The new Planet Fitness on 8 Mile Road in Detroit. (credit: Mike Campbell/WWJ)

DETROIT (WWJ) – Detroit has its very own “judgment-free zone.”

Planet Fitness is the latest chain to find its way into the city — setting up shop at 8 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.

The shiny new lower-priced gym opened recently at the larger State Fairgrounds Center property that’s been the focus of much redevelopment speculation.

Local resident Teresa Moon is glad to see businesses coming into the city.

“It’s about time a lot of stuff is in Detroit,” she told WWJ Newsradio 950’s Mike Campbell. “You know, we have to go to the suburbs for most things that, you know, are accessible to suburbanites.”

Ferndale resident Whitney Lemelin has been spending a lot of time there.

“I joined the very first day it was open. I’ve been here almost every day since, except when I went to Florida for vacation. I love it. This is the first time I’ve been a member of a gym and I love it,” Lemelin said. “I look forward to coming every day.”

“I was using the Dearborn location, I’ve used the Redford location and I’m very happy to have it here in Detroit,” added Detroiter Michelle Ross, who was thrilled to see Planet Fitness open closer to her.

How does it stack up against other locations?

“I actually live in Ferndale, but this is only about half-a-mile from my house,” said Andrea Jones. “I love it; I love it. It’s clean, it’s convenient and everyone’s friendly.”

The fitness franchise follows several other never-before-seen-in-Detroit businesses moving in in the last few years — including Meijer (two locations), Whole Foods Market and Applebee’s.