Though summer offers ample opportunity for teenagers to spend time outside, some may want to take things one step further and start actively working out during their newfound free time. But not every teenager has access to exercise equipment or lives in an area where exercising outdoors is possible, and keeping a routine while school is out can be challenging.
In order to encourage teenagers to stay fit during the summer, Planet Fitness has brought back its free High School Summer Pass (HSSP) program. Through Aug. 31, any teenager ages 14-19 can make use of their local Planet Fitness gym’s facilities at no cost.
This year marks the sixth year of the program, which has helped millions of teens access fitness programming and equipment since its launch in 2020.
“We have always been into fitness and exercise, but Planet Fitness made it easily available,” explain Reeves and Caden George, two Towson-area brothers who are participating in the HSSP program for the second year in a row. “We play lacrosse; working out [there] has helped with our sport.”
Part of why Planet Fitness has brought back HSSP for so many years is because there is still a pervasive need for affordable and accessible fitness programs for youth. The latest State of Childhood Obesity data reports that 17.8% of Maryland youth are obese or overweight, with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reporting that only one in four youth get the recommended amount of regular aerobic activity.
In addition to helping teens stay physically fit, regular exercise has a positive effect on youth mental health. Planet Fitness conducted its own national study that found that 95% of teenagers report struggling emotionally or mentally, but 95% of teens surveyed said that exercise helps them manage life’s challenges.
“I started [working out at Planet Fitness] because of the HSSP,” says Sterling Scribner, a student at Towson High School, who says he recommends the program to others.
To register for the program, teenagers can visit planetfitness.com/summerpass.
