Planet Fitness Awards $250,000 in Scholarships Through Judgement Free Generation Initiative
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Planet Fitness has awarded $250,000 in scholarships to 50 high school seniors through its annual Judgement Free Generation® scholarship program, continuing a youth-focused initiative that has distributed nearly $2 million since its launch in 2017.
The scholarships, awarded in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, recognize students who demonstrate leadership through acts of inclusion, acceptance and community involvement. Each recipient receives a $5,000 scholarship to support post-secondary education, a one-year Planet Fitness Black Card® membership and an invitation to attend the Judgement Free Generation Scholarship Summit later this summer.
According to Planet Fitness, 58 percent of this year's scholarship recipients are first-generation college students.
Unlike many scholarship programs that focus on academic achievement or athletic performance, the Judgement Free Generation initiative evaluates applicants based on their efforts to foster supportive and welcoming environments within their schools and communities. Recipients were selected through a multi-stage review process that included essays, staff recommendations and video submissions.
The scholarship program is one component of Planet Fitness' broader Judgement Free Generation® initiative, which the company launched in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2016. Since then, Planet Fitness, its franchisees, members and partners have contributed more than $12 million toward youth wellbeing programs and community initiatives.
"At Planet Fitness, we're committed to providing a welcoming, Judgement Free environment, and our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America furthers that mission by advancing youth wellbeing and empowering the next generation to create kinder communities," said McCall Gosselin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Planet Fitness.
The initiative reflects a growing trend among fitness brands to expand their role beyond physical activity and into areas such as youth development, mental wellbeing and community engagement. For Planet Fitness, the program aligns closely with the company's long-standing Judgement Free Zone® positioning, which has served as a cornerstone of its brand identity for decades.
Through the partnership, Planet Fitness has supported a range of youth-focused programs, including social-emotional learning initiatives, fitness experiences, volunteer efforts and the creation of mini Judgement Free Zones® within select Boys & Girls Clubs locations. The programs are designed to help young people develop resilience, confidence and interpersonal skills through a trauma-informed framework.
"Boys & Girls Club alumni are 33% more likely to see themselves as leaders than adults overall. That is the difference this partnership helps make possible," said Jim Clark, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Among this year's scholarship recipients are students who have led community service initiatives, supported peers facing health challenges and created programs designed to foster connection and belonging. Recipients will attend colleges and universities across the United States, pursuing studies in areas including business, medicine, environmental science and urban planning.
