Troy, NY (July 26, 2022) — The City of Troy hosted a grand opening today for the new MVP Health Care Fitness Courts at Knickerbacker Park and Prospect Park. The new Fitness Court® is a free, open-air wellness center that allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout. The MVP Health Care Fitness Court is a result of a partnership launched this spring between MVP Health Care and National Fitness Campaign to activate public spaces and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
The MVP Health Care Fitness Court includes 30 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment, allowing users of all skill levels to leverage their body weight at different angles and resistance levels to increase mobility and muscular strength. Users move among seven different zones – core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility, and bend. Each element can be used for hundreds of exercise variations, providing opportunities for those beginning their fitness journey, elite athletes, and every user in between. Also, users can download the free Fitness Court app (https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/app) which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and transforms the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness ecosystem.
“At MVP Health Care, we always strive to push the boundaries of preserving and enhancing the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” said MVP Health Care’s President and CEO, Chris Del Vecchio. “We know that the MVP Health Care Fitness Court will provide free, equitable access to exercise equipment that can ultimately change someone’s health care journey, and we are so proud to provide that option together with our partners, the City of Troy and the National Fitness Campaign. We look forward to seeing you on the MVP Health Care Fitness Courts!”
Additionally, MVP Health Care is proud to sponsor 5 weeks of free fitness classes at the new Troy Fitness Court at Knickerbacker Park!. Join Certified Personal Trainer, Sarah James – The Balance Beast, for a moderate intensity class with modifications for ALL fitness levels. Classes will meet Thursdays at 5:15-6:00 PM on August 11 , 18, 25 and September 1 and 8. Please bring water and wear comfortable, breathable exercise clothing and sneakers.
The MVP Health Care Fitness Courts in Knickerbacker Park and Prospect Park are the first of four Fitness Courts to be built in Troy. The other two Fitness Courts, located in 112th Street Park and Beman Park, are scheduled for installation later this year.
“The City of Troy is thrilled to officially open our new Fitness Courts in Knickerbacker Park and Prospect Park this summer,” said Troy Mayor Patrick Madden said. “These sites not only provide access to free, state-of-the-art fitness equipment in our community but also supplements our planned investments to improve public parks throughout the city. Thank you to MVP Health Care and the National Fitness Campaign for their support and partnership on this important community fitness project.”
Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign, noted how the Fitness Court at the Youth Center is part of a larger picture of promoting healthy communities across the country.
“We are excited to team up with the City of Troy to make world-class fitness free in Rensselaer County,” Menaged said. “National Fitness Campaign is delighted to be aligned with MVP Health Care and the Village in growing a nationwide wellness network.”
The Knickerbacker Park Fitness Court is located adjacent to the main parking lot and playground (park entrance is at 103rd and 8th Avenue). The Prospect Park Fitness Court is located at the upper parking area (park entrance is 65 Prospect Park Road from Congress Street).
The Fitness Courts were funded in part through the City’s allocation of CARES Act funds through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional funds were provided by MVP Health Care and the National Fitness Campaign. Financial support was also provided by the Troy Redevelopment Foundation – including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Sage Colleges, Emma Willard, and St. Peter’s Health Partners. The Knickerbacker Park site was supported by Fane, Inc., and C.D. Perry Construction.
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About Troy, NY
Incorporated in 1816, the City of Troy is the seat of Rensselaer County government and the county’s largest municipality by population. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, the city boasts seven miles of waterfront, a largely preserved historic downtown, diverse neighborhoods, and several major colleges and universities. Troy’s history as the nation’s largest manufacturer of detachable cuffs and collars earned the City’s nickname “the Collar City.” A former steel & iron manufacturing powerhouse of the 19th and early 20th century, the city is now home to a growing hub of tech, video game development, restaurants, and retail. For more info, visit www.troyny.gov/connect
About MVP Health Care
MVP Health Care is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health insurer caring for 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 NFC
National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm – founded in San Francisco, California in 1979 – that offers grant funding, project management and master planning services to cities, schools, and sponsors to build healthy communities. The Fitness Court® is a trademarked 7-minute workout system, created by NFC Founder, Mitch Menaged, that was designed to be the world’s best outdoor gym. NFC’s mission is to build healthy communities by building an outdoor Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Learn more about NFC at www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com.