Get ready to get your workout on, Seymour.

The city’s new fitness court will officially open to the public Aug. 31.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by a fitness challenge demonstration until noon featuring teams from area schools, gyms and first responders.

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The event is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to participate, said Bob Tabeling, director of the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department. Free promotional water bottles and T-shirts will be handed out to participants while supplies last.

Located just northeast of the pavilion in the new Crossroads Community Park in downtown Seymour, the freestanding outdoor court features 30 individual pieces of stationary equipment.

Each fitness station incorporates the National Fitness Campaign’s body weight circuit-training system, and the entire court has a shock-resistant sports flooring to allow for safe workouts.

Up to 28 people can use the 35-by-32-foot fitness court at one time. The equipment promotes seven different movements or exercises: Core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility and bend.

“Individuals can be as creative as their skill level allows so they can be safe,” Tabeling said. “The benefits of the exercises range from core strength to flexibility and agility.”

Tabeling said the fitness court also should help generate more foot traffic in the downtown.

People can access workouts and challenges for beginner to advanced levels by downloading the fitness court app on their phone through the National Fitness Campaign.

And the best part? The fitness court is absolutely free for people to use to promote physical fitness, encourage activity and increase community wellness, Tabeling said.

The $90,000 fitness court was funded through grants from the Schneck Foundation, Healthy Jackson County, Seymour Rotary and National Fitness Campaign.

“These organizations continue to find ways to improve the health and wellness of our community and county,” Tabeling said.

The fitness court will be accessible during regular park hours, which are 5 a.m. to midnight year-round. It is recommended for people age 14 and up.

“This is an excellent opportunity for individuals of any age and at any skill level to utilize a world-class workout facility at no financial cost,” Tabeling said. “Beginners that have not been involved in a fitness facility maybe due to the financial commitment can now put together a routine at the fitness court for absolutely nothing.”

The fitness court also can serve as a challenge and change of scenery for those who regularly go to a gym.

On Sept. 1, Seymour resident Tyler Henkle is organizing a 50-hour fitness challenge demonstration. He has invited five local gyms to send representatives to the fitness court that day to work out for 10 hours straight, for a total of 50 hours.

“The possibilities are really endless,” Tabeling said.

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What: Opening of Seymour’s new downtown fitness court

When: 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 31. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a public fitness challenge demonstration with local school officials, representatives from area gyms and first responders.

Where: Crossroads Community Park in downtown Seymour

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