(TOPEKA, Kansas – March 1, 2023) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) announced they are extending their statewide partnership through 2023. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and NFC launched their partnership in February 2021 to expand free access to world-class fitness by bringing outdoor Fitness Courts® to communities across the state. Through the extended partnership, up to three new communities will receive Fitness Courts. To date, the partnership has funded seven Fitness Courts to improve health outcomes and create equitable access to outdoor exercise programs for communities across the state.
The 2022 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas campaign yielded 18 public-private investment partners resulting in over $1.2 million in funding; creating healthy infrastructure for 6,700 residents within walking distance and 21,931 residents within biking distance across Kansas. Leaders from across the state include Meriden, Garnett, Garden City Community College, Coffeyville, Ottawa, Garden City and Independence. The success of last year’s campaign has energized additional leaders to partner and make additional funding available to grow the network of site partners in 2023.
Through the extended partnership, grant funding is being awarded to support new communities joining the statewide campaign, continuing to grow the Fitness Court network and bringing community wellness programs and free digital workouts to thousands of people.
"Garden City Community College was excited to collaborate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and NFC to make this endeavor a reality,” said Dr. Ryan Ruda, GCCC president and 2022 awardee. “This project aligns with GCCC's mission and strategic initiatives of producing positive contributors and ensuring access and affordability to services. The Broncbuster Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Fitness Court is a community resource available to all community members free of charge to help enhance overall health and wellness.”
“National Fitness Campaign is proud to extend our partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas after a successful 2022 campaign as the state sponsor in Kansas,” 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 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, are critical to combat the fiscal and humanitarian costs of inactivity and get people moving outdoors with free, accessible wellness programming.”
NFC has developed the world’s best outdoor gym featuring a series of workouts with the benefits of digital coaching on the free Fitness Court App, which delivers regular content to keep fitness training fun for adults of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. There are also opportunities for free fitness classes through an ambassador program featuring local trainers. Fitness Courts deliver a powerful and fun seven-movement workout, designed by leading experts in functional fitness and bodyweight training. NFC’s award-winning initiative is now planning its 500th Healthy Community in America and is poised to deliver important outdoor wellness programming in a time of great need across the country.
Municipalities, schools and other organizations who own accessible public space may apply for grant funding to assist in building up to three new Fitness Courts, courtesy of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and National Fitness Campaign. Grant recipients will receive a wellness toolkit, education and design resources to assist in planning, funding and launching their outdoor Fitness Court and community wellness campaign.
To learn more about National Fitness Campaign and how to qualify for funding, visit: www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/kansas.
For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm – founded in San Francisco, California in 1979 – that offers grant funding, project management and master planning services to cities, schools and sponsors to build healthy communities. The Fitness Court® is a trademarked 7 minute workout system, created by NFC Founder, Mitch Menaged, that was designed to be the world’s best outdoor gym. NFC’s mission is to build healthy communities by building an outdoor Fitness Court® within a 10 minute bike ride of every American. Learn more about NFC at www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com.
