Planet Fitness is going to extend all round inclusive equipment in all new clubs along with its existing clubs across the country. This comes after availability of commercial grade equipment for purchase and is approved by Planet Fitness for inclusion in its clubs.
Planet Fitness Inc. Hampton, New Hampshire and Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Council on Independent Living and American Council of the Blind (collectively coalition for inclusive fitness), all these are working together to promote fitness and make available exercise equipments in planet fitness locations for people with disabilities, organizations stated recently.
Planet Fitness vows to make these accessible fitness equipments available both in number and variety, also equipments will conform the ASTM standards. As it becomes commercially available for purchase after the due diligence process, in accordance with set-phased-in time parameters.
It is Planet Fitness’ mission to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment to anyone who comes through its doors, Planet Fitness CEO Chris Rondeau said in the announcement.
“People with disabilities face significant barriers when attempting to access health and wellness activities, and it’s clear that health inequity is often due to a lack of access and opportunity,” he said. “Today’s commitment is another way we are working to eliminate barriers and enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience for everyone.”
The coalition is bound to be tagged as a flagbearer in the sector to promulgate equal access of health and fitness to all the persons with disabilities those are willing to pump in and boost vigour.
We applaud Planet Fitness for this historic commitment to the disability community,” said Richard Thesing, Coalition for Inclusive Fitness’ Chief Executive Officer. “At the present time, there are no cardio machines that can be used by blind people and very few fitness centers have cardio or strength machines that can be used by people with mobility disabilities. This marks a huge step forward towards providing individuals with disabilities with a truly inclusive fitness experience. We hope this will be the start of an industry-wide effort to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy an accessible fitness experience and take similar steps to making that a reality.”
Eric Bridges, executive director, American Council of the Blind, said: “People who are blind face a myriad of chronic health conditions due in no small part to the lack of accessible exercise and fitness equipment available in the market today. The lack of accessible user interfaces and audible output for nearly all types of exercise and fitness equipment prevents people who are blind and experiencing vision loss from independently operating, purchasing and enjoying the use of fitness and exercise equipment, and thereby taking control of their own health and wellbeing. ACB applauds Planet Fitness for their collaboration with the disability community, and we encourage other fitness and exercise providers to follow their leadership to enable people with disabilities the freedom to take control of their health.”
Heather Ansley, associate executive director of government relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America, said: “For people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, being able to access exercise equipment that meets their needs can be essential to maintaining an exercise program that increases their strength and endurance for rehabilitation, health, and overall sense of well-being. We believe that this commitment will help make accessible equipment more available in people’s communities and we are pleased that Planet Fitness has stepped forward to help meet this critical need.”
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