ALBUQUERQUE — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) is proud to announce a partnership with the National Fitness Campaign to bring free, outdoor Fitness Courts® to communities across New Mexico. The courts will increase access to fitness and reduce barriers to accessing physical activity.
BCBSNM is contributing $400,000 to help fund up to 10 new Fitness Courts across the state. The sites will begin construction as early as fall 2024 with the goal of being available for use in spring 2025.
“Regular physical activity helps prevent heart disease and certain cancers, reduces blood pressure, improves brain function and prevents falls,” said Latha Shankar, M.D., chief medical officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. “These outdoor Fitness Courts will give New Mexicans access to optimal health outcomes right in their own community.”
The Fitness Court is an outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created for people aged 14 and over, with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users may also 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 National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome BCBSNM as they join the growing network of leading health care partners across the country prioritizing equitable fitness across their state,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of the National Fitness Campaign. “This program will deliver tremendous resources to contribute to the important mission of improving health outcomes as the network of Fitness Courts grows across New Mexico. We look forward to working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico to make this campaign a great success.”
Municipalities, schools and other organizations in New Mexico can apply for grant funding through National Fitness Campaign to assist in joining the campaign. National Fitness Campaign works with grant recipients to assist in planning, funding and launching their Fitness Court and community wellness programming.
Grant applications are currently being accepted. To learn more about funding, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/newmexico.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is the largest commercial health insurer in New Mexico with nearly 700,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer. 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 with the mission 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 planning its 500th Healthy Community, uniting 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. Learn more at www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.