Mental and physical health: Free admission to these gyms for teens this summer

Teens will have free access to Planet Fitness gyms this summer to help them stay active during the months when they aren’t attending PE classes.

To help improve physical and mental health, the company will open 2,400 gyms scattered across the United States and Canada free of charge to all youth ages 14 to 19, CNN reported Sunday.

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The company said in a press release last week that the approach aims to encourage young people to stay active year-round, in a “fun, safe and non-judgmental” environment.

Because according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22% of young people between the ages of 12 and 19 are obese in the United States, and about 29% of high school students have mental health problems.

But according to a study in the British Medical Journal, published in 2020, physical activity will help significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people.

“Research shows that teens have issues with general well-being, which is one of the many reasons why the High School Summer Pass program is so important,” said Chris Rondo, CEO of Planet Fitness.

Last year, more than 3.5 million teens took part in the program, according to data from Planet Fitness.