Priority Health, Oronoko Township and National Fitness Campaign bring free fitness to Berrien Springs community
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 15, 2022 — Priority Health, Oronoko Township and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) are pleased to announce the opening of an outdoor Priority Health Fitness Court® in Berrien Springs. This launch is made possible thanks to the statewide partnership between Priority Health and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities.
The new Fitness Court, located across the street from Sylvester Elementary School, is an open-air wellness center that allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout. Created for people ages 14 and over – and with all abilities – the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users may download the free Fitness Court App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. The Fitness Court App is available for iOS and Android.
“We are pleased to encourage health and well-being in Oronoko Township by partnering with the National Fitness Campaign to open a Priority Health Fitness Court in Berrien Springs,” said Jeremy Bakken, director of communications and community at Priority Health. “Our hope is that this outdoor Fitness Court will not only support free access to fitness but will also serve as a community gathering place.”
This Fitness Court was developed by Priority Health, Oronoko Township and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state. The Fitness Court allows people to use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.
We are proud to be the first Outdoor Fitness Court in Southwest Michigan and are thankful to partner with Priority Health, Berrien Springs Public Schools, the Village of Berrien Springs and our local community to offer this amenity to our residents and visitors,” said Mike Hildebrand, supervisor of Oronoko Charter Township. “We're eager to see our residents utilize it and enjoy outside exercise to improve and/or maintain their health.”
NFC's award-winning initiative is now supporting more than 150 cities across America, including cities in Michigan, such as Madison Heights, Highland Park, Lansing, Big Rapids, Traverse City, Grand Rapids and Saginaw.
“National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Berrien Springs to the campaign as a leader in health and wellness for Michigan and across America,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign.
National Fitness Campaign developed the trademarked seven-station system in 2012 to inspire municipalities to transform public spaces into community fitness hubs. There are currently 250 active Fitness Court locations across the country, and the Campaign will be operating in over 1,000 cities and colleges by the end of 2022.
About Priority Health
With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan, offering an extensive portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than one million members each year and offering a broad network of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Learn more about affordable, quality health coverage options from Priority Health.
About Oronoko Charter Township
Oronoko Charter Township is the area encompassing the Village of Berrien Springs and the surrounding area, located 13 miles north of the Indiana state line and 6 miles east of Lake Michigan. It is home to approximately 9,000 residents, Andrews University (a Seventh-day Adventist college), the Berrien County Youth Fair, world-class salmon fishing, seven wineries, and plentiful fruit farms.
About NFC
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors with the mission to build healthy communities. NFC delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered on the world’s best outdoor gym: The Fitness Court®. The Campaign is planning its 500th Healthy Community, uniting the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Follow us on social media @NatFitCampaign and #Fitnesscourt.