Planet Fitness adding 2 new Central Jersey gyms

Planet Fitness will launch two new gyms in Central Jersey.

The popular fitness center franchise will join tenant lineups at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung and Middlesex Corner in Middlesex Borough, according to Levin Management Corp. (LMC).

The North Plainfield-based firm manages both sites.

At Blue Star Shopping Center, Planet Fitness committed to a 21,850-square-foot space at the Route 22 retail destination. Other tenants include Kohl’s + Sephora, Dollar Tree ShopRite and Marshalls.

LMC noted the 420,000-square-foot property is in the midst of a major redevelopment — and additional leasing opportunities are available.

Over at Middlesex Corner, the chain will fill half of the freestanding building ACME supermarket formerly occupied at the Route 28/Bound Brook Road property, according to LMC. The firm said it is currently marketing the balance of the former supermarket space.

Both locations will be franchisee-owned by the same operator behind dozens of Planet Fitness gyms in New Jersey and other markets, LMC said.

Based in New Hampshire, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing brands of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. Its footprint of 2,600 locations worldwide includes 70-plus in New Jersey.

LMC Vice President of Leasing Sidney Singer pointed out how fitness concepts drive significant traffic at properties like Blue Star Shopping Center and Middlesex Corner. Because they bring people back to a property on a frequent basis, gyms benefit a shopping center’s entire co-tenancy, he said.

“The last several years have seen an influx of boutique and affordable fitness concept leasing at LMC properties and nationwide,” Singer said. “Chains like Planet Fitness – those that provide an affordable, high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment – have proven particularly successful at engaging consumers.”