Have you ever bought a gym membership with great intentions and only worked out twice a month? If so neither your bank balance or your body will benefit from your expenditure. Outdoor gym equipment is a wonderful way to use machines to exercise and expose yourself to fresh air and sunshine. The best part of using outdoor gym equipment is that it is completely free and anyone can use it. Outdoor gym equipment uses the nudge factor to encourage people to use it – this is basically the same principle as leaving a packet open biscuits on the table – people will help themselves because it is there.
These days we are a little obsessed with wearing sunblock and protecting our skin from the sun’s rays. Ironically by saving our skin we are causing many deficiencies in our body that can make us unwell. Sunlight increases the brain’s release of serotonin which helps us to feel good and more focused on our work. We are more likely to sleep better at night after exposure to sunlight because our bodies will produce melatonin more efficiently. The chemical reaction of sunlight on our skin enables the production of vitamin D which strengthens our bones. There is also thought to be a connection between exposure to sunlight and Multiple Sclerosis – people are less likely to suffer from the disease nearer to the Equator, where the sunlight is stronger.
Outdoor gym equipment encourages us to participate in aerobic exercise which involves pumping oxygenated blood around the body and subsequently strengthening muscles. It works by the oxygen burning fat and glucose in muscles and producing adenosine triphosphate, which is an energy carrier for all cells. You know when you are putting in a sufficient amount of effort because you will be sweating and panting. The aim of aerobic exercise is to improve the efficiency at which oxygen is burnt, increasing stamina and allowing us to enjoy the trim trail for longer.
Outdoor gym equipment encourages you to be sociable because you normally have to walk through a park or along a prom to get to it. You can’t help but say hello to people and stop for a chat. There will be a sense of camaraderie as you all puff and pant with the exertion of exercising. Although the dynamics of human relationships can be trying at times, being completely alone all of the time is not good for us either. Sharing experiences with other people can sometimes make everything seem so much more real. Also great friendships are made when you all share the same goal.
Playdale calls its outdoor gym equipment , ‘Training Buddies’, because each piece looks like a personal trainer. Exercises include; Sit – Up, Pull – Up, Press – Up, Horizontal Pull – Up, Squat, Lunge, Shoulder Press and Tricep Dip. There are instructions for each piece of outdoor gym equipment so that you can do the exercises correctly. The Training Buddies can be organised as a complete group or at intervals in a park.
If you are a local council, tourist attraction or playground committee and want to turn your community into healthy citizens please contact us and we would be delighted to discuss your options.
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