Getting enough exercise is important at every stage of life, but especially as one approaches the golden years. Staying active can prevent chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dementia. However, according to a study published by the CDC, 28 percent of adults 50 years old and greater were physically inactive. The need for exercise opportunities for all age groups is apparent, and an outdoor gym is a great solution for seniors to keep moving.
Outdoor activity can be beneficial for mental health of older adults
According to the American Psychological Association, 20 percent of people over 55 suffer from a mental disorder. Older adults can benefit from exercising in green spaces. Properly designed, fitness zones can be versatile and offer something for everyone. Choosing equipment that serves the whole community means thinking about the needs and abilities of every age group. The CDC recommends150 weekly exercise minutes for adults, urging balance workouts for ages 65 and over. Ensure spaces cater to low-impact activities for all ages, while still offering challenges to others.
For older adults, units that use a proportion of body weight as leverage work especially well. Greenfields’ Legacy Series has many pieces of equipment that are low-impact and also help with balance. The aging process can also impact range of motion, and choosing the right units can make the exercise experience enjoyable—almost like a playground for seniors. Additionally, these machines are great for beginners because they are intuitive to use.
Incorporating options that are more rigorous can give a space a multigenerational appeal
Older adults benefit from being in spaces with others of different ages. Pairing Legacy Series units with Functional Fitness rigs allows for younger and older adults to work out together. Functional Fitness rigs have dozens of features such as Swedish ladders, dip bars and flag poles. Though these types of features are usually used for advanced exercises, they make fantastic stretching apparatuses as well. The rigs can also be molded to any shape or size of area and can be customized with a range of features ensuring everyone in the community will have something that suits them best.
The Anaheim Senior Center outdoor gym is a great example of a project with enough units to become a fitness destination for older adults. The majority of the units are from the Legacy Series for low-impact exercise. Some are body weight leverage assistance units. Some are resistance free such as the 4-Person Pendulum, Abs & Dips Station. The City also included ample shade to provide protection from the sun, so people can be comfortable while working out. The fitness zone is also close to the parking lot for easy access. This also makes the outdoor gym more accessible to people in wheelchairs. This fitness zone came to be through community members advocating for a space for everyone in the community to exercise together.
“I asked the city if they would be willing to put in this exercise equipment because they have it in … many places that I had the opportunity to use it, and I knew this would be perfect and this location especially,” said Judy Hewitt, a local resident. “I think it’s absolutely fabulous, and I’m so pleased to have it here.”