NATIONAL FITNESS CAMPAIGN
Impact Report 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from our Founder Our Mission and Why it Matters Chapter 1: 2023 Campaign Status & Impact Health Impact By the Numbers Leaders Across America
Chapter 2: Featured Stories The Power of Art and Fitness Award Winning Communities UN Plaza TERI Campus of Life Del City, OK Higher Education Changing Lives - Testimonials
Chapter 3: Looking Ahead
INTRO
ISSUE
STATUS
IMPACT
NUMBERS
HIGHLIGHTS
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER
This year was a fantastic year for National Fitness Campaign with four new state sponsors joining along with the celebration of our 500th Fitness Court®! We sincerely thank our sponsors for their confidence in us and for their powerful support of our mission to increase outdoor movement across America. Our team is now building Healthy Infrastructure® master plans for municipalities in more than 65 percent of the largest states in the country. Our work at the campaign is developing the country’s largest public-private wellness partnership, redesigning the built environment to create healthy communities and schools. When you shape the built environment to connect parks, trails, and Fitness Courts® as healthy hubs for active social engagement -- you build community wellness that changes the culture. Following a multi-year effort to build our first 500 sites, the Fitness Court network will hit our next milestone of 1,000 healthy communities and schools in the next two years. We will continue to expand our community and campus wellness toolkits and train more than 1,000 Fitness Court® Ambassadors to make wellness a staple in healthy communities and schools across the nation. Millions of people now have access to free, worldclass fitness on the world’s best outdoor gym, as the drumbeat of wellness brings new energy to cities, towns and schools far and wide – and we’re just getting started. In 2023 we created The Fitness Court® Studio, adding a second outdoor wellness classroom to our popular Fitness Court® to support Zumba, yoga, pilates, dance and an endless menu of outdoor classes. The new Fitness Court® Studio opens the door to active groups of all profiles and ages, creating the ultimate wellness hub and attracting greater numbers of people to our wellness ecosystem as it grows across the country. Communities can now dial in their wellness offerings
with more powerful solutions as our master planning services offer data-driven support for smart cities, towns and schools everywhere. With the start of the new year, we’re more excited than ever to show people how to find new energy and happiness from a seven minute workout on their neighborhood Fitness Court®.
Being fit isn’t just a longterm investment in health, or support for sports training and competition – it’s the superpower that makes everything easier and everything possible. That’s why we do what we do at National Fitness Campaign. We’re excited to share some of this year’s highlights with you here in our 2023 National Fitness Campaign Impact Report. None of our work would be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors, Mayors, College Presidents and School District leaders. Behind every champion of our program is a team of proud civic and education leaders of every kind doing the work to get Fitness Courts® designed, planned, funded, built and activated. Thank you all! Please enjoy our progress in 2023,
Mitch Menaged Founder, NFC
View our Campaign Story Video from Founder Mitch Menaged
INTRO
ISSUE
STATUS
IMPACT
NUMBERS
HIGHLIGHTS
WE BUILD HEALTHY COMMUNITIES NFC Mission and Why it Matters
Problem
Solution
Nationwide Obesity
Outdoor Healthy Infrastructure
New CDC data shows the prevalence of obesity shot up across all states in 2022 with every state and territory now having obesity levels over 20%. Twenty-two states recorded more than 35% of their populations are obese, up from 0 states a decade ago. Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, says the solution is no secret. “We know the key strategies that work include addressing the underlying social determinants of health such as access to healthcare, healthy and affordable food, and safe places for physical activity.”
The momentum is growing to increase outdoor movement to chip away at the current health crisis by expanding the number of parks and miles of trails to draw more people out of their cars. With a focus on wellness planning, National Fitness Campaign designs Fitness Courts® as healthy hubs in parks and along trails that promote pedestrian movement in cities and schools creating a lasting wellness culture.
