By Mary O’KEEFE

Planet Fitness, located at 2647 Foothill Blvd., officially opened its doors on Monday at noon.

It was back in June 2025 when CVW reported that Planet Fitness was moving into the former Rite Aid location. Rite Aid closed its doors in January 2024 after the company filed for bankruptcy and shuttered its stores. 

When it was reported that Planet Fitness would be moving in, many in the community shared their concerns of adequate space for the fitness center, which was planned in the former Rite Aid store. However, Planet Fitness has done a remarkable job of filling the 18,000 square feet at the location. It features workout machines, free weights and spa equipment. 

Some of the amenities of the La Crescenta fitness center include: Best-in-class strength equipment including free weights, expansive strength machines and plate-loaded bench presses, hack squats (a machine-guided lower-body exercise) and a seated calf machine. One hundred and seventy five-plus state-of-the-art pieces of cardio and strength training equipment plus free fitness training is included in all memberships and the functional training room includes turf for agility training. There are TVs with wireless connections to all cardio equipment.

There are two payment plans offered at Planet Fitness: The Classic is presently $15 per month, with a $1 startup fee and a $49 annual fee.

The Black Card program is $24.99 per month, with $1 start up fee and a $49 annual fee. This plan includes the use of several spa features including hydromassage and massage chairs. It also allows members to bring guests. 

There are discounts available for seniors including Silver and Fit, Silver Sneakers and Active and Fit. These programs are offered through insurance; people can check online to see if they qualify or if they already have an insurance plan that offers these programs. 

There are numerous exercise machines available as well as free weights. A trainer is available for each member at no cost. Desmond McNeill is the personal trainer at the La Crescenta location. 

There are group trainings averaging about five people; however, many times training works out to be one-on-one. There are a series of trainings, from new member orientation to increased mobility and stretching to lower body training and strength and power.

“And you can design your own program,” McNeill added.

Planet Fitness is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are some small lockers in the main workout room; patrons must bring their own locks. There are larger lockers in the locker rooms; again, patrons need to bring their own locks. 

“We are staffed here all the time,” said Howard McCullough, Planet Fitness regional manager. 

McCullough took CVW on a tour of the facility and showed off the Black Card amenities. There are hydromassage loungers with warm water kept at about 92 degrees Fahrenheit, McCullough said. 

“We have red light therapy sauna,” he added. “This is a great way to end a workout.”

Anyone interested in signing up can go online to https://tinyurl.com/yexatc9f or walk into the Planet Fitness location and take a tour. Staff members are available to answer questions.