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New locations for Elev8tion Fitness and Planet Fitness are due in North Jersey, following 31,000 square feet of deal activity. Brokered by JLL, the leases underscore the strength of fitness concepts in the retail sector.

Elev8tion Fitness will take 14,750 square feet at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, while Planet Fitness signed for 16,561 square feet in downtown Passaic.

Managing Director David Townes and Vice President Alana Friedman led the transactions. The JLL New Jersey Retail Advisory team said fitness and wellness operators are expanding aggressively in the northern part of the state.

Crunch Fitness also expanded its footprint recently with a five-location acquisition totaling 190,000 square feet and targeting the Bergen, Hudson and Newark-area markets.

JLL noted operators continue to prioritize high-visibility, convenience-driven locations, helping maintain momentum in the fitness & wellness sector.

Townes said today’s consumers also place a premium on accessibility. “And fitness operators are responding by securing space in locations that make workouts easier for them to integrate into their daily routine,” he explained.

With its varied, but dense, composition North Jersey communities check a lot of the boxes tenants seek. Townes noted North Jersey presents a range of opportunities “for brands that understand how to pair access with demand, especially for established retail destinations.”

Bergen Town Center holds distinction as the second-largest shopping center in Paramus. In addition to Whole Foods Market and Target anchors, the premier shopping center offers visibility, parking and preferred co-tenants to help capture daily traffic. Meanwhile, Planet Fitness will occupy space in downtown Passaic. The lease introduces the national banner to a dense, transit-accessible urban corridor.

Friedman said successful fitness concepts treat real estate as part of the customer experience.

Michael Dibi of Keller Williams City Views Realty represented Elev8tion Fitness. For Planet Fitness, JLL brokered the deal directly with the landlord, the Hanini Group.

Looking ahead, “We anticipate the sector will continue to deepen its presence in mixed-use and high-traffic retail settings as operators focus on accessibility, frequency of visits and long-term customer engagement,” Friedman said.