Physical inactivity costs health systems $27 billion a year, and by 2030, $300 billion. World Health Organization, 2022
Daily movement outside makes us healthier and happier! National Library of Medicine
Life Expectancy vs Health Expenditure Japan
85 Israel
France
Switzerland
UK Germany
80 USA
75
70
$1,000
$5,000
$10,000
Modified chart from ourwouldindata.org
INTRO
ISSUE
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HIGHLIGHTS
A GROWING NATIONWIDE NETWORK 2023 Campaign Status
500 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES IN 2023! Now funded to reach 1,000 sites by 2025
This year National Fitness Campaign welcomed 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 walk or bike ride of every American.
National Fitness Campaign’s State Sponsor network continues to grow exponentially across America. NFC is excited to be working in concert with more than 18 of America’s leading healthcare providers, now covering 36% of the states in America and representing 30 million members for a total population of 107,600,000. These organizations represent an important group of leaders recognizing and supporting the need for our communities and schools to be places that support physical and mental wellbeing. With the growing support from the National Fitness Campaign State Sponsor Network and continued interest from mayors, civic officials, school administrators, federal and state leaders, the Campaign has welcomed its 500th Healthy Community in 2023 and is now funded to reach 1,000 sites by 2025, marking an important benchmark in the Campaign’s journey.
State Sponsorship Programs Active Across America New for 2024!
Pending Pending
New for 2024!
New for 2024! Pending
New for 2024!
Meet the Sponsors
ON WHITE
FEATURED ARTIST COLLECTION
FEATURED ARTIST COLLECTION
INTRO
ISSUE
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IMPACT
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HEALTH IMPACT
Building Healthy Infrastructure® to Change Health Outcomes in America On average, one in two adults do not get enough physical activity in their day-to-day lives, leading to chronic, yet preventable disease. At National Fitness Campaign, we’re on a mission to change health outcomes by working with communities to upgrade master plans with Healthy Infrastructure® using Fitness Courts® as wellness hubs and anchors in active parks and visible pedestrian trails. Proprietary urban design methodology and data metrics ensure that Fitness Courts® will bring people outdoors and ignite walking, jogging, cycling and strength training activity across communities and campuses. Our team of experts provides support in gaining community consensus, gathering funding, site selection, masterplanning, installation, press and media, ambassador training, a mobile app, and much more. Our Campaign delivers a robust and ever building toolkit of check-ins, challenges and promotions for building healthy communities, so that Fitness Courts® remain fresh, fun, exciting and accessible to all as they build in neighborhoods across America.
503
Fitness Courts® Funded
$126m
5.7m
public/private investment in Healthy Infrastructure®
estimated access by bike to Fitness Courts® within 10 minutes
INTRO
ISSUE
STATUS
IMPACT
NUMBERS
HIGHLIGHTS
NFC BY THE NUMBERS Campaign Highlights
503
1,392
Communities in the Campaign
Fitness Court® Ambassadors Trained
6+
Fastest G Netw
Grand Pr
+
815k
553
Growing work
Largest City in the Campaign
Smallest Community Population
rairie, TX
San Francisco, CA
Jay, FL
by 2024
INTRO
ISSUE
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CIVIC LEADERS ACROSS AMERICA Featured Officials in the Campaign
Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi Delbert Hosemann
San Francisco, CA Mayor London Breed
Malden, MA Mayor Gary Christenson
IL State Senator Seth Lewis
Dumfries, VA Mayor Derrick Wood
San Marcos, CA Mayor Rebecca Jones
Horn Lake, MS
Medinah Park District, IL
Mount Vernon, NY Mayor Shawyn PattersonHoward
Huntsville, AL Mayor Tommy Battle
La Feria, TX Mayor Olga Maldonado
River Rouge, MI Mayor William Campbell
Caldwell, TX Mayor Janice Easter
Sparks, NV Mayor Ed Lawson
INTRO
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HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS ACROSS AMERICA Growing the Campus Network
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS
Stanford University Tricia Losavio
University Rec Director
Florida State University
Bridgewater State University
University of California, Davis
Colorado State University Pueblo
West Virgina University
Baylor University
University of Colorado Boulder
INTRO
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THE POWER OF ART
Building America’s First Outdoor Kinetic Art Gallery Public art uplifts the built environment and transforms public spaces. Every Fitness Court® is a one-of-a-kind work of art that promotes national and local artists with inspiring creative and cultural elements unique to each community. Our public art campaign integrated with our powerful seven minute outdoor workout system provides an opportunity for communities to reimagine public spaces through art and promote healthy living with a flair! The benefits of exercising while enjoying beautiful artwork are endless.
