CONTRIBUTED BY
BCBS OF ALABAMA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) are launching a statewide partnership to expand free access to World Class Fitness by bringing outdoor Fitness Courts® to communities across Alabama. This initiative will help fight obesity, improve quality of life and create equitable access to outdoor exercise programs for communities around the state.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Fitness Courts® will be constructed in easily accessible public spaces beginning in 2022, bringing community wellness programs and free digital workouts to thousands of people. NFC’s award-winning initiative is now planning its 500th Healthy Community in America, and is poised to deliver important outdoor wellness programs in a time of great need across the country.
“We are consistently looking for opportunities to give back to the communities we serve so we can have a healthier Alabama,” said Tim King, community relations manager, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “Bringing Outdoor Fitness Courts to our state will give Alabamians access to an innovative platform that will help them lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”
NFC’s best-in-class outdoor gym features a series of seven-minute workouts with the benefits of digital coaching on the free Fitness Court App, which delivers regular content to keep fitness training fun for adults of all ages and fitness levels. There are also opportunities for free fitness classes through an ambassador program featuring local trainers. Fitness Courts® deliver a powerful and fun seven-minute workout, designed by leading experts in functional fitness and bodyweight training.
Beginning November 2021, municipalities, schools and other organizations who own accessible public space may apply for grants from a $500,000 pool of grant funding to assist in building a Fitness Court®, courtesy of Blue Cross and the National Fitness Campaign. Funding is being made available for qualified applicants. Grant recipients will receive a wellness toolkit, education information and design resources to assist in planning, funding and launching their outdoor Fitness Court® and community wellness campaign.
“The National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama as its state sponsor in Alabama,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of the NFC. “This program will deliver tremendous resources to contribute to the important mission of fighting obesity and improving health outcomes as the network of Fitness Courts® grows across the state. We look forward to working with BCBSAL to make this campaign a great success.”
NFC and Blue Cross will begin accepting applications in November 2021 for grant funding to support building Fitness Courts® in local communities. To learn more about National Fitness Campaign and how to qualify for funding, go to: www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/alabama.
ABOUT BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF ALABAMA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for over 85 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market. For more information about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com. Connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter for more up-to-date information.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
ABOUT NFC
National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm — founded in San Francisco, California, in 1979 — that offers grant funding, project management and master planning services to cities, schools and sponsors to build healthy communities. The Fitness Court® is a trademarked seven minute workout system, created by NFC Founder, Mitch Menaged, that was designed to be the world’s best outdoor gym. NFC’s mission is to build healthy communities by building an outdoor Fitness Court® within a 10 minute bike ride of every American. Learn more about NFC at www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com.