OXFORD A new workout center opened in Oxford on Tuesday morning, and you only need to take it to your body.
The fitness center at Choccolocco Park allows people to use their own body weight to complete a workout using seven exercise stations.
The exercise center is a partnership between Blue Cross and Shield of Alabama, the city of Oxford and the National Fitness Campaign. At the ribbon cutting, the crowd of about 50 heard from city officials, a BCBS spokesperson, and the CEO of Alabama Specialty Projects, which built the park.
Oxford police officer Matthew Cheek demonstrates the training in the new gym. The Fitness Court, in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the City of Oxford and the National Fitness Campaign, opened a ribbon cutting ceremony in Choccolocco Park on Tuesday.
Bill Wilson / The Anniston Star
Oxford Mayor Alton Craft thanked everyone involved with the council and the mayor’s staff.
“This is going to be a park,” the mayor said.
Don Hudson, Oxford Parks and Recreation Director, said the park is unique and appropriate for this campus.
“At Choccolocco Park we like to say that we do everything that no other park can do and we did that and that’s what we intend to do forever,” said Hudson.
“We have a lot of people who come to Choccolocco Park who are not soccer players, they are involved in different events, and this is something else they can participate in,” he said.
Sophia Martin, director of communications and community relations at BCBS, said she was excited with the proposals.
“We are so honored with all of you, and I can’t tell you what this has been, the partnership with Oxon City,” Martin said.
Martin says he wants everyone to enjoy the free facility.
“You just couldn’t get a better place in a more beautiful city,” he said.
“The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is part of this initiative,” Martin said.
Timothy Johnson, CEO of Alabama Own Projects, said his company has built several other similar courts in the BCBS state.
“What I love most is the heart that follows what they’re asking us to do,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he uses a lot of rehabilitated people, people who are incarcerated and people who have been through disasters in their lives.
The Fitness Court, in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the City of Oxford and the National Fitness Campaign, opened a ribbon cutting ceremony in Choccolocco Park on Tuesday.
The fitness center consists of seven zones offering different workouts in each zone that trains a different part of the body. It can be applied because the car drives in the pocket and increases the outdoor gym. Convening court is open to anyone over the age of 14.
After the ribbon cutting, Oxford police officers and firefighters demonstrated various station workouts to all in attendance.
Oxford Police Officer Matthew Cheek enjoyed various positions in the fitness court.
“It’s pretty cool, you can get a good little workout here and it’s free to the public — it’s city money well spent,” Cheek said.
It is said that a good morning workout always makes a person feel better.
“No matter what your fitness level is, you can take advantage of this facility,” Cheek said.
The fitness center is open in the park hours Monday-Sunday 5 am – 10 pm
Staff Writer Bill Wilson: 256-235-3562. Twitter @bwilson_star.
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