Basquiat Fitness Court East Point, GA
Explore the Public Art Gallery and Meet the Artists Click for More on NFC’s website
Reno, NV Artist Remy Glock
Huntsville, AL Artist Jamal FRESKO Turner
Photo provided by Eighty8Studios
Basquiat Fitness Court Deerfield Beach, FL
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Award Winning Partner
Kutztown University, PA Home of Artist Keith Haring
Townie Award for Organizational Excellence and Community Partnership
Building Berks Award for Community Innovation and Unity
Berks County native and renowned artist, Keith Haring, has his artwork displayed on the Kutztown University Fitness Court® just blocks away from his childhood home. Since the Fitness Court® launched to the community in October 2022, it has been an integral part of campus life as well community events in Kutztown. The Keith Haring Fitness Court® has received two recent awards from both the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, celebrating remarkable synergy of art, health and community innovation.
Jordan Davis (left) sport management intern and Duane Crider (right) lead professor of sport management at Kutztown University
Kutztown University, Kutztown Community Partnership and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
FITNESS COURT®
INTRO
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UN Plaza, San Francisco, CA Revitalizing the heart of San Francisco
UN PLAZA TRANSFORMED Mayor London N. Breed, the City of San Francisco and San Francisco Recreation and Parks unveiled a transformed UN Plaza to the community on November 8, 2023. The area will now serve as a dynamic hub for recreation and scheduled activities in the Civic Center neighborhood. The revitalized space includes the nation’s first street skating plaza of its kind, a Fitness Court® Music Studio, activities, and games and is located within walking or biking distance of nearly 450,000 residents. NFC worked directly with the SF Recreation and Parks team, landscape architects, and engineers to design a custom Fitness Court® Music Studio to fit within the historic UN Plaza site. NFC created design concepts, SD and engineering drawings to help contribute to the overall design. The new Fitness Court® Music Studio, features a surround sound system that
“Great cities have great public spaces. The new programming and features at UN Plaza offer something for everyone and that’s by design.” - San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg will elevate zumba, dance, yoga, pilates classes and more to create the world’s best outdoor group class experience. In partnership with Rae Studios, San Francisco Recreation and Parks has launched a 13 month workout series that will feature outdoor dance and fitness classes. Classes offered will range from cardio dance, dance choreography, Pilates, and barre. All classes offered are free to the public, igniting accessible outdoor fitness for all in the city.
Check out the full story here
Mayor London Breed UN Plaza & Fitness Court® Studio Ribbon Cutting
Ongoing programming: daily classes offered for a full year to activate the space
INTRO
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First Special Needs Focused Partner TERI Campus of Life
EMPOWERING HEALTH AND INCLUSION TERI’s (Training, Education, and Resource Institute) mission is to change the way the world sees, helps, and empowers individuals with special needs. Through support, advocacy, dedication, innovation, and resolve, TERI has brought opportunity and hope to countless individuals and families. When CEO Cheryl Kilmer heard about National Fitness Campaign, she knew this was the partnership she was looking for to provide accessible fitness opportunities at TERI. One of TERI’s guiding principles is “Fit for Life” and the Fitness Court® created another opportunity for individuals of all abilities to get out there and have fun while working on their
health and wellness. The Fitness Court® also give us an opportunity to promote education and inclusion of those with special needs for the community. When Cheryl was asked what it meant to be the first official special needs focused partner to join National Fitness Campaign, she replied:
“The Fitness Court® gives us an opportunity to promote education and inclusion of those with special needs for the community.”
