Community fitness programs

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

  • This strategy can help residents access health services. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
  • Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Program overview

  • Promoting community well-being: Community fitness programs promote public access to a variety of exercise and wellness activities. Such programming aims to increase physical activity and fitness.

  • Facilitating fitness activities: Community fitness programs are typically operated by public parks and recreation departments, nonprofit community centers, or private gyms. Programs may organize residents with similar fitness interests and/or offer instructor-led wellness classes. Some programs may also offer financial incentives to encourage sustained participation in classes.

  • Varied focuses and target populations: In addition to exercise-oriented classes (e.g., yoga, indoor cycling, basketball), community fitness programs may offer more general wellness classes, such as nutrition education. Programs may be open to all members of the public, or may focus on addressing the needs of certain groups (e.g., older adults, individuals with disabilities).

Strategies
Parks and public spaces
Cost per Participant
Not available

Multiple studies with rigorous designs demonstrate that community fitness programs are a well-supported strategy for increasing physical activity and fitness.

  • Incorporate community input: When designing community fitness programs, local leaders should incorporate community input when selecting the type and structure of fitness programs. Aligning offerings with residents’ interests may increase participation rates.

  • Conduct broad outreach: Community fitness programs should actively market their programmatic offerings to members of their community. Potential avenues for outreach include direct mail, digital advertising, partnerships with established community-based organizations, among others. Using multiple communication methods may help programs reach a broader audience.

  • Consider geographic location: When fitness activities are conveniently located, residents will be more likely to access them, especially on an ongoing basis. Community fitness programs should consider locating programming based on where the highest interest in a given activity exists (e.g., locating programming for older adults near senior housing).

  • Identify opportunities for collaboration: In many communities, fitness programming is offered by multiple organizations. By convening these organizations, local leaders may be able to avoid offering duplicative programming, share data and feedback on community preferences, and ensure better geographic coverage in their area.

Learn more:
County Health Rankings and Roadmaps evidence overview of community fitness programs Kling et al, "The Effect of a Park-Based Physical Activity Program on Cardiovascular, Strength, and Mobility Outcomes Among a Sample of Racially/Ethnically Diverse Adults Aged 55 or Older," Preventing Chronic Disease Vol. 15, December 2018 Holland, Greenberg, and Tidwell, "Community-Based Health Coaching, Exercise, and Health Service Utilization," Journal of Aging and Health, December 2005 Foster et al, "Attitudes Surrounding a Community-Based Fitness Intervention at an Urban FQHC," Family Medicine, 2019 Latimer, Brawley, and Bassett, "A systematic review of three approaches for constructing physical activity messages: What messages work and what improvements are needed?" International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2010 National Recreation and Parks Association