MVP Health Care, The City of Rochester, and National Fitness Campaign Make Fitness Free for Everyone in the Rochester Community

State-of-the-Art Outdoor Fitness Court Coming to Cobb’s Hill Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rochester, N.Y., May 14, 2019—MVP Health Care, The City of Rochester, and National Fitness Campaign today announced a partnership to bring a free, outdoor Fitness Court® to Rochester.

The MVP Health Care Cobb’s Hill Fitness Court will make Rochester the first community in New York State to join the National Fitness Campaign, making world-class fitness free for all. The fitness court will open in the summer with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a day-long celebration including instructor-led workouts, equipment training, and giveaways.

“MVP Health Care is committed to providing innovative ways for our members to live an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Denise Gonick, MVP Health Care’s chief executive officer and director. “Participating in the National Fitness Campaign in partnership with The City of Rochester aligns with our goal of building healthy communities across New York and Vermont. Bringing the fitness court to Rochester will provide a new, fun, and unique type of physical activity for everyone in the city to enjoy. We are so proud to sponsor this exciting initiative, and we look forward to seeing you on the court!”

The MVP Health Care Cobb’s Hill Fitness Court is an outdoor circuit training system that includes 30 pieces of equipment, allowing users of all skill levels to leverage their body weight at different angles and resistance levels to increase mobility and muscular strength. A part of an effort launched by National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to activate public spaces and encourage a healthy lifestyle, the fitness court will be a pillar of exercise in downtown Rochester.

“Our residents are the lifeblood of our community,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “And a healthy city needs healthy citizens to thrive and grow. That’s why I’m excited about the new MVP Fitness Court. By making it free and accessible for all people to improve their physical fitness, we are one step closer to ensuring that our city has safer and more vibrant neighborhoods, more jobs, and better educational opportunities. I want to thank MVP Health Care and National Fitness Campaign for their support and generosity, and for making this fitness court a permanent part of Cobb’s Hill Park.”

Rochester residents can take advantage of the court’s 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 any user to master the court’s seven movements—core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility, and bend—at their own pace and level of ability. The iOS and Android apps also feature audio guides, video guides and challenge programs and are constantly updated with the latest and greatest content from NFC. Content is available for both individuals and groups to use on the fitness court.

“We’re excited to bring our campaign to make world-class fitness free to Rochester,” said National Fitness Campaign Founder and Director Mitch Menaged. “Together with MVP Health Care and the City of Rochester, NFC is happy to be part of a wellness network that will scale across major regions nationwide. With funding to reach 1,000 cities and schools by 2020, our Fitness Courts, free mobile app, classes, and clinics are building healthy habits for millions of people.”

MVP Health Care and The City of Rochester are looking for local exercise enthusiasts to become ambassadors for the fitness court. Fitness court ambassadors will have opportunities to lead classes at the court while building their network, promoting their personal fitness style, giving back to the community, and connecting with city leadership. MVP Health Care and The City of Rochester will offer training to people interested in becoming an ambassador.

To become a Fitness Court Ambassador, get a sneak peek at official classes and challenge events, or to learn more about the fitness court, residents can visit the NFC website at nationalfitnesscampaign.com or connect by email at ROCfitnesscourt@mvphealthcare.com.

# # #

About MVP Health Care

MVP Health Care is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health insurer caring for more than 700,000 members in New York and Vermont. Committed to the complete well-being of our members and the communities we serve, MVP makes health insurance more convenient, more supportive, and more personal. For more information, visit www.mvphealthcare.com, or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About the City of Rochester, New York

Located in western New York on the Genesee River and the southern shore of Lake Ontario, the City of Rochester, with a population of 208,046 residents, is the seat of Monroe County and the third most populous city in New York State. The metropolitan area has a population of almost 1 million people. Rochester combines small-town accessibility with big-city services and amenities. Amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, residents enjoy a housing market known for great bargains, short commute times, world-class cultural and entertainment offerings and a fast-growing innovation economy poised to thrive in the 21st century. A host of colleges and universities produce an educated workforce that drives the city’s innovation and technology sectors. The city’s rich history as a center for civil rights and social justice remains an important element of Rochester’s legacy. Mayor Lovely A. Warren is the city’s 69th Mayor and the first female to hold this position. She is committed to creating more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for all residents.

About NFC:

National Fitness Campaign, a social enterprise founded in 1979, partners with local communities and nationwide sponsors to promote healthy infrastructure. The Fitness Court^® ecosystem combines digital tools, evolving challenges and best in class equipment to create the world’s best outdoor gym experience. With original locations in 4,000 cities worldwide, a flagship installation in San Francisco and 100 new locations across the United States, National Fitness Campaign is committed to making world class fitness free for everyone.