Check out the full story here
- CEO Teri Campus of Life Cheryl Kilmer
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Ambassador Spotlight: Rashonna Moore Del City, OK
INSPIRING THE DEL CITY COMMUNITY Rashonna Moore struggled with a consistent workout routine. She fell into the trap of monotony and that would lead to inconsistency. After suffering personal loss during the pandemic, she recognized the importance of prioritizing one’s well-being. Rashonna discovered the Fitness Court® in Del City, OK and became involved with National Fitness Campaign’s Ambassador Program. She understood the impact that maintaining good health can have not only on individuals but also on the community as a whole.
prizes for the top three winners, further encouraging individuals to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Now with a community group of 250 and growing, Rashonna knows that the Health is Wealth challenge was just the beginning.
This summer Rashonna spearheaded a free, community wide Health is Wealth 90-Day Challenge featuring personal trainers that kept weekly classes fun and fresh with workouts ranging from Hip Hop HIIT to Trap Cardio Dance to beginner introductory classes to Zumba Thick. She also partnered with local businesses and fitness professionals to provide attractive incentives and Check out the full story here
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CHANGING LIVES - TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials from Fitness Court® Users Across the Country
CARRIE GIESEKE
Benefits of a Free Outdoor Exercise Space
“What I love most about the Fitness Court® is that it is free to the community. Everyone’s budget cannot manage a gym membership and being healthy by staying fit shouldn’t be a paid experience.” In a world where fitness often comes with a price tag, there are individuals like Carrie Gieseke who prove that determination and creativity can pave the way to a healthy and active lifestyle. Carrie’s story is one of resilience, passion, and a commitment to staying fit without breaking the bank.
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ciety can be difficult, but this llenge by making veterans of dawn. Every Wednesday at cold or blazing hot, veterans friends get in their weekly ial Park Fitness Court® which nburg County, NFL’s Carolina & Lowes.
DAVID CASAVANT Hampden, ME
“In some ways, I feel as though I’m expressing my gratitude by using the Fitness Court®.” At 58 years young, David Casavant is quite the active outdoorsman. His goal is to take care of his body so he can maintain an active lifestyle in his later years. David enjoys all things outdoors: hiking, cross country skiing, kayaking, biking, jogging, etc. In order to sustain these activities, ideally without injury, he knows he needs to maintain a certain level of fitness. And that’s where the Fitness Court® comes in. David travels between Maine & Massachusetts Fitness Courts® when visiting family. He promotes family workouts in both states when hosting visitors.
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CAMPAIGN INNOVATION 2024 Campaign
Twice the Footprint!
The Fitness Court® Studio is the ultimate wellness hub in healthy communities. It features two precision designed athletic floors for body weight training, yoga, Zumba and much more while showcasing local art to bring inspiration to support healthy activities. Fitness Court® Studios serve as an anchor in visible, connected and active locations, to engage the community in a daily movement practice with healthy habits as the central theme.
Fitness Court® App Check-ins Gamifying the experience – users can now check-in to their local Fitness Court®, track their time working out and participate in healthy competitions with fellow users nationwide.
Community Champions Thousands of people are nominating their city or school for funding, becoming a new force driving the expansion of the campaign & guiding efforts to deliver impact on the local level.
Healthy City Master Planning Healthy Site Scores (HSS)
With 500 Healthy Communities and on the road to 1,000 communities by 2025, the campaign delivers a comprehensive community wellness program which includes planning and design services that assist in building a network of outdoor Fitness Courts®.
LOOKING AHEAD
Redesigning the Built Environment
Our work at the campaign is redesigning the built environment to create healthy communities and schools. When you shape the built environment to connect parks, trails, and Fitness Courts® as healthy hubs for active social engagement -- you build community wellness that changes the culture.
Community Trail Network
Mobile Wifi Nutrition
y
Smart Health
National Fitness Campaign
San Francisco, CA (415) 702-4919 info@nfchq.com
Visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com
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