitness may look like a simple low-cost gym chain, but there is much more behind the brand than treadmills, memberships, and the familiar purple-and-yellow logo. Planet Fitness is a global fitness-club operator and franchisor, founded in New Hampshire in 1992 and now headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire.
Today, the company operates through a mix of corporate-owned and independently operated franchise locations across the U.S. and several international markets. But who actually owns Planet Fitness, how does its franchise model work, and what makes its headquarters different from a regular club?
In this guide, we will break down the company’s history, ownership, business model, memberships, facilities, headquarters, and global footprint so you can understand exactly what Planet Fitness is and how the brand operates.
What Is Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is a fitness-club brand, gym operator, and franchisor known for its low-cost membership model and welcoming approach to exercise. The company operates some clubs directly, while approximately 90% of Planet Fitness locations are owned and operated by independent franchisees.
Its goal is to make fitness more accessible to everyday gym users rather than positioning itself only for experienced athletes. Planet Fitness describes its club environment as the Judgement Free Zone®, meaning it aims to provide a welcoming, non-intimidating space where people of different fitness levels can exercise comfortably.
Planet Fitness is therefore more than a collection of gyms. Planet Fitness, Inc. also franchises the brand to independent business owners, while maintaining corporate-owned locations within the same overall network.
When and Where Was Planet Fitness Founded
Planet Fitness was founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, by brothers Michael and Marc Grondahl. Early on, the business operated much like a conventional gym, but the founders later shifted toward a lower-cost, less intimidating model aimed at attracting more first-time and casual gym users.
That change eventually helped shape the Judgement Free Zone® concept that became central to the Planet Fitness brand.
Dover should not be confused with the company’s current headquarters. It is the founding location, while Planet Fitness, Inc. now lists its principal executive offices at 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842.
Is Dover, New Hampshire Still Planet Fitness Headquarters
No. Dover, New Hampshire is not the current Planet Fitness headquarters. It is historically important because Planet Fitness was founded there in 1992.
Planet Fitness, Inc. currently lists its corporate headquarters at 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842. The same Hampton address appears in the company’s official Investor Relations information and 2026 SEC filings.
So, the distinction is simple: Dover is where Planet Fitness began, while Hampton is where its corporate headquarters is located today.
Where Is Planet Fitness Headquarters
Planet Fitness is currently headquartered at 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842, USA. The company’s Investor Relations page identifies this as its corporate headquarters, while its latest filings list the same location as its principal executive offices.
This Hampton address is a corporate office, not one of the regular Planet Fitness locations listed for member workouts. Planet Fitness maintains a separate official directory for finding gyms.
You may encounter a different New Hampshire address in older articles or corporate records because Planet Fitness previously operated its headquarters from Newington. For current information, the Hampton address should be used.
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Did Planet Fitness Previously Have a Different Headquarters
Yes. Planet Fitness previously maintained its corporate headquarters at 26 Fox Run Road, Newington, New Hampshire 03801. Its 2015 annual filing and 2017 proxy statement both identify that address as the company’s headquarters or corporate address.
That explains why searches for Planet Fitness headquarters may still surface Newington. Those records were accurate for their time, but they are now outdated for someone looking for the company’s current headquarters.
Planet Fitness today lists 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, NH 03842 as its corporate headquarters.
Is the Planet Fitness Headquarters a Gym
The Hampton headquarters should not be confused with a normal Planet Fitness workout location. Planet Fitness identifies 4 Liberty Lane West as its corporate headquarters and principal executive office, while member gyms are listed separately through the company’s official club directory.
If you want to exercise, sign up at a specific club, or check local facilities and hours, use Planet Fitness’s official Find a Club tool rather than treating the corporate address as your local gym. The directory lets users search actual Planet Fitness workout locations by city, address, or ZIP code.
Who Owns Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness, Inc. is the publicly traded company behind the Planet Fitness brand. It operates through subsidiaries that franchise Planet Fitness clubs, operate corporate-owned locations, and sell fitness equipment to franchisees. Its Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker PLNT.
Planet Fitness should not be understood as a chain in which one owner directly operates every gym. As of March 31, 2026, the system had 2,909 clubs: 2,617 franchised and 292 corporate-owned.
Therefore, Planet Fitness, Inc. controls and develops the overall brand and operates some clubs, while independent franchise businesses own and operate most individual locations under franchise agreements.
Is Planet Fitness a Franchise
Yes. Planet Fitness operates primarily through a franchise model. As of March 31, 2026, roughly 90% of its clubs were franchised. Franchisees are independent businesses, but Planet Fitness requires them to follow operational, safety, and health standards established through their franchise agreements.
For members, this means the brand may look consistent while some pricing, promotions, and amenities differ by location. For example, the official Planet Fitness Manhattan (Union Square), New York page currently lists a Classic plan at $19 per month, while Planet Fitness Cathedral City, California lists Classic at $15 per month, before applicable fees and taxes.
Check your specific club when local pricing or an amenity matters, rather than assuming every franchise offers identical terms.
How Does Planet Fitness Work
Planet Fitness uses a membership-based gym model. Classic members generally get unlimited access to their home club, while PF Black Card® membership includes additional benefits and broader club access.
