Headline: Somerdale Gets a Low‑Cost Workout Hub on the White Horse Pike — Planet Fitness Opens at CooperTowne, A Boost for I‑295 Commuters and Local Shops
Somerdale — If you drive the White Horse Pike through Camden County, you may have noticed a new sign in the CooperTowne Shopping Center: Planet Fitness has opened its doors between the Cinemark movie theater and Dollar Tree. The national chain’s arrival adds more than another gym to town — it plugs into a regional retail corridor that serves Somerdale and commuters coming off nearby I‑295, and it brings affordable membership options and modest job growth to this stretch of Burlington‑Camden line real estate.
Where it sits
The new club is on the White Horse Pike (US‑30) inside CooperTowne Shopping Center — a commercial strip that already draws moviegoers, shoppers and quick‑stop traffic. According to Google Maps, that block is an easy pull‑off for anyone traveling the Pike or exiting I‑295 into Camden County, which means the membership pool won’t be limited to Somerdale residents alone. People from neighboring towns like Magnolia, Stratford, Haddon Heights and parts of Gloucester Township are likely to find it convenient for pre‑ or post‑commute workouts.
Why Planet Fitness matters here
Planet Fitness is one of the largest low‑cost fitness chains in the U.S., marketed around its “Judgment Free Zone” and membership tiers that emphasize value over boutique bells and whistles. Locally, that model fits population pockets that want access to basic cardio and strength equipment without a premium price tag. For Somerdale, that translates to:
– Affordable access to fitness: A Planet Fitness allows residents who may not join a pricier gym to have a steady place for workouts, classes and simple amenities — an important public‑health plus in towns where walkable options and municipal fitness centers are limited.
– An added reason to stop on the Pike: With the club located next to an entertainment anchor (Cinemark) and discount retail, weekday and evening foot traffic could see a bump. That can be helpful for nearby food service operators and small retailers trying to keep hours viable beyond weekend retail hours.
– Local jobs: A new club typically hires front‑desk staff, maintenance and management locally — modest additions to Somerdale’s employment opportunities, especially for younger workers or those seeking flexible shifts.
How this ties into corridor development trends
The White Horse Pike has long been a retail spine for suburban Camden County, and recent years have shown an appetite for service‑oriented tenants (gyms, medical offices, fast‑casual restaurants) in place of vacant big‑box spaces. Regional outlets such as NJ.com and hyperlocal sites like Patch have covered similar openings around the county and noted how low‑cost fitness chains often fill gaps left by changing retail patterns. Planet Fitness’ footprint tends to favor suburban plazas where ample parking and visibility from a major route like US‑30 can sustain steady membership — and CooperTowne checks those boxes.
What neighbors are already saying
Online review platforms like Yelp and Google Maps show a pattern familiar to other Planet Fitness locations: members praise value and convenience, while a minority note crowding during peak hours. While Somerdale’s club is new and local reviews are still accumulating, experience from nearby clubs suggests the gym will become a go‑to for early‑morning commuters and evening users after the movies let out.
Practical notes for I‑295 drivers and nearby towns
If you use I‑295 to commute through Camden County, the Somerdale Planet Fitness offers a practical stop to add to your routine without detouring deep into denser commercial zones. The shopping center’s layout provides easy in‑and‑out access, which helps keep morning and evening travel times reasonable for those who work in Cherry Hill, Philadelphia or in the industrial and office complexes along the interstate.
Looking ahead
The opening of Planet Fitness in Somerdale isn’t a blockbuster redevelopment, but it is representative of how suburban retail corridors are evolving: service tenants that generate regular and predictable foot traffic are increasingly desirable. For local leaders and business owners, that steady stream can be the difference between a storefront that thrives and one that struggles.
If you live in Somerdale or commute off I‑295 into Camden County, take a look next time you drive the Pike. Whether you’re signing up for a membership or just noticing how the plaza is changing, the new Planet Fitness is another data point in the story of small‑town retail adapting to regional commuting patterns and shifting consumer preferences.
For directions and hours, check the CooperTowne Shopping Center entry on Google Maps or PlanetFitness.com — and if you’ve already visited, share your local perspective so neighbors know what to expect.
