The University of Houston, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and National Fitness Campaign provide free fitness for everyone in Houston, Texas

The University of Houston, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and National Fitness Campaign Provide Free Fitness for Everyone in Houston

State-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court coming to the University of Houston

HOUSTON - The University of Houston, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court^® and digital wellness programming to University of Houston Student Housing and Residential Life. The Fitness Court at The Quad, 4361 Cougar Village Drive in Houston, will open 11 a.m. April 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Fitness Court was developed by the University of Houston, BCBSTX and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court is the world's best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.

Created for everyone at least 14 years old of all abilities, the Fitness Court Studio workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court app which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. The University of Houston is one of more than 40 campaign partners building a network of fitness courts statewide with BCBSTX's help.

"The Fitness Court will offer members of the UH community a new amenity that supports both individual and self-directed well-being, as well as opportunities to engage with others on their fitness journey," said Don Yackley, assistant vice president for student affairs, student housing and residential life.

"Physical activity is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to improve overall health," said Dr. Mark Chassay, BCBSTX's chief medical officer. "By investing in Fitness Courts across Texas, we're creating more opportunities for people to move, connect, and build healthier, more equitable communities for the future."

"We are excited to have the University of Houston join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long-lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,'' said NFC Founder Mitch Menaged. "The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the University of Houston community."

UH students and community members are invited to attend the launch event and try the Fitness Court. For more information on BCBSTX's support of NFC, visit https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/texas.

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About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a leading public research university committed to academic excellence, student success, and community impact. Serving more than 46,000 students, UH offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across diverse fields of study. As a nationally recognized Tier One institution, the university fosters innovation, research, and partnerships that contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of Houston and beyond. Located in one of the most dynamic cities in the nation, UH prepares students to thrive in a global society through experiential learning, leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to access and affordability.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Celebrating 95 years of helping improve the health of Texans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas - the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas - is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with more than 168,000 physicians and health care practitioners, and 550 hospitals to serve eight million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court^® - the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026d, as it continues to grow the country's largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.