Inside the gym, members can typically use:
- Cardio machines such as treadmills and ellipticals
- Strength-training machines and free weights
- A 30-minute circuit training area
- Locker rooms, showers, and lockers
- Free small-group fitness instruction through Planet Fitness trainers; members should check their home club for program details.
Planet Fitness is designed to appeal broadly across fitness levels, including beginners and casual gym users, rather than positioning itself as an elite-only training facility. Its official filings describe the membership model as intended for a broad population ranging from beginners to athletes.
What Does “Judgement Free Zone” Mean at Planet Fitness
Judgement Free Zone® is Planet Fitness’s name for the type of gym environment it aims to create. The company describes it as a welcoming, non-intimidating setting where members can exercise regardless of their experience or fitness level.
In practical terms, the concept is intended to make people—particularly those who may feel uncomfortable in traditional gym environments—feel more comfortable starting and maintaining a fitness routine. Planet Fitness also connects this approach with its broader goal of increasing access to fitness and creating a sense of belonging.
However, Judgement Free Zone® is Planet Fitness’s own brand positioning, not a scientific rating or independent certification. It differentiates the company by emphasizing accessibility and a less intimidating atmosphere rather than presenting the gym as a space only for highly experienced or competitive exercisers.
What Memberships Does Planet Fitness Offer
Planet Fitness currently offers two main membership types: Classic and PF Black Card®. Classic is the standard option with unlimited access to your home club, while PF Black Card® adds benefits such as access to Planet Fitness clubs worldwide, guest privileges, and selected premium amenities.
Pricing, enrollment fees, annual fees, promotions, commitment terms, and some benefits can vary by location, so the rate shown at one club should not be assumed to apply everywhere.
If you want to compare Planet Fitness membership plans, prices, fees, and Black Card benefits in detail, see our complete Planet Fitness membership guide.
What Facilities Does Planet Fitness Usually Have
Planet Fitness clubs generally provide a mix of cardio and strength-training equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, free weights, Smith machines, and a 30-minute circuit area. Locker rooms, showers, and changing facilities are also part of the typical club setup.
PF Black Card® members may have access to additional amenities, such as HydroMassage® and massage chairs, depending on the club and applicable restrictions. Exact equipment, layouts, and premium amenities are not necessarily identical at every location.
If you want to know exactly what equipment and amenities Planet Fitness has, see our detailed guide to Planet Fitness facilities.
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How Many Planet Fitness Locations Are There
As of June 30, 2026, Planet Fitness reported 2,930 clubs worldwide. Its network spans all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia, and Spain.
The date matters because Planet Fitness continues opening new clubs, so older articles may show lower location totals. For example, the company reported 2,896 clubs at the end of 2025 and 2,909 by March 31, 2026.
If you want a deeper breakdown of Planet Fitness locations, countries, and how to find a club near you, see our complete guide on how many planet fitness are there.
How Many Members Does Planet Fitness Have
As of June 30, 2026, Planet Fitness reported approximately 21.5 million members worldwide, along with 2,930 clubs. This is the latest official membership figure available from the company’s second-quarter 2026 results.
Member totals should always be read with a reporting date because they change over time. Planet Fitness, for example, ended 2025 with about 20.8 million members, compared with 21.5 million six months later. Changes can reflect new memberships, cancellations, returning members, and continued expansion of the club network.
Therefore, “21.5 million” is a June 30, 2026 snapshot, not a permanent figure.
Why Is Planet Fitness So Popular
Several practical factors help explain Planet Fitness’s large membership base. Its Classic membership currently starts at $15 per month, although prices and fees can vary by location. The brand also offers two straightforward membership tiers, a network of nearly 3,000 clubs, and extensive cardio and strength equipment.
Another factor is positioning. Planet Fitness markets its clubs as a Judgement Free Zone®, designed to feel welcoming and less intimidating for people across different fitness experience levels.
Its appeal therefore combines relatively low entry-level pricing, a large geographic footprint, simple membership choices, and a brand designed to attract both beginners and regular exercisers.
These factors help explain its scale, but they do not mean Planet Fitness is automatically the best gym for every person.
Is Planet Fitness the Same at Every Location
No. Planet Fitness follows company-wide brand and operating standards, but most clubs are independently operated franchises, so some details can vary by location. This includes membership pricing, promotions, amenities, and operating hours.
For example, Planet Fitness Manhattan (Union Square), New York currently lists its Classic membership at $19 per month, while Planet Fitness Cathedral City, California advertises memberships starting at $15 per month.
Planet Fitness also notes that most clubs are open 24/7, rather than claiming every location follows identical hours.
So, while members can expect the same overall Planet Fitness brand experience, they should check their specific club for current prices, hours, promotions, and available amenities.
Final Answer: What Is Planet Fitness and Where Is Its Headquarters
Planet Fitness is a global fitness-club brand, gym operator, and franchisor known for its low-cost membership model and Judgement Free Zone® positioning.
The business began in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1992, where founders Michael and Marc Grondahl developed the concept that later grew into an international gym network. Today, Planet Fitness, Inc. is headquartered at 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842, USA.
Dover remains important as the company’s founding location, but it is not the current corporate headquarters. Anyone looking for a workout location should use the official Planet Fitness club finder rather than the Hampton corporate-office address.