Overview: What Typically Happens to Old Equipment at Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness operates a large network of gyms across the United States and beyond. When equipment reaches the end of its productive life in a club, the corporate policy balances cost efficiency, community impact, and environmental responsibility. While exact practices can vary by franchise and location, several common pathways are widely used across the industry and aligned with Planet Fitness’ emphasis on value and sustainability.

In practice, retirement of equipment usually follows a structured decision tree with three main destinations: donations to community organizations, resale or refurbishment for continued use, and recycling of materials that cannot be reused. Each path has distinct operational steps, cost considerations, and benefits to both the business and the community. This section outlines the typical fates for key equipment categories—cardio machines, strength training gear, and free weights—and explains how decisions are made at the store and regional levels.

Practical takeaway: understanding the general flow helps members, staff, and partner organizations anticipate how retired gear might reappear in other forms—whether as refurbished equipment in a school gym, a secondhand machine in a smaller fitness facility, or recycled material repurposed into new products.

• Cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes): often prime candidates for donation to schools or community centers, or for refurbishment and resale to provide affordable options for smaller gyms.
• Strength equipment (selectorized machines, plate-loaded machines, benches): frequently evaluated for refurbishment and sale to partner facilities, while non-repairable units are recycled for metal and components.
• Free weights and benches: typically donated or sold to community groups, clubs, or charity-driven programs, with inert parts recycled as appropriate.

Across these pathways, the emphasis is on reducing waste, extending the useful life of equipment where possible, and delivering social value to communities. Local franchise partners often coordinate with approved refurbishers or nonprofit partners to ensure safety, compliance, and reliability in any equipment that leaves a club.

Donations to Community Organizations

Donations are a common and highly visible outcome for retired equipment. In practical terms, a healthy donation program involves screening items for safety, packaging and transport coordination, and partnering with vetted nonprofits such as youth programs, schools, and community centers. The goal is to maximize impact while preserving safety standards. In real-world terms, a single large franchise network can donate dozens of units per year if equipment is in good condition and meets safety criteria.

Implementing a donation program typically includes the following steps: item assessment, decontamination and safety checks, documentation for tax and compliance purposes, pickup scheduling, and post-donation reporting. Community recipients benefit from reliable equipment that would otherwise be scrapped, while gyms reinforce their community presence and social responsibility profile.

Practical tip: franchise teams should maintain an up-to-date donor inventory and a preferred list of nonprofit partners to streamline approvals and ensure timely pickups. Members can support donation efforts by notifying staff about local organizations in need and by participating in community drives that pair equipment with mentorship or fitness programs.

Resale and Refurbishment: Extending Lifespan

Refurbishment and resale are practical ways to recirculate equipment within the fitness ecosystem. Refurbishment typically involves a standardized assessment protocol: safety and functionality tests, wear analysis, component replacements, and reconditioning of cosmetic surfaces. Refurbished units may be sold to other fitness facilities, community centers, or smaller gyms that require lower upfront investment but still demand reliable performance.

Key benefits of refurbishment include cost efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and expanded access to quality equipment for organizations with tighter budgets. The refurbishment process is usually carried out by authorized partners who specialize in gym equipment, maintain up-to-date safety standards, and can provide limited warranties or service agreements for refurbished gear.

For equipment that cannot be refurbished economically, the materials—such as steel frames, cables, pulleys, and electronics—are diverted to recycling streams. This ensures the maximum possible recovery of value while minimizing landfill waste. Industry benchmarks suggest that a meaningful percentage of retired equipment can be redirected toward refurbishment and donation, depending on item condition and market demand.

Operational Workflows and Compliance Across Franchises

Locations within the Planet Fitness network generally follow documented workflows that align with corporate sustainability goals and regional regulations. Although specifics can differ by country, region, or franchise agreement, the core process tends to be consistent: decommissioning, evaluation, and then selection of a final destination—donation, refurbishment/resale, or recycling. Understanding these workflows helps staff coordinate logistics, inform members, and engage with local communities effectively.

Three practical elements shape the workflow: (1) safety and decommissioning, (2) partner networks and logistics, and (3) reporting and accountability. These elements ensure that equipment retirement is safe for staff, compliant with electrical and environmental standards, and transparent to stakeholders who wish to track social and environmental impact.

Decommissioning, Safety, and Inventory

Decommissioning is the first critical step. It includes shutting down power, removing consumables, and securing machines to prevent misuse. A standardized decommissioning checklist helps staff verify that each unit is clearly labeled for its next destination, whether donation, resale, or recycling. Accurate inventory records enable franchise leaders to track units by serial number, location, and retirement date, which supports data-driven decisions about future purchases and asset lifecycle management.

Safety is non-negotiable. Retired equipment is inspected for structural integrity, electrical safety, and potential hazards such as frayed cables or sharp edges. Any item failing safety criteria is decommissioned in a controlled manner and sent to recycling streams rather than salvage. Regular audits of retirement practices help ensure compliance with local regulations and internal standards.

Partnerships, Logistics, and Reporting

Logistics hinge on established partnerships with nonprofits, refurbishers, and certified recyclers. Partnerships streamline pickup, maintain service records, and help ensure that equipment reaches its final destination responsibly. Reporting mechanisms capture the volume of equipment retired, the destination pathway chosen, and the social or environmental impact achieved.

To maximize transparency, stores typically publish annual or quarterly impact metrics—such as the number of units donated, refurbished sales, and recycled weight. These figures support ongoing optimization of the retirement process and provide a basis for communicating success to members and community partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How does Planet Fitness decide whether retired equipment is donated or refurbished?

Decisions depend on item condition, safety, and expected performance in a new setting. If a unit passes safety tests and has reasonable refurbishment costs relative to new equipment, it may be refurbished and resold. If not, donation or recycling may be pursued. Local regulations and partner availability also influence the destination choice.

2) Are there examples of donations to schools or community centers?

Yes. It is common for eligible equipment to be donated to schools, youth programs, and community centers. Each donation goes through safety checks, proper documentation, and coordination with a nonprofit partner to ensure the equipment arrives safely and is useful for recipients.

3) Can members request information about retired equipment or its final destination?

Members can inquire with their local club staff about retirement practices and any opportunities for donations or community outreach. Corporate updates and local philanthropy communications may also provide periodic visibility into retirement activities.

4) How is recycling handled for components that cannot be reused?

Non-reusable parts are sent to certified recyclers. Metals are recovered and repurposed, while plastics and other materials follow appropriate recycling streams. The goal is to maximize material recovery while ensuring environmental compliance.

5) Do practices vary by country or franchise?

Yes. While core principles are consistent (safety, sustainability, community impact), local laws, supplier networks, and franchise agreements can lead to differences in the specific pathways and partners used for retirement, donation, and recycling.

6) How can a program be more impactful in a local community?

Strong local partnerships, clear donation guidelines, and proactive communication about available resources can amplify impact. Staff training on donation readiness, safety, and logistics also enhances efficiency and reach.

7) What metrics show success in old equipment retirement?

Common success metrics include the number of units donated, the value of donations (tax-deductible estimates where applicable), the number of units refurbished or resold, and the total weight of materials recycled. Regular reports help track progress and identify opportunities for improvement.