Outdoor Fitness Concepts News and Blog

Family Resilience & High Needs Centre Outdoor Gym Case Study - Waltham Forest Council

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 14:06:35 GMT

Family Resilience & High Needs Centre Outdoor Gym Case Study - Waltham Forest Council

Outdoor Fitness Concepts partnered with Waltham Forest Council to deliver an outdoor gym at a new Family Resilience and High Needs Centre, a purpose-built facility to support families and children in the local area.

The outdoor gym was designed with a wide-ranging user demographic in mind; the equipment chosen had to be safe and accessible for younger users, as well as adults. Working closely with the client, Outdoor Fitness Concepts advised on the best equipment with variable weight loads to ensure all users could benefit from and enjoy the space safely.

As well as providing the equipment for the new facility, the Outdoor Fitness Concepts team utilised their expertise to provide support and guidance on the entire fit-out, including construction of the space and layout, also working closely with the contractor to co-ordinate the equipment install.

The new outdoor gym is home to four pieces from the OptiFit outdoor variable load strength equipment range, to include a chest press, lat pulldown, shoulder press and leg press, so users can target all major muscle groups in one workout. The variable load weight system was also adapted with a lower starting weight going up to 60kg, to support a wider range of users. An OptiFit converted rack with an aqua punch bag was also installed.

Training and demo videos for each piece of equipment were also supplied to support Centre staff with instructing new users of the facility.

“From the moment we engaged with Outdoor Fitness Concepts, the levels of responsivity and support were fantastic. Steve’s knowledge and attention to detail was invaluable in helping us to design the space, and ensure we were getting a solution that best met the needs of our diverse users – nothing was too much trouble, and he was always on-hand to answer any questions."

“Outdoor Fitness Concepts came recommended to me, and I would now highly recommend them too – both the quality of product and service provided was fantastic, we were kept well informed throughout, and we’ve been very impressed with the final outcome.”

Tessa Emery

FF&E Consultant,

Waltham Forest Council

WHAT MAKES A GREAT OUTDOOR GYM?

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:34:48 GMT

WHAT MAKES A GREAT OUDOOR GYM?

For the team at Outdoor Fitness Concepts, outdoors, in the fresh air, is the most special place to train and workout. All year round, we’ll opt to train outdoors over indoors at every opportunity we get.

Outdoor fitness spaces can even be more accessible than indoor gyms, helping more people in our communities engage in activities to help improve their physical health and wellbeing.

But at first glance, you might not be sure whether you have the space or right location for an outdoor fitness space. Here are three things to look out for when planning your outdoor gym.

Location

When it comes to planning your new outdoor gym, location is key. Where your fitness space is located is one of the biggest factors which will determine whether or not it sees use and, ultimately, whether or not it’s a success.

If your outdoor gym is in an area that’s exposed to the elements - located in a public car park and highly visible, for example, where everybody parking will see people training - people from all user groups may not feel comfortable using your outdoor space.

And access is equally important. Consider locating your gym next to a path, where people can walk comfortably from a firm or hard surface, it will see much more use. Your gym will also be more accessible to those who might have limited mobility, further improving access to health and fitness equipment in your community and for your users.

Maximise the equipment, the space, and the location, and people will use it.

Accessibility

Your gym should be as close to a point of access as possible.

If your access is on one side of your outdoor space, and your gym is in an isolated location on another side, this can put unnecessary barriers in place, depending on the size of the space, which could ultimately lead people to avoid using your outdoor gym. And if they have to trek across a field to access the equipment, especially in the winter months, they’re even less likely to use it!

Instead, you should lower the barrier to entry, providing access points close to your outdoor gym. Include signage in and around the area, benches where people can sit and rest, and a bike rack, so people feel confident cycling and storing their bike during their workout and can access the gym from further afield.

Equipment

Quite simply, one size doesn't fit all. Choose equipment for the target user group; 99% of current outdoor gyms in public spaces are designed for users of 11 years old and upwards, in the most part because they are unsupervised.

Most commercial Indoor gyms are designed and provide equipment for adults and developing young adults from around 14 years old, even ones that are unsupervised. The research around resistance training is profound, especially around our ageing population and its use to improve overall physical function.

With this in mind, we suggest you create zones in your outdoor gym. Create specific areas for specific users or specific training types, such as resistance, functional, cardio and mobility. The size and scale of equipment needed to fit a growing adult is very different from that needed for an 11 year old. If equipment is uncomfortable to use because of its size, then users won’t want to use it.

Outdoor variable load resistance equipment is designed for 14 year olds and upwards. It should be a standard feature in communities that have a public outdoor gym, otherwise you are missing an opportunity to improve the health outcomes of your ageing population. If you are targeting adults, then provide equipment specifically for this group and separate it from areas designed for younger users. Then stand back and watch an increase in users!

