If joining the gym fills you with dread, outdoor exercise equipment may be the solution you are looking for. Outdoor gym equipment is outside and accessible for all. Local councils purposely position it so that you can’t help but be interested in it.
Outdoor gym equipment is free and can be incorporated into your daily run. Fitness instructors can incorporate it into their training sessions while penniless students can keep fit without worrying about the cost. The nature of outdoor gym equipment means that even the most reluctant gym-phobic would be tempted to have a go.
Regular exercise has been compared to the, ‘best medicine’, by doctors because of all of the health benefits it provides. The chances of having cancer or type two diabetes are reduced by 50% if you exercise regularly. You also lower your risk of early death by 30%. (Source: NHS Choices). People who exercise regularly are more likely to have a higher self-esteem and are less prone to depression.
Obesity and its related health problems are a drain on council’s budgets and efforts are made to encourage populations to exercise. The installation of outdoor exercise equipment in prominent places is due to a concept called, ‘The Nudge Theory’, Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2008). Essentially it involves directing people to make particular choices, in this instance the choice is to exercise. The same theory is used in sales and marketing, which entices us to purchase items that catch our eye. Appealing outdoor exercise equipment that is free to use and is interesting to look at should hopefully encourage people to exercise.
The resilience of the Nudge Theory is often questionable as some scholars believe it only brings short-term behaviour change. However, if it can encourage people who were once reluctant to exercise to get fit then it must be a good idea. (Source: Wikipedia).
Exercise is vitally important otherwise our bodies will stop working properly. Sitting watching your favourite box sets is as close to death as you can possibly get. Many people sit at a computer all day and rarely move a muscle. This inactivity causes our heart, lungs and muscles to become weaker and less able to deal with physical activity.
As well as strengthening our bodies, outdoor fitness equipment strengthens our minds. When we exercise our body produces chemicals called endorphins which make us feel happier and more relaxed. We meet people when we are outside exercising and improve our social circle.
Most importantly our overall health is improved due to exercise strengthening our immune system. It would seem that there is no real argument against participating in regular exercise. If you do have outdoor fitness equipment near you why not have a go?
Outdoor gym is equipment is perfect for those who like to exercise in the great outdoors rather than in a claustrophobic gym. Early morning joggers can incorporate press ups and pulls ups into their everyday routine. Parents taking young children out in their pushchairs can steal a sneaky workout while their babies are sleeping. Dog walkers can bulk up a bit while enjoying the fresh air with their pooch. Outdoor gym equipment is so accessible that everyone regardless of age and status can exercise together. Commuters walking home from work can even do a sit up or two so they feel energised for the rest of the evening.
Make use of your local park
Last year there was a surge in the popularity of outdoor exercise equipment, as more and more public parks aim to make fitness more accessible to all. This effectively creates a huge outdoor gym that is open to everyone and doesn’t cost you a penny.
Not only do you have plenty of space for cardio training, the outdoor exercise equipment allows you to create circuits so you can perform dips, press ups, shoulder press, lunges to name a few.
Unlike traditional gym equipment, outdoor fitness equipment can offer a more interesting and fun way to exercise. Our ‘Training Buddies’ range boasts a full circuit with over 100 different exercises and our ‘Trim Trail’ range that tests upper and lower body strength, coordination, agility and overall stamina.
Most towns and cities also have running clubs who meet at the park regularly, which is a great way to get active and to meet new people.
Exercise with your partner
Training with your other half has a number of benefits that could help to break down any barriers that could prevent you from achieving your goal. You won’t have to sacrifice any time away from your partner to exercise and it will give you more time to bond. Exercise releases ‘happy chemicals’ into the brain and helps you to de-stress, so if you exercise together then it could benefit your relationship.
Mix it up!
Keep your workouts varied so that you don’t get stuck in a rut and bored of the same routine. This will help you to remain focused on your goals and it will keep you interested. After all, variety is the spice of life!
Playdale’s selection of outdoor gym equipment comes in the form of, ‘Training Buddies’, which are a friendly set of figures that incorporate different exercise routines. Training Buddies are intended to be like having a personal trainer with you every time you exercise.
Training Buddies are Playdale’s set of outdoor fitness equipment. There are eight pieces altogether each exercising a different part of the body. Each training buddy is shaped like a friendly personal trainer. There are instructions by each piece of equipment so that you can follow the correct exercise routine.
The eight training buddies are:-
Sit Up
Pull Up
Press Up
Horizontal Pull Up
Squat
Lunge
Shoulder Press
Tricep Dip
Each piece of out
If you are a local council and are interested in installing outdoor gym equipment in parks and recreational areas please contact us and we would be delighted to discuss all of your options.
