With school out and summer in full swing, there’s more time than ever for teenagers to get outside and exercise. But for many teens, their summers look much different: 50% of teenagers report that their fitness levels decline over summer break.
Planet Fitness, one of the largest gym chains in the country, is trying to change that through its High School Summer Pass program. Through the end of August, high school students can work out at Planet Fitness locations for free. This year marks the program’s fifth year of operation, and it has proven very popular among teens.
Knowing how to start a regular fitness routine can be difficult for anyone of any age, though. We spoke with Jeremy Smoot, Planet Fitness’s director of fitness training, to learn more about how teens can start their fitness journey.
Why do you think physical activity decreases for teens over the summer?
From my perspective, it’s because they’ve been in such a structured environment for nine months out of the year. Once they get out of that structured environment, they fall into a sort of relaxation mode. From a parent’s perspective, people who are avid in their fitness routine have one that’s very structured throughout the week. Kids, especially ones who play sports, have that kind of structured life, but without that structure, they can lose focus.
How is working out in a gym better than doing it at home?
Any movement is better than none, but it’s hard to beat some of the cardio and strength equipment we have. At Planet Fitness, our cardio machines come with programs that can set an appropriate challenge for them. We also have a lot of resistance machines, which help them build strength and burn fat, and they can’t always get that by just working out outside.
How can you determine which body parts you should be focusing your workout on?
The High School Summer Pass program comes with free fitness training, so the best way to determine that is by meeting with a fitness trainer, talking with them about what your goals are, any ailments you may have and what your health and wellness goals are.
If a teen hasn’t worked out before, what’s a good place for them to start?
Start with a mix of cardio and strength training. What’s great about Planet Fitness specifically is that all of our cardio and strength machines have QR codes, which you can scan to view a video on how to use that machine. We also have an app that gives you suggestions for workouts to do. Some of them are as short as five minutes or as long as 20.
How do you avoid potential injuries or strain while working out?
A proper warm-up and cool-down are both important. A lot of teens come in really excited, so they don’t take the time to properly warm their body up, or to cool down and stretch after. A lot of injuries occur when our muscles get tight and we don’t take the time to recover before using them again. And a lot of young athletes specifically struggle with muscle overactivity or overwork, because they’re not taking the time to cool down.
The High School Summer Pass program only lasts a few months. How can teens continue their fitness routines after it expires?
We obviously hope that all of our teams who participate in the High School Summer Pass join the gym full time so they can stay consistent in reaching those health and wellness goals. Consistency is key. But some teens are living at home and might not have the money to pay for a gym membership. Planet Fitness offers its app for free, though, so they still have access to all those workouts. They can do them at home, at their school’s gym or outside, depending on what they’re doing.
Teen Reviews
We spoke with some local teens who have participated in the High School Summer Pass program about how it’s helped them on their fitness journey. Here’s what Asa Payne (14) of Baltimore City College, had to say:
Isaiah Taylor, 18 – Tuscarora High School, Frederick, MD
Why did you decide to participate in HSSP?
This program is free and helps me learn new workouts.
Do you have friends who go with you? OR did you make friends there?
I do have some friends that go here and it’s fun!
What are some of the things you like best about going to the gym?
I like the way it feels when I go to the gym, and it makes me feel productive.
Have you always been into exercise/fitness or did you start because of the High School Summer Pass opportunity from PF?
I started after seeing the summer pass program.
Did you have any physical/mental health or fitness goals that you were able to achieve because of your gym membership?
Not yet, but I am looking forward to the future and seeing where things go!
What would you say to encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity with PF?
It’s free, you get free fitness training and the gym being open 24/7 is an added bonus!
