April 1, 2026
When National Fitness Campaign (NFC) first partnered with Priority Health in 2019, the goal was straightforward: make high-quality fitness genuinely free and genuinely accessible for Michigan residents. What has unfolded since then is something much larger than either partner originally anticipated.
Today, 33 Fitness Courts® are open across the state, each one a seven-station, bodyweight-based outdoor gym designed for adults of all fitness levels. They are situated in city parks, near college campuses, along riverfronts, and in neighborhoods that, for too long, have had limited access to quality public wellness infrastructure. The partnership has already surpassed its initial goal of opening 15 locations and continues to grow.
Priority Health's commitment to this campaign was rooted in a clear belief from the very beginning. As Marti Lolli, Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Consumer and Government Markets at Priority Health, put it when the statewide partnership launched in 2020:
"We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to live a healthy life and we are proud to be Michigan's first statewide sponsor to show our commitment to improving the health of our communities." said Marti Lolli, Chief Marketing Officer, Priority Health
That philosophy has been the through-line of every Fitness Court that has opened since. Priority Health's support has helped break down financial barriers to exercise, ensuring that where you live and what you earn do not determine your access to quality fitness. What sets this campaign apart is what happens after the ribbon is cut. Across Michigan, communities have found creative and deeply personal ways to make these spaces their own.
Lansing stands as one of the most inspiring examples of a city that has truly embraced equitable access to fitness. With Fitness Courts now open at Benjamin Davis Park, Maguire Park, and Debbie Stabenow Park, Lansing has made outdoor fitness a citywide commitment.
Mayor Andy Schor joined the July 2025 launch at Davis Park alongside Councilmember Adam Hussain, Priority Health Senior Sales Executive Megan Winczewski, Community and Project Advocate Charles Burnette, and local fitness trainer Amy Miros. Mayor Schor spoke with WILX 10 News about the growing presence of outdoor fitness in the city, noting that anyone can scan the QR code on the wall, follow the easy instructions, and work out at their own pace. Charles Burnette has since become a fixture at Davis Park, regularly coaching community members and hosting free group workout sessions on his own initiative.
In August 2025, the City of Farmington launched a new Fitness Court at Shiawassee Park with tremendous energy from the community. The ribbon cutting drew local gym owners and fitness professionals including Bodhi Yoga, TRVFIT Farmington, Five Lakes Crossfit, and Farmington Firefighting, who gave live demonstrations to a crowd of neighbors and city officials. The launch was a collaboration between the City of Farmington, Oakland County Parks, Priority Health, and NFC, and it reflects the kind of multi-partner civic investment that makes these projects last.
The July 2023 ribbon cutting in River Rouge brought together Mayor William Campbell, representatives from Priority Health, and DTE Energy for a launch that truly reflected the breadth of investment behind the campaign. Members of the high school's basketball and football teams were on hand to put the Fitness Court through its paces, performing challenges that showed the crowd exactly what the equipment could do. Fitness ambassador Robin Clark rounded out the event with a full demonstration of every exercise available on the Fitness Court, ensuring that every attendee left knowing how to make use of the space.
Two memorable launches took place in Union Charter Township in the fall of 2023. At the September opening, the local artist whose work adorns the back wall of the Fitness Court attended alongside township officials and members of the Board of Trustees, giving the event a creative energy and a genuine sense of community ownership over the space. A month later, in October, the Grand Blanc area launch brought its own spirit of fun when the GBT Police Department staged a Battle of the Badges, pitting the Admin team against Patrol in a friendly fitness competition that drew laughs and cheers from the crowd. A local running group that already calls the park home was also on hand, a natural reminder that the Fitness Court is designed to complement the fitness culture that already exists in a community.
At Ottawa Hills Park, the Fitness Court became a feature story for Wood TV8's Maranda, the station's kids and family expert, who joined Jill Nelson from Priority Health for a five-minute on-air segment covering every component of the Fitness Court and the broader campaign across Michigan. The media attention helped introduce the Fitness Court to thousands of West Michigan families, and plans were soon announced to add Little Free Libraries at select locations across the state, deepening the connection between fitness and community life.
The Fitness Court in Traverse City has become a true community wellness hub. While the Fitness Court is designed for ages 14 and up, the space around it has come alive with activity for the whole family. Girl Scout Troops 8786 and 9550 took the initiative to install and decorate a Little Free Library near the Fitness Court, creating a welcoming gathering point that speaks to the power of young people shaping public spaces.
When the Fitness Court in Marysville launched alongside Mayor Wayne Pyden and representatives from St. Clair County Community College, a group called the Rockin' Retirees was there to use it. Having worked out together for a decade, they quickly adopted the Fitness Court for their regular sessions, led by instructor Deborah Forster. Her take on the experience captures what this campaign is really about: "It's a phenomenal workout and anyone can do it. We're not about looking good in a bikini. We want to be able to be sitting on the edge of the pool and stand up."
In October 2025, Bangor Public Schools became the first school district partner in the Michigan campaign. This milestone opens a new chapter for the partnership, extending the reach of free outdoor fitness beyond city parks and into the daily lives of students and school communities. It is an encouraging sign of where the campaign can continue to grow.
The momentum across Michigan shows no signs of slowing. With 33 locations now open, a first school district partner on board, and communities continuing to join the campaign, the network is becoming dense enough that outdoor fitness is genuinely accessible in a growing number of corners of the state. Priority Health's sustained commitment has made that possible, and the communities that have participated have made it meaningful.
If you are a community leader, parks director, school administrator, or civic partner in Michigan who wants to learn more about bringing a Fitness Court to your area, we welcome you to explore the resources available through NFC and reach out to start a conversation.
