Exercise is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It helps increase energy levels, reduce health risks, improve mood and more. The challenge is finding the right place to exercise. Not everyone has the money for a gym membership or the space for exercise equipment in their home. Outdoor fitness areas offer an ideal solution for all community members.
Outdoor fitness equipment can be added easily to parks, rec centers or schools, making exercise accessible and affordable. An outdoor fitness station also provides opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels to get outside, be active and have fun while doing so. Visitors will enjoy the unique health benefits of exercising outdoors, such as vitamin D production and stronger immune systems.
Read on to learn how you can create an outdoor fitness area for your community.
- Choose the Right Equipment
Choosing the right equipment for your outdoor space is the first and most important step. Modern outdoor exercise equipment for parks and playgrounds can be as striking as it is functional. The components are designed to enhance the spaces they occupy.
For a more complete solution with various fitness options, consider Outdoor Fit’s robust, weatherproof, tamper-proof multi-gyms. These compact and durable systems look similar to traditional indoor gym equipment, but they’re designed for outdoor spaces and allow up to five users to work out at a time, providing a full body workout for every level of user.
Another popular solution for communities with a bit more space is a complete fitness circuit, or outdoor calisthenics gyms. Some of our favorite circuits, like these from industry leader TrekFit, allow visitors to perform a different exercise at each station for a complete workout that engages the entire cardiovascular system. At calisthenics racks, visitors can strengthen their muscle groups by performing a series of bodyweight exercises. And with a complete solution like this, visitors are able to easily complete a warm-up, workout and stretching.
If choosing the right outdoor fitness equipment for your project feels overwhelming already, remember that you don’t have to do it alone – we can help!
2. Think Outside the Gym
Outdoor fitness areas can also provide options not found in the gym. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your designs!
If you’re looking for something more unique, you could choose an artificial rock climbing wall or obstacle course equipment. Free-standing climbing boulders and outdoor climbing walls bring dynamic visuals to your park or playground and open up new opportunities for activity. Bouldering offers participants a wide variety of physical and mental health benefits that are not always found in other sports, including improved flexibility and balance.
Obstacle courses also offer users of all fitness levels a unique way to work out. The different pieces are designed to strengthen and challenge the body, encouraging users to try out new skills as they navigate the course. Even better, they’re as aesthetically pleasing as they are fun!
3. Provide Cool Down Areas
Every outdoor space needs a spot where visitors can escape the elements. This is especially true for outdoor fitness areas since exercising in hot weather can put extra stress on the body.
Providing shade structures will give your visitors a space to cool down after working up a sweat on the outdoor fitness equipment. Shelters and shade are proven to cut temperatures down by an average of 20 degrees.
There are a variety of options available, too. Gazebos and pavilions have a classic design and serve as central gathering spots for all to enjoy. Steel shelters provide the best durability, utilizing a zinc-rich polyester primer and polycoat paint to ensure long-term life expectancy. Steel shelters usually must adhere to certain building codes. All Inclusive Rec can help you navigate the process and get your shelter installed hassle-free.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, fabric shade structures are a great solution. Designed to provide up to 98% UV protection, fabric shades are fully customizable, giving you room to explore fun colors, unique shapes and an array of sizes. You can even have it printed with your own logo or design!
4. Don’t Forget Site Furnishings
Before you debut your new outdoor fitness area, make sure you have all the amenities visitors will need, like seating and trash cans. The right site furnishings will ensure your space is not only comfortable and clean, but also beautiful and inspiring.
You can add bike racks to encourage even more physical activity and foster an environmentally conscious community. Planters are a great accent piece for any space, and TerraCast has a wide selection of styles, including Grecian and contemporary. Remember to provide convenient trash, recycling and ash receptacles, too. This is a great way to encourage guests to clean up after themselves, keeping the space clean and usable for everyone.
Site furnishings are available in a wide variety of styles and materials, allowing you to pick the perfect pieces to complement your design and craft the experience you want visitors to have.
Get Started Today
Every outdoor fitness project is different and has its own unique needs. All Inclusive Rec will work with you to design a customized solution for your project. We carry outdoor fitness equipment that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, including people who use wheelchairs and senior populations. Ask a member of our team about the needs and abilities of your space’s intended users, and we can explore the possibilities together.
We have representatives in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois ready to help your community discover the fun of fitness! You can contact us at any time to tell us about your project.
After finding the perfect outdoor fitness solutions for your community, we can help complete the space with other fantastic outdoor elements. Our team can provide:
And more!
Let’s get started today! Just fill out the form at https://allinclusiverec.com/contact.