Birmingham Schools Install Free Outdoor Gyms for Students
A partnership between local officials, a health insurer, and a fitness organization aims to provide free workout stations at two high schools.
By Jillian Foster ·
A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham now has a new outdoor workout space.
The court is one of several planned installations across the city's schools.
Officials announced the partnership on Thursday, November 5.
The project involves three groups working together.
Birmingham City Schools is the local educational partner.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is providing financial support.
National Fitness Campaign is the design and implementation firm.
The first court is located at A.H. Parker High School.
A second court is scheduled for Huffman High School.
The facilities are open to students and the community.
The courts are designed for users aged 14 and older.
Each site features seven distinct exercise stations. Users perform body-weight exercises at these stations. The equipment requires no electricity or complex machinery. Participants can adjust the intensity of each movement. This design allows people of different fitness levels to use the courts. The goal is to make exercise accessible to a wide range of people. Tyrus L. Moss is the assistant principal at A.H. Parker. He described the project as an investment in student health. Moss said the court helps students build healthy habits. He noted that physical fitness supports mental well-being. Moss added that self-care is part of academic success. Mitch Menaged founded National Fitness Campaign in 1979. The organization is based in San Francisco. Menaged said the partnership aims to create long-term health impacts. He called the addition of the courts a commitment to community health. The digital component of the program includes a free mobile app. The app provides guided instructions for each station. It acts as a virtual coach for users. Stephen Ward is the athletic director at Huffman High School. Ward expressed excitement about the upcoming court at his school. He stated the space will promote movement and motivation. Ward said the goal is to develop well-rounded students. He emphasized health as a key component of student success. Sophie Martin leads corporate communications for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. She said the insurer is committed to helping Alabamians live healthier lives. Martin said the partnership creates new opportunities for daily activity. She noted the project brings sponsored fitness courts to the community. Birmingham City Schools is one of more than 25 partners in the state. These partners are building a network of fitness courts. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama supports this statewide effort. The campaign seeks to place a court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. The organization reached its 500th community in 2023. The campaign continues to expand its public-private partnerships nationwide.
