The Importance of ASTM and Building a Safe and Effective Outdoor Gym
Following the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards is a key part of making sure outdoor gyms are functional and safe. In the last number of years, outdoor fitness spaces have become more popular in public parks, schools, and many other areas as the promotion of physical activity in natural settings has grown. These spaces rely on many things such as equipment selection, installation, and maintenance, to maximize their effectiveness and safety.
ASTM standards; what they are and why they matter
ASTM standards are guidelines for the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance, safety, quality, and performance of products and services across different industries. ASTM F3101-21a sets the standard for unsupervised outdoor fitness equipment and covers everything from materials used and construction to safety features and proper installation. These standards ensure safety and reduce injury risk in public areas. The responsibility to enforce these standards falls on the owner/operator of the equipment, but as an outdoor fitness equipment manufacturer, Outdoor-Fit always recommends making every site ASTM compliant.
Safety features to look for in outdoor fitness equipment
The top priority to think about when choosing outdoor fitness equipment should be safety. Here are some key considerations:
Material Quality
Opt for equipment built from robust, weather-resistant materials. Stainless steel and aluminum are popular choices due to their strength and resistance to rust. Make sure the paint can last in any environment. A great example is Outdoor-Fit Exercise System’s 5-step paint process, which ensures equipment is resistant to sun, snow, rain, salt spray, and any other climate.
Pinch Points / Crush Zones
Equipment should be designed with safety in mind. Crush zones and pinch points can be common in equipment with moving parts. It is critical to ensure that these elements are completely eliminated.
Rounded Edges and No Sharp Corners
In the outdoor world, users might not be as cautious and aware while working out as they would be indoors. Sharp corners and edges can cause serious injuries. Ensuring equipment has smooth surfaces and rounded edges is key to the safety of every outdoor fitness site.
Use Zones and Clearance Spaces
To ensure outdoor gyms are accessible and inclusive, users must be able to move freely around the equipment. Proper use zones and clearance spaces should be enforced when installing equipment to avoid any risk of collisions.
Creating an outdoor gym for everyone
To maximize use, outdoor gyms should be inviting, safe, and accessible to all users regardless of their age or fitness level. Key components of an outdoor gym to consider are:
- Safety Surfacing: What’s underneath the outdoor gym can be just as important as the equipment. Choosing the proper surfacing plays a major role in safety and can make the space more aesthetically pleasing. Some options include poured-in-place rubber, artificial turf, wood fiber chips, rubber mulch, and many others. Surfacing should meet ASTM standards for impact attenuation to help minimize risks of injury in the case of a fall.
- Equipment Adjustability: To ensure everyone can use the outdoor gym, choose equipment built with the user in mind. Equipment with both bodyweight and resistance training stations allows various fitness levels to participate. Equipment with different height settings will also make sure that everyone can achieve a proper workout. The Apollo Multigym is a great example of equipment with multiple stations that feature both bodyweight and adjustable resistance training.
- Diversifying Equipment: There are many elements to a workout, and not everyone works out the same. Choosing equipment that is diverse and can target strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility training should be considered. Choose equipment that offers stations like:
- Pull-up bars: For back and bicep strength
- Dip stations: To target the triceps, shoulders, and chest
- Push-up platforms: For core and upper body exercises
- Cardio stations: Such as resistance steppers and exercise bikes
- Stretching: To properly warmup and recover
Increasing the life span of outdoor fitness equipment
Just like indoor fitness equipment proper installation, and maintenance are important for increasing the life span of outdoor fitness equipment. Some important things to remember are:
Professional Installation
These workers are called professionals for a reason. They know what they’re doing and have experience. Hiring professional installers will ensure equipment is securely anchored and aligned according to ASTM standards. If equipment is installed incorrectly, the number of risks goes through the roof.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
The best outdoor fitness equipment is built with very little to low maintenance; however, regularly inspecting equipment is always a good thing to do. Making sure everything can be used properly and there are no loose bolts or damage to equipment will help prevent accidents. Occasionally checking to see if certain equipment needs a lubricant spray to ensure everything is moving smoothly is also a common form of recommended maintenance.
Instructional Placards
Outdoor fitness equipment should provide clear signage and instructions on how to properly use it. These show how to correctly perform each exercise in a safe and injury-free way. Visuals and scannable QR codes are also a great way to ensure equipment is being used properly.
Conclusion
Creating a safe and effective outdoor gym requires extensive planning. It’s not an overnight decision. Adhering to ASTM standards, selecting the right equipment, ensuring proper use zones and clearance spaces, and choosing adjustable and diverse equipment while regularly maintaining proper use will all help make your gym a valuable asset to your community.
