Planet Fitness Unveils Holiday Short Hours for Thanksgiving: Fitness Doesn’t Take a Break

For millions preparing for Thanksgiving feasts and family gatherings, finding time to maintain fitness routines often feels like an uphill battle. This year, Planet Fitness addresses this reality with intentional, customer-centric adjustments—extended leisure hours on Thanksgiving Day to ensure members can stay active without missing a beat. Far more than a simple pause on operations, these carefully timed hours reflect a growing recognition that wellness remains a priority, even during cultural cornerstones centered around food and connection.

On Thanksgiving Day, Planet Fitness extended store hours significantly—opening early and staying open later than usual, with specific windows tailored to ease member access after pre-holiday stress. According to the company’s official announcement, the gyms remained open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, a 16-hour window designed to honor the long, overlap-rich days when families typically prep, travel, or gather. This shift prevents last-minute scheduling conflicts, allowing loyal members to squeeze in pre-dinner workouts, post-shopping routines, or post-turkey stretches without rushing or canceling visits.

Extended Access Meets Practical Demands The 16-hour shift on Thanksgiving isn’t arbitrary—it responds directly to member feedback and real-life challenges.

Many Planet Fitness users cite post-Thanksgiving preparation, including heavy grocery trips and extended gatherings, as barriers to consistent fitness. “We noticed members were skipping workouts because their planned time clashed with holiday chaos,” explained a company spokesperson. “By expanding our hours, we made fitness work with life—not against it.” Early search data confirms this intent: online queries like “Planet Fitness Thanksgiving hours” spiked 310% in the week leading up to Thanksgiving 2023, underscoring the market’s readiness for such accommodations.

While traditional members took advantage of longer availability, Planet Fitness made sure new and casual members weren’t excluded. Shorter—though still generous—hours greeted Thanksgiving Eve and Day, ensuring inclusivity without compromising operational efficiency. Located in shopping centers and suburban hubs nationwide, the refreshed schedule supports families splitting time between cooking, gifting, and laughing—before and after the meal.

The added hours translate to mobile members closest to home finding convenience in proximity, while urban hobbyists benefit from expanded late-night access common in busy metropolitan areas.

Plus, the timing aligns with popular pre-dinner routines. Many members now schedule morning or post-dinner sessions rather than pre-breakfast drops.

With hours opening as early as 6 a.m., Planet Fitness captures the quiet momentum before crowds swell—a prime window for consistency. “A 6:00 AM opening lets people decompress post-shopping or post-carving,” notes one subscriber. “It’s less stressful than trying to hit a gym during a packed dinner rush.” Post-dinner visits after Thanksgiving feasts remain viable too, reinforcing flexibility that builds long-term loyalty.

Technology complements the in-person shift. The Planet Fitness app now clearly marks extended hours, with push notifications reminding members close to closing times. Its user-friendly scheduling feature lets visitors see exact opening and closing times by location, eliminating guesswork.

Online RSVP tools are available for large group workouts—ideal for extended family meetups that follow feasts. This digital layer ensures physical convenience matches digital accessibility, reinforcing Planet Fitness’s reputation as a modern, member-first brand.

The broader impact echoes a cultural shift: wellness isn’t a luxury reserved for school or work schedules—it’s a daily commitment living alongside life’s busiest moments.

Planet Fitness’s Thanksgiving adjustments don’t just accommodate routines; they empower them. By respecting members’ time with extended hours, the chain reaffirms a simple truth—fitness belongs in every season, even the most holiday-heavy. This proactive approach sets a benchmark for other fitness brands navigating similar challenges, proving that operational flexibility directly fuels community engagement and retention.

In a holiday season defined by connection and calendar overload, Planet Fitness answered with a quiet but powerful promise: your health journey doesn’t pause for Thanksgiving. The extended hours reflect not just a schedule tweak, but a commitment to meeting members where they are—closing the gap between wellness goals and the messy, meaningful reality of life on the holiday runway.