Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, City of Grand Prairie and National Fitness Campaign Build Free Fitness Court Network Across Grand Prairie

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, City of Grand Prairie and National Fitness Campaign Build Free Fitness Court Network Across Grand Prairie

Six state-of-the-art outdoor fitness courts feature stunning local art

Oct. 22, 2024

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the City of Grand Prairie, and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring four Fitness Courts^® and two Fitness Court^® Studios along with digital wellness programming to Grand Prairie. A special ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 17 at EpicCentral.

The Fitness Courts are at:

• EpicCentral - 2960 Epic Place - Fitness Court Studio.
• Tyre Park - 2327 Tyre St.
• Mi Familia Park - 2400 Cardiff St.
• Fish Creek Linear - 4610 Creekside.
• Freedom Park - 1501 Coffeyville Trail.
• Charley Taylor Park - 601 E. Grand Prairie Road - Fitness Court Studio.

These Fitness Courts were developed by BCBSTX, the City of Grand Prairie and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise. The Fitness Court is the world's best outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. The Fitness Court Studio delivers the powerful seven-minute full body workout on one side and a versatile outdoor class area to enjoy yoga, Zumba, Pilates and other popular group wellness activities on the opposite side.

Created with people at least age 14 and with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users are encouraged to 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.

Each Fitness Court is also a striking piece of public art, contributing to Grand Prairie's vision of creating a world-class gallery of outdoor art. In 2023, Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation called on artists to create artwork across the Fitness Court network. The selected artists include:

• Elsa Tarango | "Arbol de Vida" Tree of Life."
• Joshua Montgomery | "Go Grand!"
• Antonella Rachelle Ghio Olsen | "Deep in the Heart of GP."
• Esther Torres Ghio | "You Are Capable."
• Clayon Hendrix | "The Fitness Journey."
• Heath Cromwell | "Royal Waves."

"Keeping our community healthy and active is one of our top priorities here in the City of Grand Prairie," said Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen. "We are so excited to welcome residents and out of town visitors to these beautiful Fitness Courts, so we can remain a fun, vibrant and healthy place for generations to come."

"In addition to improvement in physical health, physical activity improves behavioral health conditions and can foster opportunities to make new social connections," said Dr. Mark Chassay, BCBSTX chief medical officer. "About half of U.S. adults are not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives. Helping fund these Fitness Courts is just one example of how we can support optimal health outcomes for all Texans right in their own communities."

City of Grand Prairie's Fitness Court network becomes the first multi-site network in the state of Texas. In addition to Grand Prairie's network, up to 20 outdoor Fitness Courts presented by BCBSTX will be constructed in easily accessible public spaces this year.

"National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome the City of Grand Prairie to the campaign as a true leader in Texas, championing health and wellness for their residents," said Mitch Menaged, National Fitness Campaign founder. "This Fitness Court network, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health, wellbeing and public art within the community."

For information about BCBSTX's support of NFC, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/texas.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
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 140,000 physicians and health care practitioners, and 577 hospitals to serve over 7 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 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 welcomed its 500th healthy community in 2023, 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. Follow along with National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com or on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.