Planet Fitness to Open 20,000-Square-Foot Mall Location

Planet Fitness will be taking over the former Hancock Fabrics space in Bismarck's Gateway Mall.

Franchisee and head of the company's national franchisee advisory council Dave Leon said a lease has been signed and expansion will start in a couple of weeks. The roughly 20,000-square-foot fitness center should be open sometime in June.

Planet Fitness caters to the first-time fitness club users, aiming to be inviting, judgment free zones, Leon said. The gym is open 24 hours on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. During that time, the gym is always staffed, including personal trainers who provide free small group sessions and large 30-minute group classes to members who need help.

The gym is stocked with 100 televisions and $1 million in fitness equipment, including more than 100 cardio machines.

The gym has locker rooms for members, which include granite showers. For those that choose to upgrade to Black Card membership, there is a spa with free tanning, hydromassage, a sound, sight and smell area and massage chairs.

Leon recently opened two other gyms in the region, one in Missoula, Mont., and one in Laramie, Wyo., as part of his westward expansion of the fitness chain. He expects the gym to be popular in Bismarck and said most Planet Fitness locations attract from 7,000 to 10,000 members.

Reach Jessica Holdman at 701-250-8261 or [email protected]

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