Partnership Kicks Off With In-Club Fundraiser to Support Judgement Free Generation® Programming

TORONTO, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announced a partnership with BGC Canada as part of the leading fitness provider’s ongoing commitment to advance youth wellbeing and create kinder communities. The partnership will kick off with a nation-wide fundraising campaign across all Planet Fitness clubs in Canada from October 1-31. Members can donate to BGC Canada by visiting their local Planet Fitness front desk or donating online.*

Planet Fitness is committed to ensuring that young people have access to welcoming and Judgement Free spaces that help foster confidence, resilience, and community connection. Planet Fitness’ Judgement Free Generation® initiative includes the creation of mini-Judgement Free Zones® complete with high quality strength and cardio equipment, branding, motivational signage and a non-intimidating environment where youth can focus on their fitness journeys.

“This partnership builds on our long-standing history of collaboration and our shared purpose of improving youth well-being to create healthier communities,” said McCall Gosselin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. “With this partnership, we look forward to deepening our impact alongside BGC Canada for years to come.”

BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) is the country’s largest child and youth serving organization, providing safe, inclusive spaces for nearly 150,000 young people across more than 600 diverse communities. Through community-based programs, BGC Canada helps kids and teens develop essential life skills by offering food security, physical and mental wellness support, and academic assistance.

“By working with Planet Fitness, we can now extend programs that promote physical and mental wellness, inclusion and kindness – giving more youth the tools and confidence they need to succeed. The scale of this partnership also unlocks new opportunities at a local level, strengthening our ability to create and adapt programs that meet the evolving needs of young people across Canada.”

As part of the collaboration, Planet Fitness will also provide free one-year PF Black Card® memberships to the 2025 BGC Canada Youth of the Year honorees in Oshawa, Toronto, London and Ottawa in Ontario, and Leduc in Alberta, to help them start or continue their fitness journeys in a welcoming space.

Planet Fitness already has more members than any other fitness brand. And now, while supporting this meaningful cause, Planet Fitness is making fitness accessible for all through its October sale. Now until October 9, new members can join for just $1 enrollment, with memberships starting at only $15/month.

*Canada members can donate at bgcdonors.donorsupport.co/page/FUNZKJEGXLH.

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. As of June 30, 2025, Planet Fitness had approximately 20.8 million members and 2,762 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain. The Company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness clubs are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

About BGC Canada

For 125 years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at over 600 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

Media Contacts

Heather Pearson, Public Relations Manager
603-957-4661
press@pfhq.com

Kristen Scollard
Narrative XPR
Kristen.scollard@narrativexpr.com

BGC staff from 57 Clubs across Canada came together for an impactful 2-day training session, aimed at strengthening the facilitation of our Learn On program.

Funded by the Government of Canada, Learn On provides youth aged 13-21 with the academic support and resources they need to overcome systemic barriers and stay on track for educational success.

The event wasn’t just a training session, it was an experience designed to spark new ideas, build connections, and equip staff with tools to empower youth in meaningful ways.

A major highlight of the session was the leadership of Dr. Michael Ungar, a renowned social work scholar and global expert on resilience. Dr. Ungar shared his groundbreaking research on how we can build resilience in young people. His session on nurturing stronger connections and helping youth cope with adversity provided invaluable insights that left staff inspired and motivated to implement these strategies back at their Clubs.

As a family therapist and academic, Dr. Ungar has transformed how we understand the challenges young people face, helping to reshape the way we approach support for those at risk of educational disengagement. His training didn’t just offer theories—it gave Club staff practical tools to foster stronger relationships with youth, ensuring that they have the resilience to thrive.

participants logging over 100,000 hours of programming—to interactive discussions on youth-focused themes like STEM, the two days were a whirlwind of inspiration and learning. Participants also took part in a Photo Voice activity – where participants capture and share photographs that represent their experiences – sparking creativity and fresh perspectives.

BGC Club staff left the training feeling recharged, armed with new strategies and a deeper understanding of the importance of community in their work.

The impact of the training was clear:

• 96% of participants said the session was a valuable use of their time
• 96% reported gaining new ideas that could be applied at their Clubs
• 91% of staff felt more confident in their ability to run successful Learn On programs and support youth in achieving their educational goals

With the Learn On program and the support of experts like Dr. Ungar, BGC Canada is continuing to make a lasting impact on youth across the country. Together, we’re building a future where every young person has the tools they need to succeed, no matter the barriers they face.

Luna, a member at BGC Longueuil, created a committee for the 2S & LGBTQIA+ community, and for those who want to learn more about the community. The committee meets daily, does research, and organizes meetings and events for everyone who attends La Maison Kekpart.

Supported by her coordinator, Luna provides information to the committee, hosts discussion forums on gender pluralism, and addresses concerns. As a committee, they want to help people proudly identify themselves in a way that’s true to them, and hope that French inclusive writing becomes more of a norm.

Thank you to Best Buy Canada for helping BGC Canada celebrate Pride month and amplify stories of 2S & LGBTQIA+ youth, staff, and volunteers at their Clubs.