Mayor Brown and BlueCross BlueShield Bring Back Free Outdoor Fitness
Community Will Have Access to a Variety of Socially Distant Exercise Classes
Buffalo, N.Y. — After nearly eight weeks of offering free virtual fitness classes, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is also bringing back two summertime favorites: in partnership with Buffalo Waterfront, Fitness at Canalside, and, in partnership with Mayor Byron W. Brown, Summer City Fitness at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The free, socially distant, outdoor exercise series will begin Saturday, August 8.
The area’s most recognized fitness coaches will lead classes throughout the City of Buffalo at Canalside and MLK, Jr. Park. Fitness at Canalside will feature La’ Movement Fitness on Mondays at 6 p.m., Graceful Warrior Yoga on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Shannon Connors Fitness on Saturdays at 9 a.m. For the fifth consecutive year, Mayor Brown and BlueCross BlueShield are pleased to offer Summer City Fitness, featuring La’ Movement Fitness on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Summer City Fitness will be recorded each week, with a link posted on the City's website for those who want to participate from the comfort of their own home.
"Thanks to a lot of hard work and creativity, we are pleased to again team up with BlueCross BlueShield on Summer City Fitness at MLK, Jr. Park," stated Mayor Brown. "I encourage City residents to join us on Saturdays for a fun, safe and lively in-person class, or join us virtually from your own home, if that makes you feel more comfortable."
In accordance with New York State guidelines, all fitness classes will be monitored to ensure limited class sizes and six feet of distance between individuals. Registration is free and required to maintain safe social distancing protocols. Masks are required when arriving and leaving classes. Participants can register through bcbswny.com/play or through BlueCross BlueShield’s social media channels.
“BlueCross BlueShield is pleased to bring the community back together again at some of Buffalo’s most-beloved destinations to exercise in a safe and healthy way,” said Julie R. Snyder, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. “Our virtual fitness classes will also continue through the end of the summer to give the community options to stay healthy.”
More than 2,000 Western New Yorkers have participated in the health plan’s free virtual classes since they launched in May. Individuals can continue to participate in the virtual classes through The Buffalo Waterfront website through the end of summer.
Fitness classes are free and open to individuals of all ages, regardless of fitness level or experience. On-site classes are weather dependent. Individuals can visit bcbswny.com/play for updates on summer fitness offerings.
Registration Links:
Summer City Fitness:
Fitness at Canalside:
About BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is a division of HealthNow New York Inc., one of New York’sleading health care companies that provides access to quality health care and solutions for members throughout Upstate New York. Since 1936, BlueCross BlueShield has helped millions of people gain accessto health care. Today, we offer a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. The company contributessignificantly to organizations that promote physical health, community health and our region’s health, and BlueCross BlueShield employees also raise and donate several hundred thousand dollars each year. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, the company is an independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.