Operators of a no-frills physical fitness franchise, aimed at non-traditional exercisers, hope to open a 22,000-square-foot center in Tinley Park in time for the January rush to shed holiday pounds.
Planet Fitness has applied for a special-use zoning permit to operate in a storefront, 16189 Harlem Ave., in the Tinley Plaza mall that was vacated in January by a Staples office supply store.
Joe Shew, operations director for Planet Fitness’ Chicago locations, told the Tinley Park Plan Commission Thursday night that the company, linked to the popular “Biggest Loser” television program, features a “judgment-free” environment that includes monthly pizza nights and bagel mornings.
More Top Picks Best Travel Drones
Shew said he oversees the 19 Planet Fitness centers in the Chicago area, 10 of which are in Cook County.
He said January tends to be the most active month at fitness clubs, so “we want to open before the end of the year,” which he acknowledged is a “very very tight timeframe.”
Planet Fitness usually builds within 65 to 70 days of getting approval, Shew said, and spends $1 to $1.5 million remodeling the space it occupies.
Commissioner Bob McClellan said the Plan Commission’s Oct. 15 public hearing on the special-use permit should provide sufficient time for the commission and Village Board to act on the company’s request.
Planet Fitness needs a special-use permit because the zoning ordinance caps the size of indoor fitness centers in retail locations at 3,500 square feet. Village Planner Stephanie Kisler said the Planet Fitness space would be the third largest at the shopping center, behind Walt’s Finer Foods and TJ Maxx. Women’s Workout World, by comparison, has operated in a 14,700-square-foot storefront in the mall for more than 32 years.
Kisler said peak usage at the proposed 24-hour Planet Fitness club would occur between 9 and 10 a.m. and 7 and 8 p.m. Shew said he anticipates 300 to 500 visits a day, and workouts typically last 35 to 40 minutes.
Planet Fitness limits its offerings to “top-of-the-line” strength, cardiovascular and circuit training equipment — no sports courts, swimming pools or classes on physical fitness and yoga.
“It keeps it simple, it keeps the cost down,” Shew said.
Thursday night’s commission meeting was the first for new commissioners Gina Miller, who replaces Maureen McLeod, and Tim Stanton, who replaces Art Pierce.
Dennis Sullivan is a freelance reporter.