MVP Health Care offers chance to win grant funding for fitness courts in New York and Vermont

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — MVP Health Care (MVP) and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) on Tuesday announced the launch of a $750,000 statewide partnership to build 10 to 15 outdoor fitness courts across communities in New York and Vermont.

Crews will build the MVP Health Care Fitness Courts in easily accessible public spaces beginning in 2022, the Schenectady–based health insurer said Tuesday.

Founded in San Francisco, California in 1979, the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness-consulting firm that offers grant funding, project management, and master-planning services to cities, schools, and sponsors to build healthy communities.

The fitness court is a free, outdoor seven-minute full-body workout system for adults of all ages and fitness levels. They’re part of an effort launched by NFC to activate public spaces, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and “create equitable access” to outdoor-exercise programs.

MVP launched its initial fitness court in Rochester in 2019.

MVP and NFC are asking local governments or universities — who are interested in having a fitness court in their city or on their campus — to apply for funding to support building a such a court. Awardees will receive a wellness toolkit, education, design resources to assist in planning, funding, building, and launching their outdoor fitness court from MVP and NFC.

MVP and NFC will be accepting applications through Nov. 15 for grant funding to support building fitness courts in local communities. To learn more about National Fitness Campaign and how to apply for funding, New York applicants can visit, www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/NewYork.

Members of the community will also have access to digital coaching on the free fitness court app, which acts as a how-to guide and a “personal coach in your pocket.” This self-guided mobile support “makes it easy” for users to learn how to stay fit in just 7 minutes a day — “moving at their own pace and level of ability.” Content is available for both individuals and groups to use on the fitness court.

“The National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome MVP Health Care as its state sponsor in New York and Vermont,” Mitch Menaged, founder of the NFC, said. “This program will deliver tremendous resources to contribute to the important mission of fighting obesity and improving health outcomes as the network of Fitness Courts grows across the state. We look forward to working with MVP Health Care to make this campaign a great success.”