If you cruise down California Street on any given day in Ruston, Louisiana, you’ll undoubtedly notice the concrete square with exercise/gymnastics equipment sitting on top…what is it?
Fitness Court is located next door to Neighborhood Walmart, and its true meaning has remained a mystery until now. We decided to do some research and shed light on its history, purpose, and placement within our small-town community. Let’s take a look!
Fitness Court Explained
What is it?
Fitness Court is an outdoor gymnasium and part of the National Fitness Campaign (NFC). The NFC’s mission is to build the world’s largest outdoor gym, and their campaign is currently on track to reach over 1,000 locations across the US by 2022. Ruston, LA’s Fitness Court was launched in 2020 in collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield, the City of Ruston, and the Lincoln Health Foundation. It’s also park of Ruston’s Rock Island Greenway (South), a pathway that runs from one end of the city to the other.
Who is it for?
Fitness Court is for any and everyone interested in living a healthier lifestyle. You don’t need a membership to use the gym, and the equipment is safe for all ages. If you don’t have access to an indoor gym, it’s a worthy alternative with basic equipment you can use to perform a variety of calisthenics exercises.
How does it work?
You can download the Fitness Court app on your iPhone or Android device for access to free tips, workout plans, and challenges designed specifically for the Fitness Court gym. The app has 14 7-minute or less workout routines which target different muscle groups and areas of fitness. You can work on strength, balance, mobility, endurance, and more. When you’re ready for a challenge, you can test your skills against other gym users and earn a ranking on the NFC leaderboards.
Should I go?
If you enjoy fitness already or are looking to make healthy lifestyle changes, it’s worth checking out! You can complete the Fitness Court app routines or create your own. If you start a new workout plan with a partner, the app makes it easy to hold each other accountable. You can show off your scores and text challenges back and forth to find out who’s the best!
Tips for Fitness Court
- Bring resistance bands with you if you really want to push yourself! They’ll allow you to do more exercises in addition to what Fitness Court already provides.
- The pavement gets hot in the middle of the day, so it’s best to go in the early morning or evening. Some exercises require you to place your hands on the ground, and it doesn’t feel good!
- To deal with the heat described above, you can bring a yoga mat. This will shield you from the concrete and protect you from blisters.
- Set a goal to go at least 2 or 3 times each week. It may sound like a lot at first, but once you get started, you’ll get in shape in no time!
Final Words
Most people believe the key to fitness is through a gym membership, but this is far from the truth. You can achieve a basic level of fitness using everything the Fitness Court and its app provide for free. Test it out and challenge yourself to a quick routine next time you’re in the area. You may find it’s the inspiration you need to help you live a better, healthier life!