Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, City of Marshall and National Fitness Campaign Provide Free Fitness for Everyone in Marshall

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, City of Marshall and National Fitness Campaign Provide Free Fitness for Everyone in Marshall

State-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court^® coming to City Park

July 22, 2024

MARSHALL, Texas - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the City of Marshall and National Fitness Campaign are proud to announce a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® and digital wellness programming to Marshall. The Fitness Court at City Park, 615 Valleloma St., will open 11 a.m. July 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Fitness Court was developed by BCBSTX, the city and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for the community. The Fitness Court at City Park is one of up to 20 outdoor Fitness Courts to be constructed in easily accessible public spaces this year.

The Fitness Court is the world's best outdoor gym that uses a person's own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created with people as young as age 14 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 digitally supported coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym experience.

"On average, 1 in 2 adults don't have enough aerobic physical activity in their day-to-day lives, which can lead to chronic, yet preventable, conditions," said Sheena Payne, BCBSTX community affairs director. "Helping fund these Fitness Courts is just one more way we can work toward all Texans having access to optimal health outcomes right in their own community."

Marina Garcia-Heredia, parks and recreation director said, "The Fitness Court will be an asset to the City of Marshall and enhance the quality of life and the health of its residents with the addition of this no cost, accessible feature. The collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and National Fitness Campaign helps meet the city's strategic goals in the areas of valued parks and cultural amenities and supportive and engaged community. The city is also grateful for Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center, which provided space and additional funding for the Fitness Court."

"National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome the City of Marshall to the campaign as a leader in Texas, championing health and wellness for its residents," said Mitch Menaged, National Fitness Campaign founder. "The addition of the Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and well-being within the community."

Residents are invited to attend the launch event and try the Fitness Court. For information, contact the parks and recreation department at (903) 935-4470. For information about BCBSTX's support of NFC, visit https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/texas.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) - 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 (HCSC) (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.