Superblock’s new fitness court promotes accessible exercise

The University of Minnesota’s Recreation and Wellness Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield hosted a grand opening event on Sept. 27 to unveil its new fitness court. 

The court is located in Superblock, the area of campus with the University’s highest concentration of residence halls. The fitness court, which is free to all students, has a variety of outdoor fitness pieces, including pull-up bars, gymnastic rings and more. 

Students can use these pieces with the Fitness Court App, which helps users perform seven key exercise movements — core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility and bend. 

The University’s Recwell team worked closely with Bukata Hayes, vice president for racial and health equity and chief equity officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, and other members of Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota.  

Hayes has worked to put up similar courts in other Minnesota communities, such as Shakopee and Willmar. Hayes said he sees these courts as an investment into the communities. 

“This investment is in sort of encouraging health and healthy lifestyles and activities,” Hayes said. “I think the other benefit is that it’s a really visual encouragement to get active, which I think is important as well.” 

Benjamin Kohler, the fitness and wellness director at the RecWell, said he is happy the court will allow students to get active by avoiding boundaries of financial barriers and accessibility. 

“You can be creative,” Kohler said. “You can go by yourself. You can go with a group. There’s just so many opportunities to move with this new installation, and we’re super excited about students utilizing it.” 

George Brown, assistant vice provost in the Office for Student Affairs and RecWell director, said the Student Services Committee provided much support in the installation process.

“They were initially in on this project and supportive of having events out there as we went back to them over the course of this project and kept them updated,” Brown said. “Their support was unwavering. Their partnership was make or break, and they saw us get it across the finish line.”

Hayes and his team wanted to utilize local artists, which they did by commissioning a University alumna artist to create a mural, serving as a vibrant backdrop to the new court. 

Brown said the installment removes both real and perceived barriers. 

“There is no cost,” Brown said. “There’s no judgment being passed. I do my thing and I move on, and I go get something to eat. Or I go on to my next class. So all the things that align with better public health doctrine is to remove barriers.”

Hayes said by using the fitness app, users can connect via a QR code with the court to try a workout made specifically for the court, helping make fitness accessible for students and community members. He added the app also allows users to track personal health directly. 

“It provides an option, really a gathering place for the community to come and be active in living a healthy life,” Hayes said.