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Planet Fitness, 2350 W. Oregon Ave., may be known as “The Judgement Free Zone,” but readers ruled it is the area’s top gym/health club.
Even though the gym’s general manager Brian Turner describes the location, customer service, hours and friendly staff as inviting factors that keep the spot’s 16,000 patrons coming back to exercise, there’s one big aspect that sets Planet Fitness apart from its counterparts.
“The price, to be honest with you,” Turner said.
Memberships typically start at $10 a month, and include access to the gym 24/7. While most gyms tend to have peak times in the early morning, around lunch and at night, exercisers flock to the Marconi Planet Fitness to use its 100 pieces of cardio and 60 pieces of strength equipment at all hours.
“We are busy all day, all night,” he said.
Aside from the local franchise, which opened Dec. 31, 2008, the New Hampshire-based company has seven other Philly franchises, with an East Falls spot to open soon. Despite choices of clubs in Fishtown, Germantown, Northeast Philly, Roxborough and West Philly, the South Philly club remains popular.
“If you work out in the city and there’s not a location closer to you, you definitely come here,” Turner said.
But with the abundance of city gyms, Turner was pleased that readers lifted Planet Fitness to No. 1.
“Especially with all the gyms in the area and all the competition, it’s a great honor,” he said.
Fitness Works flexed in second while SWEAT Fitness weighed in at third.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Steak ‘Em Up French fries
Philip’s Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (tie) Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies Hoagie
Lil Nick’s Deli Specialty sandwich
City Pizza Pizza crust
Green Eggs Cafe Brunch menu
Penrose Diner Omelet selection/Diner
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant Date night/BYOB
Ristorante Pesto Italian restaurant
Johnny Chang’s Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Breezy’s Café New restaurant (January 2013 to present)
Stogie Joe’s Tavern Bar menu
Nick Elmi Top chef
Sweet Tooth
Isgro Pastries Cannoli/Bakery
Pop’s Water Ice Gelati
Potito’s Cupcakes
Termini Bros Cookies
People
Jason Douglas DJ
The Business Local band
Bobby Rydell South Philly celebrity
Dana Smith Elementary school teacher
Vikings Mummers Brigade
Carl Arrigale High school coach
Neumann-Goretti High school team
Bryan Hughes Youth/recreation league coach
Nick Foles Philly pro athlete
Places
DiBruno Bros. Italian specialty store
Galdo’s Catering Hall
Ten Pennies Florist
Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., Funeral home
Packer Park Neighborhood
Epiphany of Our Lord Church Church
Lombardi’s Prime Meats Butcher shop
TLA Music venue
On the Move
Planet Fitness Gym/health club
DanceAdelphia Ballet program
Barry Playground Community pool
Fitness Works Place to take a Pilates class
And Let’s Not Forget
Bartender Category not on this list
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