Where is the world’s best outdoor gym? Ursinus has an answer: soon to be on the front lawn of the Floy Lewis Bakes Center.
Ursinus has laid down the foundation, literally, for the Fitness Court. This is an outdoor gym facility that “is designed to provide a full body workout in only seven minutes, all for free in the great outdoors.” The Fitness Court aims to be the best outdoor gym in the world because of its versatility and technology to promote full body workouts. In using the facility, patrons will be able to focus on their core, agility, and stretching, while also being able to complete exercises with squats, pushes, lunges, and pulls. There will be seven zones of the facility, each of which focusing on different movements and exercises. The Fitness Court will utilize shock absorbing integrated sports floors, various sets of pull up bars and rings, platforms, and open spaces to complete a full body workout.
Jody LaVerdure, Executive Director of Advancement, spoke to Ursinus’s desire to implement a facility of this nature on campus. LaVerDure states, “Ursinus College is a designated Health-Promoting Campus, committed to advancing well-being through a systems-based approach that benefits both our campus and the broader community.” While Ursinus has various wellness programs available for students and staff, the goal in adding the Fitness Court is to, “embed well-being into its policies, processes, structures, and environments—ensuring it is a foundational part of the institution.”
Ursinus’s ability to install this new outdoor facility results from a grant from Independence Blue Cross and the National Fitness Campaign, “to bring free, outdoor fitness centers to Southeastern Pennsylvania.” In addition to the funds from the grant, the remaining funding was from individual donors—the total budget of the project is $200,000. According to Steve Halasa, Senior Director of Facilities, the completion of the Fitness Court is scheduled for June 19th, weather permitting.
The Fitness Court will not be restricted to use by students and staff but rather allow access to the broader community. As Ursinus is an open campus, the objective is to encourage members of the community to use the facility. LaVerdure explains that because it is, “located along the Perkiomen Trail, the Fitness Court has the potential to become a destination for community members and visitors—offering a place to gather, stay active, and connect. It also reflects our commitment to being good neighbors and contributing positively to the surrounding community.” The Fitness Court will be available to use twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This lack of time-restricted access is exciting as it will allow students, staff, and community members to use the facility whenever they are free, rather than adhering to the opening and closing times of the Ursinus weight room.
While Ursinus is excited to add this new dimension to its campus and wider community, there are safety concerns that follow. Because of its twenty-four/ seven accessibility, there are concerns for patron safety, but this facility will be treated no differently than an outdoor gym at a park—facility users will be working out at their own risk. Improper or irresponsible use are also a concern. According to Halasa, “We are also looking into a camera on the area to monitor the area for incorrect usage, vandalism, etc.”
Overall, this new addition to Ursinus’s campus is beyond exciting as it promotes the environment, health, and community. Students and staff will be provided another area to complete a workout, and community members will be provided a free state-of-theart facility in which they can focus on their own fitness. Ursinus is continuing to add new and innovative aspects to its campus, promoting not only more interaction with the Collegeville community, but admissions efforts as well.