Shade, Surfacing, and Strategic Placement: Three Features to Improve Any Outdoor Gym
With outdoor fitness equipment becoming more common in new parks, most people think the equipment you choose is the number one make-or-break factor in whether it will be used. While the equipment itself is important for maximizing ROI, park planners know that the supporting features around it can be just as influential. Three of the most significant factors that can enhance an outdoor gym are shading structures over the gym, the surfacing beneath the equipment, and the placement within the park. When used properly, these elements can turn a regular outdoor gym into an exciting community hot spot.
1. Shading Structures for Outdoor Fitness Equipment
A good shade structure is a simple yet impactful improvement for an outdoor gym. Exercising outdoors obviously has benefits, such as breathing in the fresh air and getting sunlight, but on those mid-summer days when UV rays are at their peak, a shading structure can be essential for users’ safety and the ability to work out. Shaded fitness stations help reduce heat stress and keep the equipment cooler to the touch. This ensures users can enjoy long-lasting workouts and makes your outdoor gym more inviting for seniors or people who may be sensitive to high heat. In addition to sun protection, shade structures can protect from rain or snow, keeping your outdoor gym accessible year-round for everyone.
2. Safety Surfacing: Customize, Protect, and Create Visual Appeal
Safety surfacing comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and is mandatory to comply with ASTM standards for unsupervised outdoor fitness equipment in public settings. The right surfacing reduces the risk of slips, falls, and injury, and improves accessibility for wheelchairs and users with mobility challenges.
The most popular form of safety surfacing for an outdoor gym is poured-in-place (pip) rubber, which offers excellent shock absorption and can be customized however you want. Different colors, city logos, sponsored branding, or names are among the various ways that pip Rubber can take your outdoor gym to the next level.
Beyond pip rubber, there are a variety of other surfacing options that can be selected to meet project goals, budget, and needs. Engineered wood fiber, artificial turf, and rubber mulch are different options to elevate your setup.
3. Strategic Outdoor Fitness Equipment Placement
If you want your outdoor fitness equipment to be used, it must be seen. Placing equipment in a highly visible, well-lit location that others can see from nearby houses, roads, sidewalks, or trails piques interest, which increases use. Beyond visibility, installing an outdoor gym near playgrounds, basketball courts, and other amenities will significantly increase use. Parents can exercise while watching their kids explore the playground, athletes can warm up before or cool down after a pick-up basketball game, and seniors can do the same for pickleball to help reduce the risk of injury. Ultimately, the best outdoor gyms are thoughtfully integrated with other park amenities to create a seamless park experience.
Installing a shade structure, safety surfacing, and carefully planning the location of your outdoor gym are three pivotal aspects that will determine the use of an outdoor gym in any park. When used, they create an exciting, inviting, and lasting gym that benefits the community.
To find the Outdoor-Fit dealer in your area to learn more about their shading structures and safety surfacing, click here: https://outdoor-fit.com/find-outdoor-fit-dealer-near-you
To contact us and learn more about our outdoor fitness equipment, click here: https://outdoor-fit.com/contact-us
