Grants offered to expand access to free, outdoor fitness centers

National Fitness Campaign’s durable, outdoor Fitness Courts are built to deliver seven-minute, full-body workouts for people of all ages and ability levels. (Courtesy of National Fitness Campaign)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the National Fitness Campaign are partnering to expand free, equitable access to outdoor exercise programs in communities across Massachusetts.

The partnership is offering $750,000 in grant funding to up to 15 qualifying communities across Massachusetts this spring. BCBS and the NFC will work with cities and towns, institutions and organizations to construct 15 NFC Fitness Courts in 2022, with the goal of making fitness facilities accessible to all.

Municipalities, schools and other organizations that own accessible public space may apply for $50,000 in grant funding to assist in building an NFC Fitness Court. NFC consultants will work with qualified grant recipients to assist in planning, funding and launching their outdoor fitness court and community wellness campaign.

Applications are due by April 30, and awards will be made in July.

Current Massachusetts campaign members are Burlington, Everett and Tewksbury.

The NFC’s durable, outdoor Fitness Courts will be built in public areas where they can be easily accessed. With more than 30 pieces of body-weight equipment, the courts are built to deliver seven-minute, full-body workouts for people of all ages and ability levels. Users can use free digital fitness coaching through the Fitness Court app.

The NFC opened its first fitness court in 1979, and recently redesigned and modernized the outdoor gym.

Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield, said the insurer “is committed to helping people live healthy lives and eliminating the physical and social barriers that lead to health disparities.”

NFC founder Mitch Menaged said his organization’s mission is to build healthy communities by bringing people outside to move every day.

“Now more than ever before,” he said, “it is vital that we move fitness outdoors, to remain safe, healthy and strong.”

For more information, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/massachusetts.