Lighting & Canopies

Neither lighting nor canopies are essential when designing every outdoor gym. But with the UK’s darker winters and inclement weather (to put it nicely!), these two features can help ensure your gym sees use all year round, no matter the weather or the conditions.

Whilst these will increase the initial cost of your outdoor gym, data from Europe suggests you can expect up to 40% more users when you have a canopy on an outdoor gym.

This can help you achieve a shorter return on your investment, with more people using your outdoor gym more often through the year.

If you speak to our highly experienced team, we’ll be able to offer advice on the design of your outdoor fitness facility, and suggest which features to prioritise based on your level of investment, geographical catchment area and targeted user groups when planning your outdoor gym.

To find out more about our complete service, from design to installation and maintenance of your outdoor gym, visit our website: https://www.outdoorfitnessconcepts.com/

THE AGEING POPULATION & OUTDOOR RESISTANCE TRAINING

183:835719941 (Steven Perrins) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 11:46:37 GMT

THE AGEING POPULATION & OUTDOOR RESISTANCE TRAINING

Older adults represent the fastest-growing age demographic of the population and Physiological changes associated with ageing can adversely impact their functional capacity, health outcomes, and quality of life.

These changes include a decline in muscle mass, strength and power and Resistance training is the only therapy known to consistently improve muscle mass, strength, power as well as overall physical function in older adults.

To combat this decline as we age, The ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) recommends that older adults perform the following each week:

A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, AND two or more nonconsecutive days of moderate-intensity strengthening activities, with eight to 10 exercises involving the major muscle groups and eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise.

Think about the impact that the provision of free public access to well designed, easy to use, and most importantly - variable load resistance equipment in dedicated outdoor training facilities in our parks and green spaces, would have in providing easy access to our the older adults in our community and their longer term health outcomes and quality of life.

For more information on how we can help your ageing local population: https://www.outdoorfitnessconcepts.com/contact-outdoor-fitness-concepts

OUTDOOR FITNESS CONCEPTS PARTNERS WITH OMNIGYM TO LAUNCH NEW NATIONAL OUTDOOR FITNESS INITIATIVE

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 17:04:09 GMT

The initiative is aimed at improving access to outdoor fitness equipment in UK public spaces to rival indoor facilities.

Councils, local authorities, and leisure operators with a local population of over 30,000 will be supplied with outdoor fitness equipment for free, as part of a six-week trial

Equipment is fitted with Omnigym SMART; data sensors to track usage and provide detailed analysis to inform future strategies to improve physical activity within UK communities

National Outdoor Fitness Initiative builds on the success of similar schemes across Europe, and aims to transform public spaces into accessible, community wellness hubs

Outdoor Fitness Concepts, the turnkey outdoor gym equipment and solutions provider, is launching a new, National Outdoor Fitness Initiative in partnership with Omnigym, offering the brand’s state-of-the-art outdoor strength equipment for free to councils, local authorities, and leisure operators, for installation in parks and other public spaces.

The new initiative is based on a six-week free trial aimed at promoting active lifestyles and improving health and wellness in UK communities, with access to outdoor strength training equipment which is certified EN 16630:2015 compliant and has been scientifically proven to be as good as or better than indoor gym equipment.

According to research analysis from 32 countries around the world, only 17.3% of individuals meet the recommended guidelines for both aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening activities. The National Outdoor Fitness Initiative provides a unique opportunity for UK councils and leisure trusts to introduce the world’s leading outdoor strength equipment from Omnigym, for free, to outdoor spaces in the heart of local communities.

Outdoor Fitness Concepts will install up to nine pieces of variable load strength equipment, including wheelchair-accessible pieces, all mounted on moveable platforms and able to be placed on any level surface.

The equipment will be installed with Omnigym SMART data sensors to measure a range of usage statistics. During the initial six-week trial period, Outdoor Fitness Concepts will share data and detailed feedback from users to support future health and fitness strategies and potential funding opportunities.

In a 2022 initiative conducted by Omnigym across eight European countries, 99% of the respondents wanted the outdoor fitness area to remain a permanent fixture, and 83% of the respondents considered the equipment to be “as good” or “better than” indoor equipment.

Data from three outdoor gyms that took part in the initiative in 2022 also counted nearly 100,000 visits and 11 million reps over a 12-month period.

Steve Perrins, founder and CEO of Outdoor Fitness Concepts, said: “From day one, Outdoor Fitness Concepts’ goal has been simple - to create incredible outdoor gyms and fitness spaces that inspire people to become more active, and help them manage health conditions and improve long term health outcomes.

