Spring will be here before you know it, and that means more people will be taking their exercise routines outdoors. If you're considering a new exercise park with walking paths and outdoor fitness equipment, you're in good company. Communities across Canada are making a move to help people get moving outdoors.
Designing a new fitness park is a great way to remove barriers to better health and wellness for adults. But if you're new to outdoor fitness, it can be easy to make a mistake. Read on and learn three mistakes to avoid when creating an outdoor gym.
Mistake #1 - Trying Something "Too New"
Humans are creatures of habit. Most adults have seen gym equipment like a chest press or chin-up bar. It's essential to include familiar-looking equipment to make it easy for users to feel comfortable at your fitness park.
Look for commercial outdoor fitness equipment that mimics the mechanics and functional fitness benefits of the gym equipment people already know. Users will be more likely to use the equipment and be confident about their workouts.
Mistake #2 - Not Providing Enough Variety
Exercise is most effective when it challenges a user in new and different ways. For example, if a person runs the same pace and distance every day, the benefits of exercise diminish over time. Why? Our bodies adapt to the stressors they encounter.
Professionals recommend you mix up your exercise routine by adding hills to your run, strength and resistance training for your different muscle groups, and adapting your workout based on your particular fitness level over time.
Include a wide variety of exercise equipment that addresses all five elements of a well-rounded workout:
- aerobic fitness
- muscle fitness
- core strength
- balance
- flexibility
Providing all five of these elements ensures users get a complete and effective workout.
Mistake #3 - Going it Alone
It can be tempting to pick up a fitness equipment catalog, measure out your space, and plan an outdoor workout area on your own. But selecting the wrong equipment, or designing a space without research, can be a costly mistake.
GameTime Canada's outdoor fitness experts utilize a research-based approach to help you understand the specific needs of adults in your community. We select the right combination of outdoor fitness products and help you design an inviting and inclusive park for everyone.
There is no cost for our design and planning assistance, and you'll have the confidence of knowing your outdoor fitness space is the perfect fit.
Make Better Health a Community Priority
If you want to help adults in your neighborhoods achieve and maintain better health, and enjoy the benefits of outdoor exercise, an outdoor fitness park is a great idea. Choose fitness equipment that is familiar and easily recognizable. Include a wide variety of workout stations, and work with experts who can give you clear direction and guidance to create the right outdoor gym for your needs.
To learn more about GameTime Canada's outdoor fitness options, request more information using the form below.