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/