Priority Health and National Fitness Campaign announce partnership extension to bring free outdoor health and wellness across Michigan

Priority Health announced a three-year partnership extension with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today to continue the delivery of a comprehensive wellness initiative in Michigan centered on the outdoor Fitness Court®. Priority Health is the official NFC sponsor in Michigan, and the campaign extension will bring up to 30 new Priority Health Fitness Courts by the end of 2025.

Priority Health partnered with NFC in 2019 to fight obesity and improve the quality of life for Michigan communities. Building on the success of programs in more than 15 communities including Highland Park, Detroit, Grand Traverse County and Grand Rapids, to name a few, Priority Health Fitness Courts will reach approximately one third of Michiganders and provide free access to wellness within a 10-minute bike ride from their homes. In total, the program has already united over $3 million of public-private investment across Michigan and will exceed $10 million by the end of 2025.

“Everyone has a right to a healthy life,” said Praveen Thadani, president of Priority Health. “That is why our continuing partnership with National Fitness Campaign will offer opportunities for communities to host a Priority Health Fitness Court over the next three years. We are focused on communities that are experiencing health inequities so we can create a comfortable and stress-free environment for friends and neighbors.”

The exercises on a Fitness Court leverage one's own body weight to get a complete workout using seven stations in seven minutes. By downloading the free Fitness Court App, users have access to dozens of workouts creating a unique, digitally supported wellness experience.

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. Priority Health’s mission in this partnership is to increase access to free, high-quality exercise for all people – including those with disabilities. The Fitness Courts are zero-entry so people who are in a wheelchair can participate. Each Fitness Court is integrated with shock-resistant, recycled sports flooring and allows multiple users at the same time.

“We are thrilled to have Priority Health continue with NFC on the journey to health and wellness for Michiganders. We know the health impact that occurs when communities design the built environment intentionally to promote pedestrian movement,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of NFC. “When people invest in their health and wellness, it can reduce obesity and the diseases that follow including diabetes and heart disease. This allows a person to take part in a lifelong wellness journey to keep their body and mind active and engaged.”

NFC partners with health care companies in a dozen states and works with cities, municipalities, schools and others across the country. NFC is looking forward to celebrating its 500th Healthy Community across America with a celebration in 2023. Grant funding is now available; those interested can contact NFC at nationalfitnesscampaign.com/michigan.

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 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 500^th 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.

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