WESTLAKE, Ohio -- TravelCenters of America (TA) will offer another StayFit free fitness center at its soon-to-open travel center in Dallas. TA Dallas South, located at Interstate 20, Exit 472/I-635 in Dallas, is scheduled to open next month. It will contain the 40th StayFit fitness center in the TA and Petro Stopping Centers network.

The company said it plans to open additional facilities across the United States.

The StayFit fitness centers, launched in early 2011, are free to all professional drivers who are members of the company's UltraONE Driver Rewards Program. Drivers simply swipe their card to enter the fitness room, where they can enjoy a variety of fitness equipment. The facilities are outfitted with weight scales, workout mats, shelving for customer storage of gear during their workouts, wall-mounted TVs and fans.

In addition to the fitness rooms, there are a combined 120 mapped walking trails at TA and Petro locations nationwide. Another recent investment in driver wellness options are free basketball courts at six TA and Petro sites, with more locations to be added soon.

StayFit also extends beyond exercise with the availability of better dining options at participating TA and Petro Stopping Centers sit-down restaurants. StayFit menu options are called out with the initiative's logo. Healthier snack options can also be found in all travel stores in a special StayFit section.

"We continue to see trends favoring wellness initiatives within the professional driver community, and TravelCenters was first to meet that growing demand," said Tom O'Brien, TA president and CEO. "We think the best thing we can do for drivers interested in wellness is to provide them with tools and options that will help make it easier, not harder, for them to commit to meeting their own personal fitness goals. The last thing I want to do is make committing to fitness more difficult for drivers by requiring them to pay -- the Dallas location is our 40th facility open, and our 40th facility that is free of charge."