Planet Fitness donates cardio equipment to Jeannette Fire Department

Jeannette firefighters got an exercise equipment upgrade Tuesday thanks to a donation from Planet Fitness’ location behind the Westmoreland Mall.

The cardio equipment will be a great addition to the department’s new fire station, but until it’s built, one piece will be available in the current location while the other two are put in storage, Capt. Joe Matijevic said. As one of three full-time paid firefighters in the department, he likes to get a workout in between calls.

“It’s important for the job, you have to stay loose,” he said.

Planet Fitness donated an Arc Trainer, elliptical and a spin bicycle. The three items were leftover after the gym updated fitness equipment, spokesman Patrick Lloyd said.

“The club manager felt it would be appropriate to donate some equipment that hadn’t been in use for a while in order to help local first responders,” he said.

Matijevic said he works out at that Planet Fitness location and connected with management about the donation. The fire station has minimal workout equipment, including an outdated elliptical and weights. Right now, one person can use it at a time, he said.

Matijevic hopes to find other workout equipment donation opportunities as the city works through the design and construction of the new station, which will allow additional space for exercise.

The fire department received a federal grant last year to build a new station on city-owned property next door to the current South Second Street location.

The $1.2 million grant will replace the station, which is connected to city hall, that was built in 1927 and has sewage problems, black mold, termites and asbestos.

The new station will be big enough to hold all of the department’s trucks. Currently, fire trucks are stored in three locations.