Alabama’s Fitness Courts offer free workouts in parks across the state

Across Alabama, bright blue outdoor Fitness Courts are giving residents more opportunities to exercise for free in parks and other community spaces. Developed through a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC), the courts offer bodyweight workouts designed for people ages 14 and older, with exercises adaptable to different fitness levels.

How the Fitness Courts Work

Each Fitness Court features seven exercise stations: core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility, and bend. The bodyweight circuit can provide a full-body workout in about seven minutes, though users can spend more time exercising at their own pace.

QR codes at the stations connect users to the free Fitness Court app, which provides instructional videos, exercise modifications, and structured workouts. The exercises can be adapted to different fitness levels, allowing users to choose movements and intensities that suit their abilities.

There is no membership fee, specialized equipment to bring, or cost to use the courts.

The Partnership and Shared Mission

BCBSAL’s involvement reflects a commitment to improving access to health and wellness resources across the state.

“One of our company’s top priorities is to help improve the health and wellness of Alabamians,” said Sophie Martin, director of corporate communications and community relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “We continue to focus on providing Alabamians access to the resources they need so they can live the healthiest lives possible.”

NFC founder Mitch Menaged frames the broader mission around building healthier communities.

“We are proud to continue our mission of getting people moving outdoors and helping communities combat the fiscal and humanitarian costs of inactivity,” Menaged said. “Being fit isn’t just a long-term investment in health or support for sports training and competition—it’s the superpower that makes everything easier and everything possible.”

Nationally, NFC aims to place a free outdoor Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. In Alabama, the campaign has translated that ambition into projects in communities throughout the state.

Growth Across Alabama Communities

The first BCBSAL-sponsored Fitness Court opened at Pratt Park in Prattville in June 2022. Since then, the partnership has expanded to communities across Alabama, bringing free outdoor exercise opportunities to parks and other public spaces.

NFC reports open Fitness Courts in 19 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Communities with courts include Prattville, Hartselle, Decatur, Athens, Leeds, Prichard, Saraland, Daphne, Hoover, Oxford, Florence, Huntsville, Fultondale, Homewood, Northport, Kimberly, Enterprise, Thomasville, Good Hope, Red Bay, Fairhope, and Center Point.

Huntsville has multiple locations, some of which feature murals by local artists as part of NFC’s artist series. Additional projects have been announced for school and college campuses and other public spaces. Planned projects, however, should be distinguished from courts already open to the public.

The number of open courts can change as new projects are completed. NFC’s statewide campaign information is the best source for the current count.

Local Impact and Community Response

At local openings, community leaders and partners have emphasized the value of making exercise more accessible.

At the opening of the court in Kimberly, Martin said, “We are proud to partner with the City of Kimberly and NFC to bring a fitness court to this area of Jefferson County. It is our hope that this dynamic platform will provide Kimberly residents and the community an innovative avenue to get healthier.”

Menaged added, “National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome the City of Kimberly to the campaign as a leader in Alabama, championing health and wellness for their residents.”

Speaking about the Enterprise court, Martin noted, “We are privileged to partner with Enterprise Parks and Recreation to bring our Blue Cross sponsored Fitness Courts to Alabama. It is our hope that this dynamic platform will provide Enterprise residents and the community an innovative avenue to get healthier.”

In Homewood, she described it as “a privilege to collaborate with the City of Homewood as they take an exciting step to further improve access to free exercise in their community,” adding that the initiative gives residents “another channel to lead their healthiest lives.”

The courts also complement existing recreational amenities. In Hartselle, the Fitness Court at Sparkman Park sits alongside facilities that include sports fields, an aquatic center, and disc golf. In Huntsville, courts located in public parks provide another option for residents looking to incorporate exercise into their routines without paying for a gym membership.

Some communities have also organized free group activities at their courts, giving residents opportunities to exercise together and connect with neighbors.

Addressing Cost and Access Barriers

Gym memberships and specialized fitness facilities can be expensive or inconvenient for people with limited budgets, transportation challenges, or irregular schedules. For those who feel intimidated by traditional gym settings, exercising in a familiar public space may offer a more comfortable alternative.

By eliminating membership fees, the Fitness Courts provide an additional option for people who want to exercise without paying for a gym. Their placement in public spaces can make physical activity more convenient for nearby residents, while adaptable exercises allow users to work at a level suited to their fitness.

The courts are designed for people with varying fitness levels, but access and suitability depend on individual needs and the features of each location. Transportation, site accessibility, weather, and the physical requirements of particular exercises can still affect whether a court works for a given user.

For busy parents, workers, and older adults, the short workout format may offer a convenient way to incorporate movement into the day. Users should choose exercises appropriate for their abilities and modify movements as needed.

Outdoor exercise can also offer opportunities to spend time outside while being physically active. Research has explored possible connections between outdoor activity and psychological well-being, though the benefits vary and should not be assumed to be the same for every person.

The Public-Private Model Driving Expansion

The partnership model helps extend the campaign’s reach. BCBSAL provides sponsorship and support, while participating cities, parks departments, school systems, and other local partners may contribute funding, site preparation, or other resources.

NFC supplies design expertise, planning assistance, digital tools, and activation support. This approach has helped bring Fitness Courts to both larger cities and smaller communities, from the Birmingham metropolitan area to places such as Red Bay and Thomasville.

Some sites also include Fitness Court Studios for outdoor group instruction, expanding the ways residents can use the spaces beyond self-guided workouts.

NFC continues to work with communities interested in developing new courts. Funding opportunities and project requirements vary, so cities, schools, and other prospective partners should consult the campaign directly for current information.

Looking Ahead

As the network grows, the partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and the National Fitness Campaign is helping make outdoor exercise more accessible to communities across the state.

By providing free workout spaces in public settings, the initiative gives Alabamians another option for building physical activity into their daily lives. The courts can complement existing parks, trails, and recreation programs, creating additional opportunities for neighbors to exercise alongside one another.

For communities considering a Fitness Court, the next steps involve identifying an appropriate site, determining local needs, and working with campaign partners to understand funding and implementation requirements.

The long-term vision is to make free outdoor fitness spaces a more common part of Alabama’s public landscape, giving residents another way to pursue physical activity without the cost of a private gym.

This Health & Wellness story is brought to you in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, supporting healthier communities across our state.