CHICAGO — Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has entered the next phase of development in its collaboration with the National Fitness Campaign (NFC).
Beginning in 2022, HCSC became the lead sponsor of the National Fitness campaign in Illinois and Texas, contributing $850,000 to the development of more than 35 Fitness Courts® total.
NFC’s outdoor Fitness Courts are built so that people of all ages and abilities can use their own body weight to get a great workout outside. All Fitness Courts are open to the public and include a seven-minute module station to engage a full-body exercise circuit. NFC also collaborates with partners to host workout classes in person in addition to providing free digital classes through the Fitness Court app.
“It is undeniable that physical activity improves mental, physical and emotional health," said Dr. Monica Berner, chief clinical officer at HCSC. “The addition of these Fitness Courts to communities across Illinois and Texas provides a gathering place to work out and get fit in mind, body and spirit.”
The partnership is a part of HCSC’s longstanding commitment to advancing health equity, in which access is provided for all individuals to have a just and fair opportunity to achieve optimal health.
“National Fitness Campaign is proud to extend our partnership with HCSC after a highly successful 2022 campaign as the state sponsor in both Illinois and Texas,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of NFC. “NFC is excited about the wellness culture that we’re building with hundreds of communities and campuses across the country. Partnerships with our state sponsors, like HCSC, are critical to combat the costs of inactivity and get people moving outdoors with free, accessible wellness programming.”
In Illinois, 10 Fitness Courts launched in 2022, including Comer Cox Park in Springfield. “The Springfield Park District is thrilled to provide an outdoor Fitness Court to the Springfield community,” said Leslie A. Sgro, president of the Springfield Park District Board of Trustees. “It is an example of our ongoing commitment to promote health, wellness and help shape bright futures.” Springfield Park District was a leading 2022 awardee.
Illinois Fitness Courts have launched in the following locations:
In total, the Fitness Courts are within walking distance for 20,000 people, and biking distance for 84,000 people.
In addition to growing the Illinois partnership in 2023, HCSC and NFC look forward to expanding in Texas, where a total of 19 Fitness Courts have already been planned, including sites completed in 2022 in Mission, Palestine, and Decatur, Texas.
When the initial Texas courts are completed, they will be accessible to 29,000 residents by foot and 121,000 residents by bike. Fitness Court locations range from cities to rural counties.
HCSC works with NFC and local municipalities, schools and other organizations in Illinois and Texas to construct Fitness Courts.
Learn all the ways HCSC is impacting communities across all five states through the annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
To learn more about National Fitness Campaign and how to qualify for funding, visit: www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/Illinois and www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/Texas.
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About Health Care Service Corporation
Health Care Service Corporation is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer, with nearly 17.5 million members in its health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
