Outdoor fitness areas are a great way to make healthy lifestyles accessible to all. How do they uniquely suit themselves to do this? How can we ensure inclusivity and accessibility for those with disabilities?
Community Accessibility
Outdoor fitness equipment is freely accessible to the community 24/7, according to a broad accessibility definition. Outdoor fitness zones offer free exercise access without the need for a gym membership. With a variety of machines at each park or installation, users still get in a great workout. Apps help users locate nearby gyms for free exercise anytime. The design and location of these facilities significantly enhance their daily usability for people. For instance, installing equipment in pocket parks within a short walk for many or beside playgrounds makes exercise accessible to caregivers and boosts usage.
Another way in which outdoor fitness equipment is accessible is in its intuitive design. If the natural function of any sort of unit isn’t obvious at first glance, there are usually diagrams demonstrating use, and often video demos available by scanning QR codes – helping those with language barriers understand the use of each unit. These fitness areas go even further to make fitness as accessible as possible with their safety-first design. With “fear of injury” being among the obstacles to overcome when working out, it’s a great benefit to those living near an outdoor fitness area to have equipment designed with their safety and wellbeing in mind. Furthermore, many units off the users’ body weight, naturally tailoring the resistance level to the individual.
A Classic Means of Getting Healthy
Outdoor fitness equipment designed for wheelchair users provides classic accessibility. Accessibility includes barrier-free access, such as ramps and easy-to-navigate surfaces, and enough space for wheelchair users to transfer to equipment. Beyond basic access, inclusivity means adding equipment that doesn’t require transferring from wheelchairs, allowing wheelchair users to exercise with others seamlessly. This approach fosters inclusion, eliminating the need for separate adaptive environments. Additionally, incorporating units with adjustable resistance emulates indoor gym equipment, focusing on strengthening muscles used in wheelchair propulsion and preventing injuries.
Greenfields Outdoor Fitness is helping to give every member of the community the opportunity to exercise in an inclusive outdoor environment. Take accessibility to new heights with a Greenfields’ fitness zone – contact us to get started.
