WEST LEBANON — A name-brand fitness center will be joining the bevy of chain restaurants and retailers that occupy the city’s busiest commercial corridor. 

Planet Fitness, a health club franchise with over 18 million members and 2,500 locations worldwide, plans to open a fitness center in the Upper Valley Plaza on Route 12A by the end of the year, according to a news release last week. 

The new fitness center will take over the former Sears retail space, which closed in 2017, according to Jill Segal, of 44 Communications, who sent out the news release. 

The former Sears space measures 15,000 square feet, according to a 2017 Valley News story. A typical Planet Fitness gym is 20,000 square feet, according to the company’s website.

“This location will provide the very best in equipment and amenities for members to improve their physical and mental wellness and offer our usual convenience and accessibility,” Scott Breault, senior vice president of marketing for Planet Fitness’s corporate clubs. “We are looking forward to servicing the West Lebanon community with our welcome, inclusive environment.”  

Planet Fitness, which opened its first gym in 1992 in Dover, N.H., is promoted as a “non-intimidating, low-cost” fitness center aimed to provide a workout environment suitable for all guests, including first-time or casual gym users. 

The standard membership is $10 a month, which gives members access to the center’s cardio and strength conditioning equipment, and free weights. An upgraded $24 a month membership package includes access to any Planet Fitness location, use of massage and tanning equipment, discounts on health drinks and the ability to bring a guest. 

Memberships also include a mobile app that helps users plan their workouts, monitor their progress or to see whether the gym is crowded before making the trip. 

Planet Fitness’s founders, Michael and Marc Grondahl, developed their business model with the help of their front-desk employee, Chris Rondaeu, according to an online summary of the company’s history. 

Sean Kuit, owner of Anytime Fitness at 66 Benning St., said he has been aware of Planet Fitness’s interest in the former Sears property for about five or six years. He added that he is not concerned about the new gym’s impact on his business though he declined to comment further. 

Anytime Fitness’s membership packages range from $60 to $85 a month depending on the length of plan, which includes a 24-hour gym access. 

Planet Fitness’ gym hours vary by location. The Planet Fitness in Concord is open 24 hours, whereas the gym in Keene, N.H., is closed by 11 p.m.

Marc Garza, who owns Crom Fitness, at 443 Miracle Mile in Lebanon, also is not concerned, saying that his gym follows a different model from Planet Fitness. 

Unlike Planet Fitness, Crom Fitness provides a wider range of free weights for members who prefer dead lifting to using machines, although weight-conditioning and cardio machines are available. 

Garza’s gym is community-centered, with 100 current members — whom he will contact if they start missing workouts.

Upper Valley Plaza, whose tenants include Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Petsmart and Five Guys, is owned by WS Development, a Massachusetts-based real estate company. 

“We are excited to welcome Planet Fitness to Upper Valley Plaza,” Nick Margitza, of WS Development, said in a written statement. “The presence of this nationally recognized fitness center adds a new dimension to our retail landscape … creating an even more enticing destination for shoppers seeking a holistic and active lifestyle experience.” 

Upper Valley Plaza is still without a tenant for its 64,000-square-feet space formerly held by JCPenney, which closed in 2020. Another space formerly held by Olympia Sports has been vacant since 2022. 

Patrick Adrian may be reached at padrian@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.

CORRECTION: Nick Margitza is the director of leasing at WS D evelopment, which owns Upper Valley Plaza in West Lebanon. A previous version of this story included an incorrect spelling for his last name.