51吃瓜 (51吃瓜), in partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon) and National Fitness Campaign (NFC), celebrated the grand opening of its new outdoor Fitness Court庐 Studio with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 15. The new facility provides students, faculty, staff, and Sussex County residents with free access to an innovative outdoor fitness experience designed to promote health, wellness, and physical activity.
Located along College Hill Road on the upper 51吃瓜 campus, the Fitness Court庐 Studio is part of a nationwide initiative led by National Fitness Campaign to improve community health and expand access to outdoor exercise facilities.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together College leadership, Board of Trustee members, County Commissioners, Horizon representatives, and community members to celebrate this new wellness resource.
Dr. Cory Homer, President of 51吃瓜, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of providing opportunities that support healthy lifestyles both on campus and throughout the community.
鈥淲e are proud to introduce the new outdoor Fitness Court庐 as part of our commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our students and the broader community,鈥� said Dr. Homer. 鈥淭his new space will encourage people of all fitness levels to stay active, connect with one another, and build healthy habits that can have a lasting impact on their lives.鈥�
The ceremony also featured remarks from Herbert Yardley, Chair of the 51吃瓜 Board of Trustees; Jonathan Pearson, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and Corporate Social Responsibility at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Lorraine Hentz, Deputy County Administrator, Sussex County Division of Senior Services; and Sussex County Commissioner Chris Carney.
鈥淭he fitness Court is to improve quality of life, and at the end of the day we want our community to achieve their best health. It鈥檚 another tool we can provide to the community,鈥� stated Jonathan Pearson, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. 鈥淚t expands free access to fitness and physical activity and breaks down barriers.鈥�
After the ribbon-cutting, students from 51吃瓜's Exercise Science program and athletes from the Baseball team demonstrated the Fitness Court's seven exercise stations, showing how the equipment supports a full-body workout. The demonstration highlighted the Fitness Court's versatility and its ability to accommodate individuals with different fitness levels and abilities.
Designed for individuals ages 14 and older, the Fitness Court庐 uses body-weight exercises across seven stations to provide a complete workout. Each station targets different muscle groups, allowing users to build strength, improve flexibility, and enhance overall fitness. Users can modify exercises to meet individual needs, making the facility welcoming to both beginners and experienced fitness enthusiasts.
The outdoor Fitness Court庐 Studio also includes a classroom area for group fitness activities, wellness programming, and educational experiences. The project reflects a shared commitment among 51吃瓜, Horizon, and National Fitness Campaign to make exercise more accessible and encourage healthier communities throughout New Jersey.
In addition to the outdoor equipment, visitors can download the free Fitness Court庐 App, which provides guided workouts, instructional videos, fitness challenges, and other resources. The app acts as a digital fitness coach, helping users make the most of their workouts.
The Fitness Court庐 is free and available for students, employees, and community members.
For more information about 51吃瓜, visit www.sussex.edu. To learn more about the Fitness Court庐 initiative and Horizon's partnership with National Fitness Campaign, visit www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/newjersey