Multiple studies have shown a variety of increased benefits of outdoor exercise and new innovations are engaging adults of all abilities through creative Outdoor Adult Fitness Parks. There are many compelling evidence-based benefits of outdoor exercise, including improved psychological and physiological health, disease prevention, improved adherence to regular exercise, decreased tension and depression, increased energy, greater satisfaction levels, and access to green environments.
When you consider an indoor gym, there are so many pieces of equipment to choose from that it’s a good bet you’ll have access to what you need to get a great, total body workout. With an outdoor space, often the total number of apparatus will be between 6-15, so making the right choices to ensure the space can deliver a great workout is critical. If you have 6 items that all work the arm and upper body muscles, there will be limited appeal and a less than optimal workout.
Here are the five areas of focus that should be considered:
All of these areas of focus come together to create better functional fitness, which is a classification of training that prepares the body for real-life movements and activities. Movements such as squatting, reaching, pulling, and lifting will be made easier with functional fitness integrated into your exercise routine. For example, let’s say you’re running for a bus (aerobic fitness) carrying your child in one arm (muscle fitness) and a bag of groceries in the other (core). As the bus begins to pull away, you work to get settled (balance) and set both your child and bag down safely, before sitting in a seat yourself (flexibility). By providing an outdoor fitness park with all five areas of focus included, you care helping your community be better functioning, as well as healthier.
Learn more about creating meaningful and effective Outdoor Adult Fitness spaces through this effective guidebook.