Outdoor Fitness Court®

About the Fitness Court®

The National Fitness Campaign Fitness Court® is an outdoor bodyweight training system designed around seven fundamental movement areas:

1. Core – exercises designed to strengthen and stabilize the abdominal and trunk muscles.
2. Squat – lower-body movements that develop strength, stability, and functional movement.
3. Push – upper-body exercises using body weight at varying levels of difficulty.
4. Lunge – exercises that challenge lower-body strength, balance, and coordination.
5. Pull – movements focused on the back, arms, shoulders, and upper body.
6. Agility – activities designed to develop coordination, speed, balance, and cardiovascular fitness.
7. Bend – functional movements emphasizing flexibility, mobility, and posterior-chain strength.

Exercises can be adapted for different fitness and experience levels, allowing users to progress at their own pace.

Users may move through all seven stations for a full-body circuit or focus on individual stations based on their fitness goals. The National Fitness Campaign also offers a free Fitness Court® App with instructional videos, guided workouts, exercise variations, and workouts for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users.

The additional Studio side expands the Fitness Court® beyond individual circuit training and provides space for organized and instructor-led activities, including:

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Stretching and mobility
• Group fitness
• Wellness classes
• Strength and conditioning activities
• Academic laboratory and experiential learning activities
• Fitness demonstrations
• Community health and wellness programming

The SVSU outdoor Fitness Court® is intended for both the SVSU community and the greater community.

SVSU Students, Faculty and Staff

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the Fitness Court® for:

• Individual fitness and wellness
• Informal group exercise
• Academic courses
• Laboratory and experiential learning activities
• Faculty-led instruction
• Student wellness programming
• Research and educational activities, when appropriately approved
• Campus organizations and activities
• Organized fitness and wellness programs

The Community

• SVSU welcomes community members to use the Fitness Court® for individual physical activity and wellness during available hours.
• Community organizations, health and wellness professionals, nonprofit organizations, schools, and other groups may also request to reserve the Fitness Court® for organized activities and programming.

The SVSU Outdoor Fitness Court® is generally available:

Daily: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Because the facility is outdoors, availability is weather permitting.
• The Fitness Court® should not be used when weather or environmental conditions make outdoor exercise unsafe, including severe weather, lightning, ice, snow accumulation, or other hazardous conditions.
• Hours and availability may also be modified for University events, maintenance, safety concerns, or other operational needs.

Open Use and Reserved Use

• When the Fitness Court® has not been reserved, individuals may use the facility on a first-come, first-served basis during normal operating hours.
• Users are encouraged to share the facility and be respectful of others who may be exercising at the same time.
• A reservation is recommended when an individual or group needs exclusive or structured use of one or both sides of the Fitness Court®.

Scheduling and Reservations

• Because the Fitness Court® is both an educational resource and a community wellness resource, SVSU seeks to balance academic, campus, and community use.

Priority for Academic Use

• SVSU academic instruction and academic programming receive priority in scheduling.
• Faculty members who plan to use the Fitness Court® as part of a course, laboratory, demonstration, experiential learning activity, or other academic purpose are encouraged to reserve the space in advance.
• Priority may also be given to scheduled SVSU programs, student activities, and University-sponsored health and wellness initiatives.
• Whenever possible, scheduled academic use should be planned in advance so that availability can be communicated to other users.

Community and Organized Group Reservations

• Community groups and organizations wishing to conduct an organized class, program, event, or group activity should reserve the Fitness Court® in advance.
• Reservations help ensure that the space is available and prevent conflicts with academic classes, University programs, and other scheduled activities.

Scheduling for organized use of the SVSU Outdoor Fitness Court® is coordinated through the:

SVSU Center for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning

Email: communityengagement@svsu.edu
Phone: (989) 964-2112

When requesting a reservation, please provide:

• Name and contact information
• Organization or SVSU department, if applicable
• Requested date
• Requested beginning and ending time
• Approximate number of participants
• Type of activity or program
• Whether the Fitness Court®, Studio side, or both are requested
• Name of the individual responsible for the activity

Submitting a request does not guarantee availability. Confirmation should be received before announcing or conducting an organized activity.

The Fitness Court® is designed primarily around bodyweight exercise, so users do not need traditional exercise machines or weights to complete a workout.

Instructional graphics located at the Fitness Court® provide examples of exercises that can be performed at each station.

Users can also access the free National Fitness Campaign Fitness Court® App for additional guidance, including:

• Exercise demonstrations
• Guided workouts
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced options
• Workout variations
• Fitness challenges
• Training guidance

Users should select exercises appropriate for their individual fitness and ability level and exercise within their personal capabilities.

Be Safe. Be Courteous. Be Active.

To help keep the Fitness Court® safe and welcoming for everyone:

• Use the equipment only for its intended fitness purpose.
• Follow posted instructions and exercise guidance.
• Be considerate of others and share equipment during open-use periods.
• Do not interfere with scheduled classes, programs, or reserved activities.
• Children should be appropriately supervised.
• Do not use the Fitness Court® when surfaces are wet, icy, snow-covered, damaged, or otherwise unsafe.
• Appropriate athletic footwear is recommended.
• Bring water and remain adequately hydrated.
• Stop exercising if you experience pain, dizziness, unusual shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms.
• Please help keep the area clean and free of litter.
• Report damaged equipment or unsafe conditions to SVSU.

Fitness, Learning, and Community

• The SVSU Outdoor Fitness Court® represents more than a place to exercise. It is an investment in prevention, health promotion, experiential learning, and community well-being.
• By making outdoor physical activity accessible to students, faculty, staff, and community members, SVSU is creating another opportunity for people to move, learn, connect, and take an active role in their health.