FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) – People in the Pretzel City have a new space to exercise with the opening of a free outdoor gym at Freeport Middle School.

The Fitness Court, located on campus at 701 W. Empire St., offers seven exercise stations that allow users to leverage their own body weight and get in a complete workout.

The space was created through a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and the National Fitness Campaign. On Friday, Nov. 15. a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Fitness Court.

“We did the difficult part of applying for the grant and we received it. This makes us the first K-12 district in Illinois to receive the grant and the Fitness Court,” said Freeport School District 145 Communication Specialist Paulette Williams-Thomas.

According to the National Fitness Campaign, Fitness Courts are created with adults of all ages and abilities in mind and allow users to move at their own pace. They’re designed to make access to exercise more equitable and build healthier communities.

“This is a step above for the older youth who may not want to go to a playground. Maybe they just want to go and get some exercise or get their wiggles out. And this is something again for the older youth, but the entire community can enjoy it,” said City of Freeport Communications Director Bryan Bridge.

A free mobile app is available for users to download that can act as a coach when using the Fitness Court stations.

Though the weather is getting chillier, the much-anticipated Fitness Court will be there when students, staff, and other community members want to use it.

Freeport isn’t the only stateline city with a Fitness Court. The Belvidere Park District opened a Fitness Court in 2018 at Prairie Fields Sports Park, 1111 Fairgrounds Road.

The National Fitness Campaign says its goal is to create 5,000 free outdoor Fitness Courts within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.

More information about the Fitness Court program can be found here.

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