“Many European countries have already seen the benefits from this initiative, and we firmly believe that there is great potential in the UK to transform public spaces into hubs of wellness, providing a convenient, accessible space for communities to come together, engage in physical activity, and prioritise their health.

“By collaborating with local authorities, councils and leisure operators, we aim to create vibrant, accessible outdoor fitness environments for all abilities that promote healthy living within communities.”

For more information on the National Outdoor Fitness Initiative, visit: https://www.outdoorfitnessconcepts.com/national-outdoor-fitness-campaign

RECENT SCIENTIFIC STUDY REVEALS THAT EXERCISING USING OMNIGYM OUTDOOR STRENGTH EQUIPMENT CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS INDOOR EQUIPMENT

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:46:28 GMT

A recent study conducted by the University of Jyväskylä proves that Finnish Omnigym outdoor gym equipment is as effective as traditional indoor gym equipment.

The story of Omnigym goes back to the 1980s when an indoor gym equipment brand David started to develop its equipment range in cooperation with the University of Jyväskylä. Since day one, it was crucial to develop high-quality equipment to allow users to get the maximum benefit from their workout. David indoor gym equipment has served as the backbone for Omnigym's outdoor gym equipment.

In the 2015 City of Helsinki wanted to provide a costless, all-year-round form of exercise to its citizens. Hence, Omnigym started developing a range of equipment that would stand in all weather conditions and allow resistance adjustment.

Omnigym equipment is biomechanically implemented, which means that it guides the user to perform the trajectory correctly. Hence, the use of equipment is safe enough for beginners and, on the other hand, effective and challenging enough for even professional athletes.

This study compared muscle activation, force production during squat actions and acute neuromuscular responses during a hypertrophic loading protocol in Smith Machine Squat compared to Outdoor Omnigym Squat fitness device.

Scientifically proven to be effective and safe

Keijo Häkkinen, Professor Emeritus of the University of Jyväskylä, describes that a study published in the fall of 2021 compared muscle activation, force production during squat actions and acute neuromuscular responses during a hypertrophic loading protocol in the bench press and back squat.

In addition, the study examined how a single strength workout brings up exhaustion and affects performance and recovery. These results gathered using Omnigym equipment were then compared with corresponding performances using Smith Machines that are typically found at indoor gyms.

“As a conclusion, it can be said that outdoor fitness equipment can be used for training of maximal strength and muscle hypertrophy for recreational and athletic purposes,” describes Häkkinen.

Häkkinen is delighted how interest in outdoor fitness equipment seems to be on the rise. This could be seen during an international scientific forum held in Jyväskylä in October 2021. The resistance adjustment was especially admired among participants.

Omnigym finds the results significant

“We now have scientific proof of the fact how much can be achieved with persistent equipment development. The user experience has to be so good that it makes the user come back. Thus, the investment is truly profitable”, says Sami Kaivola, COO of Omnigym.

The equipment has quickly become popular. At the moment, there are over 170 Omnigym outdoor gyms in Finland. In addition, there are approximately 50 Omnigym outdoor gyms elsewhere in Europe, and the number is increasing.

Kaivola estimates that especially the pandemic has increased the demand for alternative fitness activities.

“The physical activity and well-being of citizens have a direct effect on healthcare expenses and productivity expenses for cities and municipalities. Investing in accessible outdoor fitness facilities is a huge marketing asset that makes residential areas more attractive as well.”

View the Omnigym Variable Load Strength Range

OUTDOOR FITNESS CONCEPTS LAUNCHES INTO UK MARKET

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:18:57 GMT

Cornerstone investors back Outdoor Fitness Concepts to bring innovative new products and turnkey outdoor fitness services to UK public spaces.

After an extensive period of product development and 3 National lockdowns we are excited to finally announce the launch of Outdoor Fitness Concepts.

We would like to welcome Adam Bellamy and Jacques De Bruin to the business as cornerstone investors. Both Adam and Jacques spent many years on the board at Pure Gym and were part of the team responsible for the huge growth of the brand. Their investment will play a big part in the growth of the business over the next two years and drive our continued innovation within the outdoor gym space.

Outdoor Fitness Concepts has the largest collection of innovative, intuitive, and progressive commercial outdoor fitness equipment in the UK. Easy to use and suitable for use for those aged 14 and above, our equipment is designed to stand up to harsh outdoor environments and more aligned to equipment found in indoor facilities.

We can design, build and install the equipment and training space for any outdoor gym. Our unique turnkey Training Parks® solution, are designed for all year, all weather operation and fit for any public, commercial and corporate outdoor space.

For more information, please contact Rob or Steve to see how we help develop your outdoor gym space.