State-of-the-Art Outdoor Fitness Court Opens on Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ Campus to Make Fitness Free for All Students and the Local Community
Albany, New York - Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS), MVP Health Care, and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today launched the new MVP Health Care Fitness Court on the ACPHS campus.
The new Fitness Court® is a free, open-air wellness center that allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout. The MVP Health Care Fitness Court is a result of a partnership launched this spring between MVP Health Care and National Fitness Campaign to create active public spaces and encourage a healthy lifestyle. The Fitness Court will be available for use by all ACPHS faculty, staff and students, as well as Albany Law School, Russell Sage College, Albany Medical College, and the community-at-large.
“Good physical and mental health play an enormous role in the ultimate success of our students, faculty and staff,” said ACPHS President and Professor, Toyin Tofade, MS, PharmD, BCPS, CPCC, FFIP. “I believe in making small changes that have big impacts. This Fitness Court clearly is that kind of addition to ACPHS. We’re proud to host it on our campus for use by our partnering institutions in Albany’s medical corridor and the community-at-large.”
The MVP Health Care Fitness Court includes 30 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment, allowing users of all skill levels to leverage their body weight at different angles and resistance levels to increase mobility and muscular strength. Users move among seven different zones – core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility, and bend. Each element can be used for hundreds of exercise variations, providing opportunities for those beginning their fitness journey, elite athletes, and every user in between. Users can also download the free Fitness Court app, which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and transforms the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience.
MVP Health Care President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Del Vecchio, a 1988 graduate of ACPHS, said, “As a leading health care services company, investing in our local communities and offering new, innovative wellness options like the Fitness Court reinforces our commitment to giving back to the people we serve and places we call home. We are proud to partner with NFC and ACPHS to bring this unique opportunity to the local community and look forward to seeing you on the Fitness Court.”
“We are excited to have Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences join us as we make a positive impact on health and wellness across America,'' said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the Fitness Court and ongoing engagement in healthy lifestyles demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the community.”
The Fitness Court at ACPHS is possible through generous support from Matt Bette, PepsiCo, and Albany Law School, as well as numerous individual supporters and alumni.
To learn more about the MVP Health Care Fitness Courts, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/NewYork.
About Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Founded in 1881, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) is a private, independent college dedicated to educating the next generation of leaders to improve the health of society. The College offers 12 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the only Masters of Biomanufacturing and Bioprocessing degree in the state. Students have myriad opportunities to extend what they are learning in the classroom through experiential learning opportunities such as in our Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) as well as at student-supported pharmacies in underserved communities and a public health Collaboratory, designed to alleviate community health disparities. ACPHS ranks #1 in New York State for best return on investment according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce and was graded an A+ for value by Niche. For more information, visit www.acphs.edu.
About MVP Health Care
MVP Health Care is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health insurer caring for members in New York and Vermont. Committed to the complete well-being of our members and the communities we serve, MVP makes health insurance more convenient, more supportive, and more personal. For more information, visit www.mvphealthcare.com, or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About NFC
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors with the mission to build healthy communities. NFC delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered on the world’s best outdoor gym: The Fitness Court®. The Campaign is planning its 500th Healthy Community, uniting the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Follow us on social media @NatFitCampaign and #Fitnesscourt.
MEDIA CONTACT
Kristin Marshall
Director of Communications
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
(518) 694-7373
kristin.marshall@acphs.edu