Planet Fitness Background Checks: Hiring Guide & FAQs

Planet Fitness was founded in 1992 by Michael and Marc Grondahl, who acquired a struggling Gold's Gym franchise in Dover, New Hampshire. After closing that original location, they opened Coastal Fitness and brought on a third partner, Chris Rondeau, who later became the CEO. In 2002, they purchased the rights to the Planet Fitness name from Rick Berks, who had started his own Planet Fitness gym in 1993 in Sunrise, Florida. The company opened its first franchised location in 2003 and went public on August 6, 2015.

Today, Planet Fitness operates through a predominantly franchise-based model with over 2,700 clubs across the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, Spain, and Australia. The company now has over 2,700 clubs. The business model focuses on serving first-time and casual gym users through accessible pricing, offering standard memberships starting at $15 per month.

For corporate employees, the company offers:

The corporate office maintains a hybrid work schedule with early release Fridays, unrestricted sick leave, and volunteer time off. Physical wellness initiatives include on-site fitness amenities, fitness challenges, and a Burn-2-Earn program where employees earn points for workouts. Planet Fitness was recognized by Forbes on its "America's Best Employers" list in 2023.

Yes. After a contingent offer, Planet Fitness or similar franchises can request a background report from a third-party consumer reporting agency (CRA). Screening can help the company validate information and support safety in its workplace.

Most employment background checks can be completed in three to five business days, but timing varies with the types of screening ordered and the accessibility of records. Database searches may finish in minutes, while searches that require manual courthouse retrieval or follow-up paperwork may take more than a week. See Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times for general information on how long checks take.

A background check report from Planet Fitness or a similar employer may include:

Lookback periods for a background check from Planet Fitness typically depend on federal and state law and the employer’s policies. Many employers review the past seven years for most criminal convictions. Certain positions or jurisdictions may require or permit a longer review period. Candidates should familiarize themselves with state fair chance or Ban the Box laws that may limit how far back employers can consider criminal records.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to obtain written consent from the candidate before ordering a background report. Employers must provide the candidate with a copy of the report and a pre-adverse action notice if they may take negative action. The FCRA also requires employers to give candidates sufficient time to dispute errors, usually around five business days.

Guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also recommends an individualized assessment that considers the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since the offense occurred, and its relevance to the job.

Running a background check on yourself with Checkr lets you preview what Planet Fitness may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes with Checkr’s personal background checks. To showcase your verified credentials during the hiring process, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters and hiring managers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal or visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and contact information for our support team.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.