Atlanta, Georgia – A daring public health campaign meant to integrate exercise into the fabric of daily life, named “Make Atlanta Your Own Gym,” has been launched by the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation and the Fulton County Board of Health. Launched under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active People, Healthy Nation framework, the initiative challenges Atlantans to view sidewalks, greenways, neighborhood parks and community centers as no-cost fitness venues—eliminating the need for a traditional gym membership.
Officials highlight concerning trends: less than one in four American adults now meet the CDC’s physical activity criteria; Georgia is in the top 20 states for adult obesity at 35.7 percent. Equally concerning, one child in every five in the state has health problems connected to obesity, and inactive habits add around $1 billion in yearly medical costs for Georgians.
“Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are among the leading causes of death in Georgia—and they are largely preventable through regular physical activity,” said Dr. Ammy Astacio, Healthcare Manager at the Fulton County Board of Health. “This campaign brings prevention to the streets, parks, and neighborhoods of Atlanta—making fitness easy, free, and a part of daily life.”
“Atlanta has continuously ranked as one of the leading cities in the nation for parks and greenspaces, and science has proved that both exercise and the outdoors is beneficial for our physical and mental health,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “The Make Atlanta Your Own Gym is a great tool for self-care and to connect with your community at the same time.”
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Starting this summer, the initiative will roll out a diverse lineup of programs designed for all ages and fitness levels:
- Citywide Fitness Challenges: Participants can track daily steps or minutes of activity, compete with neighbors and earn rewards for hitting movement milestones.
- Pop-Up Fitness Stations: Mobile setups—complete with resistance bands, stability balls and instruction cards—will appear in transit hubs, plazas and pocket parks across the city.
- Awareness Campaigns: A robust social media push and local outreach will spotlight success stories and offer tips on how to slot in short bursts of exercise amid busy schedules.
- Community Collaboration: Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, local trainers and neighborhood influencers will amplify the message, ensuring that every corner of Atlanta feels the momentum.
“Accessible fitness is about more than exercise—it’s about equity, mental wellness, and building stronger neighborhoods,” said DPR Commissioner Justin Cutler. “This campaign brings those values to life in every community across Atlanta by promoting health and wellness to encourage physical activity in neighborhood parks and recreational facilities.”
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“Make Atlanta Your Own Gym” is more than a fitness campaign; it’s a call to rethink how and where wellness takes place. City and county officials believe that by converting regular streets and parks into exercise zones, people will find new, sustainable methods to remain active, improve their well-being, and become stronger together.
