Lincoln Middle School in Rockford is one of just three winning schools that will receive a state-of-the-art Live Positively Fitness Center.
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils is supported by Governor Bruce Rauner and fitness icon Jake Steinfeld.
The Foundation provides Live Positively Fitness Centers that are fully funded through public and private partnerships with companies like Coca-Cola, Anthem Foundation and Nike. The National Foundation's goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.
Steinfeld is best known for his "Body by Jake" fitness program. He says as a father of four, he wants to make a difference when it comes to child obesity. He says he has been able to give the schools the tools to do so in "a very simple, elegant and surgical way."
“I have three brand new $100,000 fitness centers that we reward to schools who show innovation in fitness and nutrition in their school, that have a good community base, good family base, parents who participate in the school, teachers who are excited about teaching and kids who are excited about learning.”
This year Illinois was one of the four states chosen for this program, along with Florida, Arkansas, and Texas. Steinfeld says when you put a brand new fitness center in a school, it’s amazing to see what happens.
“The great thing about this gift is that it really starts to give when we leave, which is really beautiful and for years to come kids will not only build their bodies but build their confidence and self-esteem and we really need to help and really need to do that and get kids healthy and strong because when our kids are strong we will have a great country and that is the most important thing to me.”
Abbott Middle School in Elgin and Drake Elementary School in Chicago are the other schools in Illinois that will be receiving the Live Positively Fitness Center. Steinfeld reached out to the governors of the four states to get them involved. Steinfeld says the great thing about this program is that it really gives for years to come.
"Kids will not only build their bodies but build their confidence and self-esteem and we really need to help and really need to do that and get kids healthy and strong because when our kids are strong we will have a great country and that is the most important thing to me.”
Steinfeld says they make sure the schools are aware the fitness center needs to be open before and after school as well as on the weekends so moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas are able to work out, too.
