Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Growing Outdoor Gym Trend

It's no longer just kids who can find healthy outdoor entertainment in parks. Outdoor gyms or adult playgrounds have been cropping up in cities around the world. The borough of Camden in London was one of the pioneers of the genius new idea and is now home to a whopping nine outdoor gyms.

The unfortunate coincidence of increasing numbers of overweight people, and rising gym fees has left many in despair. Thanks to the invention of outdoor gyms that are free to use for everyone, this trend could be combated. People who previously had no access to a gym are now being given the chance to improve their fitness levels in a relaxed environment engulfed in fresh air.

The adult playgrounds are strategically placed in areas where they are hard to miss, and attract a lot of attention. Some of the London gyms are adjacent to children's playgrounds so parents can exercise while their kids are playing.

Children and teens are encouraged to try the equipment under adult supervision. Recently, a new council-funded project in Riga, Latvia saw an outdoor gym set up at a city centre school to encourage pupils to do more exercise and spend more time in the fresh air.

Outdoor gym equipment is similar to what you'd find in most fitness centres throughout the world. The difference is it's not dependent on electricity so no luxuries like a TV screen built into your machine... This makes it a lot easier to focus on what you've actually gone there for - exercise. Choose between high bars, cross trainers, exercise bikes and other devices to help you lose weight and build up some healthy muscle matter.

Warmer summer months are likely to see a surge in the number of users. Even those with a paid gym membership have been known to choose the outdoor equivalent when the sun's up. It makes a nice change from the usual sweaty gym atmosphere with loud music pumping on the stereo. And you're just as likely to meet a future partner at an outdoor gym as you are at an indoor fitness club.

Set Up Your Own Outdoor Gym

If you're not yet fortunate enough to have an outdoor gym in the vicinity but are the proud owner of a garden, terrace or balcony, you can set up your very own outdoor gym.

Purchasing your own equipment is a good investment that will pay off as you no longer have to fork out on expensive gym fees. Consult a professional equipment provider to make sure you've got enough machines to target all muscle groups.

Alternatively, if you already own indoor gym equipment, you can use it outdoors too. This allows you to create a temporary outdoor gym if you live in a country where the weather won't permit you to exercise outdoors all year round. In this case look into diesel generator rental to power your gear, and set up a marquee to protect you and your equipment from the elements. Or place your gym in a veranda or shed with the doors wide open to let the fresh air in.

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