You’ve probably seen the headlines. Or maybe a stray tweet that made you wonder if your $10 monthly membership was secretly funding a political war chest. It’s a weird spot to be in—just trying to hit the treadmill without accidentally picking a side in a culture war. But when it comes to Planet Fitness political donations, the reality is a lot messier than a simple "red vs. blue" narrative.
People love a good villain arc. For a while, the internet decided Planet Fitness was it. Between viral locker room videos and old FEC filings, the "Judgement Free Zone" started feeling pretty judgmental to a lot of folks on both sides of the aisle.
But if we’re being honest? The actual money trail doesn’t always match the outrage.
The $1,200 Donation That Started a Firestorm
Most of the heat surrounding the brand's political leanings traces back to one guy: Chris Rondeau. He was the long-time CEO who helped take the company public. Back in 2016, federal disclosures showed Rondeau donated about $1,200 to Donald Trump’s campaign.
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Two installments. One in February, one in July.
In the grand scheme of corporate politics, twelve hundred bucks is basically pocket change. It wouldn’t even cover the cost of a high-end squat rack. But in the world of PR, it was a lightning rod. Critics pointed out the irony of a "judgment-free" brand's leader supporting a candidate whose rhetoric they found, well, judgmental.
Rondeau also threw some cash toward Andy Sanborn, a former New Hampshire State Senator. Sanborn was known for being a staunch conservative who voted against banning conversion therapy for minors. That’s where things got really sticky. When you market yourself as the most inclusive gym on earth, your leadership’s checkbook is going to get scrutinized.
It’s Not Just About the CEO
Here is the thing people miss: Planet Fitness is a franchise model.
Basically, the "company" you interact with is actually a massive web of independent owners. While the corporate office in New Hampshire sets the rules, the political leanings of the brand aren't a monolith.
If you look at the Planet Fitness political donations through various PACs and individual owners, you see a classic corporate "hedge." Like most big businesses, they want friends on both sides. They want lower taxes (which usually means donating to Republicans) but they also want to maintain an inclusive "everyone is welcome" brand image (which aligns them with Democratic social causes).
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- Corporate PACs: They focus on "business-friendly" legislation.
- Franchise Owners: These are local business people. Some are deep-red conservatives; others are progressive.
- Philanthropy: The company has funneled over $10 million into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 2016.
The 2024 Locker Room Controversy
You can't talk about the brand's politics without talking about the 2024 backlash. It wasn't about a donation, but it acted like one in the court of public opinion.
In March 2024, a woman in Alaska had her membership canceled after she posted photos of a transgender woman in the locker room. The internet exploded. Conservative activists like Libs of TikTok and even Elon Musk weighed in. They argued that the company's "woke" policies were a political statement in themselves.
The stock took a hit. People started "Boycott Planet Fitness" hashtags.
But from a business perspective, the company didn't see it as politics. They saw it as a "mobile device policy" violation. You can't take photos in a locker room. Period. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, if you pull out a phone where people are changing, you’re probably getting the boot.
Where Does the Money Actually Go Today?
If you check the latest data from 2025 and 2026, the company’s corporate footprint is largely focused on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals rather than picking presidential candidates.
They’re obsessed with Scope 3 emissions right now. They’re donating $250,000 in scholarships to "kindness" advocates. It's a pivot away from the individual political scandals of the 2010s toward a more sanitized, corporate version of social responsibility.
Does that mean they’re "liberal"? Not necessarily. It means they’re "profitable."
The data from groups like Goods Unite Us suggests that the brand's overall political lean is "middle of the road" compared to competitors like SoulCycle or Equinox, which saw massive boycotts over high-dollar Trump fundraisers held by their parent company’s board members. Planet Fitness is a volume business. They need 19 million members to keep the lights on. You don't get 19 million people by alienating half of the country on purpose.
How to Check Where Your Gym Stands
If you're genuinely worried about where your membership fees end up, you have to look past the brand name. Since most locations are franchises, the "politics" of your specific gym might be determined by a local holding company you’ve never heard of.
- Look up the FEC disclosures: Search for "Planet Fitness" under "Employer" on the Federal Election Commission website. You'll see exactly which employees are donating to whom.
- Check the local franchise owner: Most gyms have a plaque or a "managed by" sign. Google that company.
- Read the ESG Report: If you want to see the corporate priorities, read their 2024 or 2025 Impact Report. It’ll tell you if they’re spending money on carbon offsets or DEI initiatives.
Politics in the gym is exhausting. Honestly, most people just want a place to lift weights without feeling like they’re at a rally. Whether the Planet Fitness political donations are a dealbreaker for you depends on if you view a $1,200 check from a former CEO as a brand-defining moment or a footnote in a massive corporate history.
Decide what your "red line" is. If you want a 100% politically neutral company, you might be looking for a long time. But if you want to know the facts before you cancel your membership, now you’ve got them.
Next time you’re at the gym, check the front desk for information on their "Flexing for Good" volunteer programs. It’s often the best way to see what the local management actually cares about in the real world, away from the Twitter noise.