As the largest provider of health benefits in the state of Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has forged alliances with organizations for over 90 years, showing their commitment to help build healthy communities. 

The mission of National Fitness Campaign (NFC)  is to change health outcomes by building healthy communities across America. So it only made sense that in 2022, BCBSTX and NFC solidified a partnership to increase access to fitness, reduce barriers to physical and mental health and bring free, outdoor Fitness Courts to communities across the state.

In just 15 months since the partnership began, BCBSTX has opened 12 Fitness Courts, providing 150,000 Texans within walking or cycling distance to free outdoor fitness. Every Fitness Court is digitally connected to the world’s largest outdoor gym network on the free Fitness Court app, serving as a 24/7 coach-in-your-pocket.

The first official BCBSTX Texas Fitness Court launched in Mission in September 2022. A champion for health, wellness and equity in Hidalgo County, the City of Mission’s launch event included Special Olympics Texas athletes to demonstrate the seven movement stations for any fitness level. Over 9,000 residents are now able to walk or cycle to the Fitness Court at Hollis Rutledge Northwest Park to experience world-class fitness and get them moving outdoors.

Rounding out the 2022 calendar year, the City of Decatur and Decatur Economic Development Corporation received a BCBSTX grant, showcasing the true collaboration between the public and private sector to address residents looking for equitable fitness options. “This outdoor Fitness Court met a need for coordinated activities, not only for younger folks, but for citizens of all ages,” said Nate Mara, City Manager, City of Decatur. The city, working Detective Jordan White at the Decatur Police Department, is using the Fitness Court as a community wellness hub through their Cardio with Cops program. The weekly events are open to anyone interested in joining a free 30-minute workout and an opportunity to build community amongst other residents and local police officers. Twenty five hundred residents can now walk or bike to the Fitness Court at Kenny Renshaw Park for a free outdoor workout. 

The 2023 campaign has started strong with communities joining from Nolan County in Sweetwater, to the southern border town of roughly 7,000 residents in La Feria, to the Houston metro of Katy. But just this month, the BCBSTX campaign welcomed not only its first higher education partner in the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) but also the first Fitness Court Studio in the state.

Located near the University’s Recreation Center, the Fitness Court Studio provides over 2,000 square feet of exercise space, doubling to two programmable classrooms. The Fitness Court Studio now serves as an outdoor wellness hub for nearly 34,000 students, faculty and staff. It is within walking or cycling distance to nearly 15,000 local residents and is conveniently located right next to a high traffic walking path, along a bus route and adjacent to a large parking lot. 

University Recreation offers a comprehensive fitness and wellness program including group fitness classes, personal training and goal setting. Now with the addition of the Fitness Court Studio, University Recreation is incorporating both circuit classes as well as yoga, Pilates, Zumba or Stretch and Restore into their group fitness offerings. Community members can purchase day passes to group classes or can download the free Fitness Court app for a coach-in-your-pocket experience at the UT Dallas Fitness Court Studio. 

Nearly 50 students, alumni, faculty and staff came out to celebrate alongside BCBSTX representatives during Stressbusters week, a collection of UT Dallas events to relieve anxiety as students study for finals. Within the coming months, the University plans to add a shade structure and outdoor lighting for extended usage.

“We know that on average one in two adults don’t get enough physical activity in their day-to-day lives, which can lead to chronic, yet preventable, conditions,” Dr. Mark Chassay, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for BCBSTX said during the UT Dallas launch celebration. “What better way to reduce barriers to physical and mental health than with free, outdoor fitness courts all across Texas.”

At a time when physical inactivity and depression are increasing at alarming rates across America, BCBSTX is investing in preventative health through physical activity in Texas knowing that movement is the best medicine when it comes to preventative health. In a recent study, physical activity, especially high-intensity exercise, was 1.5 times more effective than counseling or leading medications in treating depression. 

BCBSTX and NFC are committed to changing health outcomes with free outdoor fitness to all Texas communities. Within the next several months, six more healthy communities will officially launch their wellness campaign and join the growing BCBSTX Fitness Court network. 

For more information on the 2024 BCBSTX Wellness Campaign and how you can help bring free outdoor fitness to your community or school, please visit https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/texas.